Wandering Eyes

Certain connections of Justify reacted Sept. 12 to a New York Times story revealing that the eventual Triple Crown winner failed a post-race drug test following his 2018 Santa Anita Derby (G1) victory by saying contamination caused the positive test. View the full article

I am a highly competitive person by nature, so the words were barely out of my friend and colleague Sarah Andrew’s mouth when I jumped at the chance to ride in the third annual Real Rider Cup. A full day off work so I could jump on an OTTB, gallop around a show jumping course and raise money for two fantastic causes? Count me in! Coming from a hunter/jumper background and spending most of my junior career away at horse shows, I already felt like I had an edge—that edge turned into a little bit of cockiness when I started thinking back to my exercise riding days and how I could combine both of those riding skills for the win. Then reality set in. The Teams at the Real Rider Cup are divided into Farm/Racing Managers (Sergio DeSousa better not send his incredibly talented daughter Isabela to show in his place!), Freestyle (has Clovis Crane’s video gone viral yet?), Jockeys (now I’m just wanting to crawl under a hedge—I have to compete against Robbie Walsh and Demonstrative? This is rigged.) Race Track Kids (these kids could ride laps around me before they even knew how to walk) and the team I will help represent, Racing Media. Thank goodness for Penelope Miller, who finished second overall last year! Being the competitive soul that I am, I usually agree to a challenge first and then think of the details and repercussions of my acceptance second. As the teams for the RRC formed, I found myself wanting to back out. I gave Sarah a list of excuses—I’m not famous! I don’t have anything to ride! I don’t have any social media to promote myself! I haven’t ridden over the pace of “trail ride” in years! ROBBIE FREAKING WALSH is going to be there, amongst many other super-talented riders and idols of mine! With each excuse I made, Sarah came back at me with the best reason I should kick on: I did, after all, secure the highly coveted silks of Stonestreet Stables. It is such an honor to be able to wear those silks and represent a farm and racing program that has given us some of the best racehorses of my generation. I have been a big fan of Stonestreet since I spent a few years at their training center in Ocala, Florida breaking 2-year-olds. They do everything right, and Barbara Banke is very generous to aftercare and a strong supporter of rehoming OTTB’s. Since my current mount is still learning how to clear 18″ fences and not treat them as soccer balls, Maggie Kimmitt arranged for me to meet up with Lia McGuirk and Forrest Kelly to go for a ride on the horse they would be donating for the show. I get to have the ride on Manchurian High (The Daddy), who I’m actually familiar with from my days working as a vet tech. He made over half a million dollars and won back to back editions of the Sunshine Millions Turf S. After our schooling session, my confidence came flooding back. I couldn’t stop smiling all afternoon as we jumped, turned and galloped out on the cross country field. Manch and I clicked right away, he’s just my type of ride, and quite handy! With under a week to go, the excitement is beginning to build. My boots are polished, the gold and maroon silks are folded as neatly as a Super Bowl game jersey, my mount is prepped, the donations have poured in and hopefully I’ll get to take home a blue ribbon and a few selfies with my idols. It’s not to late to make a donation! All proceeds benefit the Retired Racehorse Project and New Vocations. To be continued… The post Game Faces On – The Real Rider Cup – Part 1 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. 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. Friday’s Insights features a son of Grade I-winning Lady of Shamrock. 4.06 Saint-Cloud, Mdn, €27,000, 2yo, c/g, 7fT OXALIS (IRE) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) is a son of the GI American Oaks and GI Del Mar Oaks heroine Lady of Shamrock (Scat Daddy) who was acquired for $2 million by the Wertheimers at the 2013 Keeneland November Sale. Starting out for the Freddy Head stable, he meets a Godolphin-Fabre project in the similarly-unraced Algiers (Ire) (Shamardal), a son of the dual group scorer and multiple group 1-placed Antara (Ger) (Platini {Ger}). 2.20 Sandown, Mdn, £7,400, 2yo, 5f 10yT QASEEDA (GB) (Poet’s Voice {GB}) debuts for Isa Al-Khalifa and William Haggas and is a half-sister to the stable’s G3 Craven S. winner and G1 2000 Guineas third Skardu (GB) (Shamardal). Bidding to emulate him in winning at the first attempt, the April-foaled bay meets nine rivals over this stiff five. The post Son of Lady of Shamrock Debuts at Saint-Cloud appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

LEXINGTON, KY – There may have been no bidding at Keeneland Thursday, but it was anything but dark at the sales grounds as consignors were kept busy showing horses to perspective buyers on a sweltering day in the Blue Grass. The 13-day September sale opened with a blockbuster, three-session Book 1 and expectations are for that demand to carry into the two-session Book 2, which gets underway Friday at 10 a.m. “The next two sessions have 365 horses a piece of really quality animals and there is a whole lot of money sitting on the sidelines still, who couldn’t get in here on Book 1,” said Keeneland’s vice president of sales and racing Bob Elliston. “I think we are going to see some fireworks still on Friday and Saturday.” Hunter Simms of Warrendale Sales is looking forward to getting Book 2 started. “We are very pleased with our Book 2 horses, we have a lot of sire power, we have some great physicals and great pedigrees,” Simms said. “We are selling for some great breeders. Coming out of Book 1, we are looking forward to Books 2, 3, and on through the sale. Everyone likes selling in Books 2, 3, and 4 and people like buying. It’s very competitive. That’s what you want. You’ll see some expensive horses in the next four or five days. ” The idea that a competitive Book 1 market would set the table for the remainder of the auction was a common refrain at the sales grounds Thursday. “I think Book 2 could be very strong,” said Paramount Sales’ Gabriel Duignan. “I think a lot of people got pushed back, traffic seems very encouraging and we’ve gotten good comments on the horses we have here, which helps.” Asked if he was being kept busy outside Paramount’s Barn 44, Duignan said with a laugh, “They’re keeping me a little too busy.” He added, “It’s been crazy busy-all of the players we’ve had in the past and it looks like some new ones. Everybody seems like they want horses and they are very busy.” Things were equally busy at the Select Sales Barn 36. “Book 1 was great and we have been slammed here for Book 2 the last couple of days,” said Select Sales’ Andrew Cary. “I think the sale is going to continue being really strong all the way through. We’ve been having people wait and have to come back and see horses. From a consignors perspective, you never want to keep people waiting, but it’s good the demand is there and people are excited to see horses. That’s all you can ask for as a seller.” Matt Lyons is overseeing the first consignment of Everett Dobson’s Candy Meadows Sales. Lyons said the demand for Book 2 horses started earlier than expected. “We started showing Wednesday afternoon-we were going to wait until [Thursday] because we were selling out of Barn 24, but people were knocking on the doors to look, so we came down and started showing yesterday afternoon. Action has been busy ever since.” In its debut consignment, Candy Meadows offered two horses in Book 1 and will have an additional two in Book 2. “We’ve had a lot of good comments on how good the horses look and how well they are showing,” Lyons, who served as vice president and general manager of Woodford Thoroughbreds for 10 years before joining Candy Meadows in January, said. “We are 100% so far, maybe we should retire,” he added with a laugh. “We are two-for-two-maybe we should retire at the top, but we’ll keep going.” Of Candy Meadows’ Book 2 horses, Lyons said, “We have two nice colts, we think, a Twirling Candy who is going down well so far, and a More Than Ready colt from Daredevil’s family, so the same kind of cross.” The Keeneland September sale continues through Sept. 22 with sessions beginning daily at 10 a.m. The post Keeneland September Sale Resumes Friday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

There is not much that Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) has missing on his resume, but the G2 Doncaster Cup is one and that should be put to rights on Friday as Bjorn Nielsen’s beloved chestnut returns to Town Moor for the first time since finishing third in the 2017 G1 St Leger. That high-class effort in a particularly strong renewal of the oldest Classic is one of only two defeats in his last 13 starts with his exploits in garnering a pair of £1million Weatherbys Hamilton bonuses now well-documented. It is fortunate that his sporting owner-breeder wants to take in this prestigious affair, which does not feature in the bonus but which boasts a rich history in its own right. In the heady days of Le Moss (Ire) and Ardross (Ire), the Doncaster Cup was part of the stayers’ triple crown alongside the Ascot Gold Cup and Goodwood Cup and it would have been a shame had Stradivarius not headed in this direction. Frankie Dettori commented, “I think the reason he’s running is because the horse is so well. John spoke to the owner and they’ve decided to let him take his chance. John has been away in America, but when he talked to Bjorn they decided it was a long wait until Ascot. I don’t know the exact conversation, but that’s what I’ve been told–that the horse is so well he’ll take his chance.” While he could not be compared with Le Moss’s great rival Ardross, Dee Ex Bee (GB) (Farhh {GB}) has like the latter suffered three humbling defeats at the hands of his superior at Ascot, Goodwood and York and there is little prospect of him turning the tables here. Unlike Stradivarius, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum’s homebred was disappointing when conditions were ideal in his outing in the St Leger last October and it is now unequivocal truth that he is at least one notch below his lofty standard. “What is there to say? We’ve met him three times and come off worse every time,” trainer Mark Johnston said. “To be honest, we were not expecting him to come on to Doncaster. Two and a quarter miles gives us an extra quarter of a mile to play with, compared to York last time, but he beat us in the Ascot Gold Cup as well. There’s no reason to think Stradivarius has any chinks in his armour, unless he’s not at his best on the day.” The card begins with the G3 JRA Sceptre S. for fillies and mares over seven furlongs and Meon Valley’s homebred 3-year-old Farzeen (GB) (Farhh {GB}) is the eyecatcher after two novice wins by a cumulative margin of 9 1/4 lengths at Redcar July 31 and Kempton Aug. 14. Owner-breeder Mark Weinfeld said, “We just don’t know how good she is yet. She couldn’t have been more impressive in winning her last two, so we thought we’d look for some black-type. We’ll see.” Farzeen’s trainer Roger Varian also saddles Shadwell’s Aug. 23 York Convivial Maiden winner Molatham (GB) (Night of Thunder {Ire}) in the Listed Flying Scotsman S. later on the card. Only a neck behind the Hannon sensation Mums Tipple (Ire) (Foostepsinthesand {GB}) in Ascot’s Crocker Bulteel Maiden over six furlongs on debut July 26, he faces a small but select cast in the race once graced by Frankel (GB). It includes Rob Ferguson’s TDN Rising Star Visinari (Fr) (Dark Angel {Ire}), who looks to rebound after a tame fourth in the G2 Vintage S. at Goodwood July 30 and Angus Gold is aware of the task facing Molatham, “He won nicely at York and we hope he’s a smart horse, but he is very much a work in progress,” he commented. “We decided we’d step him up to a listed race next and hopefully this will tell us whether he could run in one of the bigger two-year-old races later in the year.” The G2 Flying Childers S. for the fast 2-year-olds could be a match between A’Ali (Ire) (Society Rock {Ire}) and Alligator Alley (GB) (Kingman {GB}). The former was unable to carry forward the momentum he had gained in winning the June 20 G2 Norfolk S. at Royal Ascot and July 21 G2 Prix Robert Papin at Deauville when fifth in the G1 Prix Morny back at the latter venue Aug. 18 but this five-furlong trip is probably ideal. Alligator Alley was unlucky not to finish closer than a length second in the G3 Molecomb S. at Goodwood July 31, but made amends with a strong late surge to take York’s Listed Roses S. Aug. 24. Thursday saw the final fields confirmed for Saturday’s two features, the G1 William Hill St Leger at Doncaster and Leopardstown’s G1 QIPCO Irish Champion S. There were no surprise absentees in either, with Khalid Abdullah’s unbeaten Aug. 21 G2 Great Voltigeur S. winner Logician (GB) (Frankel {GB}) met by a trio from Ballydoyle headed by TDN Rising Star Sir Dragonet (Ire) (Camelot {GB}). As expected, Ryan Moore is at Leopardstown for the ride on Magical (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the main event and Hermosa (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G1 Coolmore Fastnet Rock Matron S. and a clutch of other Ballydoyle luminaries. The May 8 G3 Chester Vase winner Sir Dragonet, who was fifth in the June 1 G1 Epsom Derby and fourth on his return in the 10-furlong G3 Royal Whip S. at The Curragh Aug. 16, will be partnered by Donnacha O’Brien and he said, “I ride him in all his work, he’s absolutely flying at home and gives you a very good feel. It’s always an unknown when they step up in trip, but he looks to have every chance of staying it–it’s an unknown for plenty in the race. I think Logician is a nice horse, but he’s going to have to improve to run to my level of form, being honest, and I think my lad is probably the one to beat.” The post Stradivarius The Star on Friday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Thursday, Doncaster, Britain DFS PARK HILL S.-G2, £100,000, Doncaster, 9-12, 3yo/up, f, 14f 115yT, 3:02.79, g/f. 1–ENBIHAAR (IRE), 134, f, 4, by Redoute’s Choice (Aus) 1st Dam: Chanterelle (Fr), by Trempolino 2nd Dam: Spectacular Joke, by Spectacular Bid 3rd Dam: No Joke, by Shecky Greene (€500,000 Ylg ’16 ARAUG). O-Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum; B-Haras du Mezeray (IRE); T-John Gosden; J-Jim Crowley. £56,710. Lifetime Record: 8-5-1-1, $427,763. *1/2 to Silent Attack (GB) (Dream Ahead), GSP-Tur, $176,808; and King Bolete (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}), SP-Eng. Werk Nick Rating: F. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. 2–Delphinia (Ire), 121, f, 3, Galileo (Ire)–Again (Ire), by Danehill Dancer (Ire). O-Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith; B-Orpendale & Chelston (IRE); T-Aidan O’Brien. £21,500. 3–Vivid Diamond (Ire), 121, f, 3, Cape Cross (Ire)–Pretty Diamond (Ire), by Hurricane Run (Ire). O/B-Markus Graff (IRE); T-Mark Johnston. £10,760. Margins: SHD, 2 3/4, 2. Odds: 1.20, 7.50, 12.00. Also Ran: South Sea Pearl (Ire), Star Terms (GB), Dame Malliot (GB), Oydis (GB), Peach Tree (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. All alone as the older filly in Thursday’s G2 Park Hill S. at Doncaster, Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Enbihaar (Ire) (Redoute’s Choice {Aus}) faced the challenge made sterner by her penalty and a heavy weight-for-age burden and prevailed again to keep her sequence going. Settled in rear early by Jim Crowley, the 6-5 favourite made steady progress as her chief market rival Dame Malliot (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}) began to flounder in midstraight and swooped on Vivid Diamond (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}) approaching the final furlong. Joined by Ballydoyle’s Delphinia (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) soon after, the July 6 G2 Lancashire Oaks and Aug. 3 G2 Lillie Langtry S. winner kept finding to deny her by a short head, with Vivid Diamond 2 3/4 lengths away in third. “They went a good honest gallop and I wanted to get her rolling in the straight with the strong headwind, but she slipped badly on the bend and it took her time to come back to me and get her confidence back,” jockey Jim Crowley explained. “She probably thought she’d done enough when she got there and she’s a real star who takes it all in her stride. With every run, she’s got better and better. She could have easily been retired at three, but I remember she gave me a hell of a feel at Ascot last year and dare I say it, she could be even better next year as she’s only starting to fill her frame.” Enbihaar, who has taken off in 2019 and was registering a fourth black-type success including a rare trio of group 2s, is bound for either Ascot or ParisLongchamp now according to Shadwell’s Richard Hills. “She’s a lovely filly and has done nothing but improve. John has 100 out in a morning and you can pick her out having a canter. She’s got the most beautiful action. Obviously, you’ve got Ascot [the Oct. 19 G1 QIPCO British Champions Fillies and Mares S.] and Longchamp [for the Oct. 5 G1 Prix Royallieu].” The G2 Prix de Pomone winner Dame Malliot was only sixth and owner-breeder Anthony Oppenheimer admitted, “I’m afraid it’s my fault entirely. A couple of days ago she looked a bit thin and Frankie [Dettori] said she’d gone over the top. She had three hard races and this was one too many. She’ll go back to the stud for a break and come out racing next year, which will be nice.” Enbihaar, a half-sister to Godolphin’s G2 International Topkapi Trophy runner-up Silent Attack (GB) (Dream Ahead) and to the recent listed-placed King Bolete (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}), is out of Chanterelle (Fr) (Trempolino) who is a full-sister to the G3 Prix du Calvados scorer Cox Orange. In turn the dam of the Listed Masaka S. winner and G1 1000 Guineas third Vista Bella (GB) (Diktat {GB}), she is out of the G2 Prix Maurice de Gheest winner Spectacular Joke (Spectacular Bid) whose leading performer was the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac heroine Amonita (Anabaa). Chanterelle also has the unraced 2-year-old colt Motamayiz (GB) (Charm Spirit {Ire}). The post Enbihaar Foils The 3-Year-Old Challenge appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Impressive on debut in a seven-furlong novice contest at Newmarket Aug. 23, Dr Ali Ridha’s Powerful Breeze (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}) belied inexperience to upstage some stouter fillies in Thursday’s G2 May Hill S. at Doncaster. Anchored with two behind early by James Doyle as the pace proved moderate in the gusts that had blighted Town Moor all afternoon, the 6-1 second favourite showed the sharpest turn of foot to gain the lead passing the two-furlong pole before asserting for a length verdict over Boomer (GB) (Kingman {GB}). Godolphin’s Alpen Rose (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}), one of the more obvious Oaks types on pedigree, showed distinct promise to be a neck away in third, while the 6-4 favourite Cloak of Spirits (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) was only sixth after enjoying a prominent position throughout. “Early on, I thought I’d get her back out of the wind and get her to relax and she was quite green,” James Doyle commented. “When the pace would lift, I had to ask her to sit a touch closer and then when it steadied she would run a bit keen, so it wasn’t that smooth. I couldn’t believe how steady they were going even to the three pole and she quickened up and was in front after 10 strides. At the end she was very game and very professional.” Doyle sees a future for Powerful Breeze, adding, “On debut, she did nothing but please us and David Egan rode her and said the further she goes the better she’ll be. She was taking everything in going down to the start and was slightly on her toes and it was just in the early part of the race that I had to teach her a bit. She’s one to look forward to and there are nice targets for her. She’s not a small horse, she has plenty of scope and will strengthen out. We live the dream of the Guineas and races like that.” Hugo Palmer was putting a generally low-key 2019 campaign behind him and said, “Everything worked really nicely and James gave her a peach of a ride. There is a really strong headwind and he covered her up beautifully. What she lacks in experience, she makes up for in heart–I thought maybe she’d got there a bit soon as it’s only her second start with the step up in trip and everything, but she’s really exciting. We haven’t had the easiest of seasons. The three-year-olds haven’t turned out to be what we thought they were going to be. To get a group two on the board with one of the two-year-olds is thoroughly exciting. I think she’ll go on most ground apart from really soft.” “We’ll see how she is and think about supplementing for the [Oct. 11 G1] Fillies’ Mile [at Newmarket],” Palmer added. “She will grow and develop and fillies can go off, so we don’t have to make a decision on that yet.” Tom Dascombe said of Boomer, “She’s run a great race, I’m thrilled with her. Obviously the winner is very good. We’re a very good filly as well, but today we got beat. Let’s hope we can go on and do something else with her in the future.” Powerful Breeze, who was the third cheapest filly in this line-up and a relative bargain, is out of Godolphin’s Power of Light (Ire) (Echo of Light {GB}) who managed a third placing in the Listed Montrose Fillies’ S. as a juvenile. Her listed-placed third dam Garmoucheh (Silver Hawk) is out of the dual G3 Flying Five S. winner Flowing (El Gran Senor) whose other daughter Narjis Flower (Pleasant Colony) produced the GII San Clemente H. scorer Storm Mesa (Sky Mesa). Power of Light’s yearling filly is by Sepoy (Aus). The post Breeze Masters May Hill Rivals appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Editor’s Note: The Jockey Club has asked for public comment on their proposal to cap at 140 the number of mares a stallion can breed annually. In this ongoing series, we will publish the perspectives of breeders, stallion farms and others on the proposal. It’s kind of a Catch 22, but I would say that it’s up to the stallion owners and the breeders. You have the choice of breeding to a stallion who breeds 200 horses, or you don’t have to breed to them. I don’t think The Jockey Club should limit people who own something as to what they can do with it. On the other side, it’s probably not a bad thing for the horses in general and for the business, but I just don’t think they should be telling people what to do. It depends upon the stallion for us, too. I breed to Into Mischief a lot and he breeds a lot of horses, but there are other stallions we will look at and say, there’s going to be so many of them at the sale, let’s not do that, or let’s breed to a different stallion. If we have a nice mare that goes really well with that particular stallion, we’ll breed to him anyway but we do pay attention to that when we’re making our breeding decisions. We definitely talk about, “oh there’s going to be 30 of those in book 1,” and we shouldn’t do that with that horse. But people should make their own business decisions. Want to share your opinion? Email suefinley@thetdn.com The post Opinions on the Cap: Greg Goodman appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Some connections of Justify reacted Sept. 12 to a New York Times story revealing that the eventual Triple Crown winner failed a post-race drug test following his 2018 Santa Anita Derby (G1) victory by saying contamination caused the positive test. View the full article

Starship Jubilee seeks a repeat in the Canadian Stakes Presented by the Japan Racing Association (G2T) and Pink Lloyd headlines the Bold Venture Stakes (G3) on the Ricoh Woodbine Mile Stake (G1T) undercard Sept. 14 at Woodbine. View the full article

Godolphin's group 1 winner Old Persian is set to make his North American race debut Sept. 14 in the $300,000 Northern Dancer Turf Stakes (G1T), a 1 1/2-mile marathon for 3-year-olds and up on Woodbine's E.P. Taylor Turf Course. View the full article

In his first public comments since a New York Times story broke that 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify (Scat Daddy) tested positive for the prohibited substance Scopolamine following the colt’s win in the GI Santa Anita Derby, trainer Bob Baffert denied that the drug was intentionally given to the horse. Had the California Horse Racing Board disqualified Justify from his win in the Santa Anita Derby, he would not have had enough points to make the field for the GI Kentucky Derby. “I unequivocally reject any implication that Scopolamine was ever intentionally administered to Justify, or any of my horses,” Baffert said. “Test results indicating trace amounts of the drug were undoubtedly the result of environmental contamination caused by the presence of jimsonweed in feed, a naturally growing substance in areas where hay and straw are produced in California. In addition, I had no input into, or influence on, the decisions made by the California Horse Racing Board. “Following the Santa Anita Derby, Justify raced in three different jurisdictions during his Triple Crown run – Kentucky, Maryland and New York. He passed all drug tests in those jurisdictions. I call on the relevant testing agencies in those jurisdictions to immediately release information related to Justify’s test results. “Justify is the one of the finest horses I’ve had the privilege of training and by any standard is one of the greatest of all time. I am proud to stand by his record, and my own.” As reported in Thursday’s TDN, reporter Joe Drape quotes Dr. Rick Sams, who formerly ran the drug lab for the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, as saying that the amount of Scopolamine in Justify’s system, which Drape reports Sams saying was 300 nanograms per millileter, suggested “intentional intervention.” He does not say why a former drug lab head in Kentucky would have knowledge of the level found in the CHRB test, and Drape does not quote anyone from the CHRB or UC Davis, who performed the test, as specifying the level found. “It’s a year and a half later, so I don’t remember the exact date, but we were notified about it in mid-April,” Elliott Walden, the president, CEO and Racing Manager of WinStar Farm, who raced the colt in partnership, told the TDN Thursday morning. “I understood it was a contaminant, a known contaminant in California. We turned it over to an attorney, Craig Robertson, he communicated with them that he was handling it for us, and never heard about it again. “Bob Baffert’s reputation speaks for itself,” Walden continued. “He’s a great ambassador for the sport, and it’s a shame it has come to this.” The post Baffert Responds to Allegations in New York Times appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

G1 Prince of Wales’s S. winner Crystal Ocean (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}-Crystal Star {GB}, by Mark of Esteem {Ire})) suffered a career-ending injury on the gallops on Thursday morning but has successfully come through surgery. The news was first reported by Racing Post. Peter Stanley, spokesman for owner-breeder Sir Evelyn de Rothschild, told Racing Post, “Crystal Ocean has had two screws inserted in a hind cannon bone and has come through the surgery successfully. It should in no way affect his future stud career.” Trained by Sir Michael Stoute, Crystal Ocean never finished worse than third in 17 career starts. Breaking his maiden on his second start and his seasonal debut at three, Crystal Ocean made steady progress throughout the year, placing in a pair of Group 3s before winning the G3 Gordon S. and finishing second to Capri (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G1 St Leger. He won three straight races to begin his 4-year-old campaign in 2018-the G3 Gordon Richards S., the G3 Al Rayyan S. and the G2 Hardwicke S.-before finishing second in three subsequent starts to round out the year behind Poet’s Word (GB) (Poet’s Voice {GB}), Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) and Cracksman (GB) (Frankel {GB})-the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S., the G3 September S. and the G1 Champion S. After defending his titles in the Gordon Richards and Al Rayyan, Crystal Ocean at last got off the mark at the highest level this June at Royal Ascot in the G1 Prince of Wales’s S. He found only Enable a neck too tough in the King George, and rounded out his career with a head second to Japan (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G1 Juddmonte International. Crystal Ocean is out of Sir Evelyn de Rothschild’s listed-winning Crystal Star, and therefore a half-brother to GI Canadian International winner Hillstar (GB) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), triple group winner Crystal Capella (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}) and the listed-winning Crystal Zvezda (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). The post Crystal Ocean Injured, Retired appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Over $30,000 in cash and prizes were awarded at the third annual Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.) Championship Horse Show, held Sept. 7-8 at the Kentucky Horse Park near Lexington. The championships, held in conjunction with the New Vocations All-Thoroughbred Charity Show, offered 26 divisions in which 248 Thoroughbreds competed. Between the two shows, 450 Thoroughbreds competed while representing 26 states. In addition, the American Eventing Championships were also held at the Horse Park the weekend prior, with 218 Thoroughbreds (23% of the total entrants) competing. Included among the T.I.P. divisions were classes in English pleasure, Western pleasure, dressage, Western dressage, hunters, and jumpers. The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) sponsored high-point awards in four categories for horses adopted from TAA-accredited organizations, with the adopting organizations each receiving $250. Proceeds from the New Vocations show, which ran Sept. 6-8, support Thoroughbred aftercare efforts. “I am thrilled with the growth of the T.I.P. Championships since its inception in 2017 and the enthusiasm of all participants toward showcasing off-the-track Thoroughbreds,” said Kristin Werner, senior counsel for The Jockey Club and the administrator of T.I.P. “This weekend showcases the versatility of Thoroughbreds in a wide range of disciplines, and we hope that Thoroughbred-centric competitions will encourage horse owners to consider riding and competing with former racehorses.” Any Thoroughbred registered with The Jockey Club or any foreign stud book recognized by The Jockey Club is eligible for T.I.P. shows. To qualify for the championships, a T.I.P.-eligible Thoroughbred must participate in a show offering T.I.P. high-point awards, classes, or divisions beginning Aug. 1 of the prior year through July 31 of the championships year or participate in the T.I.P. Performance Awards in the applicable discipline. For more information, visit T.I.P. The post Nearly 250 Thoroughbreds Competed in T.I.P. Championships appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Two consistent themes of Julie Krone’s Junior Jockey Camp at Long Shadows Farm in Cambridge, NY were the importance of good horsemanship and the adherence to the actual rituals and rigors of life at the racetrack. Of course, it wouldn’t be Jockey Camp without Thoroughbreds. The Jockey Camp horses either live at Long Shadows, a horse sanctuary and retraining farm that is the regular home to five off-track Thoroughbreds, or were on loan from Aftercare Continued Thoroughbred Training (ACTT) Naturally, a non-profit that offers its programs at Long Shadows. Long Shadows’ horses, while regularly handled, were still prepped for weeks so that the camp’s racetrack routine would not be a shock. “It is my regular practice to teach the horses certain ground work and manners,” said Tabitha Morgan, who manages the horse care and does all the teaching and training for Long Shadows. “Even though they are not ridden every day, they do come up from the field for grooming and regular care by volunteers. So, it is important that they are accustomed to lots of activity as well as being handled.” Morgan trained and worked with Krone for three years at Old Osuna Ranch in Rancho Santa Fe, CA. She took over management of Long Shadows four years ago and brought her skills in non-resistant training to the rescue operation, which is about 30 minutes from Saratoga Springs. She has had resounding success with horses of all breeds and sizes but feels like she can really make a mark with off-track Thoroughbreds. “Thoroughbreds are so smart and adaptable,” said Morgan. “With the right handling, they can do absolutely anything. It is fun to see where each one we rescue finds his or her stride.” {"id":3,"instanceName":"Articles No Playlist","videos":[{"videoType":"HTML5","title":"Julie Krone and her Camp for Aspiring Jockeys","description":"","info":"","thumbImg":"","mp4":"https://player.vimeo.com/external/358113937.sd.mp4?s=d1869d0d289abaf6a760776e08a1b19a50a00c0d&profile_id=165","enable_mp4_download":"no","prerollAD":"yes","prerollGotoLink":"prerollGotoLink","preroll_mp4_title":"preroll_mp4_title","preroll_mp4":"https://player.vimeo.com/external/349754201.sd.mp4?s=89c11bbcdaaf386a2d55ffa48ce7f8f7053b7238&profile_id=165","prerollSkipTimer":"5","midrollAD":"no","midrollAD_displayTime":"midrollAD_displayTime","midrollGotoLink":"midrollGotoLink","midroll_mp4":"midroll_mp4","midrollSkipTimer":"midrollSkipTimer","postrollAD":"no","postrollGotoLink":"postrollGotoLink","postroll_mp4":"postroll_mp4","postrollSkipTimer":"postrollSkipTimer","popupAdShow":"no","popupImg":"popupImg","popupAdStartTime":"popupAdStartTime","popupAdEndTime":"popupAdEndTime","popupAdGoToLink":"popupAdGoToLink"}],"instanceTheme":"light","playerLayout":"fitToContainer","videoPlayerWidth":720,"videoPlayerHeight":405,"videoRatio":1.7777777777778,"videoRatioStretch":true,"videoPlayerShadow":"effect1","colorAccent":"#000000","posterImg":"","posterImgOnVideoFinish":"","logoShow":"No","logoPath":"","logoPosition":"bottom-right","logoClickable":"No","logoGoToLink":"","allowSkipAd":true,"advertisementTitle":"Ad","skipAdvertisementText":"Skip Ad","skipAdText":"You can skip this ad in","playBtnTooltipTxt":"Play","pauseBtnTooltipTxt":"Pause","rewindBtnTooltipTxt":"Rewind","downloadVideoBtnTooltipTxt":"Download video","qualityBtnOpenedTooltipTxt":"Close settings","qualityBtnClosedTooltipTxt":"Settings","muteBtnTooltipTxt":"Mute","unmuteBtnTooltipTxt":"Unmute","fullscreenBtnTooltipTxt":"Fullscreen","exitFullscreenBtnTooltipTxt":"Exit fullscreen","infoBtnTooltipTxt":"Show info","embedBtnTooltipTxt":"Embed","shareBtnTooltipTxt":"Share","volumeTooltipTxt":"Volume","playlistBtnClosedTooltipTxt":"Show playlist","playlistBtnOpenedTooltipTxt":"Hide playlist","facebookBtnTooltipTxt":"Share on Facebook","twitterBtnTooltipTxt":"Share on Twitter","googlePlusBtnTooltipTxt":"Share on Google+","lastBtnTooltipTxt":"Go to last video","firstBtnTooltipTxt":"Go to first video","nextBtnTooltipTxt":"Play next video","previousBtnTooltipTxt":"Play previous video","shuffleBtnOnTooltipTxt":"Shuffle on","shuffleBtnOffTooltipTxt":"Shuffle off","nowPlayingTooltipTxt":"NOW PLAYING","embedWindowTitle1":"SHARE THIS PLAYER:","embedWindowTitle2":"EMBED THIS VIDEO IN YOUR SITE:","embedWindowTitle3":"SHARE LINK TO THIS PLAYER:","lightBox":false,"lightBoxAutoplay":false,"lightBoxThumbnail":"","lightBoxThumbnailWidth":400,"lightBoxThumbnailHeight":220,"lightBoxCloseOnOutsideClick":true,"onFinish":"Play next video","autoplay":false,"loadRandomVideoOnStart":"No","shuffle":"No","playlist":"Off","playlistBehaviourOnPageload":"opened (default)","playlistScrollType":"light","preloadSelfHosted":"none","hideVideoSource":true,"showAllControls":true,"rightClickMenu":true,"autohideControls":2,"hideControlsOnMouseOut":"No","nowPlayingText":"Yes","infoShow":"No","shareShow":"No","facebookShow":"No","twitterShow":"No","mailShow":"No","facebookShareName":"","facebookShareLink":"","facebookShareDescription":"","facebookSharePicture":"","twitterText":"","twitterLink":"","twitterHashtags":"","twitterVia":"","googlePlus":"","embedShow":"No","embedCodeSrc":"","embedCodeW":720,"embedCodeH":405,"embedShareLink":"","youtubeControls":"custom controls","youtubeSkin":"dark","youtubeColor":"red","youtubeQuality":"default","youtubeShowRelatedVideos":"Yes","vimeoColor":"00adef","showGlobalPrerollAds":false,"globalPrerollAds":"url1;url2;url3;url4;url5","globalPrerollAdsSkipTimer":5,"globalPrerollAdsGotoLink":"","videoType":"HTML5 (self-hosted)","submit":"Save Changes","rootFolder":"http:\/\/wp.tdn.pmadv.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/Elite-video-player\/"} The Jockey Camp was a good opportunity to show off how well they can adapt. They were put in their old routine of race training but with young and green handlers. The horses were kept in stalls for the week of camp which is not their normal routine. When it came time to get ready for work, they were tied in the back of the stall, just like at the track. They wore racing tack which was loaned to the camp by trainers at Saratoga Race Course. The ages and experience of the Long Shadows horses vary greatly. Bad Call (Medaglia d’Oro) is only 6-years-old and, due to an injury, had done very little except race a handful of times. He has been in gradual work over the past year and did remarkably well in the camp. “He has a naturally calm demeanor,” said Morgan. “But that can throw you off-guard and get you in trouble when he disagrees with the plan. He is a big horse and hasn’t a mean bone in his body but he is still very green.” The star of many programs at Long Shadows is “Cannon.” Cannon was rescued by Krone and he participated with Krone when she went through her ‘levels’ in the Parelli Natural Horsemanship program. Cannon, who is 17 hands, was considered a rogue when Krone took him over 10 years ago. Now he regularly connects and calms veterans and others in equine-assisted learning programs. Three retired Thoroughbred broodmares (“Dixie,” Daffadowndilly {Phone Trick}, and Passaic {Storm Broker}) also call Long Shadows home. Only Passaic is sound enough for riding. “We call her Anna,” said Morgan of Passaic. “She tries really hard to please everyone and seems to prefer the company of kids. She is particularly good in the YMCA horsemanship camp. She is a lovely mover and seemed to find getting exercised at a nice lope to her liking.” ACTT Naturally contributed two Thoroughbreds and a lead pony to the camp. “I could tell that Budder (Three Lions {Hennessy}) and Fuhrious Warrior (Langfuhr) were in shock at first by the routine of being inside and being tied up high in their stall,” said Valerie Buck of the two ACTT Naturally horses in the camp. “But once we got them going in the indoor arena, they settled in. I was incredibly proud of how well they adapted to the different riding abilities of the campers.” “The camp was a huge success from every respect,” said Morgan. “I was incredibly proud of all of the Thoroughbreds and the campers. Good horsemanship and respect for the horses was the theme throughout the camp in addition to staying safe. I think they all took home life lessons that they will never forget.” “We are constantly reminded of the intelligence and pleasant demeanor of the Thoroughbred at Long Shadows,” said Arlene Lotters, founder of Long Shadows Charitable Foundation. “We didn’t plan on being so involved with Thoroughbreds when we started the organization, but because so many of the horses needing rehoming are from the track, it turned out that way. They have become the ‘go-to’ horse for our programs where people in need engage with horses. It was a thrill to see our horses doing so well during Julie’s Jockey Camp.” “As far as the off-track Thoroughbreds go, they like having something to do and I would like to give them more opportunities to show off their adaptability,” said Morgan. “Our next projects at Long Shadows are Equine Gestalt for veterans and a special Groom Elite training class. We are going to train trainers and have a special curriculum for veterans to come and learn the trade of caring for horses so that they can get jobs at farms and the track if they desire.” To learn more, go to LongShadowsHorses.org and JuniorJockeyCamp.com. Diana Pikulski is a partner at Yepsen & Pikulski and editor of the Thoroughbred Adoption Network. The post Off-track Thoroughbreds Shine at Training Aspiring Jockeys appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The inaugural Goffs UK Yorton Sale-featuring a select offering of National Hunt yearlings and 2-year-olds at David Futter’s Yorton Stud-returned promising results on Thursday. Twenty-nine total lots were sold for a clearance rate of 91%, an aggregate of £711,000, an average of £24,517 and a median of £20,000. “We are delighted with today’s results, this sale has been a long time in the making and I’d like to thank the whole of the Yorton Farm team who have worked tirelessly during the last few months,” Futter said. “We would also like to express our immense gratitude to the Goffs UK team who have helped bring this concept to life and to everyone who attended today’s sale and supported this exciting new venture. We believe the Yorton Sale has a bright future and we hope this initiative will become an annual date on the NH calendar.” Taking top billing on the day was lot 11, a 2-year-old colt by No Risk At All (Fr) out of the Grade 2 winner Princesse Kap (Fr) (Kapgarde) named Prince des Fichaux (Fr). He was knocked down to Dai Walters for £105,000. Walters also took home the day’s second top lot, a 2-year-old gelded son of Fame and Glory (Ire) (lot 20) for £60,000. Goffs UK Managing Director Tony Williams said, “Today was an exciting start to the Yorton Sale and we would like to congratulate David Futter and the Yorton Team on what was an excellent sale. The figures, headlined by a 91% clearance rate, a top price of £105,000 and an average of just shy of £25,000 are proof of his concept which we are delighted to have been apart of. We have called this sale the first annual Yorton Sale and following today’s success and the positive feedback of buyers who have travelled from all over France, Ireland and the UK, it will be the first of many.” The post Strong Debut For Yorton Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Impressive on debut in a seven-furlong novice contest at Newmarket Aug. 23, Dr Ali Ridha’s Powerful Breeze (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}) belied inexperience to upstage some stouter fillies in Thursday’s G2 May Hill S. at Doncaster. Anchored with two behind early by James Doyle as the pace proved moderate in the gusts that had blighted Town Moor all afternoon, the 6-1 second favourite showed the sharpest turn of foot to gain the lead passing the two-furlong pole and assert for a length verdict over Boomer (GB) (Kingman {GB}), with Alpen Rose (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) a neck away in third. “Early on, I thought I’d get her back out of the wind and get her to relax and she was quite green,” her rider commented. “When the pace would lift, I had to ask her to sit a touch closer and then when it steadied she would run a bit keen, so it wasn’t that smooth. I couldn’t believe how steady they were going even to the three pole and she quickened up and was in front after 10 strides. She was very game late on and very professional, it was just in the early part of the race that I had to teach her a bit more. She’ one to look forward to.” POWERFUL BREEZE (GB), 126, f, 2, Iffraaj (GB)–Power of Light (Ire) (SP-Eng), by Echo of Light (GB). (50,000gns Ylg ’18 TATOCT). O-Dr Ali Ridha; B-Rabbah Bloodstock Ltd (GB); T-Hugo Palmer; J-James Doyle; £39,697. The post Iffraaj’s Powerful Breeze Lights Up Town Moor appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Enbihaar (Ire) (Redoute’s Choice {Aus}) looked to have a stern challenge against the 3-year-old fillies with her penalty and weight-for-age levelling the playing field in Thursday’s G2 Park Hill S. at Doncaster, but she prevailed again to keep her sequence going. Settled in rear early by Jim Crowley, the 6-5 favourite made steady progress as her chief market rival Dame Malliot (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}) began to flounder in midstraight and swooped on Vivid Diamond (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}) approaching the final furlong. Joined by Ballydoyle’s Delphinia (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) soon after, the July 6 G2 Lancashire Oaks and Aug. 3 G2 Lillie Langtry S. winner kept finding to deny her by a short head, with Vivid Diamond 2 3/4 lengths away in third. “They went a good honest gallop and I wanted to get her rolling in the straight with the strong headwind, but she slipped badly on the bend and it took her time to come back to me and get her confidence back,” jockey Jim Crowley explained. “She probably thought she’d done enough when she got there and she’s a real star who takes it all in her stride. With every run, she’s got better and better. She could have easily been retired at three, but I remember she gave me a hell of a feel at Ascot last year and dare I say it, she could be even better next year as she’s only starting to fill her frame.” Thursday, Doncaster, Britain DFS PARK HILL S.-G2, £100,000, Doncaster, 9-12, 3yo/up, f, 14f 115yT, 3:02.79, g/f. 1–ENBIHAAR (IRE), 134, f, 4, by Redoute’s Choice (Aus) 1st Dam: Chanterelle (Fr), by Trempolino 2nd Dam: Spectacular Joke, by Spectacular Bid 3rd Dam: No Joke, by Shecky Greene (€500,000 Ylg ’16 ARAUG). O-Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum; B-Haras du Mezeray (IRE); T-John Gosden; J-Jim Crowley. £56,710. Lifetime Record: 8-5-1-1, $427,763. *1/2 to Silent Attack (GB) (Dream Ahead), GSP-Tur, $176,808; and King Bolete (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}), SP-Eng. Werk Nick Rating: F. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. 2–Delphinia (Ire), 121, f, 3, Galileo (Ire)–Again (Ire), by Danehill Dancer (Ire). O-Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith; B-Orpendale & Chelston (IRE); T-Aidan O’Brien. £21,500. 3–Vivid Diamond (Ire), 121, f, 3, Cape Cross (Ire)–Pretty Diamond (Ire), by Hurricane Run (Ire). O/B-Markus Graff (IRE); T-Mark Johnston. £10,760. Margins: SHD, 2 3/4, 2. Odds: 1.20, 7.50, 12.00. Also Ran: South Sea Pearl (Ire), Star Terms (GB), Dame Malliot (GB), Oydis (GB), Peach Tree (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. The post Redoute’s Choice’s Enbihaar Beats the 3-Year-Olds In the Park Hill appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With her 2 3/4-length victory in the G1 Yorkshire Oaks, Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) has risen to the top of the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings with a mark of 128. That puts the 5-year-old mare one point ahead of Crystal Ocean (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), whom she beat by a neck in the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S. Crystal Ocean subsequently finished a head second to Japan (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G1 Juddmonte International. Ghaiyyath (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) has joined the rankings for the first time this year thanks to a 14-length romp in the G1 Grosser Preis von Baden that earned him a mark of 126, good enough for third. A four-way tie for fourth at 125 includes G1 Nunthorpe S. winner Baattash (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}); Hong Kong’s miler sensation Beauty Generation (NZ) (Road To Rock {Aus}); GI Pegasus World Cup winner City of Light (Quality Road) and Australia’s supermare Winx (Aus) (Street Cry {Ire}). The post Enable Tops Rankings appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Stradivarius is the big name on show this Friday as he bids to extend his winning run in the Doncaster Cup. A’Ali looks to show he wasn’t just an early type in the Flying Childers Stakes. Elsewhere on the card, Di Fede can continue the good run of owner Robert Ng and Saroog will be […] The post Doncaster Friday Preview – Stradivarius Once Again The Star Attraction appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

This week offers coverage of the Sept. 20, 1997 Woodbine Mile Stakes won by Geri. View the full article

Addressing your thoughts, questions and statements about Hong Kong racing. Have something to say? Send a tweet to @SCMPRacingPost.David Hayes says he is happy to be “home” in Hong Kong – @cambodonut2Rumours about Hayes returning to Sha Tin have been around for years but it wasn’t until early June that a phone call from the Jockey Club turned that idea into a reality.Ever since he left Hong Kong in 2005 after a successful decade-long stint, Hayes made it clear he would like to come back – if the… View the full article

Legendary trainer John Moore is weighing up his future as the Jockey Club prepares to end his glittering training career in Hong Kong due to him reaching 70 years of age.The Jockey Club this week announced champion Australian trainer David Hayes will return to Hong Kong next year as a direct replacement for Moore, who believes he is still at the peak of his powers after going toe-to-toe with John Size for the trainers’ championship last season.After being first licensed in 1985, Moore is Hong… View the full article

No horse won more races for Dennis Yip Chor-hong last year than Racing Fighter and the veteran trainer again turns to the gelding as he looks to give his season a kick-start at Sha Tin on Sunday.Racing Fighter was one of three Yip horses, along with Splendour And Gold and The Show, to salute three times last term and the five-year-old is out to continue his march up the ratings in the Class Two Tailorbird Handicap (1,200m).After arriving in Hong Kong from New Zealand winless from five starts,… View the full article

In thoroughbred racing, there are certain advantages and disadvantages for each runner based on the track on which they find themselves racing. In Melbourne, where the bulk of the Group 1 racing action takes place during the Spring Racing Carnival, the three key tracks are of course Flemington, Caulfield and The Valley. In Sydney, the two main tracks are Rosehill and Randwick. View the full article