Wandering Eyes

Even as Colonial Downs management gears up for Saturday’s GIII Virginia Derby, the showcase race at the track’s first Thoroughbred meet since 2013, plans are already in the works for a longer season (20 to 30 dates), a slightly different spot on the calendar (late August into early October), and a change away from daily 5 p.m. post times (new slot to be determined) for 2020 and beyond. “We love looking ahead,” John Marshall, Colonial’s executive vice president of operations, told TDN. “For 2020 we anticipate paying the same $500,000 average daily level of purses, even with more days. Our 2020 commitment will become more clear next spring. But in 2021, that’s when we’ll realize the full effect of the historical horse race gaming contribution to purses.” New ownership took over the shuttered Virginia track last year, and for its first go-round, the management team aimed for a boutique, turf-centric, 15-date meet with purses fueled by the state’s recently legalized gaming revenues. Colonial also lowered takeout rates to 16% on straight wagers, 20% on exotics and pegged its Pick 5 at a promotional 12%. Colonial’s main draw since the track opened in 1997 has always been its nine-furlong, 180-foot-wide, jewel of a turf course that can accommodate numerous rail placements and the bulk of the track’s overall races. The secondary racing surface is a 10-furlong dirt oval. “We laid out our vision, and I feel like we’ve accomplished it and more,” Marshall said as the 2019 meet winds down to its Sept. 7 closure. “My first concern was horse population. We thought we would have issues with our location at this time of year. But the horsemen have answered the call, and we’ve been receiving entries from all over the place.” According to Marshall, Colonial’s field size has averaged 8.7 starters going into Virginia Derby weekend. “We’ve proven that we’re not Maryland-dependent,” Marshall explained. “I think the first myth that people believed was that Colonial would be fully dependent on Maryland horsemen. We thoroughly welcome and appreciate Maryland horsemen, don’t get me wrong. But I think that we’ve proven that with our purses, our surfaces, and our time of year, we’re attracting horsemen from everywhere. We’ve turned out to be a destination meet.” Marshall said a key component to Colonial’s rebirth has been the less-is-more approach to race dates. “With a boutique-style meet, we’re only running 15 days,” Marshall said. “We’re not trying to run 75 or 80 days in a race meet. By putting out 15 days and looking at the supply and demand of a short meet, we’ve successfully filled every day so far.” Yet Marshall said he thinks that going forward, Colonial can bolster its number of race dates a bit while not diminishing the boutique flavor of the meet. “One thing that we know for sure: We’re running greater than 15 days in 2020,” Marshall said. “We’re targeting between 20 and 30 days. The time of year? Our preference is to slide into the fall a little more deeper. We opened Aug. 8 this year. At first glance, it looks like we should have opened [in tandem with] Timonium [on Aug. 23]. That gets us into September and maybe the first week or two of October, three days a week.” When TDN interviewed Marshall last fall, he outlined a long-range plan that had Colonial aspiring to dovetail with the all-turf meet at Kentucky Downs and to roughly align with the end of New Jersey’s grass racing season, with the idea of making Virginia a logical on-the-way stop for Northeast outfits that migrate south for winter racing. By eventually moving some race dates into October, he said Colonial could potentially have the second-highest average daily purse distribution in the country during that time frame, behind only Keeneland. “We’re still trying to achieve all those things, exactly,” Marshall said. But he candidly admitted that Colonial’s announcing of its 2019 plans nearly a year in advance cost the track some scheduling flexibility, because competing tracks essentially got the last at-bat in planning their own race meets and major stakes. “On Saturday’s Virginia Derby Day we have four stakes,” Marshall said by way of example. “We didn’t plan to compete with Kentucky Downs and their big day, and Saratoga is also having [a graded turf stakes for 3-year-olds]. We didn’t see that coming because we declared our [Virginia Derby] date so far in advance. I think in 2020, we’re going to have some history, a benchmark, and we’ll be better able to strategically plan our race days and our special days.” Cracking into a crowded simulcasting market has also been a challenge for Colonial, which has a daily 5 p.m. Eastern first post. “I can tell you, the early part of the card has been tough sledding, going against the end of Saratoga, Gulfstream, Monmouth, Arlington, and the beginning of Del Mar,” Marshall said. “Once we get clear of the tail end of those cards and we get into races four and beyond, we pick up steam. So the lesson learned there for us is we need to re-examine that post time and find a more lucrative spot, because there’s a lot of competition.” That 5 p.m. slot might explain why Colonial–which consistently draws more entries per day than Charles Town–sometimes falls behind that rival’s long-established 7 p.m. simulcast signal in terms of handle generated per starter. Using the three most recent race dates as a guide (Aug. 23, 24 and 29), Charles Town out-handled Colonial on two of those dates and had a higher handle-per-starter ratio on all three of them. Charles Town had total starters numbering 58, 47 and 61 on those dates. Colonial had 73, 91 and 72. The per-starter handle disparity between the two tracks was greatest on Saturday, Aug. 24, when Colonial started its card about 45 minutes prior to off time for Saratoga’s GI Runhappy Travers S. and Charles Town had a first post 10 minutes after the Saratoga card ended. Despite having nearly twice as many entrants, a full menu of turf races, and takeout rates that are at the very low end of the industry scale, Colonial’s horseplayers still bet only an average of $9,372 per starter versus Charles Town’s $20,668. “We believe that there is not a lot of new, organic handle out there,” Marshall explained. “So everything that we’ve handled has had to come from somewhere else. It was handle that belonged to [another track], and as a new venture we’ve had to patriate our market share from somebody else.” Marshall said that in his view, Colonial’s meet-long overall handle trend is the better metric. “In the nighttime time slot, beyond 5 p.m., we’ve consistently been number two in total handle behind Del Mar in our introductory year,” Marshall said. “Granted, it’s a distant number two–Del Mar is No. 1 and will always be in this time of year in that time slot. But we immediately went to number two from our opening day.” The post On Virginia Derby Day, Colonial Looks to 2020 and Beyond appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

EXPENSIVE PALACE MALICE COLT DEBUTS AT THE SPA Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency 1st-SAR, $90K, Msw, 2yo, 1 1/16mT, 12:30p.m. STRUCTOR (Palace Malice) became the most expensive offspring for his first crop sire (by Curlin) when hammering for $850,000 at the OBS March Sale, following a breeze in :21 1/5, and he debuts in this spot for meet leader Chad Brown. The Jeff Drown and Don Rachel colorbearer is out of a full-sister to GII Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf victor More Than Real (More Than Ready). Click here to watch his most recent work on XBTV. Don Alberto homebred Scanno (Bernardini) makes his first trip to the post in this event. The dark bay is out of GISW Sarah Lynx (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}), who is a daughter of Group 3 victress Steel Princess (Ire) (Danehill). TJCIS PPs MCPEEK UNVEILS PRICEY STREET SENSE COLT 5th-SAR, $90K, Msw, 2yo, 7f, 2:42p.m. Ken McPeek went to $500,000 on behalf of Fern Circle Stables to acquire MADE SENSE (Street Sense) at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Sale and the colt makes his career bow in this test. A :21 4/5 breezer in Timonium, the bay is out of the Forest Wildcat mare Forest Fashion. TJCIS PPs WELL-RELATED ON-BRED LOOKS TO OPEN ACCOUNT AT WOODBINE 5th-WO, $71K, Msw, 2yo, 7f (AWT), 3:06p.m. John Oxley’s BOLD VICTORY (Flatter) will attempt to open his account at first asking at Woodbine Saturday. Out of SW Victorious Ami (Victory Gallop), the $485,000 FTSAUG buy is a half to Canadian champion Ami’s Mesa (Sky Mesa) and GSW Ami’s Holiday (Harlan’s Holiday). This is also the family of Sovereign Award winner Amis Gizmo (Giant Gizmo) and GSW & GISP Ami’s Flatter (Flatter). Casse also saddles another newbie in Conrad Farm’s Swanky Knight (Street Sense). The $360,000 KEESEP purchase is a half to Canadian champion juvenile Conquest Typhoon (Stormy Atlantic). TJCIS PPs JUDDMONTE & GODOLPHIN BLUEBLOODS MAKE CAREER BOWS 7th-SAR, $90K, Msw, 2yo, 7f, 3:48p.m. Kiaran McLaughlin unveils yet another well-bred Godolphin runner in TAPAGE (Tapit). Out of GISW and multimillionaire Hystericalady (Distorted Humor), the homebred is a half to GSW & GISP Lady Montdore (Medaglia d’Oro). Bill Mott sends out another blue-blooded first timer in Juddmonte homebred Breithorn (Into Mischief). The bay is out of Ventoux (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), who is a half-sister to European champion Special Duty (GB) (Hennessy) and the dam of GI Breeders’ Cup Mile hero Expert Eye (GB) (Acclamation {GB}). Spendthrift Farm and MyRaceHorse Stable’s $750,000 FTSAUG buy Wayne O (Into Mischief), a half-brother to Grade I-winning ‘TDN Rising Star’ Restless Rider (Distorted Humor), makes his second attempt in this spot off an eighth-place finish in his track-and-trip debut Aug. 3 after being bumped at the break and traveling wide. TJCIS PPs NICKS SADDLES TAPIT SON OF ALOOF 8th-SAR, $90K, Msw, 2yo, 1 1/16mT, 4:21p.m. Whisper Hill Farm homebred TAPALOOF (Tapit) makes his first trip to the post in this spot for trainer Ralph Nicks. Whisper Hill owner Mandy Pope purchased the firster’s Group3-winning dam Aloof (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) for $3.9 million in foal to War Front at the 2014 Keeneland November Sale. John Ferguson signed the $900,000 ticket on the resulting filly Flora Sandes (War Front) at Keeneland September. OXO Equine’s Larry Best went to $1.6 million for her second foal, a filly named Balon Rose (War Front), at the same auction a year later. Aloof is out of English Highweight Airwave (GB) (Air Express {Ire}), who also produced the dam of European Highweights Churchill (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Clemmie (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Todd Pletcher unveils another with a talented relative in No Word (Silent Name {Jpn}), who is a full to MGSW & MGISP Silentio. TJCIS PPs INTRIGUING GROUP SET FOR DEL MAR BABY RACE 8th-DMR, $61K, Msw, 2yo, 5 1/2f, 8:45p.m. Seven of the nine juveniles set to line up in this SoCal event are making their debuts, making this test a pretty wide open affair. One of those first timers is AMERICAN THEOREM (American Pharoah), who enters off a half-mile bullet in :47 1/5 here Aug. 26 (1/51). The gray is a half to GSW Mighty Caroline (Stormy Atlantic), SW Renee’s Queen (After Market) and SP Viel Spass (Kitten’s Joy). John Shireffs unveils Jerry Moss homebred Thunder Code (Honor Code), a son of GISW Tarlow (Stormin Fever). Simon Callaghan saddles first timer Honor Among Men (Bayern), a $435,000 KEESEP purchase, who is out of a half-sister to GISW Graydar (Unbridled’s Song). Bob Baffert can never be ignored with a firster and he sends out Backshot (Tapiture), who was the second highest-priced lot at the Fasig-Tipton Santa Anita 2-Year-Old Sale at $350,000 following a :21 1/5\fs30fs30 breeze. Baffert also saddles $575,000 FTSAUG buy Hydrogen (Violence), who makes his second attempt after finishing third on debut here Aug. 17. TJCIS PPs The post Aug. 31 Insights appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

There's bound to be a feeling of déjà vu about the $250,000 Glens Falls Stakes (G2T) as the 1 3/8-mile turf stakes Aug. 31 at Saratoga Race Course brings together the first three finishers from the longer Fasig-Tipton Waya Stakes (G3T). View the full article

FREEWHEELER (c, 2, City Zip–Zia Zia Zia, by Dehere) proved to be a gift at odds of 5-1 in this unveiling, powering clear in the lane for a decisive graduation. Purchased for $430,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream Sale following a :10 1/5 breeze, the chestnut broke sharply, hustling up to contest the pace, running two wide through a first quarter in :22.46. Taking control in the lane from the six path, the Empire-bred charged home to a dominant score in 1:02.89. Dante’s Fire (Temple City), a 43-1 shot, got up for second in a photo with heavily favored First Deputy (Awesome Again). Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0. O-NK Racing; B-John Lauriello (NY); T-Todd Pletcher. The post City Zip Colt Captures Saratoga Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

This time last year, Too Darn Hot (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) was rushing to the top of the 2-year-old charts in Sandown’s G3 Solario S. and while 12 months on it is unlikely we will see the performance of another division leader, the latest renewal of the time-honoured staging post is a typically intriguing affair. Clive Cox pitches Positive (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}) back into action after his five-length second to Pinatubo (Ire) (Shamardal) in the G2 Vintage S. at Goodwood July 30. A day on from the G3 Round Tower S. success of the third-placed Lope Y Fernandez (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), who was a further five lengths behind at the Sussex venue, Alan Spence’s relative bargain-buy at 55,000gns looks a tough nut to crack in the seven-furlong feature. “We were thrilled with his run in the Vintage and we’ve been very pleased with him since,” Cox said. “The Vintage was a step we were happy to take and he justified that step. I’d like to think he has taken another step forward since and we’re looking forward to running him. There are some promising horses in the race on Saturday, but we’re hopeful. He is certainly a horse we’re excited about for the future.” Pinatubo’s trainer Charlie Appleby saddles Al Suhail (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), a son of the dual Classic-placed Shirocco Star (GB) (Shirocco {Ger}) and therefore a half-brother to Telecaster (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) who tended to over-race in his dam’s style when scoring by four lengths over this trip at Yarmouth Aug. 15. “Al Suhail progressed nicely from his first run to his second run and he was quite impressive at Yarmouth,” he said. “He’s a horse with a lot of natural pace and we think he’s ready to step up to the next level. He’s run over a straight seven furlongs twice so far, but we think the turning seven and the stiff finish at Sandown will suit him. You’ve obviously got to have a lot of respect for the favourite and there are a few other unexposed horses in there.” Fourth and beaten over 13 lengths in the Vintage was Rob Ferguson’s TDN Rising Star Visinari (Fr) (Dark Angel {Ire}), who was also third in the G2 July S. over six furlongs at Newmarket July 11. “We’re obviously taking on a horse that finished quite a long way in front of us at Goodwood, but we’re not going to run away from one horse,” trainer Mark Johnston commented. “Conditions are right and we’ll see how he performs.” John Gosden is seeking to equal Sir Henry Cecil’s record of six wins in this with the Aug. 7 Kempton winner Eshaasy (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) and Shadwell’s racing manager Angus Gold said, “He’s a work in progress and I can’t tell you he’s going to win on Saturday, but we hope he’s a nice horse for the future.” Earlier on the card, Sir Michael Stoute is looking for a record seventh success in the G3 Atalanta S. with TDN Rising Star Jubiloso (GB) (Shamardal), who was third in the G1 Coronation S. over this mile trip at Royal Ascot June 21 and in the G3 Oak Tree S. over seven furlongs at Goodwood last time Aug. 2. Possibly unfortunate on the latter occasion, Khalid Abdullah’s relative of Frankel (GB) has received a boost via the exploits of the second Perfection (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}) and fifth Royal Intervention (Ire) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}). Teddy Grimthorpe said, “She was a bit unlucky at Goodwood. She got struck into and things just didn’t happen for on the day, but that’s racing. She’s been in good form since and physically she’s done well, so we have to be hopeful.” If there is a chink in Jubiloso’s armour, it could be found out by Princess Haya of Jordan’s Duneflower (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) who beat the re-opposing Look Around (GB) (Kingman {GB}) in the Listed Valiant S. at Ascot July 26. At Chantilly, the five-furlong G3 Prix d’Arenberg sees just two home-trained fillies attempt to ward off six from Britain including Godolphin’s TDN Rising Star Divine Spirit (GB) (Kingman {GB}) who drops back in trip after finishing fifth in the July 12 G2 Duchess of Cambridge S. at Newmarket. “We feel that the drop back to five furlongs will see Divine Spirit back to her best,” Charlie Appleby said. “Six furlongs stretched her last time, whereas the ground was too soft for her at Royal Ascot.” Godolphin are also represented in Baden-Baden’s G3 Zukunfts-Rennen with the July 14 Listed Listed Prix Roland de Chambure winner Well of Wisdom (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) who was four-lengths second to the subsequent G1 Prix Morny winner Earthlight (Ire) (Shamardal) in the six-furlong G3 Prix de Cabourg at Deauville July 28. Charlie Appleby commented, “Well of Wisdom has some rock-solid form to his name, especially with Earthlight going on to win at group one level. The step back up to seven furlongs is going to suit and he heads to Germany with a strong chance of winning a group race.” Interestingly, one of the chief German-trained protagonists Alson (Ger) (Areion {Ger}) was also adrift of Earthlight in a Deauville conditions event July 2 and has since won at Clairefontaine Aug. 9. Like the leading candidate for honours in the fixture’s feature G2 T Von Zastrow Stutenpreis, the G1 Preis der Diana third Durance (Ger) (Champs Elysees {GB}), he is one who has spent some of his formative period racing in France. The post Solario Thriller headlines Saturday Action appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Good Governance (GB) (Kingman {GB}), one of many impressive maiden winners for leading trainer Chad Brown at Saratoga this summer, heads straight to the deep end in Saturday’s GIII Saranac S. The Klaravich Stables runner, the 2-1 choice on the morning line, overcame post 10 and an extremely wide journey to rally from last of 11 and win by a nose at first asking going a mile over the inner turf course Aug. 4. Brown won last year’s Saranac with Raging Bull (Fr) (Dark Angel {Ire}). The ultra-consistent Global Access (Giant’s Causeway), winner of Woodbine’s GIII Marine S. in late May, enters off a strong third in the local GII National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame S. Aug. 2. Juddmonte homebred Seismic Wave (Tapit), just a neck short in the GIII Pennine Ridge S. downstate June 1, was a disappointing 10th in the $1-million Saratoga Derby Invitational S. Aug. 4. Streaking New York-bred Rinaldi (Posse) faces open company for the first time following scores in the New York Stallion S. June 23 and New York Stallion Series S. July 24, respectively. The post ‘Good’ to Go in the Saranac appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

BADEN-BADEN, Germany—A new record price for a yearling at BBAG was set when Gestut Brummerhof broke its own previous high through the sale of a Sea The Stars (Ire) filly from one of the country’s best families for €820,000. Sheikh Mohammed is the new owner of lot 44, the daughter of Anna Mia (Ger), whose sire Monsun (Ger) was responsible for the 12-year record-holder, North Star (Ger), a graduate of the 2007 auction at €710,000. Since those days nothing has come close, and a pair of yearlings sold for €280,000 took the top honours in a sale which returned a depleted set of figures last year. Twelve months on and the story is a little different. The top-priced colt of the sale, the only yearling by the extremely popular Kingman (GB) catalogued, also joined the Godolphin fold at €700,000. International support, significantly from Australia, where German-breds have such a good record in cup races, was pronounced and several of the top lots will be heading for the UK, while others are bound for France, Ireland, Hong Kong and Sweden. A total of 21 six-figure lots from the 143 yearlings sold on the day gave trade a significant boost, with the aggregate increasing by 35% from last year at €8,175,000, while the average of €57,167was also up, by 49%. The clearance rate was 73%. Blues Hit The News The Godolphin team has regularly cherry-picked select offerings in Baden-Baden and agent Matt Coleman was made to dig deep on the sheikh’s behalf to secure the record-breaking filly from Gregor and Julia Baum’s Gestut Brummerhof following a sustained attempt from underbidder Suzanne Roberts, who was acting on behalf of John Clarke for Sea The Stars’s owner-breeder Ling Tsui. “Anthony Stroud and David Loder were here yesterday to look at the horses and they felt that she was one of the stars of the sale,” said Coleman. “Obviously she’s by Sea The Stars, who is such a good stallion, and she comes from a very good farm.” That farm is of course responsible for the Arc winner Danedream (Ger) (Lomitas {GB}), woefully overlooked when offered by Brummerhof and sold as a 2-year-old for €9,000 back in 2010. “We already held the record and we felt that this filly had a chance of being the top price but we didn’t believe she would break our own record,” said Julia Baum. In a sense, the filly is returning to the fold, as her grandam Queen’s Hall (GB) (Singspiel {GB}) was bred by Darley from Anna Matrushka (GB) (Mill Reef), and Sheikh Mohammed has had much success with various relatives worldwide, including Helmet (Aus) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}), who is now standing at stud in Germany. And that is where the family has its strong roots, with the sheikh having bought the yearling’s fourth dam Anna Paola (Ger) (Prince Ippi {Ger}) from breeder Gestut Rottgen. Coleman had another fierce bidding war on his hands when it came to securing the Kingman colt (lot 174) for the same owner. Sold by his breeder Gestut Rottgen—the champion owner and breeder in Germany in 2017 and 2018—the first foal of treble listed winner Weltmacht (GB) (Mount Nelson {GB}) was also on the wish list of Tom Goff, Hong Kong Jockey Club and Alex Elliott, and it was the latter who pushed Coleman all the way to €700,000. Dr Guenter Paul, president of the Rottgen Foundation, was on hand to thank Coleman for his part in the stud achieving its highest ever price for a yearling and said, “This is a wonderful result for a family which has done well for Rottgen. He is closely related to Wild Coco, who won a Group 2 for us in England with Henry Cecil. That was a very proud moment for us.” The stud’s advisor Jocelyn de Moubray added, “We knew that [the colt] was very popular and this just shows that it is possible to sell horses as well here as anywhere in the world. This is the only time we have used Kingman—we would rarely spend that much on a stud fee.” Coleman’s work was far from over. Five lots later (179) he was back in action, going to €360,000 for a Lope De Vega (Ire) three-parts-sister to G2 German 1000 Guineas winner Aku’ada (Ger) (Shamardal), also from Gestut Brummerhof—in fact, stabled in the box next door to the top lot. The Godolphin quartet of purchases was completed by lot 144, a colt from Gestut Gorlsdorf and by their stallion Sea The Moon (Ger). The strapping chestnut is a full-brother to Man On The Moon (Ger), the winner of the BBAG Auktionrennen who is also Group 3-placed. Stars For Salzburg Not all the horse wagons leaving BBAG will be heading overseas. Harald Schneider of Stall Salzburg bought a pair of colts to send to trainer Sarah Steinberg. Lot 93, by Wootton Bassett (GB) and a grandson of Gestut Fahrhof’s champion racemare Quebrada (Ire) (Devil’s Bag), was signed for at €150,000 following the earlier purchase of lot 63 at €140,000. The colt by Sea The Stars, and also from Gestut Fahrhof, is out of the listed winner Goiania (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}). With the Black Sam Bellamy (Ire) mare Goathemala (Ger) as his second dam, the colt’s inbreeding to Urban Sea was off particular appeal, Schneider noted. Sea The Stars was also on the list for agent Jack de Jong, who signed for his daughter out of Saldenehre (Ger) (Highest Honor), already the dam of three black-type winners including champion 3-year-old Serienholde (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}), at €190,000. The grey filly (lot 162) will head to France for Jean-Pierre Dubois. Australian Demand Increasing There was a small but determined Australian contingent present in Baden-Baden and they will not be going home empty-handed. Justin Bahen is a regular visitor to BBAG and in company with Brad Spicer he was active early on in pursuit of a colt by Sea The Moon (Ger) (lot 48). The duo was delighted to be able to sign for the colt from Stauffenberg Bloodstock out of Aspen Royal (Ger) (Royal Applause {GB}) at €120,000. “This is my first trip to Germany,” Spicer said. “I went to Tattersalls last year and bought a Sea The Moon and a Sea The Stars, both colts, and the Sea The Moon colt just had his first bit of fast work this morning and got rave reviews. We’re really happy with the colt so far and this one we just bought was a target colt for us. We had earmarked him and we were always going to go pretty hard on him so it was lovely to secure him. We were watching some of the results and the sale was getting quite hot.” Spicer outlined his long-term plans for his European purchases. “We’re particularly looking for staying blood that we can’t get in Australia. The pedigrees up here in Germany and Europe are miles in front of the Australians. We are paying a lot of money for these tried horses so I am going to try to buy yearlings up here over the next few years to see if it works. It’s a three-year project and we’ll buy two or three colts a year, take them home, get them broken in straight away and they will go into the system. They will tell us when they are ready.” He added, “I love Sea The Stars and we’ve had a few of his horses in Australia who have gone pretty well. Justin and I are mates but I didn’t really know he was going to get involved in the horse until we walked in the ring but he said he’d go halves with me. We have quite a few buyers who are keen to get involved in what we are doing so hopefully in a couple of years’ time we will have a nice Derby or Cups horse.” Bahen also went to €120,000 for lot 61, a Mastercraftsman (Ire) half-sister to German champion 2-year-old Diamond Dove (Ger) (Dr Fong) from Gestut Westerberg. Meanwhile, Jamie Lovett and the Australian Bloodstock team made their presence felt through the purchase of the sole yearling from the first crop of Derby winner Harzand (Ire) in the sale. Lot 59, a colt out of the champion filly Djumama (Ire) (Aussie Rules {GB}), was bought for €58,000 and will go to the stable of David Menuisier, who trains the syndicate’s Cox Plate hopeful Danceteria (Fr) (Redoute’s Choice {Aus}). Australian Bloodstock signed for another three yearlings, including a Sea The Moon filly (lot 170) at €110,000 and a first-crop daughter of their Melbourne Cup-winning stallion Protectionist (Ger) (lot 90) at €50,000. Joseph O’Brien will take charge of a pair of Protectionist yearlings, including the most expensive of the sire’s offerings in the sale (lot 36), the first foal of the unraced Zippity Do Da (Ire) (Makfi {GB}) from the family of Cheveley Park Stud stallion Garswood (GB), who was bought by agent Jurgen Albrecht for €95,000. Ciaron Maher was also represented at the sale by Stuart Boman of Blandford Bloodstock, who signed for Gestut Auenquelle’s Camelot (GB) colt named Albert Hammond (Ger) (lot 40) in the trainer’s name at €64,000. The post Sea The Stars Filly Sets New BBAG Record appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After her stretch run came up just short in the Aug. 3 Yellow Ribbon Handicap (G2T) at Del Mar to end a four-race win streak, Vasilika will try for her fifth graded stakes win this season in the John C. Mabee Stakes (G2T) Aug. 31 on the Del Mar turf. View the full article

Klaravich Stables' Good Governance, a sharp maiden winner Aug. 4 at Saratoga, faces some seasoned stakes horses in the 1 1/16-mile Saranac Stakes (G3T) Aug. 31 on the inner turf at the Spa. View the full article

Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) will bypass the Sept. 15 G1 Derrinstown Stud Flying Five S. at the Curragh and will head straight to the G1 Prix de l’Abbaye at ParisLongchamp in early October. Trained by Charlie Hills, the 5-year-old bested 10 rivals at York when taking the Aug. 23 G1 Nunthorpe S. Victorious in the 2017 renewal of the Abbaye, the gelding’s connections are keen to see him regain his crown in Paris before a possible tilt at the Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita in November. “Battaash is going to go straight to France,” said Angus Gold, racing manager to owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum. “Missing the race in Ireland just gives him a bit more time, and Charles [Hills] is very keen to go to America later in the year. I think giving him a bit of time now before the Abbaye gives him more of a chance of doing that.” Battaash has won 10 of his 19 career starts to date, and has never finished out of the first four. The post Battaash to head Straight to Abbaye appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Gulfstream Park announced Aug. 30 it has cancelled its live racing programs for Sunday, Sept. 1 and Monday, Sept. 2 as Hurricane Dorian approaches the East Coast of Florida. View the full article

Building on an easy introduction at Gowran, Mogul (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) who had caused such a stir as the second-highest priced yearling at Tattersalls October Book 1 was in dominant mood at The Curragh on Friday. Well-supported into 8-13 for the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden over a mile, the April-foaled full-brother to Japan (GB) was sharply into stride and led from the outset. Sent through the gears from three out, the bay was safely clear entering the final furlong and stayed on powerfully to score by 3 1/4 lengths from Shekhem (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}). This was the race won by Saxon Warrior (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in 2017 and in which the stable had won for the last five years, so there is abundant promise that he can also make his mark at the highest level as he goes up in trip. Leaving behind his debut effort when 5 1/2-lengths second to the subsequent G2 Futurity S. third Geometrical (Ire) (Dawn Approach {Ire}) as the 5-4 favourite over this trip at Gowran Aug. 14, he has achieved smart form before either of his high-class full-siblings Japan and Secret Gesture (GB) had raced at the same stage as juveniles. “He obviously has a great pedigree, he’s a big strong boy and he’s a lovely horse,” commented Aidan O’Brien, whose debutante Noble Prize (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), a full-brother to Highland Reel (Ire), was never a factor and finished ninth. “He travelled and was very smooth through the whole race. I was very happy with him.” Mogul was becoming the sixth winner out of the Listed Pontefract Castle S. runner-up Shastye (Ire) (Danehill), herself a half-sister to the Arc hero Sagamix (Fr) (Linamix {Fr}) and fellow sire Sagacity (Fr) (Highest Honor {Fr}). Japan has established himself as her best over the past two months when winning the G1 Grand Prix de Paris and G1 Juddmonte International, G1SW-Fr & GSW-Ire, $1,599,299. The aforementioned G2 Middleton S. winner Secret Gesture was runner-up in the 2013 G1 Epsom Oaks and G1 Preis Der Diana and was disqualified from first place in the 2015 GI Beverly D. S., GSW & MG1SP-Eng, G1SP-Fr & Ger, GISP-US, $746,427, while Shastye’s other notable Galileo was this stable’s Sir Isaac Newton (GB) who cost 3.6 million gns at Tattersalls. He took the G3 International S. and Listed Wolferton S. and was fourth in the Juddmonte International and the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S., GSW-Ire, SW-Eng & GSP-Aus, $403,231, while their half-siblings include the smart Australian runner Maurus (GB) (Medicean {GB}), SW & MGSP-Aus, $403,286. Shastye’s filly foal is also by Galileo. 1st-Curragh, €17,500, Mdn, 8-30, 2yo, 8fT, 1:40.85, g/y. MOGUL (GB), c, 2, by Galileo (Ire) 1st Dam: Shastye (Ire) (SP-Eng), by Danehill 2nd Dam: Saganeca, by Sagace (Fr) 3rd Dam: Haglette, by Hagley Sales history: 3,400,000gns Ylg ’18 TATOCT. Lifetime Record: 2-1-1-0, $14,961. O-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Susan Magnier; B-Newsells Park Stud (GB); T-Aidan O’Brien. Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. The post Galileo’s Mogul A New Rising Star At The Curragh appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Impressive debut winner and $850,000 OBSMAR juvenile purchase Inspiressa (The Big Beast) figures to vie for favoritism in Saturday’s GI Del Mar Debutante S. The Hronis Racing, West Point Thoroughbreds and Sanbrook colorbearer dueled her way clear and won with something left en route to a 1 1/4-length decision over the reopposing Bob Baffert-trained Bast (Uncle Mo) going 5 1/2 furlongs at Del Mar Aug. 11. Inspiressa was the priciest filly and co-fourth topper after breezing a quarter mile in :20 4/5 in Ocala. The 5-2 morning-line favorite is trained by John Sadler. Pure Xena (Warrior’s Reward) dueled free and earned the ‘TDN Rising Star’ tag with a powerful, 11 1/4-length win going five furlongs at first asking at Del Mar July 20. The $370,000 OBSAPR graduate (:20 4/5) is owned by Jay Em Ess Stable and trained by Brian Koriner. Leucothea (Midshipman) earned the field of eight’s highest Beyer Speed Figure of 91 when airing by 14 1/2 lengths in a $62,500 maiden claimer for Peter Miller at second asking Aug. 15. The post Field of Eight Set for Del Mar Debutante appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sunday, September 1, 2019 2nd-SAP, ¥9,550,000 ($90k), Maiden, 2yo, 1200mT FEEL FOR YOU (f, 2, War Front–Easy Feeling, by Elusive Quality), a $650K in utero purchase at Keeneland November in 2016 and sold to Masatake Iida for $375K as a foal 12 months on, is out of a half-sister to French MSW & GSP War Officer (Grand Slam), SW Doo Lang (Pulpit), MGSP Danceland (Tapit) and SP Verdura (Smart Strike). The filly’s GSW third dam Wandering Star (Red Ransom) was responsible for War Front’s 2013 G1 Dewhurst S. winner War Command as well as GSW Naval Officer (Tale of the Cat). B-Barronstown Stud (KY) 2nd-NII, ¥9,550,000 ($90k), Maiden, 3yo, 1800m DOVER TESORO (c, 3, Union Rags–Miss Emilia, by War Front), a close fourth on Nakayama debut Apr. 7, improved by two spots to finish runner-up over this course and distance Aug. 4. Out of a half-sister to the dam of the aforementioned Feel For You, Dover Tesoro was bought back for $195K when offered in utero at KEENOV in 2015 before hammering for $135K at that same auction a year later. The bay was purchased by Kenji Ryotokuji for 210k gns ($288,171) at Tattersalls October the following fall. Dover Tesoro’s Ontario-bred yearling half-sister by Animal Kingdom is cataloged as hip 4221 at KEESEP. B-Chadds Ford Stable LLC (KY) 10th-SAP, ¥30,400,000 ($285k), Open Class, 2yo, 1200mT NILKANTA TESORO (c, 2, Speightstown–Vapour {GB}, by Galileo {Ire}), an impressive maiden winner at second asking July 13 (see below, gate 4), was produced by a half-sister to SW Quenched (GB) (Dansili {GB}), dam of Australian GSW Excess Knowledge (GB) (Monsun {Ger}), while the colt’s third dam includes Juddmonte Farms’ 2003 G1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches winner Nebraska Tornado (Storm Cat), US GSW Mirabilis (Lear Fan) and French GSW Burning Sun (Smart Strike). Dam Vapour was acquired for $350K post-RNA at KEENOV in 2016 and Nilkanta Tesoro, foaled Feb. 17, was purchased for ¥54 million ($473,580), at the JRHA Select Foal Sale five months later. B-Kuwata Bokujo The post Notable US-Bred & -Sired Runners in Japan: Sept. 1, 2019 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Bill-Mott trained Yoshida (Jpn) (Heart’s Cry {Jpn}) will attempt to defend his title in Saratoga’s GI Woodward S. Saturday. Winner of the GI Woodford Reserve Turf Classic on the GI Kentucky Derby undercard last spring, the bay was making his first start on dirt when winning the Woodward last year. Kept on the main track for the GI Breeders’ Cup Classic Nov. 3, he finished a respectable fourth behind champion Accelerate (Lookin at Lucky). Sixth to Bricks and Mortar (Giant’s Causeway) in the inaugural GI Pegasus World Cup Turf over a yielding Gulfstream course Jan. 26, Yoshida filled the same spot in the G1 Dubai World Cup Mar. 30 and again in the GII Stephen Foster S. on the dirt at Churchill Downs June 19. He came running late to be second to McKinzie (Street Sense) in his last trip around the Saratoga main in the GI Whitney S. Aug. 3. Finishing 4 3/4 lengths behind Yoshida that day was Vino Rosso (Curlin), who sheds his blinkers this time. Kicking off this season with a win in Aqueduct’s Stymie S. Mar. 9, the hulking chestnut finished fourth in that venue’s GI Carter H. a month later and scored his first victory at the highest level when taking a trip west for the GI Gold Cup at Santa Anita May 27. His trainer Todd Pletcher also saddles Alydar S. runner-up Wooderson (Awesome Again) and GIII Monmouth Cup S. second-place finisher Bal Harbour (First Samurai). “He breezed super on Friday,” Pletcher told the NYRA notes team. “It was a real strong breeze. He came out of it with some good energy and has been galloping well this week. It seems like he’s in good form. I think he’s become a more consistent workhorse, although I thought his last breeze was arguably the best breeze he ever had. He galloped out real strongly and looks great. His appetite has been good and his energy has been good.” Also exiting the Whitney is fourth-place finished Preservationist (Arch), who seeks his first top-level score in this event. Opening his 2019 account with an optional claimer score in the slop at Belmont May 23, the bay strolled home a 4 1/2-length winner of that venue’s GII Suburban H. July 6, besting last term’s GI Travers S. hero Catholic Boy (More Than Ready). Tom’s d’Etat (Smart Strike) enters off a win against a weaker group in the track-and-trip Alydar S. Aug. 2, for which he earned a 104 Beyer Speed Figure. Hard-knocking Mr. Buff (Friend or Foe) jumps up in class off a pair of stakes victories against fellow New York-breds, most recently capturing the Evan Shipman S. over this course and distance Aug. 7. His connections were initially eyeing the Whitney, but bypassed that in favor of the softer state-bred event, a choice which proved prudent and likely showed them enough to convince them to enter here. The post Yoshida Seeks Woodward Repeat appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Klein Racing’s Break Even (Country Day) looks to take her perfect record to seven-for-seven in Saturday’s GII Prioress S. at Saratoga. Opening her account with a pair of decisive scores at the Fair Grounds in January, the dark bay wired Oaklawn’s Purple Martin S. Mar. 30 and romped by 5 1/2 lengths in the GII Eight Belles S. at Churchill Downs May 3. Taking the field from gate to wire in the Jersey Girl S. at Belmont June 9, she took the turf last time at the Spa, registering another front-running victory in the Coronation Cup S. July 14. The likely favorite faces another unbeaten filly in Risky Mandate (Strong Mandate), who has only faced the starter twice and never in stakes company. Graduating by 6 1/4 lengths in her Churchill Downs debut June 22, the dark bay made easy work of a local allowance, winning by 3 1/2 lengths, July 24. “It’s never a good feeling in a small field to see one horse control everything, but that won’t change our game plan,” trainer Tom Amoss told the NYRA notes team. “We’re going to run our race and see what happens. She’s trained very well over the track.” The Chad Brown-trained Royal Charlotte (Cairo Prince) suffered her first loss at the hooves of Covfefe (Into Mischief) last time, finishing a well-beaten sixth in Saratoga’s GI Test S. Aug. 3. Victorious in her Gulfstream unveiling in March, she won a muddy Keeneland optional claimer a month later. Capturing Monmouth Park’s Hysterical Lady S. May 27, the gray score a facile win in Belmont’s GIII Victory Ride S. July 5. One worth noting in this field’s trio of longshots is Break Curfew (Into Mischief), a former stablemate of Royal Charlotte. The $220,000 FTKOCT buy was initially campaigned by Brown and Klaravich Stables, only finishing off the board once in six starts for that outfit. Trainer Steve Asmussen claimed her in the name of his assistant Toby Sheets for $75,000 out of a winning effort here last time Aug. 17 and must like what he has seen since to drop her into the deep end in this test. Rounding out the field are Kept True (Yes It’s True), who enters off a pair of wins against fellow Empire-breds; and South of France (Quality Road), who closed out 2018 with a win in Aqueduct’s Tepin S. in November and was second in her seasonal bow at the Spa Aug. 11. The post Unbeaten Break Even Gets Back on Dirt in Prioress appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum’s Palace Pier (GB) (Kingman {GB}), who was knocked down for 600,000gns as a Tattersalls October Book 1 yearling last year, went postward for Friday’s Betway British EBF Maiden S. at Sandown as the crowd’s 11-8 choice and duly obliged favourite backers with a dominant performance to secure ‘TDN Rising Star’ status on debut. The bay was well away to race in a handy third along the fence from the outset of a contest annexed by MGSW sire Time Test (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) in 2014. Nudged along approaching the quarter-mile marker, he quickened in taking fashion to seize control with 1 1/2 furlongs remaining and surged clear under mild coaxing in the closing stages to easily outclass Mascat (GB) (Zoffany {Ire}) by an impressive 3 3/4 lengths. Palace Pier is the third foal and second winner produced by an unraced half to G2 Dante S.-winning G1 Criterium International placegetter Bonfire (GB) (Manduro {Ger}) and MGSW GI Beverly D. S. third Joviality (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}). His is kin to a yearling colt by Camelot (GB) and a 2019 colt by Highland Reel (Ire). 3rd-Sandown, £7,400, Mdn, 8-30, 2yo, 7fT, 1:30.36, g/f. PALACE PIER (GB), c, 2, by Kingman (GB) 1st Dam: Beach Frolic (GB), by Nayef 2nd Dam: Night Frolic (GB), by Night Shift 3rd Dam: Miss d’Ouilly (Fr), by Bikala (Ire) 1ST-TIME STARTER. Sales history: 600,000gns Ylg ’18 TATOCT. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $5,832. O-Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum; B-Highclere Stud & Floors Farming (GB); T-John Gosden. Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. The post Kingman Colt Earns TDN Rising Stardom at Sandown appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A Sea The Stars (Ire) filly who is the first foal out of the stakes-placed Monsun (Ger) mare Anna Mia (Ger) established a new record price at the BBAG Yearling Sale in Baden-Baden on Friday when selling for €820,000 to agent Matt Coleman on behalf of Godolphin. The Gestut Brummerhof-consigned filly (lot 44) is from the family of French champion 2-year-old National Defense (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}). The post Sea The Stars Filly Brings Record Price at Baden-Baden appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Stan Cosgrove, who passed away on Thursday at the age of 91, was a legend in his own lifetime, a byword for veterinary excellence and a lynchpin in the success of Moyglare Stud. The seeds for the Moyglare success-story were sown when Walter Haefner bought a dairy farm near Maynooth in Co. Kildare in 1962, set about converting it into a stud and hired Stan Cosgrove as the stud’s vet. Cosgrove was an outstanding vet, a pioneer in both orthopaedic and colic surgery, and he and Haefner soon formed a rock-solid friendship based on mutual respect. Nine years later Cosgrove was appointed as the stud’s manager as well as its vet. Together he and Haefner developed Moyglare Stud into one of the most successful and respected bloodstock operations in the world. Moyglare-breds soon began winning big races all around the world, many of them in the stud’s livery of ‘black, white sleeves, red cap, black star.’ Dermot Weld’s internationalist outlook perfectly suited the Moyglare philosophy and Moyglare’s success was not restricted to Europe’s big races. History was made in 1990 when Go And Go (GB) (Be My Guest) became the first (and, to date, only) European-trained winner of a U.S. Triple Crown race by taking the G1 Belmont S. under Mick Kinane. Another milestone was achieved the following year when Additional Risk (Ire) (Persian Bold {Ire}) became the first European-trained winner in Hong Kong by taking the Hong Kong Invitational Bowl at Sha Tin. Yet another notable long-haul triumph was registered in 2002 when Weld sent the Moyglare-bred Media Puzzle (Theatrical {Ire}) to Melbourne to become only the second European-trained winner of the G1 Melbourne Cup, although on this occasion the horse was racing for another of Weld’s long-time patrons, Dr Michael Smurfit. The following year Moyglare Stud enjoyed one of its greatest triumphs when Media Puzzle’s half-brother Refuse To Bend (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells) became a British Classic winner by taking the G1 2000 Guineas at Newmarket under Pat Smullen. The stud subsequently received a substantial offer for Refuse To Bend from Godolphin, in whose royal blue colours the horse won the G1 Coral-Eclipse S. at Sandown the following year. The stud had previously tasted Classic success in Ireland when Dance Design (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells) had landed the G1 Kildangan Stud Irish Oaks at the Curragh in 1996. More recently, the stud’s homebred stars have included Casual Conquest (Ire) (Hernando {Fr}) and Free Eagle (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}). Pat Smullen, who rode many of Moyglare Stud’s best horses over several decades, said on Friday, “Stan, Mr. Cosgrove as I always addressed him, was a great man and very influential in my life and career. He was a pioneer in the veterinary field before I knew him and to speak to him, his knowledge was amazing. As manager of Moyglare Stud, he and Mr. Haefner gave me an opportunity that made my career and until recently his advice and guidance was always welcomed. I will miss him greatly.” Aside from Media Puzzle’s Melbourne Cup and Refuse To Bend’s Eclipse, great races won by Moyglare-breds racing for other owners have included the 1983 G1 Japan Cup won by Stanerra (Ire) (Guillaume Tell), who earlier in the season had achieved the rare feat of winning two races (the G2 Prince of Wales’s S. on the Wednesday and the G2 Hardwicke S. on the Friday, breaking Grundy’s seemingly unbeatable 12-furlong track record) at the same Royal Ascot; the 1982 G1 Prix du Jockey Club, G1 Irish Derby, G1 Benson & Hedges Gold Cup (now Juddmonte International S.) and G1 Joe McGrath Champion S. (now Irish Champion S.) won by Assert (Ire) (Be My Guest); and the 1981 G1 Prix du Jockey Club and 1982 Prix Ganay won by Assert’s half-brother Bikala (Ire) (Kalamoun {GB}). Cosgrove remained Moyglare Stud’s manager throughout Walter Haefner’s life and has continued even into his 90s to play a crucial advisory role at the stud, now owned by Walter Haefner’s daughter Eva-Maria Bucher-Haefner. Fiona Craig, who worked with Cosgrove at Moyglare Stud for 25 years, said, “My abiding memory of Stan is cigar smoke and a lot of laughter. He was a brilliant vet across the board and a fabulous man. He was ahead of his time, in that legion of vets who write the rules that everyone else is now learning from. He was a great storyteller and he had a lovely way with the staff. Above all, Stan’s great gift was that he knew what a good horse was.” In addition to his work for Moyglare, Cosgrove served on the board of Goffs, representing the Haefner family, for over 40 years before standing down only two years ago. He was a co-founder of the Racing Academy and Centre for Education, a founding member of the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association and a Steward of the Turf Club. Stan Cosgrove’s funeral will be held at St Peter and Paul’s Church in Monasterevin at 11 a.m. on Monday. The post Moyglare Lynchpin Cosgrove Dies appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

‘The Race of the Week’ takes us to the very exciting 5-day race meet at Kentucky Downs. During this 5-day race meeting Kentucky Down will pay out more than $11.5 million in purses, an average of $2.3 million per day. There will be 14 stakes races throughout the meeting, which is completely on turf, and […] The post $750,000 TOURIST MILE AT KENTUCKY DOWNS appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

Trainer Kelly Rubley says there's a simple explanation for multiple grade 1 winner Divisidero continuing to be both productive and competitive as a 7-year-old horse. View the full article

Disgraced jockey Howard Cheng Yue-tin has been granted a British Horseracing Authority [BHA] licence two years after he was sensationally punted from Hong Kong.The 38-year-old successfully appealed a BHA decision that denied him a licence after they found him to be untruthful and likely to be susceptible to pressure from those seeking to corrupt horse racing.Alarm bells were initially raised after Cheng incorrectly filled out his application form, answering “no” to a question asking if he had… View the full article

It’s a mixed bad of racing this weekend with the speedsters on show in the Beverley Bullet. Jubiloso puts his credentials on the line in the Atalanta Stakes, while Positive tries to go one better than hen running in the Vintage Stakes. Sandown Play 4 Handicap Jason Watson takes the ride on Tinto, who drops […] The post Weekend Preview – Can You Fire The Right Bullet At Beverley? appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

After an interrupted season, a focused Joao Moreira is hungry for winners but knocking off arch-rival Zac Purton and reclaiming the championship is not a target at this early stage.The Magic Man was one of the first jockeys to return to Sha Tin after the off-season break and has been a constant presence at trackwork – even venturing out on Sunday mornings, the day most riders have off.That work ethic has not gone unnoticed with most good judges expecting him to vie for the title again.But after… View the full article

The jockey who died after falling from a horse at a Melbourne racecourse has been named. View the full article