Wandering Eyes

However staunchly I defend American blood to fellow Europeans, I'm always forced to concede that a cramped distance spectrum makes it harder to characterize a page, and therefore the balance sought from a mating. When Epicenter (Not This Time) embarked on the GI Kentucky Derby trail in 2022, he offered an exceptional guarantee of stamina through his third and fourth dams by copper-bottomed European staying brands Ela-Mana-Mou (Ire) and Busted (GB). That's the clarity gained from spreading elite opportunity from five to 20 furlongs. In contrast, American families are so saturated with the same kind of racing that we end up proposing seven and nine furlongs as wildly different challenges, even though a second turn tends to relieve aerobic pressure. That's not to endorse the standard European misapprehension that American blood is all one-dimensional speed. Tapping into dirt blood–and that ability to set off fast but then keep going–famously revitalized European stamina in the Northern Dancer era, and hopefully an Epsom winner for Justify will now accelerate a similar cycle. But that doesn't absolve the American breed of the bland profile annually uniting so many Derby contenders, especially now that more blatant speed has been shut out of the race by excluding sprints from the points schedule. Brian Lynch actually evoked the masters of the old school when laying the foundations for Owen Almighty's (Speightstown) sophomore campaign in a sprint, perhaps simply because the horse wasn't considered a natural Derby type. He has now added 50 points from the GIII Tampa Bay Derby (at that most stereotypical of American distances, a mile and 1/16th) to the 10 banked as runner-up (over the same distance) on his previous start; and the five earned last year when second in the one-mile GIII Iroquois Stakes. On the face of it, his late sire Speightstown might give Owen Almighty's pedigree the definition that tends to be blurred in such races. But while he sired plenty of fast horses, his own unequivocal prowess as a sprinter didn't prevent Speightstown from showing versatility in his splendid second career: half a dozen Grade I winners at 10 furlongs, for instance, divided between dirt and turf. That's rather reminiscent of his own sire Gone West, but it has meanwhile become increasingly clear how much Speightstown also owed to his dam Silken Cat (Storm Cat). Her subsequent foals included not just the ill-starred GII Blue Grass Stakes winner Irap (Tiznow) but also a couple of daughters who proved to be highly effective producers: Irap's sister gave us GI Preakness winner Early Voting (Gun Runner), while a daughter of Unbridled's Song produced Capezzano (Bernardini) to win a Group 1 in Dubai. Silken Cat traces to the matriarch Hildene, responsible for Hill Prince among others, as fifth dam. Moreover, she's out of a mare by a mare by Bold Ruler's son Chieftain, complementing not just her own sire but also the stallion who gave her Speightstown, in that both Storm Cat and Gone West were out of mares by Secretariat, another son of Bold Ruler. Both Gone West and Silken Cat, meanwhile, had granddams by sons of Tom Fool. What I like to call the sire “stairwell” behind Speightstown duly comprises the following names down his fourth generation: Native Dancer, Nashua, Bold Ruler, Tim Tam, Northern Dancer, Secretariat, Bold Ruler again, Buckpasser. Not hard then to see why Speightstown should have sired so many horses whose class was not confined to his own metier of sprinting. So what did he have to work with in Owen Almighty's dam Tempers Rising (Bayern)? Well, the family is pegged down by a quite significant producer in her third dam Dame Fritchie (Count of Honor). But the best horses closer up on Owen Almighty's page do tend to inhabit the same comfort zone that he must leave to contest the Derby. Though she only ever won a maiden, over the inevitable mile and 1/16th, Tempers Rising ran second in the GII Fair Grounds Oaks (same distance) and actually took her chance in the delayed GI Kentucky Oaks of 2020, when certainly not disgraced in midfield. That only feels like yesterday, for a mare now producing a Derby colt–and, sure enough, Owen Almighty (bred by Mark Stanley) is her first foal. Must have been some foal, too, to make $360,000 as a Keeneland November weanling, albeit seemingly a failed pinhook, not quite retrieving that sum at Saratoga the following summer. If Tempers Rising was the best performer out of Marchmont (Mountain Cat), that mare was given limited opportunity in terms of covers and did produce a dual stakes winner (sprint/mile) on synthetics by El Corredor. Marchmont had a couple of able siblings, notably Wolf Brigade (Wolf Power {SAF}) who won a graded stakes at River Downs over, you guessed it, a mile and 1/16th. But it's the next dam March On He Said (Stop the Music) who approaches the embers that must have been stoked up by Speightstown. For she's a daughter of the aforementioned Dame Fritchie, named (as was March On He Said) for John Greenleaf Whittier's Civil War poem. And that's a distinction she shares with a whole bunch of good producers, including the dams of Bates Motel and Optimistic Gal. Bottom line is that Owen Almighty has been dealing chiefly in speed, and has evidently been viewed in that light by the expert horseman who knows him best. If his pedigree, on paper, contains typically American ambivalence, nor does it offer any particularly compelling grounds for those informed instincts to prove misplaced. Praetor | Lauren King Happy Days Ahead For Praetor Having noted last week that both Journalism and Sovereignty shared their education at Bridlewood, we've now seen another exciting sophomore emerge off the same farm. Praetor (Into Mischief), who beat Sovereignty at Belmont last September and made a striking resumption at Gulfstream on Sunday, was co-bred by Bridlewood with Alter's Racing Stables, Inc. They sold him through Gainesway (who took a piece) for $700,000 at the 2023 Keeneland September Sale, topping up the $1 million banked for his sister (dual winner Charlottesapproval) at Saratoga the previous August. Such are the happy dividends of Happy Alter's work with Praetor's dam, triple graded stakes winner Curlin's Approval (Curlin). Alter bred not just Curlin's Approval (Bridlewood coming in for a stake during her track career) but also her dam and granddam: Withmom'sapproval (With Approval), who appeared no kind of racehorse in four starts at Calder; and Wonderful Mom (Rexson), who did win a few races at a modest level and was certainly hardy, starting 19 times in 1985 alone. The claiming mare who produced Wonderful Mom was eventually sold for $500, while I can't pretend Rexson means anything to me: he evidently owed his place at stud to his dam, a half-sister to Halo. Halo, incidentally, was sire of Jolie's Halo, trained by Alter to win two Grade I's in 1991 for Arthur Appleton, whose family formerly owned Bridlewood. Alter has maintained a close association with the farm, under the seamless management of George Isaacs. Earlier in the Gulfstream meet, Alter saddled the Bridlewood homebred Mo Harmony (Uncle Mo) to break her maiden, a valuable success for their program: her dam Leslie's Harmony (Curlin) is a $1.1-million daughter of blue hen Leslie's Lady (Tricky Creek). For a horse as exciting as Praetor to have a third dam by Rexson out of a $500 mare is quite startling. But his granddam Withmom'sapproval does have one other credit, besides Curlin's Approval, in the intriguingly named Apologynotaccepted (Fusaichi Pegasus). Later placed in two graded stakes, she started her career with a unique distinction, named a 'TDN Rising Star' on debut–at the age of five! Nyquist Doing What He Must If not quite as late a developer as Apologynotaccepted, Cavalieri has filled a small gap in the ever-burgeoning resume of her sire Nyquist–whose 2021 crop had been the only one yet to produce an elite scorer until she won the GI Beholder Mile last weekend. Cavalieri was conceived in Nyquist's final year standing at $40,000, his 2020 freshman title promptly earning a hike to $75,000. The mystery, appraising his overall rise, is that he then had to wait until December for his solitary graded stakes winner in 2021. His fee was duly throttled back for a couple of years (to $55,000) but four Grade I winners last year earned a giddy hike from $85,000 to $175,000 this spring. That not only confirms Nyquist as the premier heir of his lamented sire, but also puts him on the same peg as Not This Time, who started out in the same intake. Arguably Nyquist needs to respond by matching that rival's consistency through the black-type apex, but don't forget that he was denied a ninth Grade I winner only in tragic circumstances, as sire of New York Thunder, and it was good to see the forgotten Nysos put in a bullet work at Santa Anita last weekend. The two previous starters out of Cavalieri's dam Stiffed (Stephen Got Even) are GII Gulfstream Park Oaks winner Affirmative Lady (Arrogate) and a 10-race maiden named Nile River Queen. The latter was picked up for $9,000 by Townley Park Bloodstock at Fasig-Tipton in February 2023; fortunately she then stalled short of her reserve at Keeneland that November, at $75,000. Affirmative Lady was also an RNA at the same auction, albeit at a level commensurate with her track record at $885,000. With their half-sister meanwhile emerging as an unbeaten Grade I winner, that's quite a span of relief and regret. The post Breeding Digest: Owen Facing Uncharted Territoty appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Should Gowells Delight not run in Virginia, McPeek has another contender, Anonima. Her name means anonymous in Spanish, and should she win March 15, she will definitely be known. View the full article

Nine of the Midwest's top sprinters, all stakes winners, will line up March 15 to compete for the winner's share of a $250,000 prize in the Whitmore Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn Park.View the full article

Colonial Downs Racetrack will host the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance during the weekend of the Virginia Derby and Virginia Oaks, set for Saturday, March 15, 2025. A longtime supporter of accredited aftercare, Colonial Downs will honor Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance with a named race on Virginia Derby Day. Following the race, a presentation will take place in the winner's circle, where the connections will receive a Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance blanket and gift bag. Also on Saturday, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will present Best Turned-Out awards for the Virginia Derby and Oaks. The Best Turned-Out awards are generously sponsored by Virginia HBPA. “Virginia HBPA is pleased to continue sponsoring Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance's Best Turned Out Horse Awards during Virginia Derby weekend at Colonial Downs,” said Virginia HBPA Executive Director Glen Berman. “We are very proud to support Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance while also honoring the grooms whose care ensures that our horses look their best on race day.” A representative from Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will also be present to host the winners of the “Off to the Races” VIP Experience online benefit auction. This VIP experience was donated by Colonial Downs. The winners will enjoy premium dining, paddock passes and winners circle access for the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance race, and much more. “Colonial Downs is excited to once again host Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance during Virginia Derby weekend,” said Senior Director of Racing, Colonial Downs Frank Hopf. “We appreciate and love highlighting the important work Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance does in providing funding and support for their accredited aftercare organizations.” The post TAA On Site At Colonials Downs For VA Derby Weekend appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Metropolitan (Fr), who began his stallion career at Haras d'Etreham earlier this year, has his first mares in foal, the stud announced on Tuesday. The G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains hero has successfully covered Sand Rose (Fr) (Aussie Rules), the dam of the multiple group-placed Royal Dubai (Fr) (Seahenge), as well as Oubliette (Ire) (Lawman {Fr}), a sister to two group performers including G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches scorer Tie Black (Ire) (Machiavellian). Another mare in foal to the son of Zarak (Fr) is Nao Victoria (GB) (The Gurkha {Ire}), a half-sister to Group 1 winner Albigna (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}), who is slated to foal at Haras du Thenney next year. Other mares set to foal in France include Fangs (Kitten's Joy) at Haras de la Perelle, alongside Marmelet (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) and Kiss Love (Fr) (Kendargent {Fr}). The latter pair are the dams of a pair and three black-type performers, respectively. A total of 50% of his first book are winning mares, with over one-third successful at two, six won stakes and 13 were stakes placed. Metropolitan's book also has 60 sisters of 113 black-type horses, among them 16 at the highest level, including sisters to Txope (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}), the Wootton Bassett (GB) sire pair of Bucanero Fuerte (GB) and Wooded (Ire), sire half-brothers Broome (Ire) and Diego Velazquez (Ire), Golden Valentine (Fr) (Dalakhani {Ire}), half-siblings Thewayyouare and Peeping Fawn (Danehill), as well as Dreamtheimpossible (Giant's Causeway), placed in the G1 Meon Valley Stud Fillies' Mile. One-quarter of his first book have already produced stakes horses like Tiger Tanaka (Ire) (Clodovil {Ire}), Duke of Hazzard (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) and Shakti (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}) among others. Metropolitan stands for €15,000 at Haras d'Etreham in his initial season. The post First Mares In Foal To Classic Hero Metropolitan appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The excitement building in Virginia around the first-ever spring meet at Colonial Downs will come to a head March 15 as the $500,000 Virginia Derby makes its debut on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.View the full article

Following a successful return to racing, 2024 Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna has found herself back at the top of the racing world, which was reflected by the results of the Week 7 National Thoroughbred Racing Association's Top Thoroughbred Poll.View the full article

In a question-and-answer session with ABR's Tom Pedulla, Nate Nelson, the managing partner of On Your Left Racing, discusses the stable's cleverly named homebred, Omaha Omaha, who is entered in the March 15 Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs.View the full article

Fort Erie Race Track announced the upcoming 90th running of the Prince of Wales Stakes, second jewel of the Canadian Triple Crown, will take place Sept. 9.View the full article

Del Mar and SeatGeek have partnered to provide new seating and pricing options for the 2025 Breeders' Cup, the track announced via a press release Tuesday. Tickets for the general public will go on sale April 23 but fans may already browse ticket options and pricing and are encouraged to register for presale access now. As part of its new multi-year partnership with SeatGeek, the Breeders' Cup will leverage cutting-edge technology to enhance the ticketing purchasing process and create a more seamless and memorable on-site experience. New for 2025, in order to purchase tickets to the World Championships, fans must have a SeatGeek account, which may be created for free here. “Anticipation is high as we return to stunning Del Mar for the 42nd running of the Breeders' Cup World Championships,” said Breeders' Cup Limited President & CEO Drew Fleming. “Building on the electrifying energy of last year's record-breaking event, we're crafting an extraordinary experience for our guests and an unmatched atmosphere as the world's finest take center stage.” “Del Mar Thoroughbred Club is thrilled to welcome the Breeders' Cup World Championships back for a second consecutive year,” added Del Mar President Josh Rubinstein. “It is an honor to host this prestigious event that brings not only the best horses, owners, trainers, and jockeys to our venue, but also enormous economic impact to our city. We look forward to another unforgettable showcase of world-class racing and exceptional hospitality with the 2025 Breeders' Cup World Championships at Del Mar.” A variety of seating options at an assortment of price points are available for the 2025 World Championships, including premium dining packages, box seating options, reserved seating, and general admission. Two-day dining packages are available for purchase ranging from $1,139 to $2,861 per seat, while box seating options include both single and two-day packages starting at $504 for a single day and $1,167 for both days. Reserved seating is available in both single and two-day packages that start at $80 for a single day and $212 per seat for both days. Infield General Admission prices are $80 per person for Friday and $155 for Saturday. Trackside General Admission prices are $106 per person for Friday and $233 per person Saturday. Michelin-starred chef and world-renowned restaurateur, author, and media personality Curtis Stone returns to the World Championships for the third consecutive season to create a world-class culinary experience for attendees. Owner of Michelin-starred Gwen and The Pie Room restaurants in Los Angeles and Woodend by Curtis Stone at Maroma, A Belmond Hotel in the Riviera Maya, Stone will work with his team at Del Mar to curate innovative offerings for guests arriving from around the world. Stone's cuisine will be offered in select premium dining areas. “I look forward to continuing this fantastic partnership with the Breeders' Cup,” Stone said. “This year's cuisine will build on the success of the past two seasons with an innovative approach that celebrates the unique nature of Del Mar and the elevated elegance of the World Championships.” All tickets will be sold in advance of the World Championships and are subject to availability at the time of purchase. No tickets will be sold on-site. Those interested in hosting corporate outings or large groups may register for more information here. Additionally, all on-site parking at Del Mar will be sold in advance. Pricing ranges from $55 per pass on Friday to $94 per pass on Saturday, depending on the lot location. A dedicated ride-share lot will be available for patrons over the weekend. For more information, please visit here. The post Del Mar Partners With SeatGeek To Offer New Seating And Pricing Options For 2025 Breeders’ Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Hong Kong Jockey Club chief Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges has called a review of the Hong Kong International Sale after a string of disappointing results at last Friday's auction at Sha Tin. Six of the 21 horses in the catalogue were withdrawn before the sale on veterinary advice and the average for the sale dropped by 9%. Furthermore, only five of the 15 lots that sold made their presale cost, resulting in a loss of HK$8.82 million. Speaking to the South China Morning Post, “It's simple-disappointing. I'm especially disappointed about the number of horses who had to be withdrawn. This is a number which, in my view, needs a complete review. “When you look statistically, you would have to expect that 25 per cent, maybe 30 per cent, will not make it. But we are way beyond that, so you have to factor in the whole chain–is it from the buying, do we always buy the right pedigrees, what is the preparation?” Engelbrecht-Bresges continued, “The market has changed and when the market changes, you have to see if what you do is still the right thing to do and you have to think how you put a value proposition there. So, it's one thing when you get the withdrawal of horses, which definitely makes it not very sustainable, but the other one is to step back and say how the market has changed. You need to make an analysis and see what you do.” The post HKJC Chief Calls Review Of “Disappointing” International Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Longtime horseman Andre Lynch has died of cancer at age 52. His death was announced on social media Tuesday morning by Paramount Sales's Lesley Campion. A GoFundMe for Lynch, created in support of his care in February, reads: “A lifelong, outdoors and active horseman, Andre started his career in Ireland with Pat Doyle at Holycross, then to David Magnier at Grange Stud, finished his diploma at the Irish National Stud and then on to Pat O' Kelly at Kilcarn Stud. Then came his move to the US and his tenure of 21 years with Coolmore Stud before taking over management of Chief Stipe and Felicia Branham's Hurricane Hills Farm in 2017 where he has worked until his illness became prohibitive.” Lynch is survived by his two daughters, Emma, 8, and Catherine, 4. Campion noted as of Tuesday morning that funeral details were still pending. “I have known Andre since he arrived on Lexington Blue Grass Day in 1995,” said Lynch's longtime friend Ken Donworth, who also advocated for his GoFundMe. “We've been great friends ever since. I was lucky to work with him at Creekview Farm in Paris, where Dermot [Ryan] was the manager before he moved to Coolmore's Ashford Stud. Andre and I were barn foremen, and it was a great experience. We managed some great mares and learned a lot about each other. We also explored the social scene in Paris at a young age, which was a tremendous experience. Andre went on to work at Ashford Stud with Dermot in the office, and I went a different direction from the horse business. We have remained friends every since. He was the best man in my wedding and he is the Godfather of my son Patrick, and he was very good to him over the years. Andre was a very generous guy. He would give you the shirt off his back. He would take care of others before he would take care of himself. I cannot say enough good words about him; I know what happened over the last three months. It has been a fantastic reach out from everybody who has known Andre over the years, and it helped him get through the last couple of months. He passed comfortably and not in any pain, with a very peaceful mind that the girls would be taken care of with the fundraiser. It's a true testament to the horse business and community that everyone helped out.” This story will be updated. The post Longtime Horseman Andre Lynch Dies Of Cancer At 52 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sam Agars MR COOL - R6 (7) Has trialled well and may just emulate ownermate Mr Stunning with a debut win Jay Rooney MR COOL - R6 (7) Has shown plenty in his trials and can strike on his first race start Trackwork Spy CHATEAUNEUF - R8 (3) Ready to win and gets his chance to atone from a good draw Phillip Woo BEAUTY INFINITY - R8 (5) Can go one better after coming up just short last start Shannon (Vincent Wong) FIND MY LOVE - R4 (1) Drops in class, draws a better gate and Hugh Bowman takes the reins Racing Post Online KING OF FIGHTERS - R7 (6) Youngster looks poised to break through after promising second last start Tom Wood BEAUTY INFINITY - R8 (5) Just missed last week, he can definitely go one better hereView the full article

The Irish National Stud's Shouldvebeenaring (GB) is the latest young sire that is reported to have his first mares scanned in foal. Among them is Newmarket maiden winner Ultra Violet and Louisa May, a half-sister to stakes winner Dubara, from the family of Milan and Karpino. Additionally, Irish Madam, a full sister to Strath Burn, has been confirmed in foal. Cathal Beale, CEO of the Irish National Stud, commented, “Shouldvebeenaring has been enthusiastically received by Irish breeders, and we are impressed with the quality of mares in his first book. “Among them are proven stakes producers such as Margaret's Mission, Naruko, Zawiyah, and Big Break, to name just a few. He has adapted seamlessly to his new role, a true testament to his outstanding temperament.” The post First Mares Scanned In Foal To Young Sire Shouldvebeenaring appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Saturday was finally the day for Our Blue Streaks Stable, SGV Thoroughbreds, and trainer George Weaver's Soontobeking as he narrowly prevailed in the $125,000 Gander Stakes. Soontobeking became the first black-type winner for his sire King for a Day.View the full article

There are five horse racing meetings set for Australia on Wednesday, March 12. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the best bets and the quaddie numbers for Sandown, Wyong & Happy Valley (HK). Wednesday’s Free Horse Racing Tips – March 12, 2025 Sandown Racing Tips Wyong Racing Tips Happy Valley (HK) Racing Tips As always, there are plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans. Check out all the top horse racing bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on March 12, 2025 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. Neds Code GETON 1 Take It To The Neds Level Neds Only orange bookie! Check Out Neds Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit today. “GETON is not a bonus code. Neds does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. Full terms. BlondeBet Signup Code GETON 2 Punters Prefer Blondes BlondeBet Blonde Boosts – Elevate your prices! Join BlondeBet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. WHAT ARE YOU REALLY GAMBLING WITH? full terms. Dabble Signup Code AUSRACING 3 Say Hey to the social bet! Dabble You Better Believe It Join Dabble Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? Full terms. Recommended! 4 Next Gen Racing Betting Picklebet Top 4 Betting. Extra Place. Every Race. Join Picklebet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Full terms. 5 It Pays To Play PlayUp Aussie-owned horse racing specialists! Check Out PlayUp Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Full terms. Bet365 Signup Code GETON 6 Never Ordinary Bet365 World Favourite! Visit Bet365 Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. GETON is not a bonus code. bet365 does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. What’s gambling really costing you? Full terms. Horse racing tips View the full article

By Jonny Turner Brookies Player gets the perfect chance to break back into the winner’s circle at Ascot Park on Wednesday. The six-year-old plummets down in grade into a very winnable race for trainers Ross and Chris Wilson in Race 3, Selling Call Craig At Harcourts Mobile Pace (4.37pm). To take advantage of it, Brookies Player must turn around a run of being out of the money since September of last year. The nine race winner and $1.60 favourite looks a big chance of doing just that given the pacer drops from taking on country cups classes to taking on lower-grade opposition on Wednesday. But it is another factor that Chris Wilson thinks will be a big help as Brookies Player attempts to bounce back to form. “He has been racing in harder fields and hopefully he can make the most of it on Wednesday,” Wilson said. “Having just eight horses in it should be a big help.” “He hasn’t been in the money since September but in a lot of those runs he has been getting too far back and running on.” “It hasn’t helped being in big fields a lot of the time.” “But with only the eight of them this week, hopefully he will be able to get a lot handier.” While the numbers in his form line may not look too flash, Brookies Player hasn’t lost any of his talent judging by his recent work. “He has worked pretty good this week,” Wilson said. “There is nothing wrong with him at all, he is looking good and he is fit and healthy.” Brookies Player clashes with his stablemate from the Wilson stable in Robyns Hustler. After a run of tough draws, barrier 1 didn’t pan out too well for the pacer in his last start at Winton. “He was just about last on the turn last start.” “If he got a handy enough run without doing any work, I wouldn’t rule him out of running a place.” The Wilson stable also starts Robyns Art at Ascot Park on Wednesday. View the full article

Express Yourself will resume in next Saturday’s Listed Bill Tito Book Repair Specialist Lightning Handicap (1200m) at Trentham. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) New Zealand punters are set to get their first glimpse of Group One performer Express Yourself in more than a year when she heads to Trentham next weekend to tackle the Listed Bill Tito Book Repair Specialist Lightning Handicap (1200m). Following her runner-up effort behind Mercurial in last year’s Group 1 Telegraph (1200m), and subpar unplaced run in the Group 2 Westbury Classic (1400m) at Ellerslie, she tested her talent in Australia for interim trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr. She raced on four occasions out of their Cranbourne barn under the name Expressiveness, and placed in the Listed Regal Roller Stakes (1200m) and Listed Alinghi Stakes (1100m), but part-owner and trainer Nikki Hurdle said she didn’t handle the city environment. “Sadly, we didn’t see the best of her in Australia,” she said. “I do believe she was good enough to win one of those races had she been perfectly sound, but she just jarred up and couldn’t handle it over there.” Express Yourself returned to Hurdle’s care late last year and won her trial over 850m at Foxton, but her handler wasn’t happy with her condition and elected to send her to the spelling paddock instead of heading towards her initial target of the Telegraph in January. “She came back from Australia and I wasn’t happy with her,” Hurdle said. “She was meant to go to the Telegraph but after the trial, despite winning it, I knew she wasn’t herself, so I put her out and gave her some time.” The six-year-old daughter of Shamexpress has thrived with the break, which told at Foxton on Tuesday where she showed a good turn of foot late to take a gap between runners and finish off strongly to take out her 850m trial ahead of Group 3 performer Bradman. “I am very thrilled with her. She had a jumpout a week ago and went excellent as well,” Hurdle said. “Everyone has her pegged as a frontrunner, but I don’t, and it was nice to see her come through like that (today in her trial).” Hurdle now heads into next week with plenty of confidence and is looking forward to being reunited with her Victorian-based son Ryan, who will arrive back in New Zealand to ride Express Yourself in the Lightning. “I identified the Lightning as the only race suitable for her this season in New Zealand, so I have been working towards that with her,” she said. “Ryan will ride her in the Lightning, and he is coming home early. Her last three or four workouts will be out at the beach and I think it will be really good for her.” Express Yourself’s racing future will be heavily reliant on her Lightning performance, with Hurdle weighing up whether to return to Australia with the mare or offer her to the market as a broodmare proposition. “There is not much left for her in New Zealand after that (Lightning). I would have to get together with the owners and we would have to make a decision,” Hurdle said. “If we did go back to Australia, I would go back to Melbourne in the spring. I think she is a horse that appreciates a cut in the track. There are just so many opportunities for mares over there over a sprint distance, which is lacking here in New Zealand. “If she goes well next Saturday, and we decide we will keep going, I will probably train her myself over there and base myself at Ballarat with my son. “If she doesn’t go well and has maybe come to the end of it, we would probably have to put her up for sale as a broodmare, which would be a sad day for us. But she will be an amazing broodmare, I just know she will leave a good horse. “She has done an incredible job. As an individual she is such a cool horse.” Horse racing news View the full article

Record-breaking colt Hostility will make his debut at Matamata on Wednesday. Photo: Trish Dunell There’s plenty of anticipation ahead of regally bred colt Hostility’s raceday debut at Matamata on Wednesday. Purchased by Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis out of Kiltannon Stables’ New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale draft for $1.65 million last November, there has been much fanfare surrounding the sale topper over the last few months. By I Am Invincible, and out of Group One-winning mare Shillelagh, Hostility has won both of his trials to date, and trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are looking forward to stepping him out for the first time on raceday at their home track’s mid-week meeting. “He has been faultless here at home; touch wood, it can continue on Wednesday,” Bergerson said. “He has got a fantastic temperament; he is a very laid-back customer, and his trials have been super. “It looks like he has got a fantastic turn of foot. He has just got to go out there and put it all together on race day now, but Gryllsy (Craig Grylls, jockey) knows him well. From barrier seven, we will just see how he jumps, but we are really excited to see him finally step out.” A Group One tilt is in the offing if Hostility performs up to expectations. “If he was to run well, we could potentially have a look at the Group 1 Manawatu Sires’ (1400m) with him,” Bergerson said. The stable is also looking forward to seeing the raceday return of stakes-performed mare Sense Of Timing, who hasn’t been sighted on raceday for nearly a year. She will make her return in Wednesday’s Blue Pacific Minerals 1200, where she will jump from barrier 11 and will get the aid of apprentice jockey Triston Moodley’s four-kilogram claim. “Unfortunately for her, she has just had a few setbacks and then went all the way down to Otaki, and they cancelled the meeting,” Bergerson said. “She hasn’t had a lot of luck over the last 12 months, but I am excited to see her back on her home track. “We have elected to keep her in the (rating) 65 and claim. I thought her trials were good, so we are looking forward to finally getting her back to the races.” Looking ahead to the weekend, Te Akau will have a two-pronged attack in Saturday’s Group 2 Japan Trophy (1600m) at Tauranga courtesy of Wild Night and What You Wish For. “Wild Night is back from Australia, so we are excited to see him back in New Zealand,” Bergerson said. “It hasn’t gone to plan over there; he was probably stiff not to win the Cranbourne Cup (Listed, 1600m) first up and just hasn’t had a lot of luck and was disappointing there last time (last in the Listed The Elms Handicap, 1400m). “Back to New Zealand, he seems happy and well here at home. He won at Tauranga before heading over to Aussie, so we are looking forward to him. “What You Wish For is in good form. We have freshened him up from the Kaimai Stakes (Listed, 2000m) and if he were to run well, he could potentially head to the Awapuni Gold Cup (Group 2, 2100m). “We think they are two nice chances.” Horse racing news View the full article

Australian jockey retains key mount in HK$26 million feature as three-time Group One winner continues racing career.View the full article

An export fee is being introduced for New Zealand horses heading to China. Harness Racing New Zealand advises a fee of $300 plus GST per horse will be effective from June 1, 2025. From January 1, 2026 the full export fee will apply. “The fee has largely been introduced to offset the administration costs involved in processing these transactions, ” says HRNZ’s Head of Racing and Wagering Matthew Peden. In recent years around 80 New Zealand horses have been exported to China annually. The fees will be collected by the freight company involved, as is common practice. For further information, please contact HRNZ Head of Racing & Wagering, Matthew Peden at matthew.peden@hrnz.co.nz. View the full article

Stablemates and full-siblings Giacomo and Santa Catalina will go head-to-head for the first time in Wednesday’s Holster Engineering Lally and Symes South Waikato Cup (2000m) at Matamata. The elder of the pair, six-year-old Giacomo (NZ) (Puccini), has four race wins under his belt and has been a model of consistency this campaign, placing behind the likes of Willydoit, Balance Of Power and most recently, Doddle at the course on March 1. Peter McKay, who trains the gelding in partnership with his son Shaun, applauded the last-start effort after being taken on throughout the 2000m contest. “It was a really good run, but he was just getting a little bit annoyed with others trying to take him on in front,” he said. “There’s normally a lack of speed in races so we sent one forward to set a decent pace, and you still get taken on. “That probably undid him a bit from winning, but there was still a good five lengths back to the rest of the field and the two horses that took him on were well out of the money. “He’s bounced through that really well, hopefully he won’t be attacked in that same way tomorrow but if they do, it may make it for the other horse we have in the race.” Younger sister Santa Catalina (NZ) (Puccini) has considerably less race experience and a lower rating, but has shown promise of becoming a quality stayer, excusing her last run on Avondale Cup Day. “It was a little bit indifferent, the start before that she wasn’t ridden very well and got too far back, but came home well late,” McKay said. “She probably got a little bit out of her ground last-start as well, but she also didn’t come through the race as well as we would’ve liked. “We’ve put it down to either the muggy heat or something underlying going on prior to that, and in her last run-up since, she’s hardly blown and she’s going well. “It’s not ideal starting her in this race, but it was either that or going to Pukekohe on Friday. So if she can run in the first two or three, there’s a nice (rating) 65 race at Wellington in a couple of weeks’ time. And if she wins, then she’s won a race.” Each by the McKay’s multiple-Group One winner Puccini, out of an O’Reilly mare, Giacomo and Santa Catalina both have taken to the staying role, but the latter did so much sooner in her career. “She’s probably got to staying a lot quicker, she’s got a bit more constitution about her,” McKay said. “Earlier on with Giacomo, every time we got the work into him and got him up to going over ground, he would drop away in condition. He’s finally getting there now, while she stepped up quickly to getting over ground as a four-year-old, and I think she’ll be a really nice five-year-old staying mare. “At this stage though, at the weights, he should be winning tomorrow, and she should be running on close enough.” The market mirrors McKay’s opinion, with Giacomo currently sitting at $1.65 ahead of Ess Vee Are ($4) and Santa Catalina ($5.50). They will be ridden by Jasmine Fawcett and Craig Grylls respectively. View the full article

There were many sincere words spoken at the memorial service for Mike Moroney in the mounting yard at Flemington on Tuesday. Each word was fittingly heartfelt and honest and each served as a reflection of the trainer’s immense personality. Younger brother Paul described Moroney as ‘a champion person’ and a ‘bloody good bloke’ in his eulogy, before reminding those who attended the service and those who watched it live on Racing.com, that these traits were not false or forced. He said his brother never gave hollow lip service but always handled himself with fairness, graciousness and humility. Moroney’s daughter Aliesha spoke next and she added a few more insightful words. She spoke of the trainer’s great optimism, his resilience, his calmness and his careful one-step-at-a-time approach to each problem. She confirmed he was superstitious, with the number six being at the heart of what some thought was an irrational pre-occupation. She described her father’s career-defining victory with Brew in the 2000 Melbourne Cup as being all about the number six as Brew carried saddlecloth 24. If you add two and four, it totals six, she said. It was a superstition he was born with, one that never left him until the day he died on February 27. Moroney was born on the sixth day of the sixth month in 1958. He was 66 when he passed away in his sleep after battling illness. Moroney’s grandson Lincoln then offered some more words. He said his grandfather was kind and a superstar trainer and one who would smother his loved ones with bear hugs. Greg Childs rode Moroney’s first winner as a trainer in the early 1980s and they became great friends. He broke down when speaking of the pride he had for his son Jordan and daughter Tayla when they rode their first winners for Moroney. Childs also spoke of love, honesty and friendship and that there was ‘no bullshit’ about the trainer. He said there would be hundreds of jockeys throughout the land who benefited from Moroney’s want to give people a go. “He never lost his temper and jockeys all liked riding his horses,” he said. Grant Davenport, a longtime friend and owner, said words such as trustworthiness, mutual respect and empathy defined the gentle giant of a man. Another former staff member, Mariah Kaminski, also spoke of the trainer’s desire to help others. She said he was an inspiration, a mentor and a friend who helped her find her way into her own business of spelling and pre-training racehorses. Other staff members appeared on a video tribute to their fallen boss. Words such as guidance, determination, caring, patience and gentleman all came easily and freely. Champion trainer Chris Waller was in attendance after making his way down from Sydney on Tuesday morning. There was a lot about Moroney and his early days that inspired his fellow Kiwi-born as he too looked at Australia with dreams of the future. He said he studied how Moroney trained his horses and how he conducted himself. Waller said the most striking part of Moroney’s big personality was his ability to remain consistent. “He was the same person every day,” Waller said. “He was never jealous of other people’s success and he had a great mix of the old and new generation of trainers. “A true legend of the sport.” Many of the industry leaders were on hand at Tuesday’s service and it was no accident that most found themselves having, at one time or another, raced horses with Moroney out of the old Chicquita Lodge stables at Flemington. That respect from industry leaders could be seen through Moroney’s final winner, Bancory Bay, at Sandown on February 26. His owners include RV chair Tim Eddy, as well as RV board member Mark Player and Victoria Racing Club board member Neil Werrett. The funeral for Moroney will be held back in New Zealand next week. View the full article

Entries for NZB’s 2025 National Weanling Sale are now open, with the Sale set to be held at the Karaka Sales Centre on Thursday 26 June. Continuing as a dedicated weanling only format, the Sale is a happy hunting ground for those searching for their next pinhook success story or racetrack star. The Sale also offers breeders an attractive platform to sell their young stock to a strong international and domestic audience, with the added bonus of Karaka Millions eligibility. In an exciting move, the National Weanling Sale will be held on the same date as the National Standardbred Weanling Sale at Karaka. The joint sale date will see the thoroughbred session get underway in the morning, with the standardbred weanlings selling later that afternoon. The weanling session in 2024 returned more than $2.4 million, with a top price of $170,000 achieved for a Satono Aladdin filly on account of Brighthill Farm – one of nine weanlings that realised $100,000 or more alongside healthy increases in the average and median. Following another strong 2024-25 sales season, NZB’s Manager Director Andrew Seabrook is looking ahead to the boutique sale with confidence. “With all the positivity surrounding the industry at the moment, it should give breeders great confidence to bring these weanlings to the market.” “The Sale continues to attract strong international and domestic participation, with the opportunity for both end-users and traders given the genuine racing and investment types on offer. “There appears to be a lot more synergy between the two codes at the moment, so having both sales on the day should create a bigger crowd, a better atmosphere and hopefully some cross-coding.” A proven source of success on the track, star NZB weanling graduates include the likes of Jedibeel (NZ) (Savabeel), Pivotal Ten (NZ) (Ten Soverigns), Read About It (NZ) (Wrote), Tokyo Tycoon (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) and Pignan (NZ) (Staphanos) to name a few. All weanlings offered are eligible to be nominated for NZB’s lucrative Karaka Millions Series. Graduates can compete for a share in the $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m), followed by the $1.5m TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) as well as the $1m NZB Mega Maiden Series. Entries for the National Weanling Sale are open from today and close on 24 April. To enter the Sale, visit NZB’s online portal at portal.nzb.co.nz or for enquiries contact NZB’s Bloodstock Administrator Mary Jane Harvey by calling +64 9 393 9832 or emailing MaryJane.Harvey@nzb.co.nz. For more information about the Sale, contact NZB Bloodstock Sales Manager Kane Jones on +64 27 274 4985 or email Kane.Jones@nzb.co.nz. View the full article

Trent Busuttin concedes the New Zealand Derby winner Willydoit is superior to his three-year-old Thedoctoroflove (So You Think), but the trainer is not backing away from a potential return bout in the Gr.1 ATC Derby in Sydney next month. “You can’t worry about one horse,” Busuttin said on Monday. “Things can go wrong, and they are all there to be beaten. “The other horse is a better horse than ours, but you can’t muck around with your horses’ campaign because of one horse, so he’ll be there doing his best in Sydney.” Thedoctoroflove came off his Gr.2 Avondale Guineas victory to run a 2.3-length second to Willydoit in last Saturday’s Gr.1 New Zealand Derby. Busuttin, who trains in partnership at Cranbourne with Natalie Young, said he was pleased with his horse but was left thoroughly impressed with Willydoit, who will be trained in Australia for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups next spring by Ciaron Maher. A decision is pending on whether he comes to Sydney for the Derby or is spelled with the spring in mind. “We got beaten by a superior horse, simple as that,” Busuttin said. “He had a tough run, the winner, and he was there to be beaten at the top of the straight with the run he had, but he was just too good. “Our horse had a faultless prep and was given a beautiful ride by Daniel Moor, but he wasn’t good enough. “All credit to the trainers (Shaun and Emma) the Clotworthys as it looked like it (campaign) was going pear-shaped for Willydoit in the lead-up run (when tenth in the Avondale Guineas) and it’s so hard to turn them around. It was a good training effort.” Thedoctoroflove might not be the only ATC Derby contender for the stable at Randwick on April 5, and Busuttin said the stable was trying to get both Emphasize (NZ) (Embellish) and Confetti Garden (Saxon Warrior) to the Gr.1 classic. “They are both getting there in terms of their form and they will have their lead-up races in the Rosehill Guineas or Alister Clark Stakes,” Busuttin said. “It went pear-shaped for Emphasize last start (in the G2 Autumn Classic). He jumped out, got over-racing and got hold of the rider and ran himself into the ground (before finishing fourth). “He’ll be nominated for both races as he can turn around things. “Confetti Garden, who ran second in the Autumn Classic, he’s done nothing wrong and he’s on an upwards trajectory. “He’ll most likely go to Rosehill. He’d like a wet track.” View the full article