Wandering Eyes

Following their 1-2 finish in the $5 million Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs May 3, Sovereignty and Journalism have joined the leaderboard in the Longines World's Best Racehorse rankings released May 8.View the full article

New York lawmakers and the governor have agreed on a package of measures to give racetracks millions of dollars in tax breaks, steer funding to a new advanced equine imaging research program, and end an antiquated payout system for horseplayers.View the full article

Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Sovereignty arrived early morning May 8 at Saratoga Race Course to begin his preparations for the $2 million Belmont Stakes (G1) June 7.View the full article

A perfect 2-for-2 to start his career, Bob Baffert-trained Goal Oriented has joined the expected field for the $2 million Preakness Stakes (G1) May 17.View the full article

During a panel discussion May 8 of the ongoing Association of Racing Commissions International annual meeting in Louisville, Ky., five racing investigators spotlighted successful investigations and encouraged coordination across jurisdictions.View the full article

Bob Baffert notified Pimlico Race Course officials Thursday of his intention to enter undefeated 'TDN Rising Star' Goal Oriented (Not This Time), as well as GII Wood Memorial Stakes hero Rodriguez (Authentic) in the GI Preakness Stakes. Goal Oriented debuted at Santa Anita Apr. 6 with an off-the-pace 3 1/4-length victory in a six-furlong maiden special weight event, which earned him a 'Rising Star' badge. The 3-year-old cleared an optional claimer in front-running fashion on the Derby undercard. A $425,000 purchase at the 2023 Keeneland September Sale, Goal Oriented is owned by SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC's, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Diane Bashor, Determined Stables, Robert E. Masterson, Tom J. Ryan, Waves Edge Capital LLC and Catherine Donovan, who also campaign 'TDN Rising Star' Rodriguez. The Wood winner galloped at Churchill Downs Thursday morning. Baffert, who is seeking to break his own record of eight Preakness victories, has said Rodriguez will work this weekend and ship to Pimlico Monday. The Hall of Fame trainer said decisions on other horses he might bring for Preakness Week stakes will be made after those horses work. The post ‘TDN Rising Star’ Goal Oriented Points To Preakness appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Deauville, FRANCE-The breeze-up circus rolls onto Arqana this week and, following the breeze on Thursday, where 162 of some of the best-bred horses in Europe were put through their paces, a number of key industry stakeholders weighed in on what might come to fruition this week. From market predictions, to revealing their highs and lows of the breeze-up season thus far, heavyweights Roger O'Callaghan, Roderic Kavanagh, Tessa Greatrex, Valfredo Valiani and Matt Coleman have answered some of the key questions ahead of what promises to be another blockbuster sale on Saturday. Has the breeze-up season met your expectations so far? Tessa Greatrex: Yes. I was slightly apprehensive about trying to repeat the success of last year, which was my first year shopping at the breeze-ups, but it has worked out really well so far. I have put a bit of pressure on myself to find some nice horses at prices I can afford but it's so far so good. I buy mainly on behalf of my husband, Warren [Greatrex, trainer], as well as Jim and Claire Bryce. Yankee Dude is probably the best horse that we have bought from the breeze-ups last year while Orchard, who came out of this sale last year, won last week. With the way National Hunt racing has developed, I think it's good for trainers to diversify, and buying these horses at the breeze-ups helps Warren's yard run all year round. Roger O'Callaghan: Yes. The results of the breeze-ups are speaking for themselves. I suppose you would have been a bit anxious about [Donald] Trump before the breeze-ups started but the results have been too good and buyers want the good horses. Even the middle market has been good. The market has been very fair. Matt Coleman: Maybe not quite, simply because the yearling sales were so strong last year, there hasn't been quite the same strength-in-depth at the breeze-ups compared to previous years. There have obviously been some outstanding horses at the sales this year but I felt it lacked some strength in depth purely because the yearling sales were so strong. I'd say we have the deepest bunch of horses at Arqana compared to any other sale this year. I'm sure there will be some serious horses to come out of it. Roderic Kavanagh: We've had some good results but I have been reminded this year more so than ever that it has become ultra-selective and, if you don't have the right product, you won't get paid. The top 25 per cent has become incredibly strong. It's just more selective than ever. But on the whole, it's been incredible. Valfredo Valiani: The market has been quite good but there are good opportunities to buy nice horses at the middle tier level and I have bought quite a few so far. I think the breeze-up handlers are doing better and better every year and Ruling Court winning the 2,000 Guineas was not a surprise to me. Let's not forget that it is not the first time that this has happened. Anthony Stroud also bought Native Trail. So he has bought two Guineas winners and, as I said, the breeze-up handlers are doing a very good job and they need to be commended for the job that they have been doing. I am actually suggesting more and more of my clients to buy horses at the breeze-ups now. What has been the biggest surprise of the year so far? Greatrex: Coming from a National Hunt background, when horses are making millions, it's always a bit of a shock. I have to say, I was delighted to see Goffs break their own record when the Mehmas colt sold to Godolphin for a million pounds. That was a great result and I think it's important for the bloodstock business that there's competition [between the sales houses]. O'Callaghan: Johnny and Danielle Hurley's Kodi Bear making half a million at Donny. That's class. Like, that's the beauty of this game. It was a bit like a couple of boys in our yard, they bought a Coulsty filly for three grand and they ended up getting 120 grand at the Guineas Sale last week. In what other game can that happen? No other business is like ours. It's amazing. Coleman: The prices that the top horses made at Doncaster and at the Craven. I didn't expect that. There are three very big buyers between Amo Racing, Wathnan Racing and Godolphin and when they clash, that's what can happen. Kavanagh: The price [£320,000] our Too Darn Hot filly fetched at Doncaster. She was expensive by the kilogram but what was there was lovely! Valiani: A lot of people go strictly on times and, as a result, some horses probably make too much money. There have been some horses where I could never have predicted they would make what they did. Personally, I am not as obsessed with times as other people. Of course, it can be important, but it is not the most important thing for me. And the biggest disappointment? Greatrex: Not being able to attract more owners to invest at the breeze-ups off the back of our success last year. The harder you look, the more likely you are to find a bargain. I'm a great believer that horses find you a bit in this game. And another thing I love about this business is building relationships with vendors and taking their word on a horse. You build up a bit of trust together. I just wish more people would get involved in buying at the breeze-up sales because I think there is value there. O'Callaghan: Nothing to do with the breeze-ups, but Big Evs getting kicked in the Willy! He missed a couple of weeks of the breeding season as a result but he's back fine again now. Coleman: There are a couple of horses I think about and wonder if I should have been stronger on them but you won't know that until they hit the track. I probably wish I bought a few more horses so far but hopefully I'll be able to buy a few this week. Kavanagh: Probably last week at the Guineas Sale because it's always been a very lucky sale for me but we didn't quite hit the mark this year. Valiani: Nothing has disappointed me too much for me to remember. I have been lucky enough not to have been disappointed this year. What did you learn this year? Greatrex: That you have to focus on the whole package without getting transfixed on times or stallions. You have to keep your eyes open when trying to source value. I must say, I have been brilliantly guided by Ant [Anthony Bromley], whose success speaks for itself. O'Callaghan: That you never know where the good horse will come out of. The beauty of the breeze-ups is that the good horses can come out of any sale and, from a vendor's point of view, if you rock up with a nice horse you will be well-rewarded. Sometimes you can lose sight of that fact. I mean, we all want to go to Keeneland or Book 1 at Tattersalls. But you can buy a nice horse anywhere and get a few quid if they are good enough. Sometimes you can forget that. Coleman: That if a vendor has a good-looking horse by the right stallion and it happens to breeze well, they will get an awful lot of money. I also learned that the bottom of the market is becoming trickier and trickier. Trainers are short on owners and short on orders. The headline horses make for good reading but the bottom of the market is becoming tougher. The rising costs and poor prize-money are leaving trainers on their heels a little bit in terms of buying too many horses on spec. Kavanagh: Plenty. I probably left some of my horses a little bit short this year. Maybe I was too confident that they were in a good spot but, in hindsight, they were probably a little bit underdone. This game is gone so professional that you need to have them ready and mine probably could have been fitter. Valiani: I try to learn as much as I can every day because this is a game where, if you think you know it all, you are finished. I usually watch the breeze with friends and I always try to discuss with them what I saw and try to understand what they saw. Anthony Stroud is a good friend and I love listening to his views on horses. Points of view can be so different with racehorses. It's fascinating. It's like I may like blonde women but you may prefer redheads or brunettes. We all have our own preferences and it is the exact same with horses. Do you think another blockbuster sale is on the cards at Arqana this week? Greatrex: There seems to be plenty of people here and there is a good vibe so why not? There seems to be a lot of nice horses here as well so it wouldn't surprise me if the momentum continues. O'Callaghan: I hope so. But on a serious note, why wouldn't it? The standard is very good and the results mean the people need to stand up and take note. Coleman: I think it will be very strong at the top again but I'm not sure what the middle market will be like as it doesn't seem overly busy thus far but I am sure a lot of the English and Irish trainers will arrive on Friday. This sale last year was extremely strong but the bottom third was skinny. I know that Arqana has made a big effort to get more normal buyers to the sale so we'll see what comes of that. Kavanagh: Yes, it has to be. The top end will be electric. Valiani: I think it will be. The only thing I will say is that the standard of horse that was here last year was exceptional. I haven't seen all of the horses in the sale yet but I think last year set a very high standard. And on a personal level, what would deem this week a success for you? Greatrex: Filling orders and finding future winners. O'Callaghan: Sell all my horses. Empty head collars. I get more anxious about how they run when they hit the track over the next couple of weeks compared to selling them in the ring. You just want them to go on and be good racehorses. Coleman: Buy horses that win good races. Kavanagh: I wanted to hit a million between my five horses but I don't know if I will do that. I'll happily take having a good week and getting them all sold. Valiani: It's quite an expensive sale and I work for a lot of foreign clients. There is very little space for Italians here but I do other business. Last year I bought two horses here. One has won and the other was placed first time out. If I could do similar business this week, I would be very happy. Can you nominate one horse from the breeze-ups worth looking out for when it hits the track? Greatrex: I bought a Lope Y Fernandez filly at the Guineas Sale last week and, while I slightly blew my budget, I loved her and I wasn't going to be beaten. I think she's exciting. O'Callaghan: We sold a Starman colt at the Craven Breeze-Up Sale to Richard Brown of Blandford Bloodstock. He's gone into training with Richard Fahey and I'd say he's one to follow. I think they named him Tactical Formation. Coleman: I bid on a Ubettabelieveit colt that Anthony [Stroud] ended up buying for £300,000 at Doncaster. He is a very nice horse who looks quick and tough. He should make up into a very fast two-year-old. Kavanagh: The Havana Grey filly that Nick Bell bought off me at the Craven. Let's just say Nick is a very good negotiator! I'd be hopeful about her now. Valiani: I bought a very nice Kodiac colt from Tally-Ho Stud at the Guineas Sale last week. He has gone to Italy and I think he's a lovely horse who came from an excellent consignor in Tally-Ho. The post ‘The Top Will Be Electric’ – Big Dogs Of The Bloodstock World Weigh In On Arqana appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. 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Journalism (Curlin), a game runner-up in last Saturday's GI Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, remains a candidate for the GI Preakness Stakes May 17 at Pimlico Race Course, the colt's connections confirmed on Thursday. Sent off at as the 7-2 favorite in the Derby, Journalism is owned by the partnership of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Robert V. LaPenta, Elayne Stables 5 LLC., Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith. Trained by Michael McCarthy, Journalism remains at Churchill Downs. The barn reported that the colt has come out of the race well. Journalism returned to the track Wednesday and was sent out for his daily exercise Thursday morning. “We're not going to rush into any determination right now. We're going to keep the Preakness in play,” said Aron Wellman, Eclipse's president and CEO. “It's an important American Classic that, whether there's a Triple Crown on the line or not, holds with it an extreme amount of prestige. We're going to monitor Journalism to the best of our ability and then make the best decision for the horse at the end of the day. But we're not saying we're in and we're certainly not shutting the door.” Journalism jogged a mile at Churchill Downs Thursday morning. The post ‘Preakness in Play’ For Derby Runner-Up Journalism appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Destructive, a three-time winner, topped the Tattersalls Online May Sale which concluded on Thursday. Sold as lot 21, the 4-year-old son of More Than Ready made 76,000gns on the bid of Deva Racing Dubai from the draft of Fitzroy House. “We are delighted to have purchased Destructive online today,” said Deva Racing's Ryan Tongue of the gelding, who had finished fourth in the Listed Al Bastakiya at Meydan this winter. “He won three of his last four starts and is on a mark of 97, which is perfect for a Dubai campaign. He will head to dual champion trainer Bhupat Seemar who does an excellent job with these types. He stays a mile and could be a future [G2] Godolphin Mile horse. I love that he already has experience in Dubai where he ran very well at three. There will be lots of options for him over there.” G3 Horris Hill Stakes hero Orne (Acclamation) was purchased by Northgate Lodge Stud for 50,000gns. Part of the Clarehaven Stables consignment, the G2 Sandy Lane Stakes second went through the ring as lot 52. Also sold for 50,000gns was lot 82, Thereyare (Jet Away), to Dan Astbury and Stockton Hall. The Churchland Stables-consigned point-to-pointer has been placed in one run at Ballysteen and is from the same family as Group 3 winner and sire Big Bad Bob. Overall, 58 lots sold (65%) from 89 offered for a gross of 576,100gns. The average was 9,610gns and the median was 5,000gns. A total of five lots made 30,000gns or more. The post More Than Ready’s Destructive Tops Tattersalls Online May Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Spend a morning on the gallops with Ralph Beckett and you could end up with more than just the natural shot in the arm that comes with observing racehorses at close quarters in the English springtime. Barns full of bluebloods. Well, that's a given now, particularly on the back of a pretty spectacular 2024. Sunshine is not always a given, but on this fine morning it has been turned to full beam, lighting up the rolling turf which envelopes this haven on the edge of Salisbury Plain. Bluestocking, last year's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner, has stepped out of that verdant spotlight but behind her remains the Irish Oaks winner You Got To Me, Breeders' Cup winner Starlust, and that old warrior Kinross, with the durability of a steeplechaser and the speed to mix it at the best Flat tracks around the world. Behind these generals come the troops whose metier is yet to be established. Their progress up the ranks will depend on the keen oversight of the man charged with their education. At Kimpton Down, every day is a school day, and not just for the horses. In the 15 years since Beckett and his wife Izzy bought the property from the family of Toby Balding and moved from Whitsbury, the trainer has set about learning the ways in which he can best adapt the turf and woodchip gallops at his disposal for the honing of young Thoroughbreds. Even unwitting journalists are given a lesson in agronomy while waiting for third lot to appear over the brow. Beckett doesn't just provide education for others. His searching mind spurs him on, when time allows, to pay visits to colleagues in the training ranks to see what nuggets he can extract from them. “I try to spend a morning in Newmarket with a trainer every year. I'm always fascinated by what other people do,” he says. In February he had a mini-tour of Ireland, visiting Henry de Bromhead, Willie Mullins, Aidan O'Brien and Jim Bolger. “Henry is a very good pal of mine, from my time with Arthur Moore, so that was terrific,” Beckett continues. “And I really enjoyed going to Closutton and then Coolmore, and to Jim Bolger's as well. If people want to come and spend a morning here, I'm always open to seeing people, because you always pick up something from somebody somewhere, don't you?” When the initial entries for the Derby were published in February, Beckett had 12 colts entered. That has been revised to six after the initial scratchings on May 6, and he has 10 fillies remaining in the Oaks, in which he last year saddled four runners. These are not Ballydoyle-like quantities but, still, this represents a significant amount of firepower to be aiming towards Epsom in a bid to add the Derby to his victories in the Oaks (twice), Irish Derby, Irish Oaks and St Leger. Early-closing races can allow owners to dream awhile, but with each confirmation stage there is an expensive decision to be made, and a judgement by the trainer as to the degree of latent talent harboured within each horse. “Often you'll come into the start of the year with a mile two-year-old maiden winner with the right pedigree, in that he or she looks like he or she will stay primarily. And as long as their work is up to scratch in a broad sense, I'll make a decision on whether I think they'll handle it psychologically,” Beckett explains. “Whether they'll manage for me to run them in a trial first up and then go on from there. And if we don't think they're going to cope with that for whatever reason, then we go a different route. And often, of course, as you are cranking horses up, bits can fall off as well. And so that decision can be taken out of your hands. “For example, there's a couple of three-year-old fillies, That's Amore, by New Bay, won a Newbury maiden, and Revoir, by Study of Man, who won a Nottingham maiden at the back end. Both of them I have no problem about running in the trials. They'll both cope with it and then if we have to cut our cloth a different way in the coming months, that's fine.” Experience, too, provides its own form of education. “There'll be others that over the years, and you're looking back, you've run something in a trial and it ran okay,” he continues. “And then you've run in the Oaks because you thought it'd cope, and it didn't, because it couldn't go around Epsom. So the heavy-topped ones or the heavy-shouldered ones I'm less inclined to roll the dice with than I would've been previously.” Revoir, bred by Julian Richmond-Watson at Lawn Stud, is from the family which gave the trainer his first Oaks winner, Look Here, back in 2008. That filly's half-sister Look So has also provided the stable with the G1 Prix Royal-Oak winner Scope and is the granddam of Revoir, who still races for her breeder, the former TBA chairman and long-time supporter of Beckett. “We always majored in middle-distance or staying fillies, and part of that was thanks to Look Here,” Beckett says. “For me, I enjoy training Starlust and Kinross as much as I enjoyed training Talent and Simple Verse. But it's terrific, if I've become known for training that type. It's not a perception that I necessarily sought. It is one we ended up with. “But I'm delighted that people want to send that type of horse to us. Because the more you do it with that type of horse, the more straightforward it becomes, perhaps. And presumably for some owners there's a comfort in knowing that we have plenty of that type.” Arc winner Bluestocking faces the cameras | Scoop Dyga For some years, Beckett, in partnership with bloodstock agent Alex Elliott, ran a race-to-sell investment syndicate The Lucra Partnership. Runners included the G2 Royal Lodge Stakes winner New Mandate, but the expansion in numbers in his stable has brought this to a pause. “We have wound Lucra up for the time being, but we'll do it again,” he says. “It wasn't for lack of interested parties. It was just more just the way the yard's gone in the last couple of years – we probably had around 120 horses at that time. “But we really enjoyed doing it, because there was a goal there, and it didn't matter whether the horse had run twice or 10 times, it was a case of getting it to the point where we could then take an offer for the horse. I really enjoyed doing it and Alex is very good at buying that type of horse. We had 10 partners in that particular outfit who absolutely had a great time doing it. We had plenty of action on the racecourse and it was a big part of why we're training the number of horses we are now, there's no doubt about that. And I'm grateful for that.” Kimpton Down and a back-up yard at Lambourn, where Beckett first started training, house around 200 horses in training. In tandem with success for the owner with a more commercial imperative, the trainer's results for owner-breeders have also spurred this growth, including last year's Arc victory for Juddmonte's Bluestocking among five Group/Grade 1 victories for the stable in 2024. The year-round international and all-weather racing programme has changed the way that modern-day Flat yards operate, but Beckett did at least find pause to reflect on a year that culminated in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint victory of Starlust at Del Mar, some 16 years after Muhannak had become his first winner at the meeting. It was recently announced that the son of Zoustar will take up stud duties in Australia after running in the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot. Ralph Beckett and Rossa Ryan celebrate victory in Del Mar | Racingfotos “During the winter we don't run very many horses from the beginning of December on purpose, and I think during the winter I was able to look back and enjoy it,” Beckett says. “My family enjoyed it as well, and I'm really pleased about that. That, for me, was the bit I remember most about it, in that they were there and were part of it.” Happy with his lot, he is not, however, shortsighted when it comes to the general state of the racing industry. Forthright in his views on how British racing, and the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) in particular, could do better, Beckett has served his time as president of the National Trainers' Federation (NTF), often speaking up in support of his colleagues. “We've lost 17% of trainers since 2010,” he says. “It's always been tough at the bottom, we know that, but there has to be a mid-range. There seems to be a loss of the people training between 40 and 80 horses. There were plenty of people who were making a good fist of it and coming up with good horses from time to time. Part of the reason the sport works is because a good horse can come out of anywhere. And once that stops, we lose some of our identity. And we've lost enough of it already, frankly.” He continues, “I'm incredibly fortunate. I'm very aware of that. When I started as president of the NTF, I felt that I wasn't going to sit on the fence. I was going to say exactly what I thought all of the time and then when I finished doing it, I'd know that I'd done my best for everybody, not just for the bit that suited me. “I thought that was really important, that Ollie Pears in North Yorkshire and Rebecca Menzies and the guys down in the West Country, nobody could say, 'Well, he was just looking after himself.' William Haggas, Mark Johnston and John Gosden before me, who are all still involved, they all took that view as well. They did their best for everybody and I admired them for it.” The BHA remains in a state of flux, with acting chief executive Brant Dunshea having replaced Julie Harrington, who left in December 2024, and David Jones installed as interim independent chair following the death of Joe Saumarez Smith in February. Lord Allen of Kensington will become the new BHA chair from June 1. Beckett says that he would like to see more radical changes. “The political side of it, I find that the problem is that everything comes from the top, and it does in any organisation. But the fact is that the people at the top don't know what they're doing, and because they don't know what they're doing, the last thing they're going to do is actually appoint somebody who does know what they're doing because then they get shown up even more. “And it's got to the point now where John Ferguson is doing his best on the BHA board, but he's been shouting in a gale for two or three years, and Luca Cumani for three years before that. Both men have been worn down by it and I don't blame them. “The BHA executive came up with an idea of cutting 300 races from the programme about three years ago and Julie Harrington and Joe Saumarez Smith, who I trained for, torpedoed their own executive's initiative. And at that point, the BHA, under the current arrangement, was effectively finished, because how can you ask your own executive to do something and then throw it under a bus because, in Julie's words, 'it was so divisive'? It was only divisive because the racecourses didn't want it.” Beckett continues. “I'm not optimistic until the board changes. It must change. And once we stop being run by [Arena Racing Company CEO] Martin Cruddace, then I'll start being optimistic about it. “My own view is that the Jockey Club needs to leave the RCA [Racecourse Association] and go and stand next to the BHA. Now, I'm not confident about both these things happening, but one of them could. The Jockey Club could have it in them to go and back the BHA, and that's what they should be doing.” Despite his impassioned views, Beckett maintains that there is just one thing that drives him on, a quarter of a century after he first set out his stall as a trainer. “Nice horses,” he says. “I'd love to train another Epsom Classic winner – that goes without saying. It would perhaps be my primary objective because I haven't had one for 12 years. So I would dearly love to find another one, but having good horses is really my only objective. Finding them is the hard part.” The post Ralph Beckett’s School of Life appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Bidding on the Fasig-Tipton Digital May Sale, which includes a catalogue of 127 entries, is now open and will close Tuesday beginning at 3 p.m. “This is a very strong and diverse catalogue, with exciting offerings in a variety of categories,” said Fasig-Tipton Director of Digital Sales Leif Aaron. “We have nearly 50 horses of racing age from the sport's leading stables, including a stakes winner and graded stakes performers. Also on offer are the continuance of a major stable's reduction, a dispersal, quality breeding stock, 2-year-olds in training, yearlings, and a close relation to last weekend's GI Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty.” Offerings in the online auction include horses of racing age from DJ Stable, Godolphin, R.S. Evans, Runnymede Farm, SF Racing, et al, Stonestreet Stables, Three Chimneys Farm, Wathnan Racing, Winchell Thoroughbreds, and WinStar Farm, as well as the continued reduction of Merriebelle Stable and the dispersal of the late Ralph Kinder. Also included in the auction are 2-year-olds in training by Charlatan, Girvin, Gun Runner, Hard Spun, Practical Joke, and Yaupon, and yearlings by Golden Pal, Good Magic, Oscar Performance, and Yaupon. Others on offer include: There Goes Harvard (Will Take Charge) (hip 17), winner of the 2022 GI Hollywood Gold Cup and this year's GIII San Marcos Stakes, who is selling as a stallion prospect; Piedra Preciosa (Maxfield), a 2-year-old filly who won her May 3 debut at Horseshoe Indianapolis; Ifurhappynuknowit (hip 30), a 9-year-old full-sister to the dam of GI Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty (Into Mischief), in foal to Elite Power and selling with her 2025 Vino Rosso colt; and Lionel (hip 122), a 3-year-old colt who won his debut by 9 1/2 lengths May 4 at Laurel Park. The entire catalogue can be viewed here. The post Bidding Open on Fasig-Tipton Digital May Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Dave Rodman, announcer at Maryland's racetracks since 1991, has been named recipient of a Special Award of Merit for his contributions and positive impact on the racing industry. Rodman will be presented with the award at the May 15 Alibi Breakfast at Pimlico Race Course. A native of New Orleans, Rodman worked as a deejay at various radio stations before calling his first race at Jefferson Downs in 1981. He moved to Louisiana Downs in 1985 before becoming the track announcer for the Maryland Jockey Club, calling races at Pimlico, Laurel Park, Timonium and Colonial Downs. “It's a great honor to receive this Award of Merit and to be part of the great tradition of Maryland racing for 35 years, including the 150th Preakness,” Rodman said. “I appreciate the support of Maryland racing fans who come to the track on a regular basis. They love the game as much as I do.” Past recipients of the Special Award of Merit include Hall of Fame trainers D. Wayne Lukas and King Leatherbury, Hall of Fame jockeys Jerry Bailey and Ramon Dominguez, Jim McKay, Chick Lang, and Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and Beyond The Wire. The post Dave Rodman Honored with Award of Merit appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

by Kristen Manning & Dane McLeod/TTR AusNZ It was a spectacular affair at the Inglis Chairman's Sale where Group 1 mares stole the show. TTR AusNZ was there to hear what the buyers and sellers had to say about the atmosphere at a special Inglis Riverside evening. At A Glance The Inglis Chairman's Sale of 2025 saw 96 lots catalogued with 77 sold, compared to a smaller catalogue in 2024 with 59 of 88 lots finding new owners. The aggregate was A$54,430,000 compared to last year's A$35,335,000 with the difference due to the larger catalogue in 2025 and a higher average across the board. The average was up to A$706,883 from A$622,946 in 2024, while the median stayed static at A$400,000. The sale topper at A$4.2 million was the multiple Group 1 winner Bella Nipotina (Pride Of Dubai) sold by Ciaron Maher Racing to Longwood Thoroughbred Farm. This compares to last year's sale topper of A$3.4 million for She's Extreme (Extreme Choice). Spending A$9.4 million for three lots, Tom Magnier was the biggest buyer, whilst Ciaron Maher Racing was the leading vendor with eight lots selling for A$12.77 million. The leading sire was I Am Invincible with nine lots sold averaging just over A$1 million for an aggregate of A$9.8 million. Three of the top 10 lots were by I Am Invincible. Fourteen mares sold for seven figures – up from nine in 2024. Hutch Astounded by How Successful the Sale Was Bella Nipotina's A$4.2 million sale sets a new record top price for the Inglis Chairman's Sale, shooting straight past the A$3.6 million paid for Nimalee (So You Think) in 2023, and seeing her join Sunlight (Zoustar) as the third-most expensive mare to ever sell in the Southern Hemisphere behind Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) and another Inglis graduate Milanova (Danehill). The Ciaron Maher-offered 7-year-old, as the reigning G1 The Everest winner and the only mare to ever do so, was sold to her breeder and part owner Michael Christian of Longwood Thoroughbred Farm, who bought out his fellow owners in the mighty mare. Bella Nipotina was one of many incredible results on an extraordinary evening of Chairman's action, where the sale achieved a Southern Hemisphere mares sale record average of A$706,883, eclipsing last year's record average by 18%, with a healthy clearance rate of an outstanding 87%. The current gross at close of sale of A$54.43 million is a Chairman's Sale record, over A$9.5 million higher than the previous record set in 2023. Inglis Bloodstock CEO Sebastian Hutch was astounded by just how successful tonight's sale was. “This sale is about celebrating the careers of elite fillies and mares and having their merit recognised in a commercial environment, while also creating an occasion that allows for special memories to be made,” Hutch said. “It's hard to imagine how the night could have worked out much better than it did tonight – there was an incredible buzz in the auditorium and the sale was full of energy, which in turn captivated the audience of buyers and other attendees. “We were afforded an incredible opportunity with the support that we were given for the sale with quality stock, but the results have been overwhelmingly positive. “Our team has worked incredibly hard in building up this sale and the fruits of their efforts are very much in evidence tonight, whether it is the bloodstock department in their work canvassing vendors and buyers, or the marketing department in everything they do to ensure that the sale itself is a special occasion. “It's just been such a fun night, not only as a horse sale, but as an event and I would be lying if I said that I wasn't excited by what we might be able to achieve with the sale in 12 months time! “We now focus on tomorrow, the Australian Broodmare Sale will wrap up a great week of action here at Riverside and there are more quality buying opportunities on offer.” Sebastian Hutch | Inglis Bella Nipotina: an Emotional Sale There was considerable theatre to the selling of the four-time Group 1 winner Bella Nipotina with auctioneer Jonathan D'Arcy declaring that “ladies and gentlemen it is my pleasure to welcome to Riverside, Bella Nipotina.” “Her name is etched in history,” he noted as bidding opened at A$1 million. From there it was slow going with silence in between bids, which gradually made their way up to the A$4.2 million it took Longwood Thoroughbred Farm's Michael Christian to buy out partners in his pride and joy. It was six years ago that Christian's Saconi Thoroughbreds took Bella Nipotina to the Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale, remaining in the ownership after she sold for A$80,000. As the winner of over A$20.8 million, she is the second highest prize money earner in Australian history, giving Christian the means to buy out his fellow owners. It was an emotional Christian who talked about his beloved mare in the aftermath of the sale. “I am feeling elated. It was always going to be tough to secure her, there were serious people involved in the bidding.” “I am very proud, very excited to be taking her home. It's a whole new chapter now and I am looking forward to the next 10, 12 years. “Hopefully in that time, we can produce some beautiful horses and have a lot more fun. It is very exciting for my family, everyone is going to be happy,” he said, noting that his wife Siobhan Miller had stayed at home. “With all the emotions involved, the thought of her possibly not coming home; she didn't want to put herself through it!” he explained. “It has been an incredible journey that she has led us on and it is a great thrill to be able to bring her home back to where it all started.” Trainer and vendor Ciaron Maher was also happy, declaring it “such a fitting result for her and her connections, it is fantastic that she go back to the farm where it all started for her.” “I said to the owners, when it starts to go quiet that's when it gets exciting and that is exactly what happened!,” he said. “It was fantastic having the opportunity to train her, to see her scale the heights she did; she was so tough.” Maher added that a number of his staff had made the trip to Sydney. “They felt that connection with her and it has been a special night.” Christian said he had not yet decided who Bella Nipotina would visit. “We will do a bit more work, there are probably three or four we have in mind, we will work through that.” The only mare to win the G1 Everest, Bella Nipotina is out of the placed Star Witness mare Bella Orfana (who sadly died last year), a three-quarter-sister to Hallowell Belle (Starcraft), who was a winner at Group 2 and Listed level. America Beckons for Amelia's Jewel Amelia's Jewel (Siyouni) saw out a big night in grand style with a prolonged bidding battle won by Coolmore Stud's Tom Magnier. “We are delighted to get her,” he said of the A$3.8-million mare, who did such a great job winning 10 of her 24 starts, amassing over A$4.1 million in stakes. “We will get her an airline ticket,” Magnier continued, “the plan is for her to go to Justify, we think that is the right thing for her.” The mating certainly looks good on paper with Justify boasting a great record with mares boasting a strain of Siyouni's high achieving sire Pivotal; four winners from six runners including the G1 Prix de la Foret winner Ramatuelle and the G2 Airlie Stud Stakes winner Statuette. And his recent G1 2000 Guineas winning son Ruling Court is out of a mare with a strain of Lomond, noting that that stallion – Amelia's Jewel's fourth damsire – is a half-brother to Seattle Slew who features in Justify's pedigree as well. And he loves Danehill with 13 of his stakes winners having his presence including the Group 1 gallopers Opera Singer and Aspen Grove; and Amelia's Jewel is 3 X 4 Danehill. Describing Amelia's Jewel as “a household name, a very good mover, a quality mare,” Magnier said that “she is the kind of mare you dream about having.” Amelia Park's homebred is a half-sister to the R. Listed Magic Millions 3YO Guineas winner Bosustow (Blue Point) out of stakes-placed Bumbasina (Canford Cliffs) who foaled a full-sister last spring, and was subsequently served by Zoustar. “I have never been to a sale with an atmosphere like tonight,” said a thrilled Peter O'Brien representing Amelia Park. “All the right buyers were here and the price, well that's a lot of money! “Speaking for the Walsh family, they could not be happier. It's great that she is off to Coolmore, she is going to be bred to the best stallions and when she comes back to Australia, we will be able to visit her.” Amelia's Jewel | Inglis Deserved Respect for Tiz Invincible Part of a big night for Coolmore with Tom Magnier on the ground seeking out quality mates for the stud's highly rated Wootton Bassett, Tiz Invincible (I Am Invincible) was, like Bella Nipotina, sold by Ciaron Maher Racing. “We are very lucky to have got her,” Magnier said of his A$2.8 million purchase, noting that “she is a very good looking mare”. “And we are fortunate to have a stallion like Wootton Bassett, and we will be sending our best mare to him.” Ciaron Maher was delighted, and said, “Tiz Invincible has already done it on the track, and with her pedigree and the type she is, I thought she would make a splash. “The owners have all got here so it is pretty special. And I think it is fitting for these mares, such high quality racehorses, to be seen off in this sort of fashion, getting the respect they deserve.” Astute Bloodstock's Louis Le Metayer, part of the group who purchased Tiz Invincible as a yearling for A$550,000 at the 2022 Easter Sale, was another pleased by the sale. “It is a huge result, we are very happy for the owners who bought shares with us,” he said. The winner of the G2 Furious Stakes, the G2 Tea Rose Stakes, and the Listed Rosebud Handicap, Tiz Invincible has a pedigree of the highest calibre; her winning dam Amuletum (New Approach) being half-sister to the nine-time Group 1-winning young stallion Anamoe. A granddaughter of the G1 Australasian Oaks winner Anamato (Redoute's Choice), Tiz Invincible is a 4-year-old and still lightly raced only having raced only 17 times. Her 2-year-old full brother Navy Pilot, also a member of the Ciaron Maher stable, has Group 1 aims over the Queensland winter carnival. All the Good Judges Were on Estriella Coolmore Stud was again in action seeking out mares for Wootton Bassett, spending another A$2.8 million to secure a second mare from the stellar draft of Ciaron Maher Racing; the Group 3 and Listed-winning sprinter Estriella (I Am Invincible). “We saw her in the barn two days ago,” Tom Magnier said of the mare he admired from the start. “All the right people liked her, all the good judges were on her. We have some really good people coming into this mare with us, great supporters of the farm.” “She will keep going to Wootton Bassett for as long as he keeps coming back, but first there is the option of her going back into training.” Last seen finishing close up in the G1 Robert Sangster Stakes a couple of weeks ago, Estriella is still lightly raced having won five of just 15 starts. “No decision has been made, but we will have a chat with Ciaron, we may see what she can do in Queensland,” Magnier said. Bred by Arrowfield and GSA Bloodstock, Estriella is a half-sister to the G1 NZ 2000 Guineas runner-up Love Poem (Snitzel) out of a full sister to Pierro. She was purchased by Maher for A$750,000 as an Easter yearling. Lizze Was Too Darn Popular In the ring immediately after Tiz Invincible was the talented 3-year-old Too Darn Lizzie (Too Darn Hot), and this time Ciaron Maher was acting as buyer rather than seller. He went to A$2.4 million for the bay who was a member of the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable, and is looking forward to seeing what she can accomplish as she continues to mature. “I have seen her on the racetrack but I inspected her only once, I didn't want to show my hand too much!” he laughed. “She is a quality horse, already a great race filly. I think she still has furnishing to do. She has had a reasonably busy time. There is the lure of Queensland but maybe I will just let her fill out and come back next season.” Yarraman Park's Matt Scown was happy with the sale of the G2 Thousand Guineas Prelude winner, noting that “to be able to present a mare like her for Watership Down is a great thrill and to get that result is really exciting.” “She was our busiest horse as you can imagine with her profile and her looks,” he said. “She was flat-out, but handled it, she is an amazing filly and I am really looking forward to seeing her race on. “She's got a huge pedigree and I thought she'd be one our most sought after mares and, given that, the price was no real surprise.” It's been a big week for Too Darn Lizzie's family, her weanling full-brother selling for a record-breaking A$775,000 whilst her dam Enbihaar (Magnus) also sold on Thursday evening, purchased by Z Zhijun for A$1.6 million. The post Bella Nipotina Tops Chairman’s At A$4.2m, Justify Beckons For Amelia’s Jewel appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Juddmonte's group winner Zanzoun has been withdrawn from the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches after sustaining a setback in morning training, according to racing manager Barry Mahon. “She was a little off after exercise this morning, John and Thady called to say after she cantered they weren't happy with her and she looked a little tight behind,” said Mahon. “When you are not in peak condition, you can't be heading off to the races, so we will have to sit and wait and diagnose whether it is muscular or something a bit more–and when she tells us she's ready, we will make a plan then. “This only all unfolded at 7 a.m. this morning, so we will just have to wait and see what comes out during the next couple of days.” The daughter of Dubawi has won her two most recent starts, a Southwell maiden in November and the G3 Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket in her 3-year-old bow on April 15. The Gosdens and Juddmonte will still be represented in the French Guineas on Sunday, with Detain (Wootton Bassett) set for the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains. Another Juddmonte colt, Andrew Balding's G3 Greenham Stakes hero Jonquil (Lope De Vega) is also set to contest that Classic. Group winner Field Of Gold, trained by the Gosdens, ran a fast-finishing second in last Saturday's G1 Betfred 2000 Guineas at Newmarket. Mahon added, “We sort of said we wouldn't fully discuss plans until after Sunday and we had said [listed winner] Cosmic Year (Kingman) would go to the Irish 2,000 Guineas after winning the King Charles II Stakes and that still looks the main target for him. “But Field Of Gold, no, we said we would sit down with John and Thady after France on Sunday once we've seen how the other horses run. The owners will be there and we will all discuss it and come up with a plan.” The post Juddmonte’s Zanzoun Knocked Out Of French Guineas With A Setback appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

SIDR Pharma, a source of organic healing products for horses, has launched its Equine Allies Program aimed at supporting Thoroughbred rescues, rehabilitation centers, and rehoming organizations. Each month, the company will select a non-profit as its Featured Ally to receive 5-10% of Equine Allies product profits, along with dedicated promotional support. The program also offers tiered discounts on SIDR Pharma's equine recovery and wellness products to selected partner rescues. The application is open to all 501(c)(3) equine rescues, rehab centers, and rehoming programs across the U.S. For more information, or to apply, visit www.sidrpharma.com/pages/equinealliance. The post SIDR Pharma Launches Equine Allies Program to Support Aftercare Efforts appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Hong Kong's star sprinter Ka Ying Rising (Shamexpress) has moved up the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings to sit in a joint second at 126, after the latest round of rankings were released on Thursday. Now a winner of 12-straight after his victory in the G1 Chairman's Sprint Prize, he shares that mark with fellow Hong Kong wunderkind Romantic Warrior (Acclamation). Japan's Forever Young (Real Steel) remains the leader at 127. After the first Classics of the season, G1 2000 Guineas hero Ruling Court (Justify) is among the top 10 at 121, the same number given to GI Kentucky Derby victor Sovereignty (Into Mischief). The former defeated the 120-rated Field Of Gold (Kingman) and Guineas third-place finisher Shadow Of Light (Lope De Vega) (119). In the Louisville showpiece, Sovereignty beat Journalism (Curlin) (119) by 1 1/2 lengths. Japan's Tastiera (Satono Crown) is a newcomer to the rankings with a mark of 120 after winning the G1 QEII Cup in Hong Kong. Several horses are tied at 119–G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) scorer Museum Mile (Leontes), G1 Prix Ganay winner Sosie (Sea The Stars), American Horse of the Year and GI Apple Blossom Handicap heroine Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna), and Via Sistina (Fastnet Rock), successful in the G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes in Australia. For the complete rankings, please visit the IFHA website. The post Hong Kong’s Ka Ying Rising Moves Up To Joint-Second In Longines WBRR appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After reading “Enough Already. It's Time to Fix the Triple Crown” by Bill Finley, I must say I find myself not only disappointed by Mr. Finley's attitude, but also shocked by how he misconstrues and ignores the facts. In 2019, Bill Mott was planning to run Country House in the Preakness. Mott actually said, “We're leaning toward the Preakness, since he is the Derby winner and we don't want to pooh-pooh the Triple Crown. We want to support that.” But two days later, Country House was coughing, placed on antibiotics, and out of the race. This was not a decision to skip the race because it came two weeks after the Derby. Country House was so ill in fact that it led to complications which had him in and out of Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, he eventually developed laminitis, and was retired without ever racing again after the Derby. At the time of the running of the 2021 Preakness, Medina Spirit was still the official Derby winner. The split sample test result didn't even come back until early June. Medina Spirit did run in the Preakness, finishing third. As Mandaloun was not at the time of the running of the 2021 Preakness a contender for the Triple Crown, there was no deliberate snub of the Triple Crown series. It is worth noting that Mandaloun also did not compete in the Belmont Stakes. Yes, not running Rich Strike in the Preakness was a deliberate decision on the part of his connections. Until this year, he was the only Derby winner whose connections deliberately made the decision to skip the middle leg of the Triple Crown since a huge bonus to run in the Jersey Derby instead lured away Spend A Buck in 1985. (To refresh Mr. Finley's obviously poor memory, Grindstone did not compete in the Preakness in 1996 only because a knee injury ended his racing career.) So the reality is it's been 40 years since Spend A Buck, and in that time the only horses deliberately skipping the Preakness are Rich Strike and Sovereignty. Two horses, not four, and those in 2022 and 2025 as Pimlico itself literally falls down around us, held together with chewing gum, twine, and baling wire. (Alright, chewing gum and twine are likely an exaggeration, but baling wire definitely is not.) So one must ask the legitimate question of if trainers and owners are actually skipping decrepit Pimlico and the exaggerated bad reputation of the Park Heights neighborhood in which it sits, using the two weeks between races as a polite excuse. Yes, exaggerated. I live 3.3 miles from Pimlico according to Google Maps, and despite being an elderly and disabled white female who walks with a cane, I have never once been afraid when in Park Heights whether at Pimlico, the Dept. of Motor Vehicles office, shopping, or anything else. Yet I constantly come across comments from people not residing in the Baltimore metro area about how they are afraid to come to Pimlico, often from young men who otherwise put on quite the macho front. Though there has been much in the news about the ongoing revitalization of the Park Heights neighborhood, all the changes for the better there have been completely ignored by the racing community at large. Even when discussing the fact that after the 150th Preakness, the current Pimlico will be demolished to make way for a new, modern Pimlico racing ignores the fact that the neighborhood is in the process of being rebuilt as well. The Triple Crown is already in the process of being fixed. Just not in the way Mr. Finley wants. In 2027, there will be a brand new Pimlico and a brand new Park Heights neighborhood. Give them a chance before trying to change anything else. I believe everyone will be pleasantly surprised by the positive effect those changes will have on the Preakness field. Diane Hain Pikesville, Maryland The post Letter to the Editor: New Pimlico Could be Triple Crown ‘Fix’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Already responsible for the winners of the G3 Chester Vase, Listed Cheshire Oaks and Listed Dee Stakes, Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore combined with Illinois in Thursday's G3 Ormonde Stakes to complete the quadruple of Chester's black-type events on the first two days of the May Festival. Sent off the 6-5 favourite having his first start of the season under a penalty, last year's G2 Queen's Vase winner and G1 St Leger and G1 Grand Prix de Paris runner-up enjoyed a lead from Al Qareem until taking over two out. Sent on from there, the half-brother to the Arc heroine Danedream (Ger) (Lomitas {GB}) stayed on to secure a 1 1/4-length success. Ormonde Stakes Dee Stakes Cheshire Oaks Chester Vase A clean sweep of Stakes titles for Aidan and Ryan at @ChesterRaces so far… pic.twitter.com/qB1TVuRoOj — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 8, 2025 The post O’Brien And Moore Stay In Control With Illinois In The Ormonde appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Discover Newmarket is celebrating their 10th anniversary in 2025 with the release of five one-off, Anniversary Tours. From meeting the legendary racehorse Frankel, to taking breakfast with renowned trainer Sir Mark Prescott, these extraordinary experiences are destined to enchant racing and horse lovers alike. The exclusive Anniversary Tours are now available to bid for in a silent auction running until May 19th at 10 a.m. To bid on the items please click here or to learn more about Discover Newmarket, please visit their website. The post Discover Newmarket Celebrates 10th Anniversary With Unique Tour Offerings appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Wootton Bassett has surpassed Redoute's Choice and Extreme Choice as the most expensive stallion to ever stand in Australia, after Coolmore announced on Thursday that his 2025 fee has been set at A$385,000 (inc GST). A published fee of A$330,000 (inc GST) was the previous record, first set by Redoute's Choice when he stood at Arrowfield Stud in 2007 and 2008. Earlier this year, Newgate Farm announced that Extreme Choice would match that fee in 2025, a significant increase on the A$275,000 (inc GST) he stood for in 2024. Wootton Bassett returns to Australia having made an excellent start with his first crop of two-year-olds bred in the Southern Hemisphere, headed by G1 Golden Slipper runner-up Wodeton and State Visit, who filled the same position in the G1 Inglis Sires'. That first crop was conceived when Wootton Bassett stood for a fee of just A$71,500. “Wootton Bassett is the hottest stallion in the world at the moment and he is already making an undeniable mark on the breed in Australia,” said Coolmore Australia's Tom Magnier last month, confirming the son of Iffraaj's return to Jerrys Plains. “What is most exciting about him in an Australian context is that he has 100 unraced two-year-olds from his first crop and every trainer we speak to seems to have a good one. We're just excited to have him back again, as we see him as a champion sire of the future in Australia.” In Europe, Wootton Bassett is responsible for 11 Group winners from his first crop bred at Coolmore's Fethard base. They are now three-year-olds and include the top-level winners Camille Pissarro, Henri Matisse, Tennessee Stud and Twain, with the first-named pair due to appear in Sunday's Poule d'Essai des Poulains at ParisLongchamp. The post Wootton Bassett to Stand for New Australian Record Fee at A$385,000 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Aidan O'Brien trainee Mount Kilimanjaro (Siyouni) needed every yard of Thursday's Listed Boodles Raindance Dee Stakes and continued the Ballydoyle maestro's dominance of this year's Chester Cup meeting with a seventh win in eight renewals, and a record-breaking 12th overall, in the extended 10-furlong contest. Last year's Criterium d'Automne winner and G1 Criterium International runner-up broke well and settled in fifth passing the judge first time, but slipped to sixth at halfway. Coming under pressure with a quarter-mile remaining, the even-money favourite was under a full Ryan Moore pump thereafter and stayed on relentlessly to collar the hitherto undefeated High Stock (Dubawi) by a neck in the dying strides. Long-time leader Great David (Ribchester) fared best of the remainder and finished 2 3/4 lengths adrift in third. “It was a great ride by Ryan and he was very patient,” said Paul Smith. “I think the pace was very honest, Ryan didn't panic and the horse quickened up well and showed a nice attitude. As we've always said, they learn so much here and it's almost like they have two races in one. He'll come forward again from this, so we're delighted with him. I think he'll go for a Derby of some sorts, either Epsom or the French Derby was mentioned as well. There's options for him and we'll just see how the trials go and juggle them and see where they all go.” Kevin Buckley added, “I thought this fella showed a great turn of foot and I suppose it gives us the option of either going to Epsom or going to France with him. It was a good performance and Ryan was very complimentary. I was impressed and it makes it a record of Dee Stakes wins for Aidan with 12.” Mount Kilimanjaro is the latest of two foals and lone scorer out of the dual Grade III-placed Decorating (Galileo), herself kin to four black-type performers headed by dual Grade I-winning sire Coil (Point Given) and GI Hollywood Derby hero Chiropractor (Kitten's Joy). The April-foaled bay's second dam Eversmile (Theatrical) is a half-sister to multiple Grade I-winning US champion Possibly Perfect (Northern Baby) and G3 Horris Hill Stakes-winning sire Makhlab (Dixieland Band). Left it late! Mount Kilimanjaro gets up on the line to take the Listed Dee Stakes at @ChesterRaces for Ryan Moore and Aidan O'Brien… pic.twitter.com/2mwcDb9V5B — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 8, 2025 Thursday, Chester, Britain BOODLES RAINDANCE DEE STAKES-Listed, £100,000, Chester, 5-8, 3yo, c/g, 10f 70yT, 2:12.89, gd. 1–MOUNT KILIMANJARO (FR), 128, c, 3, by Siyouni (Fr) 1st Dam: Decorating (MGSP-US, $132,768), by Galileo (Ire) 2nd Dam: Eversmile, by Theatrical (Ire) 3rd Dam: Avasand, by Avatar 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. (€420,000 Ylg '23 ARQDOY). O-Mrs John Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith; B-Glen Hill Farm LLC (FR); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ryan Moore. £56,710. Lifetime Record: G1SP-Fr, 6-2-1-2, $285,860. 2–High Stock (GB), 128, c, 3, Dubawi (Ire)–Proserpine, by Hat Trick (Jpn). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Sheikh Hamed Dalmook Al Maktoum; B-Rabbah Bloodstock Ltd (GB); T-Andrew Balding. £21,500. 3–Great David (GB), 128, c, 3, Ribchester (Ire)–Prussian (GB), by Dubai Destination. 1ST BLACK TYPE. (25,000gns RNA Ylg '23 TATOCT). O/B-Yerbol Zhaxylykov (GB); T-James Tate. £10,760. Margins: NK, 2 3/4, 3 1/4. Odds: 1.00, 2.75, 25.00. Also Ran: Calla Lagoon (GB), Mirabeau (GB), Hott Shott (GB), Isambard Brunel. The post Siyouni’s Mount Kilimanjaro Provides Aidan O’Brien With Record-Breaking 12th Dee Stakes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A BH Daily edition of What's Going On HereView the full article

As the dust settles beneath the Twin Spires, America's Best Racing takes an updated look at the Equibase standings for horses, jockeys, trainers, and owners.View the full article

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While Zac Purton is coasting to an eighth jockeys’ title and John Size is sitting pretty in the trainers’ premiership, the final Group One of the season should be a cracker and there is change afoot in riding ranks.View the full article