Wandering Eyes

Heider Family Stables secured the second of back-to-back pricey Tapits Monday when he scooped up hip 82 for $950,000. The half-sister to Grade II-winning juvenile Annual Report (Harlan’s Holiday) was consigned by Gainesway, Agent V. Gainesway also bred the Mar. 14 foal. The sale came just one hip after West Point Thoroughbreds paid $1 million for a son of the Gainesway stalwart. The post Tapit Goes Back to Back in Saratoga appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Tapit colt Flightline became the first seven-figure seller of the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale after bringing a cool $1 million from West Point Thoroughbreds. Consigned as hip 80 by Lane’s End, the Mar. 14 foal is out of GSW/MGISP Feathered (Indian Charlie). Jane Lyon’s Summer Wind Equine paid $2,350,000 for Feathered in foal to War Front at the 2016 Keeneland November sale. The post Tapit Colt First to Seven Figures at Fasig appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A Medaglia d’Oro filly out of the stakes-winning and Grade I-placed Light the City (Street Sense) was the first yearling to approach the $1-million mark Monday evening as agent Kerri Radcliffe went to $900,000 to secure her at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale on behalf of a partnership that will include George Bolton, Sheila Rosenblum and others. Catalogued as hip 49, the Mar. 21 foal was consigned by Eaton Sales. Breeze Easy paid $600,000 for Light the City at the 2016 Fasig-Tipton November sale. The resulting filly was a $525,000 RNA at KEESEP last season. The post Medaglia d’Oro Filly ‘Lights’ Things Up in Saratoga appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Riversedge Racing Stables' Bare Back Jack became the first winner for freshman sire Bakken when he scored a neck victory in his third start Aug. 5 at Century Mile in Alberta, Canada. View the full article

Survivor Gray at 700-win landmark: “Times have changed” View the full article

Gray confident King's Speech won't stutter over 2000m View the full article

Horses' test results August 3, 5 & 6 View the full article

Updates on Stewards' follow-ups to Friday and Sunday meetings View the full article

Catching up with old acquaintances on a Queensland holiday last month has led to Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Tony Allan deciding to continue his riding career in the Sunshine state of Australia. Allan, who won the 1988 Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) on Empire Rose, has accepted an offer to be stable rider for former prominent New Zealand trainer Paddy Busuttin, who is making a comeback to training at Deagon after retiring a few years ago. “Paddy made me an offer and it’s a fantastic opportunity... View the full article

The Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) announced a full slate of new and returning special awards that will be offered at the 2019 Thoroughbred Makeover, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America. The 2019 Thoroughbred Makeover takes place October 2-5 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. The Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders, Inc. (KTOB) are sponsoring a $6,500 cash prize for the highest-placed Kentucky-bred at the competition. The prize will be split in the event of a tie. “We are pleased to support this popular event which reinforces the market for post-race Thoroughbreds,” said Chauncey Morris, executive director of KTOB. For the complete list of awards and more information, visit retiredracehorseproject.org/. The post KY-bred Award Tops 2019 Thoroughbred Makeover Special Awards appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In restoring Thoroughbred racing in Virginia after a six-year hiatus, Colonial Downs, in conjunction with the Virginia Racing Commission, Aug. 5 announced a comprehensive set of elevated safety and horse welfare procedures and protocols. View the full article

The application period for horse shows to apply for Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.) awards in 2020 is now open. T.I.P. offers high point awards and classes for Thoroughbreds in multiple disciplines, including dressage, eventing, hunter, jumper, pleasure, and Western. The T.I.P. application period for 2020 shows is open through Sept. 30, 2019. Shows should apply even if the information is tentative. Early applications are appreciated. More information and the online application are available at tjctip.com/About/HSIGI. The post Application Period for ’20 T.I.P. Awards Now Open appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After a wet and windy start to the day the sun appeared on cue to give shareholders and local breeders an excellent first look at Rich Hill’s latest stallion recruit the dual Australian Group One winner Ace High (High Chaparral). Among those in attendance were Ace High’s former trainer David Payne and owner John Cordina who both addressed the crowd of almost 200. “David and John are both hugely excited and very positive about Ace High’s stud future and it was great to have them fly over ... View the full article

North American audiences can now watch and wager on racing from Singapore, announced Louisville, KY-based distributor Sky Racing World. The service was launched last Friday, Aug. 2 with races from the Singapore Turf Club in Kranji. Simulcasts will be available Friday mornings beginning at approximately 6:20 a.m. ET and Saturday nights at approximately 1:30 a.m. ET. The signal will be available on all ADW platforms. Free past performances will be available at www.skyracingworld.com. The post Singapore Racing Now Simulcast in NA appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Colonial Downs, in conjunction with the Virginia Racing Commission, today announced a comprehensive set of elevated safety and horse welfare procedures and protocols for its upcoming 15-day meeting, running from Aug. 8 through Sept. 7. The protocols will encompass Pre-Race Examinations, Medication, Test Barn Procedures and Race Time Inspections, among many initiatives to be executed for the meet by the Colonial Downs racing department and the VRC. “We are proud of our program of safety protocols and procedures which have been developed for the current meeting,” said Allison De Luca, Colonial Downs Director of Racing and Racing Secretary. “We greatly appreciate the contributions from various individuals throughout our industry who have provided their knowledge and expertise throughout the process.” Included among the procedures and protocols: Racing Integrity & Pre-Race & Race Day Protocols • A team of five in the Colonial Downs Racing Office staff members, led by Allison De Luca, Racing Secretary, have performed in depth research on all stall applicants and allotted stalls to those who fit the level of criteria for racing or stabling at Colonial Downs. The Racing Office will review all entries prior to acceptance and release of official entries for racing. • Colonial Downs has instilled a policy of a 72-hour required Health Certificate for entry to the grounds. Security will maintain a detailed manual and digital log of horses shipping in and out. Race Day Veterinary Protocols • The VRC will provide three Commission Veterinarians for all pre-race and post-race examinations. They will use computer tablets (currently used by vets for the Breeders’ Cup) for immediate, full record database access and record sharing, as well as real time updates through a web-based Track Management system. • One VRC veterinarian will be riding in the chase vehicle and will be able to provide immediate, medical attention to a horse when needed. The new horse ambulance will be ready to transport any injured horse. • The Stewards will generally select two horses from each race to go to the test barn for drug testing. Blood and urine samples will be collected and sent to an accredited laboratory. Medication Regulations Updates • Colonial Downs has banned Bisphosphonates. • By approval of the VRC, the administration of Furosemide (Lasix) was changed to 6 cc down from 10cc • Colonial Downs has also joined the Mid Atlantic Strategic Plan to Reduce Equine Fatalities and participate in The Jockey Club Injury Database. • All claimed horses’ vet records will accompany that claim to the new owners. Track Surfaces • The Secretariat turf course was put through its traditional burn of the old Bermuda grass. Subsequently, nutrients were applied, followed by soil testing and daily maintenance attain its most lush condition. A new phase 1 irrigation system has been installed to insure consistent water distribution. • A complete renovation was done of the dirt course to establish proper grading and material content, to give it a 6-inch cushion. Dr. Mick Peterson, Executive Director, Racing Surfaces Testing Laboratory and University of Kentucky Director of Ag Equine Programs, performed a complete testing with a ground penetrating radar system, moisture analysis and cushion consistency. • Among the additional Safety & Integrity Initiatives, all jockeys will be required to use padded riding crops. Colonial Downs will also utilize an EMS chase vehicle for immediate emergency care. Stable & Track Area Renovations Among renovations and upgrades to the facility: • Barns 1 through 10, tack rooms and wash stalls. • For the stable area workers, the dormitories and bathhouses were renovated. • The track’s Receiving Barn and Test barns were also renovated • Barn 14 has been prepared as an Isolation Barn in case of an infectious disease outbreak. The post Colonial Announces Horse Safety & Welfare Protocols appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Bricks and Mortar continues to hold the lead spot in the NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll, but McKinzie's sublime victory in the Whitney Stakes (G1) has allowed the son of Street Sense to narrow the gap. View the full article

Jockey was sidelined in May after suffering from post-head injury syndrome View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Today’s Observations features a daughter of a French Oaks winner. 2.34 Deauville, Debutantes, €27,000, 2yo, f, 7 1/2f (AWT) SAVARIN (JPN) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) is a daughter of the G1 Prix de Diane, G1 Prix Saint-Alary and G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud heroine Sarafina (Fr) (Refuse To Bend {Ire}) who debuts in the colours of Masaaki Matsushima for Andre Fabre. She is joined by the stable’s Gemcutter (Medaglia d’Oro), Godolphin’s $550,000 Keeneland September graduate who is out of a half to the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup hero Hoppertunity (Any Given Saturday). The post Observations: Aug. 6, 2019 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The New York Racing Association Inc. will celebrate women and their contributions to both the Thoroughbred industry and the world of sports during Fabulous Fillies Day Thursday, Aug. 8 at Saratoga Race Course. All fans are encouraged to wear pink to show their support for breast cancer awareness during their visit to Saratoga Race Course. The day will include a luncheon at The Rail at the 1863 Club, the all-new hospitality venue located on the Clubhouse turn, to benefit The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) which will honor the first female jockey to win a race against men at a nationally recognized racetrack in the United States. NYRA will also celebrate local breast cancer survivors in partnership with To Life! Additionally, fans will have an opportunity to meet several legendary female athletes, including world-class figure skating champion and two-time Olympic medalist Nancy Kerrigan who is representing the Aurora Games, the inaugural, all-women’s sports and entertainment festival slated to take place in Albany, NY, later this month. “Fabulous Fillies Day is an annual tradition of our summer meet and we are pleased this year to highlight the accomplishments of women in both the Thoroughbred and sports industries,” said NYRA CEO & President Dave O’Rourke. “We encourage fans to join us as we celebrate these great achievements while raising funds and awareness for breast cancer research.” The post Fabulous Fillies Day at the Spa appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program announced today that leading owner SF Bloodstock has donated $100,000 to co-sponsor the aftercare facility’s indoor arena. In doing so, they join co-sponsor Stonestreet Stables, who were the first to pledge their support, and Fasig-Tipton, who are co-sponsoring the ring in honor of the late Bill Graves. The indoor arena is used to retrain off-the-track horses as they work towards new lives as riding horses. “There’s nothing’s more important than life beyond the racetrack for our equine athletes,” said Tom Ryan of SF Bloodstock. “SF is committed to supporting this great cause and has the utmost confidence in New Vocations.” “We are so grateful for SF Bloodstock’s generous sponsorship as they were one of the first donors to support our capital campaign and have been avid contributors of our efforts annually,” said New Vocations Program Director Anna Ford. “The indoor arena allows us to provide transitional training throughout the year without being compromised by the rainy days and cold winter months. We definitely would not be able to serve as many retired racehorses without this building.” New Vocations launched a capital campaign in 2015 to expand its efforts by building the country’s premier adoption facility at the historic Mereworth Farm. The indoor arena plays a vital role in allowing the program to train retired racehorses year-round, as well as host fundraisers and annual events. It also allows New Vocations to host guests and tours in the indoor viewing room, and it serves as an event venue for industry partners. New Vocations is seeking two additional individuals or organizations to complete the sponsorship of the building. New Vocations was founded in 1992, and has grown into the largest racehorse adoption program in the country, having placed over 7,000 individual horses, and serving nearly 500 horses annually. With facilities in Kentucky, Ohio, Louisiana, Pennsylvania and New York, New Vocations serves over 40 racetracks, working directly with owners and trainers in need of equine aftercare options. The post SF Bloodstock Donates $100,000 to Co-Sponsor New Vocations Indoor Arena appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program announced yesterday that leading owner, SF Bloodstock, has donated $100,000 to co-sponsor the program’s indoor arena. SF Bloodstock joins co-sponsor Stonestreet Stables, who were the first to pledge their support, and Fasig-Tipton, who are co-sponsoring in honor of the late Bill Graves. “There’s nothing’s more important than life beyond the racetrack for our equine athletes,” said Tom Ryan of SF Bloodstock. “SF is committed to supporting this great cause and has the utmost confidence in New Vocations.” Added New Vocations Program Director Anna Ford, “We are so grateful for SF Bloodstock’s generous sponsorship as they were one of the first donors to support our capital campaign and have been avid contributors of our efforts annually. The indoor arena allows us to provide transitional training throughout the year without being compromised by the rainy days and cold winter months. We definitely would not be able to serve as many retired racehorses without this building.” The indoor arena at Mereworth Farm plays a vital role in allowing the program to train retired racehorses year-round, as well as host fundraisers and annual events. It also allows New Vocations to host guests and tours in the indoor viewing room, and it serves as an event venue for industry partners. New Vocations is seeking two additional individuals or organizations to complete the sponsorship of the building. The post SF Bldstk Donates $100K toward New Vocations Indoor Arena appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

As the TDN Rising Star Amalfi Sunrise drew off for an easy six-length success in the GII Sorrento S., I was reminded of a commission I received in the fall of 2015. With the Breeders’ Cup bandwagon due to roll into Lexington and Keeneland, WinStar wanted to promote its extensive team of stallions. I was asked to write 250-word summaries for each of them, including three which were scheduled to be added to the roster in 2016. Strangely, those three–Constitution, Commissioner and Daredevil–were respectively responsible for Amalfi Sunrise, Powerfulattraction and Shedaresthedevil, who filled first, second and third places in the Del Mar Grade II. Here’s how I assessed Constitution: “If Constitution can follow in the footsteps of his sire Tapit and broodmare sire Distorted Humor, he will represent a gilt-edged investment in his early years at WinStar. After all, Tapit was available for only $12,500 in his third and fourth years, but the tremendous success of his early crops fueled a rise to 10 times that amount by his eighth season. By 2015 his fee was $300,000. It is a measure of Tapit’s talent that those two seasons spent at $12,500 produced a total of six Grade I winners, including a champion 2-year-old in Hansen. “Distorted Humor’s story has been very similar. Although his fee in his fourth season fell to $10,000, he too did so well that his fee stood at $150,000 by his eighth season, before rising to $300,000. His first four years, all spent at $12,500 or less, yielded six Grade I winners, including the GI Kentucky Derby and GI Preakness hero Funny Cide and the GI Travers S. winner Flower Alley. “Constitution was arguably more accomplished than either of these excellent stallions. Having defeated future GI Belmont S. winner Tonalist on his second start, Constitution took his record to a perfect three-for-three with his victory in the GI Florida Derby. Unfortunately, a shin fracture ruled him out of the Triple Crown events, but Constitution later gave another demonstration of his class in winning the GI Donn H. “Constitution’s dam, the group-placed 2-year-old Baffled, is closely related to Awesome Humor, one of the best juvenile fillies of 2002, when she won the GI Spinaway S.” That concluding sentence needs a bit of updating, as the quick-maturing Baffled now has three graded/group winners to her credit, the other two being the English-raced Group 2 juvenile winner Boynton and the Grade III-winning Jacaranda, who defeated Paulassilverlining to take the 2014 Tempted S. Rather like Tapit and Distorted Humor, Constitution didn’t find it all that easy to maintain the first rush of interest from breeders, which saw him cover an impressive 172 mares at a fee of $25,000 in his first season in 2016. His second year was more than OK, even though his book fell to 143, but year three saw him credited with just 110 mares. Consequently, his fee was reduced to $15,000 for the 2019 season. I don’t know how many mares he attracted at the lower fee, but he would surely have been helped by some of the prices paid for his first-crop juveniles at the 2-year-old sales, with youngsters changing hands for $600,000, $350,000, $280,000, $240,000, $220,000 and $200,000. Of course, books of over 100 mares in those first three years will, with a bit of luck, still give him enough ammunition to avoid the types of peaks and troughs which can result from pronounced fluctuations in crop size. Although it’s still too early to be drawing many firm conclusions about a young stallion, the comparison of Constitution to Tapit and Distorted Humor is looking far from fanciful. He is making a dream start, with Amalfi Sunrise’s Grade II success coming only three weeks after Constitution’s son By Your Side had maintained his unbeaten record in the GIII Sanford S. over six furlongs. He is therefore one black-type winner, and some $90,000, ahead of the similarly promising American Pharoah on the freshman sires’ table, which augurs well for a fascinating summer and fall. If Amalfi Sunrise fulfils the promise of her first two victories, Constitution should become the third son of Tapit to sire a Grade I winner, following Concord Point and Tapizar, who were respectively responsible for those fine fillies American Gal (GI Test S. and GI Humana Distaff H.) and Monomoy Girl (whose terrific run of important successes culminated in the GI Breeders’ Cup Distaff). Although confident of Constitution’s potential, I am a little surprised that he is making his mark so quickly, as he didn’t race at two. I think his dam Baffled can take some of the credit, as she gained her first success in the May of her juvenile season and then improved on that effort when third of 20 in the G3 Albany S. at Royal Ascot the following month. As I mentioned earlier, she has also produced two other smart performers which were successful at group/graded level as 2-year-olds. And don’t forget her close relationship to Awesome Humor, whose unbeaten juvenile campaign featured victories in the GIII Debutante S., GII Adirondack S. and GI Spinaway S., all before the end of August. Awesome Humor and Baffled share the same sire, Distorted Humor, and Baffled’s second dam Horns Gray was the dam of Awesome Humor. There is also plenty of evidence in the bottom half of Amalfi Sunrise’s pedigree to suggest that she should continue to thrive as she matures. Her broodmare sire, the Belmont S. winner and Kentucky Derby runner-up Empire Maker, was much more of a classic type than a noted 2-year-old. I think the same could be said of his stallion career, though he did enjoy Grade I 2-year-old success with Pioneerof The Nile, Country Star and Grace Hall (there may well be another in the shape of his spectacular son Eight Rings, who earned TDN Rising Star status last Sunday). Of the previous 14 graded/group winners out of Empire Maker’s daughters, only one has scored at that level as a 2-year-old, that being the GI Frizette S. winner Separationofpowers. Amalfi Sunrise’s second dam, the Phone Trick mare Bella Chiarra, didn’t race at two and didn’t reach her peak until she was five, when she landed the GII Rampart H. over 1 1/16 miles. Bella Chiarra’s half-brother David Copperfield did win at two, on his only appearance, but made his name as a smart turf over the next three seasons. The other noteworthy aspect of Amalfi Sunrise’s pedigree is that she is inbred 4X3 to Unbridled. Others with two lines to the 1990 Kentucky Derby and Breeders’ Cup Classic winner include Unique Bella (3X3), Sweet Loretta (3X3), Tacitus (3X4) and West Coast Belle (3X3). All of these four Grade I or Grade II winners were sired by Constitution’s sire Tapit. The post Pedigree Insights: Amalfi Sunrise and Constitution appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In restoring Thoroughbred racing in Virginia after a six-year hiatus, Colonial Downs, in conjunction with the Virginia Racing Commission, today announced a comprehensive set of elevated safety and horse welfare procedures and protocols. View the full article

Lack of clarity isn’t the same as lack of quality. A crop that produces a standout sophomore will sometimes be weaker than those, like the current one, that rotate the laurels. Either way, however, we should as usual have a better sense of where we stand after the GI Runhappy Travers S.–where the Classic veterans will either prove themselves to have been too faintly praised, or allow a later developer to come along and pick up the pieces. Certainly the Aug. 24 showdown should help to identify who bears the standard into a clash of the generations at the Breeders’ Cup. And that, potentially, is a win-win situation for William S. Farish and his team at Lane’s End, who approach the Travers with a foot in both camps. On the one hand, they have Code of Honor (Noble Mission {GB}), who was promoted to second in the GI Kentucky Derby, albeit he then sat out the rest of the Triple Crown series and appeared to show his gratitude in the GIII Dwyer S. At the same time, they have perhaps the most exciting of the slower-burning 3-year-olds in Highest Honors (Tapit), whose Saratoga reconnaissance in the Curlin S. the other day–circling the field, on his first start outside maiden company, and looking hungry for a tenth furlong–suggests that he’s now kindling a pretty hot talent. All remaining well with both colts, you can rely on Farish to let them square up; and may the best man win. People sometimes deceive themselves that they can protect their commercial interests by keeping their top horses apart, but Farish is enlightened enough to know that sportsmanship can bring incidental dividends. Because whatever one of these colts might lose from their encounter, the other stands to gain infinitely more. As such, it’s intriguing to wonder which of the pair would most gratify their breeder with success in the Travers. Code of Honor has emerged from the first crop of Noble Mission as a priceless advertisement for the transferability of a pedigree shared with the great Frankel. Everyone is talking a good game about the growing importance of turf racing in the U.S., but so far it’s largely proved just talk in terms of dollars and cents at the sales. Kitten’s Joy was the premier American sire by earnings in 2018, but #34 by yearling average; English Channel was #22 by earnings, and #139 by yearling average. That’s a pretty depressing market, if you were launching Noble Mission as a pure turf influence. With his freakish ability to carry speed, however, Frankel was perhaps as ideal a dirt horse as never left “the weeds.” Noble Mission, if obviously not having quite the same dash, had a similarly relentless style. And, paired with a dirt sprinter, he has immediately produced one of the best Classic types of his crop. For now, nonetheless, you suspect that Highest Honors might have the superior commercial traction of the Travers pair, as a stallion prospect for the farm. Because at stake for the gray is not just a run at the divisional championship, but eligibility to join the young stallions jostling to be considered the premier heir to Tapit. For here is a horse very much bred for the opportunity before him. His pedigree is strewn with the kind of names you want to see underpin any stallion. That of Mr. Prospector three times, for a start, while the first three dams are all by glorious broodmare sires: Dixieland Band, whose daughters have produced Kentucky Derby winners Street Sense and Monarchos; Miswaki, sire of the breed-shaping mare Urban Sea; and, oh yes, Damascus! Now there’s a bedrock for any Travers colt. Damascus won the race himself, of course, equalling the track record even as he coasted home by 22 lengths. And, while his own attempt to extend the Teddy sire line has sadly tapered away, many of his sons proved conspicuously fertile broodmare sires. This is pretty consistent with the whole Teddy line, which has struggled for sires of sires despite three Triple Crown winners: Citation, and the father-and-son pair, Gallant Fox and Omaha. Typically Sir Gallahad III (Fr), a son of Teddy, sired Gallant Fox from his first crop but ultimately relied for his impact on his daughters, topping the broodmare sire list for a decade. Sons of Damascus to have made their principal mark as distaff influences include Ogygian, broodmare sire of Johannesburg among others; Desert Wine, whose Group 1-winning daughter Flamenco Wave produced three others herself; Private Account, serial sire of champion females; and Bailjumper, no kind of stallion really but right there as damsire of none other than (Travers winner) Medaglia d’Oro. Bailjumper was out of a mare named Court Circuit. She was by the British import Royal Vale, largely forgotten now but in his time capable of keeping Tom Fool honest in more than one finish. Court Circuit, bred like Damascus by Edith W. Bancroft, extended an important family cultivated by her father William Woodward Sr.’s celebrated Belair Stable. Her third dam Vicaress, for instance, was a Spinaway S.-winning half-sister to champion Vagrancy; their dam, in turn, the Man o’ War daughter Valkyr. And Valkyr was a granddaughter of the great matriarch Frizette. Court Circuit remained a faithful mate to Damascus, once their first foal had turned out to be the prolific sprinter Honorable Miss–whose subsequent siblings included not just Bailjumper but also the unraced Syrian Dancer. Syrian Dancer was acquired by Farish in the early days of Lane’s End, in 1985. He culled her in 1991, but that spring she had delivered a Miswaki filly, Exotic Moves, who was a stakes-placed winner in the Farish silks before being sold on. Evidently the Lane’s End crew kept an eye on the family–Syrian Dancer’s New York-bred, $6,200 half-sister Angel in the Night (Bet Twice) won 13 times in 17 starts–because Farish bought a Dixieland Band filly out of Exotic Moves at the Keeneland September Sale in 1999 for $200,000. He called her Tap Your Feet, and she won three times including at black-type level. Her first foal, by Rock of Gibraltar (Ire), was dual Grade I winner Diamondrella (GB), and soon after came Bonnie Blue Flag (Mineshaft), twice placed at the elite level. Both, having been sold as yearlings, became seven-figure broodmares. By the time Tap Your Feet’s son by Tapit came to the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale in 2017, then, not even $750,000 was enough to seal the deal. So it is that Farish, who would generally be looking to sell colts, finds himself with two homebreds for the Travers. (Code of Honor stalled at just $70,000 at Keeneland that September.) What was presumably a pretty white-knuckle call on his reserve has so far been amply vindicated by Highest Honors. Chad Brown, indeed, told Jose Ortiz that he was about to ride his Travers horse way back in April, when narrowly beaten on debut at Keeneland. Ortiz himself needs to make a big call on the kind of standard, as established in the Classics, that must now be met by Highest Honors. Because he has also been riding Tacitus–another son of Tapit, just behind Code of Honor in the Kentucky Derby and since second in the both the GI Belmont S. and, after a rough trip, the GII Jim Dandy S. Perhaps Ortiz will heed the sense of destiny that might also have governed the original decision to send a mare named Tap Your Feet to Tapit, whose own mother is of course named Tap Your Heels. For Farish, no doubt, sending the resulting colt into the Travers alongside Code of Honor will be like watching Gene Kelly and Donald O’Connor tapping their heels, side by side, in Singin’ in the Rain. Personally, I always thought O’Connor the better mover, even though Kelly would doubtless stand at the higher fee. And it’s not hard to picture the less tested, less feted of the Farish pair–the O’Connor, so to speak, to Code of Honor’s Kelly–ultimately coming away with the Oscar. The post This Side Up: Travers Win-Win Offers Choice of Honors appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

European highweighted 2-year-old colt and MG1SW Too Darn Hot (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}–Dar Re Mi {GB}, by Singspiel {Ire}) has sustained a career-ending injury and has been subsequently retired, Watership Down Stud announced on Monday. The 2019 G1 Sussex S. Winner and Lord Lloyd-Webber homebred, who also scored earlier this season in the G1 Qatar Prix Jean Prat for trainer John Gosden, underwent surgery on his right-hind cannon to repair a hairline fracture-thought to have developed during the running of the Sussex–at Newmarket Equine Hospital. Previously, it had been announced the full-brother to GSWs So Mi Dar (GB), who ran third in the G1 Prix de l’Opera Longines, and G1 St. Leger S. runner-up and MG1SP Lah Ti Dar (GB) would stand at Dalham Hall Stud under the Darley banner. “Too Darn Hot has undergone emergency surgery to his right-hind cannon after X-rays revealed a hairline fracture,” said the Lloyd Webbers’ Bloodstock Manager Simon Marsh of the ‘TDN Rising Star’, who struck in the G1 Dewhurst S. as a juvenile. “I am glad to say that he has come safely through surgery. The injury is not life threatening and he should make a full recovery. His future now lies at Dalham Hall Stud in Newmarket where he will recuperate and stand at stud for the 2020 Season. “The Lloyd Webbers and I are very sad we won’t see this champion on the racecourse again. He has given us all so much excitement winning three Group 1 races over the last 12 months, culminating in his brilliant win last week in the G1 Qatar Sussex S.” More to follow… The post MG1SW Too Darn Hot Injured, Retired appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article