Wandering Eyes

In a joint statement from President Bob Hutt and Executive Director Jeff Matty of the Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (PTHA), the Bucks County litigation filed last fall by members of the board of directors was settled on terms that all parties believe to be in the best interest of the PTHA and its 2,500-plus membership, the organization said via a press release on Thursday. On Oct. 22 of last year, TDN's T.D. Thornton reported that seven of the 11 directors of the PTHA had filed a legal response that denied sweeping allegations of corruption and cronyism that were made the prior month by Hutt and another board member. The directors specified for removal by Hutt included Matty, who was also under contract to work as the PTHA's executive director. In the settlement agreement, the parties recognize that all directors have acted in good faith and in the best interest of the PTHA at all times and that no party should be removed based on the conduct raised in the litigation. As a result of the settlement terms, the board will seek to implement a plan of action within the next 60 days by amending the bylaws. Changes will include mandatory board training at the beginning of each term, along with a more robust conflict of interest and mandatory disclosure policy. The release goes on to state that neither the parties nor their counsel shall have any other comment about the litigation or the settlement. Click here to access the settlement agreement. The post PTHA Reaches Settlement Agreement On Internal Litigation appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Graham Motion will saddle last-out Keertana Stakes victress Marksman Queen as he aims for his 10th victory in the July 5 $250,000 Robert G. Dick Memorial Stakes (G3T) at Delaware Park.View the full article

The New York Racing Association announced it has moved the $300,000 Troy Stakes (G2T) back one day from the Aug. 2 Whitney Stakes (G1) Saturday card to Aug. 3. View the full article

Friday, Sandown, post time: 15:00, THE DRAGON STAKES-Listed, £30,000, 2yo, 5f 10yT Field: Blue Orbit (Ire) (Starman {GB}), Military Code (GB) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Rogue Supremacy (GB) (St Mark's Basilica {Fr}), Killavia (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), Lebron Power (GB) (Starman {GB}), Love Olivia (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), Solana Rose (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), Staya (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}). TDN Verdict: Some Royal Ascot runners here, with Godolphin's Military Code looking to bounce back from an unplaced effort in the Coventry, KHK Racing's Staya having shown up prominently when fifth in the Queen Mary and Rogue Supremacy having disappointed in the Windsor Castle. Lebron Power may not have that experience, good or bad, but showed distinct promise when scoring on debut at Windsor and is a real threat. [Tom Frary]. Saturday, Sandown, post time: 15:35, THE CORAL-ECLIPSE-G1, £1,000,000, 3yo/up, 9f 209yT Field: Ombudsman (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Sosie (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Camille Pissarro (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Delacroix (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), Hotazhell (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), Ruling Court (Justify). TDN Verdict: A sensational renewal of this wonderful race, titled historically as “the first clash of the generations” and which retains all its star appeal with City Of Troy and St Mark's Basilica among the last four winners which all hailed from the Classic crop. Like that pair, and the 2023 winner Paddington, the Prix du Jockey Club hero Camille Pissarro and the Derby flop Delacroix represent Ballydoyle which is always the first port of call and the former is still unexposed at the trip having mastered it so well at Chantilly. Godolphin's 2,000 Guineas hero Ruling Court is also here, with the step up to a mile and a quarter sure to suit, and the older horses will have to be at the top of their game to keep them at bay. While he was impressive in the Prince of Wales's last month, Ombudsman faces a second quick race on fast ground in a short space of time for one who was so nurtured last term and any temporary regression will see him vulnerable, while the pace scenario is sure to be very different here with no obvious front-runner. Sosie looks like a fast mile-and-a-half horse and may lack the zip of the Classic-winning 3-year-olds. [Tom Frary]. The post Black-Type Analysis: Royal Ascot Also-Rans Return in Sandown’s Dragon Stakes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

7th-SAR, 100K, Msw, 3yo/up, 6 1/2f, 4:22 p.m. The pricier half of a coupled entry, REBELLIOUS TYPE (Into Mischief) makes his belated debut for the partnership of Spendthrift Farm LLC, Cypress Creek Equine and St. Elias Stable. The 4-year-old son of MGSW Teresa Z brought an even $1,000,000 as a yearling at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale in 2022 and comes in on a steady work tab for trainer Amelia Green. This is the family of champion 2-year-old filly Storm Flag Flying (Storm Cat) via third dam, MGISW My Flag (Easy Goer). Opposing Rebellious Type is a trio of 3-year-olds led by Apalta (Authentic), a $525,000 grad also from the Saratoga Sale in 2023. First dam Southern Ring, who did her racing in Canada to the tune of a pair of graded stakes wins, sold for $875,000 in foal to Into Mischief at KEEJAN in 2021 to Determined Stud who bred Apalta. She has already produced GSP Ladywearsthering (Uncle MO0 and SP Adora (Into Mischief). There's plenty of Canadian back class in the pedigree with $1.1m KEENOV broodmare Radiant Ring as her third dam, making this the family of Canadian champion 3-year-old filly Catch the Ring (Seeking the Gold) and her daughter, another Canadian champion 2-year-old filly in Catch the Thrill (A.P. Indy). First-time starter Subito (Speightstown), a Juddmonte homebred, is a half-brother to GISW Obligatory (Curlin) and to GSP Treble Clef (Arrogate) while another half-sister, Napier (Midnight Lute), is responsible for $1.3m OBS March 2-year-old and MGISP Ferocious (Flatter). First dam Uno Duo, a stakes winner herself, is a half to French G1SW Etoile Montante (Miswaki). Juddmonte bought into the family via third dam Nijinsky Star for $700,000 back at KEENOV in 1987 and was well-rewarded for it with plenty of Grade I class found under her page. One of just a few runners with any experience in the field, Godolphin homebred Fort Nelson (Bernardini) made one start in October of last year when fourth at Aqueduct going seven furlongs. The colt is out of MGISW Seventh Street (a $1,000,000 purchase for Godolphin as a 2-year-old in 2007), making him a half to GSW/GISP Lake Avenue (Tapit) and a full-brother to GI Malibu Stakes runner up Marking. TJCIS PPS 7th-ELP, 100K, Msw, 2yo, 5 1/2f, 3:42 p.m. The 2-year-olds feature at Ellis Park with Tracy Farmer homebred Western Warrior (Essential Quality) drawing the rail. Out of Trophy Girl, who Farmer sold for $750,000 at FTKNOV in 2023, the colt is a half to GISW Blazing Sevens (Good Magic) $500,000 Saratoga grad War Spirit (Omaha Beach), a half to both SW Ari Gold (Medaglia d'Oro) and GSP Petruchio (Into Mischief) also debuts here for BC Stables. TJCIS PPS The post Friday Insights: Seven-Figure Fireworks At Saratoga appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) and 'At the Races' host Steve Byk will once again partner for the 'Beat Byk NHC Challenge' this summer, offering one NHC tour member the opportunity to compete in the National Horseplayers Championship (NHC) at the Horseshoe Las Vegas from Mar. 13-15, 2026. “For me, the return of 'Beat Byk' means summer and featured contest races at Saratoga, Del Mar, Ellis Park, Colonial Downs, Monmouth Park and by Labor Day, Kentucky Downs,” said Byk. “'Beat Byk' has proven to be an excellent gateway for aspiring contest players and sending one horseplayer to Vegas for the NHC on a free roll every year means a lot to me. Thanks to the NTRA for giving players this no-cost opportunity.” Last year's contest attracted better than 12,000 entries. Every Thursday, Byk will choose the weekend stakes race that make up the week's contest and announce them both on the radio and on his X page, @Steve_Byk. Byk's selections will be announced no later than each Friday. There will be 17 chances to qualify to the Beat Byk NHC Online Qualifier on September 13 during the promotional period. Listeners will be encouraged to log into https://www.ntra.com/beatbyk/ where they will either use Byk's selection to win the featured race or try to 'Beat Byk' by selecting another horse. All who correctly select the winning horse in each round will advance to a NHC 'Beat Byk' online qualifier on Sept. 13 held on Horseplayers.com. Participants may qualify only once during the promotional period. Membership in the NHC is required to take part in the September NHC Online qualifier. The post ‘Beat Byk’ Handicapping Contest Returns For 2025 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In this continuing series, we take a look ahead at US-bred and/or conceived runners entered for the upcoming weekend at the tracks on the Japan Racing Association circuit, with a focus on pedigree and/or performance in the sales ring. Here are the horses of interest for this weekend running at Fukushima and Kokura Racecourses: Sunday, July 6, 2025 5th-FKS, ¥14,250,000 ($98k), Newcomers, 2yo, 2000mT MAKE IT (f, 2, Bolt d'Oro–Holy Legal {Brz}, by Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) is the first foal from her dam, a stakes winner in Brazil in 2017, a champion MGSW sprinter in Uruguay the following season and twice-placed in Arlington allowance races and down the field in the Korea Sprint and well-beaten in the Korea Sprint in 2019. A $20,000 graduate of the 2020 Keeneland January Sale, Holy Legal was bought back on a bid of $57,000 at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton July HORA Sale when carrying this filly, who was foaled the following February. Covered by Corniche and exported to Japan, Holy Legal produced a filly in 2024 and a filly by Group 3 winner Tosen Reve (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) this term. O/B-Takaya Shimakawa (KY); T-Minoru Tsuchida 8th-KOK, ¥15,200,000 ($105k), Allowance, 3yo/up, 1000m FEMME ELEGANTE (f, 3, Tiz the Law–Twirling Owen, by Twirling Candy) failed to land a blow sprinting over a yielding local grass course Feb. 20, but turned it around in a big way, graduating by seven lengths on the dirt at Fukushima Apr. 20 (see below, SC 15). West Virginia-bred Twirling Owen was a winner in restricted stakes company and fetched $165,000 carrying this filly at the 2021 Keeneland November Sale. The mare, a half-sister to MSW Run To Daylight (Runhappy), was reoffered at the same auction in 2023, selling for $42,000 in foal to Honor A. P., but sadly passed away in 2024. O-Normandy Thoroughbred Racing Co Ltd; B-W S Farish (KY); T-Naoya Nakamura The post Bolt d’Oro Filly Debuts Long On the Grass at Fukushima appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Some of the most highly anticipated races during the summer season are the 'baby' races during the boutique meetings at Saratoga and Del Mar and at Ellis Park, which attract its fair share of high-priced juveniles from a variety of top national outfits. Summer Breezes, sponsored by OBS Sales, highlights debuting and stakes-entered 2-year-olds at those meetings that have been sourced at the breeze-up sales earlier in the year, including links to their under-tack previews. Here are the horses entered for Independence Day at Saratoga and Ellis Park. Friday, July 4, 2025 Sar 2, Schuylerville S., $150k, 2yo, f, 6f, 1:42 p.m. ET Horse (Sire), Sale, Price ($) Kingsolver (Omaha Beach), OBSMAR, 95,000 C-J V C Training & Sales, agt; B-RB Bloodstock, agt. Storyteller Rcg Miss Magical (Good Magic), OBSAPR, 100,000 C-S G V Thoroughbreds (Steven Venosa), agent; B-George Weaver, agent for Vekoma Thorougbreds LLC Ellis 7, $100k, 2yo, 5 1/2f, 3:42 p.m. ET Mayweather (Practical Joke), OBSAPR, 260,000 C-Top Line Sales LLC, agent; B-Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners Saratoga 6, $90k, 2yo, (R), 5 1/2fT, 3:50 p.m. ET Essentially Fast (Essential Quality), OBSAPR, 40,000 C-Top Line Sales LLC, agent; B-Gary Contessa, agent Santinni (Munnings), OBSAPR, 12,000 C-S G V Thoroughbreds (S Venosa), agent; B-Paullie B Racing Sculcos Folly (Redesdale), OBSAPR, 70,000 C-Omar Ramirez Bloodstock, agent; B-Chad Schumer, agent The post Summer Breezes: Friday, July 4, 2025 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The curtain came down on the Arqana Summer Sale on Thursday where Victoire Des Borde (Antarctique), a sister to Supreme Novices' Hurdle hero Kopek Des Bordes (No Risk At All), led the concluding session when selling to Guy Petit for €85,000. All told, the aggregate for the Summer Sale was up a massive 24% to €13,311,200 while the average was up by 9% to €36,074. The clearance rate was a healthy 80% [up 14% on last year] while the median was up by €4,000 to €20,000. A press release issued by Arqana after the sale attributed quotes to president Olivier Delloye and CEO Freddy Powell, that read, “If we retrace the sale chronologically, we can highlight the dynamism of the last breeze-up of the season, with a remarkable percentage of horses sold of over 96%. The stores then sparked some great bidding battles, with nine lots making or exceeding €100,000, testifying to the attractiveness of French maternal families. “The high point of the sale was reached yesterday on the day reserved for horses-in-training. Sales in this segment were up by a spectacular 60% on last year, topping the €7 million mark for the first time. All top profiles made very good prices, led by Zekret, who sold for €520,000 to Nicolas Bertran de Balanda and Alex Elliott. He is now set to continue his career over jumps in Ireland. On the flat, Toyotomi sold for €335,000 to Jason Kelly and will join David O'Meara's stable. We hope he follows in the footsteps of Lord Glitters and Mondialiste. Emerging countries such as Libya have also been very active, alongside the Middle East, Australia and the whole of Europe.” It continued, “Several notable transactions also took place in the breeding section, including the purchase of Victoire Des Borde by Guy Petit for €80,000, in foal to Goliath du Berlais, and Ravioli, in foal to Hello Youmzain, sold for €67,000 to Cécile Adonias (Cava Associates). We look forward to seeing you online tomorrow for the Equos Blond Pop-Up sale, before looking ahead to the eagerly anticipated August Sale, which is fast approaching.” The post Sister To Kopek Des Bordes Brings Curtain Down On Strong Arqana Summer Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A shortfall of 20 horses has forced Irish Thoroughbred Marking to abandon plans for the intended barrier trial fixture at Dundalk on Monday, July 7. ITM's international representative Jeremy Greene, who has been the driving force behind the concept, revealed that it would not be financially viable to stage the card if a minimum of 70 entries were not received. Only 50 horses had been entered for next Monday's fixture and leading trainers Jack Davison and Gavin Cromwell, both of whom have been big backers of the initiative since its inception in 2020, admitted to being disappointed by the late cancellation. “I certainly would be a big supporter of the barrier trials and had a few horses for Monday,” said Cromwell, who readied Brownstown in a Naas barrier trial less than a month after that filly landed a Leopardstown maiden on debut. He added, “The barrier trials have been a big addition to us and we've managed to get a couple sold off it as well so we're definitely big supporters of them. I don't know what the reason behind them not filling is as they are a good initiative.” It has been rumoured that some trainers were reluctant to educate their horses in a race scenario on the polytrack at Dundalk but Davison said he wasn't buying such an explanation as an excuse and said the lack of support for the barrier trials on the whole is something that surprises him. “It is disappointing,” Davison said. “I planned on trialing five horses and was in favour of trialling at Dundalk. It's a very consistent surface so I can't see the track itself being an excuse for the races not filling. “I am surprised that the barrier trials are not proving more popular. From a trainer's point of view, you can't beat a mock race to tell you where you are at. With my trainer's cap on, it's nice to be able to bring your horse away and work them within a bunch of horses in a non-racing environment. It's a big advantage, especially for trainers like myself who are operating with smaller strings.” Ahead of the opening barrier trial of the year at Naas, Greene told TDN Europe about the financial constraints involved in running the fixtures, and stated that entry fees generated a huge amount of the income required to cover costs. Confirming the cancellation of Monday's meeting, he simply said, “We needed 70 entries to run but we only got 50. We're way short. We've publicised them on the Ras website and made it very clear about the conditions that need to be met. We have to put the fields together today so we're not going to make it. It's just one of those things.” The post ‘We’re Way Short’ – Lack Of Entries Forces Cancellation Of Dundalk Barrier Trials appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sweet Azteca and Kopion are set to meet for the first time, their battle coming in a Los Alamitos stakes named for the D. Wayne Lukas trained-multiple stakes winner Great Lady M., the dam of champion Lady's Secret.View the full article

Jaber Abdullah's American Queen (Havana Grey), a €180,000 graduate of May's Tattersalls Ireland Breeze-Up sale, made a start on recouping that investment with an impressive debut performance in Thursday's Selecta Systems EBF Maiden Fillies' Stakes over six furlongs at Haydock. The Richard Hughes trainee, who was originally knocked down for €48,000 as Goffs November foal, went postward as the 11-8 favourite and tracked the leaders from a midfield berth through the early fractions. Making smooth headway from halfway to assume control passing the quarter-mile marker, she quickened clear and was soon over the horizon, romping away to an easy 12-length rout of Lady Gormire (Lope De Vega). Blimey …. 180,000euro breezer (Havana Grey) dazzles on debut in the @BritishEBF fillies' maiden @haydockraces @RHughesracing | @loughnane_billy pic.twitter.com/9TnYep69UP — Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 3, 2025 The post Jaber Abdullah’s Breeze Up Graduate America Queen Romps to Impressive Debut Triumph at Haydock appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Multiple champion jockey Oisin Murphy has been fined £70,000 and banned from driving for 20 months after he appeared at Reading Magistrates' Court on Thursday afternoon where he admitted to driving over the limit for alcohol. The 29-year-old pleaded guilty to one count of driving a motor vehicle while over the prescribed limit of alcohol. He was not asked to plead on another count of failing to cooperate with a preliminary test at the roadside. A four-time champion jockey, Murphy was charged by postal requisition on June 19 after he drove his grey Mercedes A Class off the road and into a tree in Hermitage, Berkshire, in the early hours of April 27. He rode a double at Windsor the following day when employed by trainers Richard Hughes and John and Thady Gosden. Murphy was officially charged on the Thursday of Royal Ascot week, when he rode another double, this time courtesy of Arabian Story and Never So Brave – trained by Saeed bin Suroor and Andrew Balding respectively. He ended the showpiece meeting with five winners in total. Murphy spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address, but apologised via his barrister Alex Di Francesco KC before the verdict was delivered. “Mr Murphy accepts that he made a great error on his part and is remorseful,” Di Francesco said. “He wants to make three apologies: firstly to the passenger and to convey how grateful the circumstances were not worse, he wants to apologise to the public and other road users, and lastly to those who he works with.” The post Multiple Champion Jockey Oisin Murphy Pleads Guilty To Drink Driving Offence appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The fifth installment of the 2025 OwnerView webinar series took place on July 1 focusing on the development of young horses with panelists Niall Brennan (Niall Brennan Stables), David O'Farrell (Ocala Stud), trainer Lindsay Schultz and retired pinhooker Eddie Woods. Gary Falter, the project manager for OwnerView, moderated a panel discussion. The conference is hosted by The Jockey Club and the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association and presented by Bessemer Trust, Keeneland, and Stoll Keenon Ogden. The panel was sponsored by OCD Pellets. According to O'Farrell, it's important to start working with foals as soon as possible if they are nursing and healthy. “You know they would follow their mother if you let them and they'd lead right into the stall,” he said. “But it's hugely important that you go ahead and put the mini halter, the figure eight halter, on and coax them down the shed row and teach them to lead right off the bat.” The panelists agreed that starting horses should be done slowly and quietly. “The slower you go, the better it is. If you get into a rush, it ends up a mess,” Woods said. Brennan concurred. “If you go a little too quickly with it and frighten them, then that's a different story,” he said. “We just take our time, and similar to Eddie, we spend about a week in the stall with the riders just playing with them, putting the tack on them, turning them around, and just judging them individually.” Another theme was starting and working horses together. “We send them out in groups, especially for the first while that they're at the track,” said Schultz. “And if we don't have a group then you might send them out with a pony. The first part of the process, they always go in company.” The next session entitled 'Buying at the Sales and Digital Sales' will be held Aug. 12 at 2 p.m. ET. The full schedule may be viewed here. There is no fee to register for the series, but registration is required. Click here for video of the July 1 webinar. The post OwnerView Webinar Covers The Development of Young Horses appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Lion In Winter has been supplemented for Sunday's G1 Prix Jean Prat at Deauville, which could have a field of up to 10 runners. The most recent win for Coolmore's son of Sea The Stars came over the same distance of seven furlongs (1400m) in last year's G3 Acomb Stakes at York, a race in which subsequent 2,000 Guineas winner Ruling Court (Justify) finished third. Also added to the field at Thursday's confirmation stage was Apollo Fountain (No Nay Never). Trained by Andre Fabre, he won the Listed Prix Yacowlef last season for Juddmonte, who could also be represented by the Harry Charlton-trained Cosmic Year, who was runner-up to fellow Kingman colt Field Of Gold in the Irish 2,000 Guineas. Also among the entries is Godolphin's Shadow Of Light (Lope De Vega) and the Christopher Head-trained Maranoa Charlie (Wootton Bassett), who was recently sold to the Yorkshire-based Bond Thoroughbreds operation. The post The Lion In Winter Added to Prix Jean Prat Field appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

This Saturday sees the inaugural running of the Irish EBF Pat Smullen Stakes at Naas, with the Listed contest having attracted eight runners from seven different stables. Run over a mile, the race is part of the Smullen Series, launched this year by the Irish EBF and consisting of 18 middle-distance races for two- and three-year-olds. Daytona (Wootton Bassett), a winning debutant last month at Gowran Park, is among the field and his trainer Aidan O'Brien was keen to target the race which is named in honour of his late brother-in-law, the nine-time Irish champion jockey. O'Brien said of Daytona, “He won nicely in Gowran the first day when Jack [Cleary] rode him. Wayne [Lordan] rides him in Naas. We think he's a nice horse and we think the trip should suit him. “Obviously, it's in memory of Pat and that makes it very special for us and we're delighted to be running what we think is a nice horse in the race. We like him, we think he's a classy horse.” Joe Foley, chairman of the Irish EBF Chairman, said, “The new Irish EBF Pat Smullen Stakes is the launch pad for the Smullen Series and an opportunity to celebrate the legacy of an Irish racing hero, Pat Smullen. The Smullen Series showcases the Irish EBF's commitment to middle-distance horses where two-year-olds now have a range of races from July to the end of the season each worth €25,000 over a mile and a mile-plus. “For the following season they can link into the existing Spring Series of middle-distance races creating a pathway to the €200,000 Gowran Classic as a three-year-old. The objective of the series is to provide breeders, owners and trainers of middle-distance horses with valuable races for two and three-year-olds while promoting the breeding and racing of stamina horses. We are delighted to have Frances [Crowley] and her family to the races on Saturday to present the new Pat Smullen perpetual trophy.” The post Pat Smullen Stakes Spearheads Series for Middle-Distance Youngsters appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Andrea Atzeni thinks a return to Sha Tin could pay dividends for Colourful King when he lines up in the Class Two Philip Chen Trophy (1,200m) at Sha Tin on Saturday evening. The Blue Point galloper was a two-time winner from five starts in Australia before arriving in Hong Kong, where he has won twice for trainer David Eustace. Beaten on debut at Sha Tin, he has subsequently gone from strength to strength at the Valley, winning a pair of Class Three races over the 1,000m trip before two near...View the full article

In this monthly BH interview, Karen M. Johnson profiles young racing personalities.View the full article

Godolphin's G1 Prince Of Wales's Stakes hero Ombudsman (Night Of Thunder) will face five opponents after a select half-dozen were confirmed for Saturday's £1-million G1 Coral-Eclipse at Sandown. The John and Thady Gosden trainee, who has drawn stall five, encounters fellow four-year-old Sosie (Sea The Stars), who will bid for a fourth success at the highest level for the Andre Fabre stable from the neighbouring stall four. The Classic generation enjoys strong representation and features G1 2000 Guineas hero Ruling Court (Justify) and G1 Prix du Jockey Club victor Camille Pissarro (Wootton Bassett). The TDN Rising Stars have been allocated stalls one and two, respectively. The field is completed by last term's G1 Futurity Trophy first and second Hotazhell (Too Darn Hot) and Delacroix (Dubawi), who will renew rivalry from stalls six and three. The post Six Confirmed For Saturday’s Eclipse, Ombudsman To Undergo Sosie Test appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Irish sports stars TJ Reid, Bernard Dunne, Rachael Blackmore, Danny Mullins, and Ursula Jacob are lending their support to the annual Hurling for Cancer Research match, which has raised more than €1.6m since its inception. The event, which is now backed by supermarket chain Centra, was the brainchild of trainer Jim Bolger and jockey Davy Russell 14 years ago. It is set to take place this year at Netwatch Dr Cullen Park on Monday, August 18 at 7.30pm. “It's become a very special day in the calendar, especially for the kids, but also because it creates so much awareness about cancer, especially among men,” said Kilkenny hurling superstar TJ Reid. “The game's obviously not competitive in one sense. It's nice to just come out and express your skills and a great day to share a dressing room with past and present legends of the game and from other sports too. “Last year was the biggest year because we had the biggest names, players like [Limerick's] Cian Lynch, Gearoid Hegarty, Tom Morrissey and some of the Clare lads. It's getting harder now to get a spot.” Tickets for the match are €10 for adults and €5 for children, and can be purchased at selected Centra and SuperValu GAA Ticket Agent stores or online at www.hurlingforcancer.ie. All proceeds from ticket sales and donations will go directly towards funding life-saving cancer research. The post Stellar Line-up for Annual Hurling for Cancer Research Match appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Francis Graffard is considering the G1 Juddmonte International Stakes as an option for Daryz (Sea The Stars), who retained his unbeaten record when winning Sunday's G2 Prix Eugene Adam. Nemone Routh, racing manager for Daryz's owner-breeder The Aga Khan Studs, said, “We're slightly scratching our heads with Daryz and we would need to sit down with Princess Zahra as well as there are several options we can take with the horse. “I know Francis is quite interested in the idea of bringing him to the Juddmonte International and he's obviously done very well over that trip and we've only ever run him him over a mile and a quarter, so it is the right trip for him. It would be a big ask as Sunday was only his fourth start, but he's an improving horse and we're really excited by him, he's bred in the purple and a proper horse.” Daryz's stablemate and fellow Aga Khan-bred Calandagan (Gleaneagles), who holds and entry for the G1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes, was second to City Of Troy in last year's Juddmonte International, and claimed his first Group 1 victory on a good day for for his oconnections in Sunday's Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud. As a gelding, he was prevented from running in last year's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe but that would not be an issue for Daryz, who is a half-brother to the late G1 Prix Ganay winner Dariyan (Shamardal). Routh continued, “We have an eye on the Arc at the end of the year, but [Daryz] needs to run before that and there are several different races he could run in. He could have a traditional prep for the Arc in the Prix Niel or he could take in something like York. “We'll have to weigh everything up with him as he is still a little immature, but he's improved with every race and York is definitely an option. We will just have to see what is the right option as we haven't quite figured that out.” The post York Under Consideration for Progressive Daryz appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The need for Cambridge Stud to control the size of their star-studded broodmare band has opened up some special opportunities in the 2025 National Online Breeding Stock Sale on Gavelhouse Plus. Cambridge Stud is offering six well-credentialled mares – Critical Angel (NZ) (O’Reilly), Friwi (Almanzor), Runway Queen (Star Witness), Stellar Maccartney (NZ) Tavistock), Western Belle (Domesday) and Ziffel (NZ) (Zabeel). They are all being offered in foal to Cambridge Stud stallions. “We’re very fortunate that Brendan and Jo Lindsay’s significant investment in yearling sales and their own breeding programme leads to a number of high-class fillies and mares coming off the racetrack to join the broodmare band every year,” Cambridge Stud’s sales and nominations manager Scott Calder said. “That obviously means we have a large broodmare band that’s continuing to grow, and the challenge that creates is that we need to regularly sell mares just to keep our numbers at the same level. “But the fact that we’re selling these mares shouldn’t reflect badly on them in any way. These mares all have plenty going for them, with deep pedigrees and carrying pregnancies to our Cambridge Stud stallions. We think this sale will provide a great opportunity for buyers to secure some mares that they could go on to have a lot of success with. “A young mare like Friwi is coming off the track, carrying her first foal and has a very bright future in front of her, while several of the others have progeny on the racetrack and have already achieved good results with their yearlings in the sale ring. There’s plenty happening in the families and there could be a number of pedigree updates to come.” Friwi, Runway Queen, Stellar Maccartney and Ziffel are all being offered in foal to Sword Of State. The Group One-winning son of Snitzel has made waves with his first yearlings this season, averaging over $200,000 and selling for up to $540,000. “Those Sword Of State pregnancies are going to be a real drawcard,” Calder said. “His first yearlings have sold amazingly well this season, and that continued at the National Weanling Sale at Karaka last week with demand for his progeny remaining very strong. “Sword Of State is our most popular stallion going into the new season. These mares will have Sword Of State foals on the ground within the next few months, giving people an opportunity to quickly secure his progeny without the expense of breeding to him themselves.” Friwi is by Almanzor out of the winning So You Think mare Brisida. The pedigree page is stacked with German black type, with Brisida’s half-brother Brisanto (Dansili) being Champion 2YO Colt in Germany in 2014 while second dam Briseida (Pivotal) won the German One Thousand Guineas (1600m). Briseida is the dam of eight winners from nine foals to race. She has produced three individual stakes winners and is the granddam of the Listed winner and Group Two-placed Pappalino (Makfi). “There’s so much that can be said about Friwi,” Calder said. “She comes from a high-class family and is a really good-looking Almanzor mare retiring off the track. I think she has a lot going for her and I see her as a very good match for Sword Of State.” Lot 62 of the 2025 National Online Breeding Stock Sale Runway Queen. Photo: Supplied Runway Queen is a half-sister to the dual Group One winner Stratum Star (Stratum) and the multiple Group Three winner and Group One placegetter Prague (Redoute’s Choice). Runway Queen’s full-sister Red Velvet Swing (Star Witness) is the dam of this season’s Group One Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) placegetter Declichy Boulevard (Snitzel). Runway Queen was herself a winner over 1300 metres in Australia. “Runway Queen comes from a family that’s had huge success on the racetrack, but has also been highly sought after in the sale ring with a couple of million-dollar yearlings,” Calder said. Tavistock mare Stellar Maccartney comes from the family of Group One winners Fairy King Prawn (Danehill) and Cosmic Endeavour (Northern Meteor). Critical Angel is by O’Reilly (NZ) out of the Group One-winning Centaine mare Critic (NZ). Herself a winner over 1200 metres and a second placegetter in the Group Three Vanity Stakes (1400m), Critical Angel has made her mark as a broodmare with her son Scathing (Trusting) winning three races and finishing fourth in the Group Three Gold Coast Guineas (1200m) and Fred Best Classic (1350m). Western Belle is a half-sister to the Group One winner Regal Power (Pierro) and Group Two winner Action (Pierro), while their stakes-winning dam Broadway Belle (Redoute’s Choice) is a half-sister to the multiple Group One-winning star mare Arcadia Queen (Pierro). Ziffel, a half-sister to the Group Two winner and multiple black-type producer Amelia’s Dream (Redoute’s Choice), has had yearlings sell for up to $500,000 and is the dam of the multiple winners Earl Of Devon (NZ) (Tavistock) and War Of Succession (NZ) (Tavistock). Bidding is open in the 2025 National Online Breeding Stock Sale on Gavelhouse Plus with the first lot closing from 7pm (NZT) on Wednesday 9th July. View the full article

The inclement weather didn’t dampen Robyn Ayton’s spirits at Ashburton on Thursday, with the local trainer posting her first double courtesy of Lady Bankside (NZ) (Belardo) and Tellme You Loveme (NZ) (Tavistock). “That was my first double, so it was nice to do it on the home track, it was fantastic,” Ayton said. “They have both been working well, they look great and have done nothing wrong, so I was hopeful heading into today.” Ayton was particularly hopeful about the chances of Lady Bankside in the Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series (1200m) after the mare finished runner-up over the same distance at Timaru last month. The daughter of Belardo jumped well from her wide gate and was pushed forward early by apprentice jockey Donovan Cooper to take an early lead. She relished the heavy conditions and skipped away to a 3-1/2 length victory, securing a welcome bonus for her connections. “I was a little bit apprehensive about the draw (11), but she got to the lead easily enough and once she got there and found the rail she was in a happy place,” Ayton said. The five-year-old mare will now likely step up in distance, something Ayton had intended on doing before the Pearl Series race was added to the Ashburton meeting. “She would have gone 1400m today, but it was her last chance at a Pearl Series, so I dropped her back down for the 1200m because she was eligible for it,” Ayton said. “I think she would like to go a bit further.” Later on the card, Cooper once again donned Ayton’s silks when hopping aboard Tellme You Loveme ahead of the Dunstan Horsefeeds (2200m), and the seven-year-old daughter of Tavistock was looking to recapture some form after a couple of disappointing runs. The pair sat parked for the majority of the journey before finding the lead at the 800m mark. They didn’t relinquish their advantage and hugged the rail for the remainder of the journey, pulling away in the concluding stages to win by 3-1/4 lengths. “She was tough and she tried hard,” Ayton said. “I was disappointed with her last start, but she has always been honest.” Tellme You Loveme’s record now sits at six wins, but Ayton is unsure when she will add to it, citing difficulty in finding a suitable target in the near future. “There is not a lot coming up for Tellme You Loveme, there are not many open handicap staying races down here,” she said. The weather continued to deteriorate as the meeting progressed, and it was subsequently abandoned following race seven due to visibility and safety issues. “We must have had luck on our shoulder today,” Ayton said. View the full article

Blair Orange driving one hundred winners in a season might not seem like a big deal but as the seven-time premiership winning driver approaches three figures again, it’s just as important as the first time. “I remember the first time I got it done (2014) as it was with Donsmedad at Addington for the late Mike Austin who gave me so many opportunities early on. When I started out at Tim Butt’s, driving a winner was a goal so I never take any win for granted,” he added. It would be the 12th consecutive season Orange has racked up three figures, equalling the record held by Maurice McKendry. He currently shares the second-longest streak (11 seasons) with Dexter Dunn and Tony Herlihy. Herlihy still holds the record for the most 100-win seasons overall, with 17 to his name – although they weren’t all back-to-back. The gun driver has a number of good opportunities at Addington on Friday but has decided to head South on Sunday for the Invercargill meeting with a near full book of drives. “I’ve looked at the next 12 months and note there will be a lot more clashes with Canterbury meetings on Sundays so I will just have to weigh things up each week. I have had such great support in Southland and driven a lot of winners for some terrific people and that will definitely play a part going forward.” Amongst his book on Friday are the Cran and Chrissie Dalgety pair of Sugar Babe and Magician. The former is a last-start winner likely to face her stiffest opposition from her stablemate Forever Dream, whilst Magician takes on a strong field full of form in the Dallas and Sam Boyd Mobile Pace. The son of Captain Treacherous went a sound race first up when 7th behind the flying Akatea, so is likely to strip a lot fitter with the Diamond Racing pair of Miki Knows and Always B You likely to prove the hardest to beat. On Sunday his book includes the Mark Jones-trained pair of Ultimate Gladiator (R4) and Tact Tena, the latter in the final race. She has been in excellent form at Addington including a last-start 3rd behind the smart Ocean Of Tears but does have a 2nd row draw to contend with this week. View the full article

The $34,000 Classique Landscapers Silk Road Final for trotting fillies and mares has drawn a terrific field full of form this Friday night. As is often the case at Alexandra Park the Michelle Wallis and Bernie Hackett team dominate the trotting races numerically and have three very good chances this week. Two of those, Courmayeur and Melsadele have differing form lines and share the co back mark of 25m as they clash for the first time in their respective campaigns. The former galloped and took no part last week whilst Melsadele was a dominant winner of the TAB Metro Final . ‘’Courmayeur was the victim of the false starts and got very wound up so it would be best to forgive her on that and go on her excellent 2nd behind Halberg a fortnight earlier. She has to be driven for her speed so requires a bit more luck than Melsadele who has been super in both of her runs this time in. She was 2nd in both the NSW and NZ Derby’s and can really stay so Todd (driver) has more options so is the top pick of our three”. The third of the training couple’s runners is Shesgold who is three weeks between runs but gets in off the front. “We are happy with her and she races well in a fresh condition. She will be driven by Benjamin Butcher. Of that stable’s opposition, Sans Au Revoir is well placed being off the front and gets another 15m off Melsadele compared to last time when she was 3rd. The Roydon Downey trained 7yo was a winner the week earlier and has struck up a good association with gun junior driver Harrison Orange. Ocean Eyes is the only filly in the race but has won two of her last three and was driven on both occasions by her driver tonight Zachary Butcher whilst you can never count out the former oaks winner Con Grazia Love who had little luck last time but had been very good in her previous two attempts. Earlier in the night American Me gets a chance to repay the punters in the IRT.Your Horse Our Passion Handicap Pace. The Brett and Tim White trained 8yo was a dominant winner first up in his northern campaign but was a victim of circumstances when beaten and short odds over the shorter 2200m last time. He’s back to the 2700m this week, generally steps very quickly and is only 10m behind his biggest threat Mantra Blue. View the full article