Wandering Eyes

Race two on Arc day saw a quickfire double for Ballydoyle and Christophe Soumillon, with Puerto Rico (Wootton Bassett) making all to dominate the G1 Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere, a Breeders' Cup “Win And You're In” for the Juvenile Turf. Up to this seven-furlong trip for the first time to cause a minor upset in Doncaster's G2 Champagne Stakes last time, the 4-1 shot was again placed straight on the front and despite veering off a true line in the run to the line was always in control. Aidan O'Brien, who was winning this for the 10th time, has the Breeders' Cup in mind for the 2 1/2-length winner who was followed home by the crack French colts Nighttime (Wootton Bassett) and Rayif (Sea The Moon). “He won very well the last day and is a lovely straightforward horse who handles this ground well,” he said. “He took a little bit time to come, but as every month went by he's got stronger and this was only his second time at seven.” “He still very green and Christophe was worried about that–he thought he might be here too and he was right,” he added. “Wootton Bassett was an incredible stallion and we are so lucky to have three generations of them still to come. Like [last year's Lagardere winner] Camille [Pissarro], he's a big powerful horse and so I think the Breeder's Cup is very possible as he's strong, mature and experienced.” PUERTO RICO LEADS THEM ALL THE WAY IN THE GROUP ONE QATAR PRIX JEAN-LUC LAGARDERE! #QPAT pic.twitter.com/9AsRdNXbL1 — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 5, 2025 The post Quickfire Group 1 Double For O’Brien and Soumillon With Breeders’ Cup-Bound Puerto Rico appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

ParisLongchamp's Arc card got underway in style as Ballydoyle's Diamond Necklace swooped to provide St Mark's Basilica with his first Group 1 winner in the Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac. Sent off the favourite for the first of the fixture's six Breeders' Cup “Win And You're In” races, the Listed Ingabelle Stakes winner who is a TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard, was always comfortable and when asked to mow down the Wertheimers' unbeaten Green Spirit (Kingman) did so without any need for the whip. “She's amazing,” commented a smitten Christophe Soumillon after steering the 11-10 favourite to a cosy length success. “I was very confident, she was my best ride of the weekend. The last time, she gave me a great sensation and was so relaxed going to the start and professional. She picked up so easily and it was just hands and heels only. She will be a great filly for next year, she is going to do something great.” Aidan O'Brien revealed that the 1,000 Guineas is the likely starting point in 2026. “A first [Group 1] for St Mark's Basilica makes it very special,” he said. “We were a little bit worried she was a little bit babyish to come here, but Christophe was adamant it would suit her. She's a lovely Classic filly and I'd say she'll be very comfortable starting at a mile and she will stay a trip I would imagine. She's very exciting and a typical St Mark's, every week goes by they're getting better and stronger.” DIAMOND NECKLACE WINS THE GROUP ONE QATAR PRIX MARCEL BOUSSAC! #QPAT pic.twitter.com/LJ6GxsPHGI — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 5, 2025 The post ‘She Is Going To Do Something Great’: Soumillon Wowed By St Mark’s Basilica’s First G1 Winner Diamond Necklace appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

All eyes will be on Hong Kong champion Ka Ying Rising at the Randwick barrier trials but the session will also provide an important hit-out for Group One winner Linebacker (NZ) (Super Seth). Originally being targeted at Saturday’s Epsom Handicap (1600m), the four-year-old was ruled out of the feature after a setback caused him to miss a scheduled start in the Bill Ritchie Handicap (1400m) last month. While it was only a minor ailment, it was enough to force a rejig of Linebacker’s spring program. “In simple terms, he sprained an ankle. It just meant being on the easy list for a week or so,” co-trainer Tom Charlton said. “Once he missed that run we were never going to the Epsom half-prepared. “But if he can have a good couple of weeks’ now there might be a light at the end of the tunnel in the Golden Eagle, which was always his aim throughout the campaign anyway.” The winner of the Randwick Guineas (1600m) in the autumn, Linebacker raced handy to the speed from a wide draw first-up, finishing seventh to Pericles in the Tramway Stakes (1400m). He will step out in a 1050m heat at Randwick on Tuesday with the Group 3 Silver Eagle (1300m) on October 18 his likely next start ahead of the $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) a fortnight later. While connections would have preferred the horse’s campaign had gone to plan, Charlton was optimistic Linebacker’s set back could prove a blessing in disguise. “It might work out for the best,” he said. “The one thing you don’t like having is hiccups throughout the preparation but if we can have a good trial and go to the Silver Eagle we’ll be back on track.” “The 1300 of the Silver Eagle should be good for him and keep him on the fresh side.” Tuesday’s trial session is highlighted by the opening 1000m heat restricted to horses contesting The Everest (1200m) and King Charles III Stakes (1600m) and has attracted an elite line-up of six. Along with marking Ka Ying Rising’s first public appearance in Sydney, it will also include fellow Everest contenders Joliestar, Angel Capital and Overpass along with King Charles Stakes hopefuls Fangirl and Mr Brightside. View the full article

Lady Performer (NZ) (Sacred Falls) put plans of the broodmare paddock on hold for another year after capping off a consistent run of form in the Johnny Neil Builders (1400m) at Hawera on Saturday. The eight-year-old had nearly been retired at the end of the spring last season, but her owner-trainer Lydia Pickford opted to bring her back for another winter, which has paid off with Lady Performer recording a win, two seconds and five thirds since resuming in early April. She was due another winning turn, but facing Rating 75 grade for the first time, she was underrated in the market closing at $15, with Librero and Ghazzah the two fancied runners of the field. Carrying a featherlight 52kg under apprentice Amber Riddell, Lady Performer went back early to settle outside of Sotirio, while Our Akashinga eventually took the lead at a leisurely tempo. The pressure dialled up at the 600m and the mare was cruising into contention on the outside, hitting the lead at the 200m alongside Overdraft. Spread wide apart on the track, it was hard to line up Lady Performer and Overdraft as they powered to the line in unison, but there was no doubting the photo finish which crowned Lady Performer the victor by a head. “She’s a really honest mare and tries hard, she’s probably gotten better with the more racing she’s had this season,” Pickford said. “She really deserved that. “She’s not the soundest horse, she’s got a few little issues, so we nurse her along and she’s going very well. She’s probably the soundest she’s ever been. “It was interesting to see her step up to Rating 75 grade and cop it, that’s the grade she has to race in from now on so we’ll see how we go.” The daughter of Sacred Falls boosted her total earnings above $136,000, a far cry from the $1,200 outlaid to purchase her through gavelhouse.com in 2023. “She was a bit tricky when we first got her, she wasn’t the easiest to manage, but she’s a nice mare that has mellowed in her older age,” Pickford said. “I was actually going to retire her last year but Leah Hemi (jockey) said to me that she would be alright for another winter. “I was going to put her in foal at the end of last season but it got late enough, and she was sitting in the back paddock, so I thought we may as well then send her away this spring. But, you can’t retire her the way she’s going at the moment, so that’ll likely be put in hold until next year now. “She does a lot of jumping and enjoys that as well, my daughter likes show jumping her and mucking around with that so she may have a calling with that too. Out of a More Than Ready mare Peak Performer, Lady Performer is a half-sister to Toesonthenose, a six-race winner in Queensland, and recent maiden winner Paddy The Farmer. In 54 starts, she has recorded four wins and 17 minor placings. “It’s great to have one that tries so hard, it would be easy if they were all like her,” Pickford said. View the full article

This week Guy Heveldt is joined by Aidan Rodley and Jayne Ivil to review a wet weekend of racing across the country. Kim Reid joins us to talk about the family connection of Hi Yo Sass Bomb and then we turn our sights across the Tasman after a star filled Saturday. Weigh In, October 5 View the full article

Progressive mare Afterglo (NZ) (Ardrossan) got her preparation back on track in impressive style in the deteriorating conditions at Matamata on Saturday. A winner on debut at the course in April, she has been patiently handled by local trainer Stephen Autridge and appeared first-up this spring in a competitive Rating 65 contest at Ellerslie, where she finished below expectations in 11th. Heeding advice from jockey Matt Cameron, Autridge moved on to the Colliers Waikato Rural Real Estate (1400m) with the daughter of Ardrossan, who started the eventual favourite in a field halved in size by scratchings. Ridden on this occasion by Opie Bosson, Afterglo settled a good rhythm midfield with cover, while the second elect Zenith took the early lead. After the pace steadied, Wiremu Pinn opted to go forward with Just A Tipple and he had stretched out to an eight-length lead at the 600m. Seeing what was unfolding, Bosson got moving on Afterglo and she looked to be the only chance of chasing down Just A Tipple on the corner, and she did just that, skipping through the heavy ground to take over and charge clear by 2 ¼ lengths, with a further seven lengths back to Zenith in third. Autridge was hoping she would have the ability to catch the tearaway leader, which he identified was no easy feat. “We were hoping we could, but it is a hard job to do and the horse that does it often comes off second best,” he said. “We were pretty rapt in the effort she put in. “We were expecting a big run at Ellerslie but she was cramped for room coming up the straight, which she’d never experienced before. “Matty Cameron said to forget about the run and make sure she’s got plenty of room next time, and he couldn’t ride her this time, so we grabbed Opie and he’s done a great job. “I’ve always been happy with the mare, she seems to be above average and loves wet ground.” There are likely to be options on rain-affected ground going forward, but Autridge is confident she can bring her form on to a better surface if need be. “The next month or six weeks will have wet tracks here and there, but we’re not frightened of better tracks,” he said. “She trialled well at Ellerslie and she handled the firmer ground there, so things are looking pretty good for the next couple of months. Who knows, if she does handle good tracks, we might find a nice race over Christmas somewhere.” The meeting set to stage the Listed Matamata Cup (1600m) was abandoned following Afterglo’s win, but Autridge had already scratched his chance in the feature, Livid Sky (NZ) (Proisir). A multiple Group Two performer, she had been eye-catching first-up when third behind Tardelli at Ellerslie, and Autridge is hopeful of another fruitful campaign for the five-year-old. “She’s ready, it was only the conditions that made us pull her out,” he said. “She’s only let us down once and that was on a heavy track, so we weren’t going to risk her. “Her sectionals were outstanding (at Ellerslie) and that was against very good horses, so where she is in the handicaps, if we get in the right race and everything goes our way, she’s a chance of getting some good black-type. “You’d think they’ll be rescheduling this race, so we’ll be looking at that.” Looking ahead to Avondale on Wednesday, Autridge will have a filly stepping out on debut in the Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series (1200m) in Shiniqua (NZ) (Hello Youmzain). By in-form sire Hello Youmzain, Shiniqua has shown good ability in three trial appearances. “She’s definitely trialled very well, she appears to have come on nicely and she’s in that race because she’s Pearl Series (eligible),” Autridge said. “It’s a big ask against older maideners, but she shows a fair bit, so we’ve got our fingers crossed.” View the full article

Iron Orchard has a perfect record, a grade 1 win, and a newfound ability to rally from off the pace. But will it be enough to propel her into the Breeders' Cup?View the full article

Mike Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman's EXPLORA (f, 2, Blame–Collections Choice, by Bernardini) atoned for a runner-up effort to her stablemate Bottle of Rouge (Vino Rosso) in the GI Del Mar Debutante with a comprehensive success in Saturday's GII Oak Leaf Stakes, a 'Win and You're In' qualifier for the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies at Del Mar on Friday, Oct. 31. Named a 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard when romping in her 5 1/2-furlong debut at Del Mar Aug. 17 and fractionally disappointing after making the running in the Debutante, the 2-5 chalk, getting the blinkers off this time, was trapped out a bit wide at the first corner and had no choice but to punch the breeze three wide as 'Rising Star' stable companion Himika (Curlin) showed the way through a half in :46.98. Felt for by Juan Hernandez at the three-eighths pole, Explora raced upsides of Himika at the head of the stretch and she kicked on nicely through the final furlong to take it by about five lengths. Debutante third La Wally (Constitution) rounded out the exacta ahead of longshot La Ville Lumiere (City of Light). Sales history: $22,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP; $350,000 2yo '25 FTMMAY. Lifetime Record: 3-2-1-0. O-Watson, Weitman and Pegram; B-Mesingw Farm (KY); T-Bob Baffert EXPLORA ($2.80) put on a show in the $200,000 Oak Leaf Stakes (G2) at @Santaanitapark. @BobBaffert trains the daughter of Blame (@claibornefarm). @JJHernandezS19 was up on the 2YO for the @LanesEndFarms @BreedersCup #WAYI race for the Juvenile Fillies . pic.twitter.com/W0RGtVKms8 — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) October 5, 2025 The post Blame ‘Rising Star’ Explora Rolls Home In the Oak Leaf appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Wesley Ward-trained No Nay Hudson travels north to Woodbine to win the $183,520 Nearctic Stakes (G2T).View the full article

The fast-growing Wathnan Racing operation lands its second North American grade 1 winner with Silawi in the Oct. 4 Canadian International Stakes (G1T) at Woodbine. View the full article

RyZan Sun Racing LLC and Madaket Stables's Mission of Joy (m, 5, Kitten's Joy–Smart Mission, by Smart Strike), whose last graded win was two years ago, moved west this summer to Phil D'Amato's barn and must like the weather and the firm turf that's a hallmark of California grass racing. In her third California start, she captured Saturday's GII Rodeo Drive Stakes at Santa Anita, a 'Win and You're In' for the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf in four weeks. It was a clean start for the field, with Alpha Bella (Justify) setting a :23.63 and :48.44 pace and a 1:37.36 mile while Mission of Joy took her time covered up near the back of the field. Coming into the lane, Mission of Joy tipped to the extreme outside, passing all late while Speed Shopper (Quality Road) and Starry Heavens (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) finished second and third, respectively. Watchtower (Demarchelier {GB}) was pulled up on the backstretch. Saturday, Santa Anita RODEO DRIVE S.-GII, $201,500, Santa Anita, 10-4, 3yo/up, f/m, 1 1/4mT, 2:00.03, fm. 1–MISSION OF JOY, 122, m, 5, by Kitten's Joy 1st Dam: Smart Mission, by Smart Strike 2nd Dam: Misty Mission, by Miswaki 3rd Dam: Hangin On a Star, by Vice Regent ($32,000 Ylg '21 FTKOCT). O-RyZan Sun Racing, LLC and Madaket Stables LLC; B-Sam-Son Farm (ON); T-Philip D'Amato; J-Umberto Rispoli. $120,000. Lifetime Record: 21-6-0-4, $680,667. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Speed Shopper, 122, f, 4, Quality Road–Fast Retailing, by Malibu Moon. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($430,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP; $95,000 RNA 3yo '24 KEENOV). O-Bridlewood Farm, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Gary Barber; B-AR Enterprises, LLC. & Edward Easton (KY); T-William Walden. $40,000. 3–Starry Heavens (Ire), 122, m, 5, Mastercraftsman (Ire)–Etoile Filante (GB), by So You Think (Nz). O-R Unicorn Stable; B-Healthy Wood Co Ltd (IRE); T-Philip D'Amato. $24,000. Margins: HD, HF, 1. Odds: 11.90, 14.50, 3.90. Also Ran: Alpha Bella, Amber Cascade, Long Ago (GB), Hang the Moon, Watchtower. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. #5 MISSION OF JOY ($25.80) comes flying down the outside under @umbyrispoli to win the $200,000 Rodeo Drive Stakes (G2) and earn a spot in the @BreedersCup F&M Turf. The daughter of Kitten's Joy is trained by @PhilDamato11. pic.twitter.com/zDDbcE3D0L — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) October 4, 2025 The post Mission of Joy Earns Breeders’ Cup Berth in Rodeo Drive appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Adam Hamilton The Aussie raid on New Zealand Cup Week is looking more imposing by the day. Four confirmed raiders and possibly even a fifth, headed by champion Leap To Fame, impressively won lead-up races last night (Saturday). Having his first start since snaring his second Inter Dominion title on July 19, Leap To Fame cruised to victory over stablemates Aroda and Free Thinker in a 2138m free-for-all at Albion Park. The six-year-old was nursed to the line by trainer-driver Grant Dixon to win by 6.5m in a 1min53.9sec mile rate and ripped home in 54.7 and 26.3sec. Leap To Fame now heads straight into Saturday week’s $250,000 Group 1 Victoria Cup, the only historic Aussie major race to have so far escaped him. His stranglehold on Victoria Cup favouritism tightened even further when arch-rival and sibling Swayzee suffered a shock defeat at Menangle last night. Swayzee, who eased from $1.10 to $1.65, worked to the front, but was stalked by the emerging four-year-old Kingman, who easily ran him down late. It’s Swayzee’s second defeat in as many runs this campaign and raises doubts whether the mighty stayer and winner of the past two NZ Cups has come back as well as a rising eight-year-old. Much interest will now focus on whether he heads to Saturday week’s Victoria Cup, a race he won so brilliantly in Leap To Fame’s absence last year. The exciting Kingman is definitely Victoria Cup-bound. “Absolutely. He’s the new kid on the block,” owner Mick Harvey said. “We’re up for all the big races now. We think the world of him.” At Melton, the NZ-bound pair Tracy The Jet and Gatesys Gem – both with slots in The Ascent – won well. It was Gatesys Gem’s first run back from a spell, while Tracy The Jet made it five wins on end with an effortless display in the Group 1 Need For Speed Princess final. They are headed for a clash in the Group 1 Victoria Trotters’ Oaks on Saturday week. “We’re still in need of racing compared to Tracy The Jet, so I might back my mare up again next week,” Gatesys Gem’s trainer Glenn Hunter said. The “NZ watch” is growing on brilliant young Victorian trotting mare Jilliby Ballerini, too. She won her ninth race from just 11 starts this season and claimed some big names in the process in the Group 3 Australasian Trotting Championship. Having her first start from a stand, Jilliby Ballerini began well and worked around to take the lead early. Inter Dominion and TAB Trot winner Arcee Phoenix came around off his 20m handicap to sit parked, but Jilliby Ballerini left him standing on the home bend. She roared away to win by 20.7m in unheard of times for a trotter. The closing splits were 54.4 and 26.7sec. Arcee Phoenix battled away into fourth spot. “There’s a chance she (Jilliby Ballerini) could go to NZ. It’s likely we’ll take one, but Keayang Zahara is back at the races next week, too,” driver Jason Lee said. Also at Melton, eight-time Group 1 winner Catch A Wave returned to his best form in time for the Victoria Cup with a dominant front-running win in the $30,000 Casey Classic. He ran a brisk 1min53.9sec mile rate for the 2240m and dazzled home in 54.2 and 27.3sec. At Menangle, the underrated trotter Parisian Artiste showed he was on target for NZ with a dazzling 1min54.3sec mile win at his second run back from a spell. View the full article

Afterglo winning the Colliers Waikato Rural Real Estate (1400m) at Matamata on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Progressive mare Afterglo got her preparation back on track in impressive style in the deteriorating conditions at Matamata on Saturday. A winner on debut at the course in April, she has been patiently handled by local trainer Stephen Autridge and appeared first-up this spring in a competitive Rating 65 contest at Ellerslie, where she finished below expectations in 11th. Heeding advice from jockey Matt Cameron, Autridge moved on to the Colliers Waikato Rural Real Estate (1400m) with the daughter of Ardrossan, who started the eventual favourite in a field halved in size by scratchings. Ridden on this occasion by Opie Bosson, Afterglo settled a good rhythm midfield with cover, while the second elect Zenith took the early lead. After the pace steadied, Wiremu Pinn opted to go forward with Just A Tipple and he had stretched out to an eight-length lead at the 600m. Seeing what was unfolding, Bosson got moving on Afterglo and she looked to be the only chance of chasing down Just A Tipple on the corner, and she did just that, skipping through the heavy ground to take over and charge clear by 2 ¼ lengths, with a further seven lengths back to Zenith in third. Autridge was hoping she would have the ability to catch the tearaway leader, which he identified was no easy feat. “We were hoping we could, but it is a hard job to do and the horse that does it often comes off second best,” he said. “We were pretty rapt in the effort she put in. “We were expecting a big run at Ellerslie but she was cramped for room coming up the straight, which she’d never experienced before. “Matty Cameron said to forget about the run and make sure she’s got plenty of room next time, and he couldn’t ride her this time, so we grabbed Opie and he’s done a great job. “I’ve always been happy with the mare, she seems to be above average and loves wet ground.” There are likely to be options on rain-affected ground going forward, but Autridge is confident she can bring her form on to a better surface if need be. “The next month or six weeks will have wet tracks here and there, but we’re not frightened of better tracks,” he said. “She trialled well at Ellerslie and she handled the firmer ground there, so things are looking pretty good for the next couple of months. Who knows, if she does handle good tracks, we might find a nice race over Christmas somewhere.” The meeting set to stage the Listed Matamata Cup (1600m) was abandoned following Afterglo’s win, but Autridge had already scratched his chance in the feature, Livid Sky. A multiple Group Two performer, she had been eye-catching first-up when third behind Tardelli at Ellerslie, and Autridge is hopeful of another fruitful campaign for the five-year-old. “She’s ready, it was only the conditions that made us pull her out,” he said. “She’s only let us down once and that was on a heavy track, so we weren’t going to risk her. “Her sectionals were outstanding (at Ellerslie) and that was against very good horses, so where she is in the handicaps, if we get in the right race and everything goes our way, she’s a chance of getting some good black-type. “You’d think they’ll be rescheduling this race, so we’ll be looking at that.” Looking ahead to Avondale on Wednesday, Autridge will have a filly stepping out on debut in the Pearl Series (1200m) in Shiniqua. By in-form sire Hello Youmzain, Shiniqua has shown good ability in three trial appearances. “She’s definitely trialled very well, she appears to have come on nicely and she’s in that race because she’s Pearl Series (eligible),” Autridge said. “It’s a big ask against older maideners, but she shows a fair bit, so we’ve got our fingers crossed.” View the full article

War Machine and Blake Shinn win the Gilgai Stakes at Flemington on Saturday. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) David Hayes has a New Zealand-bred superstar heading into the A$20 million Group 1 The Everest (1200m) in two weeks, where his sons Ben, Will and JD Hayes might line up against him with a Kiwi-bred Group One winner of their own. Lindsay Park’s last-start Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) hero War Machine kicked off his new campaign in sparkling style in Saturday’s A$300,000 Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) at Flemington. The Hayes team hopes War Machine’s blockbuster first-up performance caught the eye of a slot-holder for The Everest at Randwick on October 18, for which he is now rated a $15 chance. That market is dominated by David Hayes’ freakish Hong Kong sprinter Ka Ying Rising at $1.70 with Aussie betting sites. The reigning Hong Kong Horse of the Year is a son of Windsor Park Stud stallion Shamexpress. “It’s exciting,” Will Hayes said. “There’s a good one in there (Ka Ying Rising), but we are happy to take him on if we get the opportunity. “Ka Ying Rising is an amazing horse and we have a good one too. It’s a good problem to have.” War Machine was previously trained by the late Mike Moroney, then transferred into the Hayes stable following the respected horseman’s passing earlier in the year. War Machine is now unbeaten in four appearances for Lindsay Park – a 1400m Benchmark 100 handicap at Caulfield on May 10, the Group 3 BRC Sprint (1350m) at Eagle Farm on May 24, the Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm on June 14, and Saturday’s Gilgai Stakes. The five-year-old went into his resuming run on the back of two jumpouts, finishing second in the most recent of them at Flemington on September 25. Despite a hefty 60kg topweight, War Machine was sent out as a warm favourite on Saturday at $2.90. Jockey Blake Shinn got War Machine away cleanly from his outside gate and he was able to take up a handy position, cuddled up in behind the second favourite and 2023 Gilgai Stakes winner Star Patrol. Shinn was still sitting quietly in the saddle when Star Patrol’s jockey pushed the button and drove his mount to the front with 400m to run. Under a hands-and-heels ride, War Machine swept past Star Patrol in the final 200m. Bridal Waltz tried hard to go with the favourite, but War Machine was on another level and went on to win by two lengths. He stopped the clock at 1:08.53 for 1200m. “Everything went to plan,” Shinn said. “Drawing 17, I felt we’d be able to follow Star Patrol and he could take us where we wanted to go. “I wanted to conserve his energy for as long as possible with the 60 kilos. He travelled strongly, but not too keen. I waited until just prior to the clock tower to really push the button and I knew he’d be there for me. Well done to the Hayes boys and their team. “He’s a Group One winner and I think he’s come back better this prep. It is exciting for Rupert Legh (owner) and his whole crew and it is nice to kick off his campaign here today. “We felt that he might be able to make a statement for The Everest today and there might be a few people knocking. Aside from Ka Ying Rising, it might be an open race, and he wouldn’t be out of place in an Everest. He’s got so much upside. Let’s see what happens.” Bred by MDJ Bloodstock Ltd, War Machine was offered for sale at both the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales and the Ready To Run Sale via the Wallace family’s Ardsley Stud, but failed to reach his $100,000 reserve on both occasions. By Harry Angel out of the winning Hussonet mare Caserta, the gelding subsequently went into training with Jim Wallace and won his only trial at Foxton by six lengths before his private purchase. War Machine has now had 14 starts for seven wins, four placings and A$2.66 million in stakes. “He’s a really special animal and he is a pleasure to train,” Hayes said. “Very proud of the horse carrying 60 kilos first-up down the straight today. He has thrived in the country environment and he can get a bit up on his toes, so he has relaxed in his trackwork. He has been nothing but a blessing for us.” View the full article

Perfumist and Regan Bayliss combine in the Melbourne Storm Mile at Randwick on Saturday. PIcture: Bradley Photos. New Zealand-bred mare Perfumist bounced back to her brilliant best with a dominant front-running performance in the A$160,000 Melbourne Storm Mile (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday. The daughter of El Roca burst onto the scene as a three-year-old last season with wins in five of her first nine starts, including four in a row in December and January. Those performances earned her a ticket across the Tasman for the inaugural $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) at Ellerslie in March, where she ran a close and creditable fifth. Perfumist was below that level in the early stages of her four-year-old season, finishing sixth over 1200m at Rosehill on August 16 and 11th over the same course and distance on August 30, but then she ran a more promising fourth over 1600m at Randwick on September 20. On Saturday the Bjorn Baker-trained mare showed the Randwick crowd what she is capable of. Drawn handily in three among a competitive 18-horse field, Perfumist broke brilliantly from the starting gates and quickly took up the lead for jockey Regan Bayliss. Bayliss began to up the ante coming down the side of the track and Perfumist pulled ahead by two and three lengths coming up to the home turn. Perfumist kicked hard at the 300m mark and powered clear, putting four lengths between herself and her nearest challenger. The favourite Idle Flyer ($2.70 with Neds betting) was able to eat into that advantage late in the piece, closing to within a length and a half with another five lengths back to third, but there would be no catching Perfumist. She set a new race record with her time of 1:33.01 for 1600m. Perfumist was the second elect at $6 with Australian online betting sites. “She pulled out the ‘dictate and dominate’ playbook and bounced back to her best,” Baker said. “Congratulations to a great group of owners. We might look to the Angst Stakes (Group 3, 1600m) from here.” The Angst Stakes will be run on October 18 over the same course and distance as Perfumist’s win on Saturday. Perfumist was bred by Westbury Stud owner Gerry Harvey and is by Westbury stallion El Roca. She is the first foal to race out of the unraced Swiss Ace mare Tapputi, whose full-brother Cut Me Loose won two races and placed in the Group 2 Wellington Guineas (1400m). Perfumist’s name stems from her dam, with Tapputi, a female perfumer, the first chemist in history. Perfumist breezed up in 10.7 seconds at the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale and was purchased for $190,000 by the combination of Bjorn Baker Racing, bloodstock agents Phill Cataldo and Jim Clarke, along with OTI Racing. From a 15-race career, Perfumist has now recorded six wins and three seconds. She has earned A$542,508 in stakes. View the full article

Though owner Al Gold was not at Aqueduct Racetrack Oct. 4 to watch his 2-year-old Napoleon Solo win the Champagne Stakes (G1), he still got a taste of the bubbly.View the full article

Rhetorical, a 4-year-old New York-bred gelding by Not This Time, posted a 9-1 upset of an international field in the $1.25 million Turf Mile Stakes (G1T), giving trainer Will Walden his first grade 1 win Oct. 4 at Keeneland.View the full article

Colebrook Farms' Simply in Front prevailed in a thrilling blanket finish to capture her first grade 1 victory in the $776,750 First Lady Stakes (G1T) Oct. 4 at Keeneland. Jockey Ben Curtis lands his first grade 1 score.View the full article

Jeff Mullins-trained Intrepido, owned by San Diegans Ruben Islas, and Michele Arthur, earns a berth to the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) at Del Mar with his American Pharoah Stakes (G1) victory Oct. 4 at Santa Anita Park.View the full article

Hill 'n' Dale Sales Agency will consign a lifetime breeding right to leading sire Nyquist at the second edition of the Keeneland Championship Sale, to be held in the Del Mar Paddock on Wednesday, Oct. 29, two days before the Breeders' Cup World Championships, officials at the Lexington auction house announced Saturday. The lifetime breeding right entitles the purchaser to breed one mare per season to Nyquist, who stands at Darley in Lexington, for the duration of the stallion's stud career. “The Championship Sale was designed to showcase offerings that are truly one of a kind,” Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said. “To feature a breeding right to Nyquist underscores the sale's position as a stage for rare collectors' items. For buyers, this is an extraordinary opportunity to secure access to one of the best stallions in the sport.” Nyquist, a champion at two and winner of the 2016 GI Kentucky Derby, is the sire of 33 stakes winners, including North American champions Immersive and Vequist and Canadian champion Gretzky the Great. This year, he is represented by Grade I winners Cavalieri, Velocity and Argos along with such other top performers as Nysos, Tenma, Randomized, Crimson Advocate and Gosger. Nyquist is the sire of such Breeders' Cup hopefuls as Johannes (FanDuel Mile), Cavalieri (Distaff), Nysos (Dirt Mile) and Argos (Juvenile Turf). At the recent Keeneland September Yearling Sale, Nyquist was represented by 37 yearlings who sold for a combined $14,645,000. The post Lifetime Breeding Right To Nyquist To Be Offered at Keeneland Championship Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Wesley Ward debuted another fast juvenile at Keeneland Saturday as HEARTILY (c, 2, Complexity–We Love Lucy, by Majesticperfection) romped on debut to become a 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' on the main track for Lael Stables. Alert and on the pace from the inside, the 4-5 favorite had no trouble stringing this group of maidens out into the far turn, easily brushed off a quarter-pole challenge from Telecaster (Kantharos) and romped home alone to give jockey John Velazquez his fifth win on the card in the nightcap. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0. O-Lael Stables; B-Jack Miller; T-Wesley Ward. Sales History: $160,000 ylg '24 KEEJAN, $250,000 RNA ylg '24 KEESEP, $375,000 2yo '25 OBSAPR. Johnny 'V'! 5⃣@ljlmvel completes a five-timer at @keenleandracing as Heartily runs out a ready winner on debut! pic.twitter.com/XKCN1vxfzl — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 4, 2025 The post Complexity’s Heartily Puts In A ‘Rising Star’ Romp At Keeneland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Gary Barber, Cheyenne Stable and Wachtel Stable's RHETORICAL (g, 4, Not This Time–Street Humor, by Distorted Humor) provided his all-conquering sire with his second winner of Keeneland's GI Coolmore Turf Mile in the space of three years, striking from close range to earn an all-expenses-paid trip to Del Mar for the GI Breeders' Cup Mile exactly four weeks down the road. Only once-beaten in five career starts and exiting a popular victory in the state-bred restricted West Point Stakes at Saratoga, the $320,000 Fasig-Tipton New York-Bred Yearling Sale grad was dsipatched at odds of 19-2 and bounced nicely from gate nine and when GIII Mint Millions winner Epic Ride (Blame) went up to sit off the cracking early pace set by Quatrocento (War Front) and the stretching-out Howard Wolowitz (Munnings), Irad Ortiz, Jr. was able to slide Rhetorical down onto the fence to save ground while those ahead of him did the heavy lifting. Enjoying the run of the race for the remainder of the contest, Rhetorical traveled one out and one back with cover on the back of the distance-challenged Howard Wolowitz and was steered three wide and into the clear to lay down his challenge in upper stretch. Rhetorical quickly went to a weakening Quatrocento inside the final furlong and proved an ultimately comfortable winner, as Program Trading (GB) (Kingman {GB}) and Brillian Berti (Noble Mission {GB}) made belated inroads. Rhetorical is the second open Grade I winner on the afternoon bred in New York, joining Frizette Stakes heroine Iron Goddess. Sales history: $320,000 Ylg '22 FTNAUG. Lifetime Record: 6-5-0-1. O-Gary Barber, Cheyenne Stables & Wachtel Stables; B-Mallory & Karen Mort (NY); T-Will Walden #4 SIMPLY IN FRONT ($28.24) gets up to win the $800,000 First Lady Stakes (G1) at @Keeneland. This is the first Grade 1 win for the four-year-old Summer Front filly. @kenneallyracing trains, @_benacurtis up. pic.twitter.com/dYiChKbKz7 — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) October 4, 2025 The post No ‘Rhetorical’ Questions: Another Not This Time Winner of the Coolmore Mile appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A trip to Keeneland in 1983 was impactful to a young Robert Medina, and now the track has given him what will likely be his first Breeders' Cup starter as Praying beat her elders in the $398,750 Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes (G2) Oct. 4.View the full article

The considerable talent Ted Noffey displayed at Saratoga Race Course this summer arrived Oct. 4 at Keeneland.View the full article

Khaadem rallied from last of eight to win the Oct. 4 Woodford Stakes (G2T) at Keenland and earn a shot at the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T).View the full article