Wandering Eyes

Barbara Kennedy was delighted to score her first winning double on New Zealand soil at Ellerslie on Wednesday, with her husband Warren guiding both Matzden and Hero Of War in consecutive races. In the fourth on the mid-week card, Matzden was among the favoured runners for the Auckland Co-Op Taxis 1400 after performing gamely on debut in heavy track conditions at Pukekohe. Back on an improving soft surface, the gelding still had to contend with the extreme outside draw, eventually forced to settle three-deep near the tail of the field. In the hands of last season’s premiership-winning hoop in Kennedy, Matzden got on the back of Just Like This into the home turn, but opted to switch down the centre while that runner headed down the outside of his rivals. Timetoplaythegame had hit the lead early in the straight and held on for a long way, but Matzden, Just Like This and Natoya came powering up behind him, catching the leader in the shadows of the post with the former finding the edge to score by a long neck. His trainer had been pleased with the three-year-old’s debut effort and her confidence into Wednesday’s contest was justified. “He might’ve found a little bit too heavy last time, but it was a good first-up run and he showed a lot of courage,” she said. “Coming here on a better track I was a little bit confident, aside from the draw that he had. “Warren managed to get him into a good spot and it was good to see him fight out the finish like that. He’s the kind of horse that is a little bit insecure, so to see him going past horses like this is good for his confidence.” A son of Darci Brahma, Matzden is out of a two-win Swiss Ace mare in Dentelle. The Byerley Park horsewoman had admitted to lower expectations for stablemate Hero Of War in the following race, with the daughter of Nicconi having her first raceday appearance after initially trialling for Peter and Dawn Williams before Kennedy took over their operation. Kennedy was pleasantly surprised with what unfolded, as Hero Of War found a prominent position in the running and found plenty in the straight to fend off Compulsory by a short head, defying her closing price of nearly $30. “This is my first double in New Zealand so I’m over the moon, and even better to get it at Ellerslie,” she said. “She’s a filly that doesn’t give too much away at home and is such a big filly, so I thought she might need a little bit further. I don’t think the penny has quite dropped with her yet, so to see her rally like this and pull off the win first-up, it gives me a bit of confidence going forward with her. “I think ability and class got her through today.” Kennedy echoed his wife’s comments, indicating a distance beyond Wednesday’s 1400m trip will play in the favour of the long-striding filly. “She’s shown glimpses but she’s pretty one-paced in her workouts, so we didn’t come in with a lot of confidence,” he said. “We really wanted to see where she was on the racing spectrum, so I put her in the race. “I think I got her there in the right spot and she is pretty much one-paced, but when that horse came up she really knuckled down and kept her head in front all the way. I think going another furlong, she would’ve stayed in front, she was really fighting and it’s good to know she’s got that competitive streak in her. “She was gallant, she fought all the way to the line and it was great for Barbara to have a first-up win for Barneswood (Farm, owners), they were big supporters of Peter and Dawn Williams who Barbara has now taken over from, so it’s great for them. They’ll be thrilled, I’m sure. “I think she’ll go 2000m-plus, so the further she’ll go, the better she’ll get.” Hero Of War is out of a Group Two performing Australian mare in Assertive Eagle, and was purchased by Barneswood Farm’s Sarah Green and Ger Beemsterboer for $140,000 when presented in the draft of Wentwood Grange at Karaka 2023. View the full article

Well-related filly Paravane (Merchant Navy) broke through for her maiden win in pleasing fashion at Ellerslie on Wednesday when taking out the Join TAB Racing Club 1200 in the hands of senior hoop Vinnie Colgan. The daughter of Merchant Navy jumped well and was taken straight to the front by Colgan, who set a good tempo upfront, and the pair were never tested, with Paravane running out a comfortable 2-1/2 length victor for trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson. Out of Group Two performer In The Vanguard, Paravane is a half-sister to Te Akau’s former Group One winner Sword Of State (Snitzel), who now stands at Cambridge Stud. Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis purchased Paravane out of Newgate Farm’s 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft for A$120,000. She finished fifth on debut over 1200m at Te Rapa in December before being freshened, and impressed with her trial win over 800m at Ellerslie last month prior to her resuming run. “She had trialled well in front and I didn’t want to change too much with her pattern, and in doing so she won pretty easily,” Colgan said. “She was a bit disappointing when she debuted in December at Te Rapa, but I did take a sit. I pulled back and she got quite lost in behind horses but was in control today.” Te Akau’s Racing Manager Reece Trumper was pleased for her winning connections, saying they have been rewarded for their patience with the filly. “Paravane has taken a bit of time to mature, but the owners have been very patient,” he said. “Mark and Sam did the right thing in giving her a bit of time after her first start and I think the owners will be rewarded now. “It was a great ride by Vinnie to have her travelling beautifully in front and it looked like she would be hard to beat turning for home. “She had trialled very well at Ellerslie, a month ago, when ridden on speed, and she’s certainly a filly we think a lot of. “As she matures and gets stronger, she should develop into a lovely four-year-old mare. “She obviously has a lot of residual value, being a half-sister to Sword Of State, and it’s always great to have Sir Owen Glenn in the ownership group.” View the full article

It would be hard to find a bigger fan of Gavelhouse.com than Gavin Sharrock, with the Taranaki horseman producing yet another winning graduate of the online auction platform at Hawera on Tuesday. Sharrock purchased Spandeedo (NZ) (Ferrando) out of Rogerson Bloodstock’s 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock Online Yearling Sale draft on Gavelhouse Plus for $5,000, and he more than repaid his purchase price when taking out the Aquashield Roofing Two-Year-Old Maiden (1100m) on Tuesday. The two-year-old son of Ferrando has shown a lot of promise for Sharrock, however, it hasn’t been all smooth-sailing. “I trained his half-brother, Notsomodest, by The Bold One, and he was a very good galloper but he was a weak horse, he wind-sucked and he wouldn’t eat after he galloped. But he showed enough upside that I thought I would buy his half-brother,” Sharrock said. “He (Spandeedo) has won a lot of jumpouts, but he has been shin sore four times and that is why it has taken me a little while to get him to the races.” Spandeedo made his debut last month when runner-up over 1100m at Waverley, and while confident in his charge ahead of his second-up run, Sharrock was wary of stakes-performed filly Sierra Leone. “He won his last two jumpouts prior to Waverley, and he should have won their first-up, but he ran off the course a little bit, he was just a bit green and wayward,” Sharrock said. “I was rapt with him yesterday, I didn’t think he could beat Sierra Leone because she had been in the top two-year-old races up north and she was a $1.70 favourite, but he might be a bit better than I thought.” Stakes targets are now in the offing for Spandeedo, with Sharrock eyeing next month’s Listed Castletown Stakes (1200m) at Otaki. “He might have a go at the Castletown now, he doesn’t mind a bit of cut out of the track,” Sharrock said. Spandeedo continues Sharrock’s great association with Gavelhouse, having also bought Daylight Robbery and Brave Rebel through the same sale last year. He secured Daylight Robbery off Waikato Stud with a single bid of $10,500, while Brave Rebel was a $1,600 purchase out of Hortlinks draft. Daylight Robbery, a son of Super Seth, was victorious in his second start last December and took Sharrock on a great ride the following month when he contested the Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) at Ellerslie, where he finished midfield. Brave Rebel has placed in two of his four starts, and Sharrock said both are set to return to the stable following a spell in preparation for spring targets. “Brave Rebel and Daylight Robbery have been out for two months, and they are coming back in next week,” Sharrock said. “Daylight Robbery was a bargain, especially now that the service fee (of Super Seth’s) has gone up to $75,000. He went really well this season. “If Daylight Robbery comes up, I will be having a go at the good ones. I think he will be better as a three-year-old than he was a two-year-old. I will aim him towards the (New Zealand 2000) Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m), but everything has to go right.” Meanwhile, Sharrock will head to Trentham with two runners on Saturday, including Soldier Boy in the Trust House Masterton Cup (1400m) and homebred two-year-old Country Salon in the Ladies Man 2YO (1200m). “Soldier Boy is having his second run back and I expect a bit of improvement out of him,” Sharrock said. “He stood in the gates and missed the jump by five (lengths) at his first run back at Waverley, but he has been working well. “Country Salon is a two-year-old that I bred. I actually thought he would win at his first start at Waverley, I thought he was slightly better, but he got carved up a bit in the last 50m.” Country Salon will jump from barrier five with apprentice jockey Jim Chung aboard, while fellow apprentice Elle Sole takes the ride aboard Soldier Boy from barrier seven. View the full article

Well-performed mare Our Jumala (NZ) (Zed) is back to her best following a recent hiccup and is in the right order to add to her black-type record. The six-year-old will head north for the Listed Campbell Infrastructure Rotorua Cup (2200m) on Saturday with jockey Craig Grylls to continue his association with the Robbie Patterson-trained representative. Grylls guided Our Jumala to victory in the Gr.3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m) three runs back before they finished in behind the major players in the Gr.3 Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes (2050m) and Gr.2 Travis Stakes (2000m). “She just wasn’t 100 percent at Wanganui, we had a couple of issues with her health going into that,” Patterson said. “She was then just a little bit too fresh for the Travis and raced too fiercely, but that will take the edge off her for Saturday, and she should race kinder.” Patterson believed her Cuddle Stakes performance was a more genuine guide to her chances at Rotorua. “The Cuddle was a strong field when she beat Pearl Of Alsace, she is finally maturing and being by Zed it’s taken a while,” he said. “She’s been a horse that has had niggles through immaturity, the trip should suit her and with that last run under her belt and two weeks between races she should relax a lot better. “As long as it’s a nice, autumn heavy type of track it will suit her.” Another bold showing in the Rotorua Cup will confirm winter targets for Our Jumala. “We’ll keep going and probably head to Wanganui for the weight-for-age race (Listed AGC Training Stakes, 1600m) and then freshen her up for the Opunake Cup (Listed, 1400m) and on to Riccarton for the Winter Cup (Gr.3, 1600m),” Patterson said. The stable will also have a strong hand in the Rating 75 contest at Trentham on Saturday with Belladonna Lily, Bay Express and Ragamuffin to cross swords in the West Coast Sponsored by Wairepo Herefords (1600m). The former was a sound fourth before circumstances brought about her defeat on the course last time out. “Belladonna Lily will be the best chance, she likes Trentham and especially if there is rain about,” he said. “They absolutely walked in front and she was out the back. She had to make a mid-race move and then they sprinted, it was just one of those farcically run races.” “Ragamuffin has got to start putting his foot in the till and Bay Express has won his last two. “They were both at home (New Plymouth) and they were in soft races so he’s going up a couple of grades and we’ll find out where we are with him. “He’s another one that will appreciate the sting out of the track.” View the full article

The highly anticipated return of former The Everest champion Giga Kick headlines Saturday’s Group 1 $1 million The Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville, the grand finale of the Adelaide Autumn Racing Carnival. Trained by Clayton Douglas, the five-year-old son of Scissor Kick is the clear $2.20 favourite at Ladbrokes as he embarks on his latest campaign. […] The post Giga Kick Heads 2025 The Goodwood Field & Odds appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Kelvin Tyler was unstoppable on his home track over the Easter weekend, and he’ll be hoping for more of the same with a big team lining up at Riverton on Friday. Tyler won six races across the two-day carnival, including four when combining with Central Districts apprentice jockey Amber Riddell. The rising hoop will travel to the deep south again to partner a number of Tyler’s representatives, including the ever-consistent mare Go Lotte in the Chief Stipe Horrell Contracting/Ricki Egerton Dagging Handicap (1600m). The pair won the Francolin Stakes (1400m) at that meeting before Go Lotte ran seventh in the Listed Great Easter Stakes (1400m), her last appearance as Tyler opted to scratch her off Riccarton’s synthetic track on Saturday. “She stayed up for the week (after the Easter) and came home on Friday, she’s quite a hardy traveller now so it didn’t seem to worry her too much,” Tyler said. “She’s good as gold and racing well “It was a really good run, she’s always been a handy wee horse and every time we go to the big stage, she’s just been a couple of lengths off them. Her run was still good in the Easter, she was hitting the line nicely, but back to the lower grade open handicaps are probably best for her.” The daughter of Telperion will be joined by stablemates Albatross and King Of The Castle, the latter also not suited to the change of surface in Canterbury and was scratched from the Easter Cup (1600m) last Saturday. “The 2000m was probably a bit far for him (King Of The Castle) in the Canterbury Gold Cup (Gr.3), he loomed up on the turn and back to a mile is probably his best distance,” Tyler said. “It’s only a small field and from what he’s done, he should be pretty competitive. “Albatross on the way up really, up to a mile is probably her favourite distance and the wetter the better for her. She’s a really clean-winded horse so I think she’ll be hitting a bit of form soon. “Her work has been really good.” Last-start maiden winner Flash Roca has continued to improve since her success at the course over Easter, making her a real threat in the Riverton Fresh Choice / Barnes Oysters / Riverside Rentals Handicap (1200m) before she heads to the paddock. “She’s come through that run really well, she’s had a quiet time, so we’ve brought her back to 1200, I didn’t want to bottom her out on a heavy track,” Tyler said. “She’ll probably go out for a spell but going forward I think she’s going to be a really nice horse. I quite like her.” Reprobate is another recent victor aiming to building on that form on Friday, contesting the Otautau Farmlands / Uncle Bucks Second Hand Shop Handicap (1400m). As he did over Easter, Tyler will look to back up the gelding at Invercargill on Sunday. “He loves the quick back-up and he’s a tough little horse,” Tyler said. “He’ll do the same with the 1400 on Friday and then up to a mile on Sunday. “He’s come through his racing really well and hopefully he can hold his form.” While Tyler will keep an eye on his local meetings, he will do so in the sunshine of Queensland, with his promising three-year-old Freddie Time taking on the Brisbane Winter Carnival over the coming weeks. The trip has been far from smooth so far, with delayed flights and a missed run on Saturday keeping plans up in the air. “He’ll go to Sydney (Tuesday) and stay there before floating up to Caloundra and arriving there about mid-morning on Thursday,” Tyler said. “I really wanted to give him a run at Riccarton so that’s really thrown a spanner in the works, but there is a couple of lead-up races over there. “There is the Rough Habit (Gr.3, 2000m), or three days later there is a nice three-year-old race at Ipswich on the 31st. His main target is the Queensland Derby (Gr.1, 2400m), if he’s up to that and does everything right. “We’ve been there a little bit, so we know our way around now. We’ve got a nice apartment on the beach so it’s a holiday for the humans and the horses.” View the full article

It was a case of always the bridesmaid and never the bride for Riverton trainer Ebony Turner at her local Easter meeting, but she is hoping to turn those tables when she returns to her home track on Friday with a septet of runners. Whiny Meow and Tommy Perfect were two of those Easter placegetters, and they will be hoping to go one better in the Otautau Farmlands/Uncle Bucks Second Hand Shop Handicap (1400m). Turner has been particularly impressed with the form of Whiny Meow over the last few months, with the son of Iffraaj posting five consecutive placings, and he is now after an elusive victory. “Both have trained on really well,” Turner said. “Whiny Meow has been a model of consistency for a while now and I would love to see him get a win onboard. I can’t complain with his work. “Tommy Perfect came through his runs over Easter really well and it wouldn’t surprise me if I saw both of them in the top three.” Stablemates The Motivator, The Advisor, Ali Nel and De Russian Rocket also featured in the money at Riverton over Easter weekend, and Turner is pleased with the quartet ahead of their respective races on Friday. “Ali Nel has come through her last run probably the best out of all of them,” she said. “It didn’t knock her around at all. I am just hoping that she gets a good, economical run on the rail from that gate (4) and they leave her alone, so she doesn’t overdo it in the early stages. “The Motivator has come through his race a completely different horse, he has grown a leg, so I would be surprised if we don’t see him in the top three again. “We are just hoping De Russian Rocket can pip someone at the post rather than him being pipped at the post. He had a couple of days out on grass and has bounced back good as gold. “The Advisor has worked on really well and hopefully she can get that elusive win. She is doing everything right.” Deciphering Me is Turner’s only contender that didn’t get a run over Easter, and Turner is hoping that has worked in her favour when she lines-up in the Waiau Valley Shearing/Aparima Electrical Maiden (1400m). “It was really disappointing that she didn’t get a run over the Easter carnival, but it is probably a blessing in disguise because she has trained on really well and in the last 10 days she has really turned a corner and feels like she wants to be there,” Turner said. “I am excited to see what she can do. View the full article

Maiden Watch: Week of April 28-May 4View the full article

British trainer Jamie Osborne reported from his Lambourn stable May 6 that UAE Derby (G2) runner-up Heart of Honor is scheduled to ship to the United States May 8 to begin preparations for the Preakness Stakes (G1) May 17 at Pimlico Race Course.View the full article

A field of 11 fillies and mares, led by grade 2 winners Gun Song and My Mane Squeeze, have been entered for the $200,000 Ruffian Stakes (G2) May 10 at Aqueduct Racetrack @TheNYRA. Read more:View the full article

Oceanport, NJ–Only a few years removed from what seemed like a death-knell for the New Jersey Thoroughbred industry, Monmout Park enthusiastically ushered in its 80th racing season with a full house during the Oceanport oval's press conference held in Turf Club dining room. Hosted by the TDN's Christina Bossinakis, the event was attended by a solid contingent of elected officials as well as local horsemen and women. Also included among the event's highlights, Monmouth General Manager John Heims, a long-time Monmouth executive, was honored with the 2025 Virgil 'Buddy' Raines Award. Currently the track's general manager and in-house counsel, Heims has been at Monmouth Park since 1997, serving in a variety of roles. He started at the Jersey Shore track as the Publicity Assistant, moving on to become the Director of Media Relations, In-House Counsel, Director of Racing/Racing Secretary. “Having grown up at the Jersey Shore, Monmouth Park has been the only place I ever wanted to spend my time,” said Heims. “To be so lucky and fortunate to work here for nearly 30 years, although when it's a labor of love it's not really work, has been a true blessing.” Also speaking during the event, Darby Development LLC Chairman and CEO Dennis Drazin underscored several of the changes emerging at the track, including the new Caesars Sportsbook, expected to officially open in July. Outfitted with a new Shake Shack menu, the venue will offer Vegas-style betting menu. Drazin also discussed a pair of new hotels expected for the property and high-end housing. Underpinning the project, it was announced last summer that Darby Development took over the track after forging a new 85-year lease with the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority. Also featured at this year's conference was a rundown of the updated jockey colony set to return to Monmouth this season. Headed by Paco Lopez, who will aim for his seventh straight riding title and 12th overall, the remaining roster includes Tampa Bay Downs meet leader Samuel Marin, Samy Camacho, Isaac Castillo, Madison Olver, Melissa Iorio, Jomar Torres and Fernando Jara. Veteran rider Jose Ferrer, who missed the 2024 season, also returns this year. Jorge Vargas Jr., who was injured in a spill at Parx in February, is also poised to return at Monmouth this summer. Newcomers to the venue include Sonny Leon, Jeiron Barbosa, Dexter Haddock, Chantal Sutherland and apprentice Melvis Gonzalez. (L to R) Joe Bravo, Jorge Gonzalez, Jr., Chantal Sutherlands, Madison Olver and Sonny Leon | Bill Denver – Equi-Photo Headlining the trainer's colony, Todd Pletcher, Shug McGaughey and Chad Brown will be represented. Returning trainers include Jorge Delgado, Jose Delgado, Mike Dini, Chuck Spina, Pat McBurney, Kathleen O'Connell, Joe Orseno and Kathleen Demasi. New in 2025, Diane Morici and Daniel Siculietano. The GI NYRA Bets Haskell Stakes highlights this season's stakes schedule, which kicks off this Saturday with the Long Branch Stakes on opening day followed by the Serena's Song Stakes on Mother's Day Sunday. During the 50-day meet, post time will be 12:50 p.m. Saturday-Sunday and holiday Mondays. Friday racing is set to begin June 20 and post times for those days will be 2 p.m. For more information on Monmouth Park's 80th season, click here. The post Monmouth Park Kicks Off 8oth Season; John Heims Receives Virgil ‘Buddy’ Raines Award appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sovereignty, winner of the Kentucky Derby (G1), will not run in the May 17 Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico Race Course. Instead, he will be pointed toward the June 7 Belmont Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course.View the full article

For a ninth straight year, a total of $100,000 in bonus money is on the table for trainers that run a minimum of five horses in the 15 Thoroughbred stakes races during Preakness Stakes (G1) weekend, May 16 and 17, at Pimlico Race Course.View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Wednesday's Observations features a half-sister to G1 Gold Cup winner Courage Mon Ami. 7.00 Kempton, Mdn, £8,000, 3-5yo, f/m, 7f (AWT) SAFE AND SOUND (GB) (Golden Horn {GB}) is the 10th foal out of Anthony Oppenheimer's star broodmare Crimson Ribbon, responsible so far for six black-type performers headed by Frankel's G1 Gold Cup hero Courage Mon Ami. Introduced at this track as that high-class stayer had been and at which his other significant half-brother Lion's Pride has enjoyed his best days, the John and Thady Gosden-trained homebred is certain to need far more than this trip in time. The post Kempton Debut For Courage Mon Ami’s Half-Sister Safe And Sound appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It was hardly a surprise when Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott announced Tuesday that GI Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty (Into Mischief) would not be running in the GI Preaknes Stakes. and would instead point for the GI Belmont Stakes. No matter how prestigious the race is, no matter how special the Triple Crown has historically been, the modern-day trainer cringes at the thought of running their horses back in two weeks. They just don't want to do it. Bill Mott, as meticulous and patient as he is, certainly is in that camp. Sovereignty will become the fourth Kentucky Derby winner to pass the Preakness since 2019. The others are Mott's County House (Lookin At Lucky), Mandaloun (Into Mischief) and Rich Strike (Keen Ice). Losing those horses was bad for the sport, but none of them were considered major stars or candidates to sweep the Triple Crown. That's not the case with Sovereignty. He's an outstanding horse and is trained by one of the best in the business. He would have been a heavy favorite in the Preakness and a good bet to win that race and then come back three weeks later and win it all in the Belmont. This one really stings. Yes, the Triple Crown is broken. But not beyond repair. The solution, as it has been for years now, is obvious. There needs to be more spacing between the races and that doesn't mean just moving the Preakness back a week. The Kentucky Derby should be run on the first Saturday in May, the Preakness on the first Saturday in June and the Belmont on the first Saturday in July. That would mean at least four weeks between each race. In an era where trainers usually want about six weeks between races, even that is not ideal, but it's better than what we have now. Would Mott have elected to run in the Preakness if the race were held on Saturday, June 7? That's five weeks after the Derby. So, the answer is probably “yes.” The purist say don't do it. It's all about the tradition and that the Triple Crown is meant to be hard to win. But what good is tradition when the Preakness has become such a weak link that it is dragging the entire Triple Crown series down with it? Who's going to run in this year's Preakness? So far, not one Grade I winner or horse that performed well in the Derby has committed to the race. If Derby runner-up Journalism (Curlin) doesn't run the favorite may be GII Wood Memorial winner Rodriguez (Authentic). The three tracks need to gather in a room somewhere and not leave until they solve this problem. And it needs to be solved now, not 10 years from now. The Kentucky Derby, obviously, is fine. When The Stronach Group still owned Pimlico, it lobbied to have the Preakness moved. But that would take cooperation from NYRA, which, at the time, wouldn't budge. If they don't move the Belmont, the Preakness can't move. It will stay stuck right where it is. On the one hand, horses passing the Preakness for the Belmont is good for NYRA. It looks like the Belmont will once again come up strong and could feature the first three finishers in the Derby. But NYRA is going to pay the price, as well. If the Derby winner rarely runs in the Preakness that will mean NYRA will be missing out on the chance of a horse coming into New York that is going for the Triple Crown. Sovereignty vs. Journalism vs. Baeza (McKinzie) would be a terrific race, but it will pale in comparison to those Belmonts where a horse is going for the Triple Crown with 90,000 people packing the place, which is what happened when Justify (Scat Daddy) went for the Triple Crown in 2018. There's nothing else like it and as things stand now, we may not see it again for a long time. Moving the Belmont to the first Saturday in July would have an impact on the top summer races for 3-year-olds. It would mean trouble for the Haskell Stakes. at Monmouth, but when it comes to NYRA, the GI Travers would be fine. It will be run on Aug. 23 this year, plenty of time for the Belmont starters and the other Triple Crown horses to regroup and converge on Saratoga, that is if the Belmont were held on July 5, which is the first Saturday in July this year. None of this can happen without NYRA doing what is the best thing for horse racing, and maybe even the best thing for the Belmont, and agreeing to change the date of the Belmont. The new owners of Pimlico, the new Maryland Jockey Club, could then move the date of the Preakness. It's not healthy for the sport when its best horses run so infrequently and trainers will pass an historic race like the Preakness because it doesn't fit neatly into their schedule. But that's the way it is and nothing imminent is going to change that. You can't blame Mott or the owner, Godolphin. They are doing what they believe is the best thing for Sovereignty and that is to wait for the Belmont. It's not their responsibility to “save” the Triple Crown. This is a dysfunctional sport where everyone looks out for their own best interests first and what's best for the game second. There are a lot of problems where there are no obvious solutions. But this is not one of them. The post Enough Already. It’s Time to Fix the Triple Crown appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

G2 UAE Derby runner-up Heart of Honor (Honor A.P.) is scheduled to ship to the U. S. Thursday to begin preparations for a start in the GI Preakness Stakes May 17 at Pimlico Race Course, British trainer Jamie Osborne reported from his Lambourn stable Tuesday. “He has to quarantine at Churchill. It's a bit of a pain,” said Osborne, whose stable is located an hour from London. “He's going to van to Pimlico on Monday. He'll be on the track at Pimlico Tuesday morning.” Heart of Honor ran five races at Dubai's Meydan Race Course after debuting with a second-place finish at Southwell (England) on an all-weather surface. Jim and Claire Limited's colt came up a nose short of winning the 1 3/16-mile UAE Derby Apr. 5 at Meydan. “Initially, after the UAE Derby, I thought that the horse may well need a break. He'd had five runs in Dubai. But when he got off the plane, he told me he wasn't ready for a break. He's thrived since he's been back. He's a hardy kind of horse,” Osborne said. “With that in mind, we thought this was worth a shot. He's only three once. There's nothing in the U.K. for him. So, the alternative was to give him a break, a long-extended break, and wait for next year's Middle East season when we go back to Dubai. Osborne continued, “The Kentucky Derby was clearly going to be too soon for him. Logistically, it was going to be nearly impossible to ship from Dubai back here and then to America. The extra couple of weeks will probably be to our benefit, as well. We're going to have a go, and if he runs OK in the Preakness, the aim is to hang on for another three weeks and go to Saratoga.” Heart of Honor was equipped with blinkers for the first time in the UAE Derby. “He did travel more generously with them on, and he will wear them in the Preakness,” Osborne said. “Prior to that, he was being a little bit lazy. He was getting behind. He lost a couple of races in Dubai by getting a little bit too far behind and staying on a bit too late.” Saffie Osborne, the trainer's 23-year-old daughter, rode Heart of Honor in the UAE Derby and has the Preakness mount. “I think this horse, in what he's achieved so far, has to step up, but I think there's a chance that he can step up,” said the 57-year-old conditioner. “He's a horse that seems to be maturing and coming around this time of year.” Journalism On the Fence, Preakness-Bound Clever Again Works Plans have yet to be finalized for GI Kentucky Derby runner-up Journalism (Curlin), who walked Tuesday before returning to train Wednesday, according to Justin Curran, Churchill Downs assistant to trainer Michael McCarthy. “Then the owners will make a decision in the next couple of days,” he said. “He came out of the race great–has good energy and is eating. He looks like a happy horse.” Curran said Journalism is likely to jog [Wednesday], perhaps when the track first opens at 5:30 a.m. ET, then gallop Thursday. McCarthy flew back to California and is expected to return to Louisville over the weekend. After three days of delay because of sloppy track conditions at Churchill Downs, Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen was finally able to work the lightly-raced Clever Again (American Pharoah) for the Preakness. The Hot Springs Stakes winner worked five-eighths of a mile in 1:01.60 in company and with jockey Jose Ortiz aboard. “A work scheduled for Saturday has now happened on Tuesday,” Asmussen said. “The horse obviously has plenty of talent. He's very kind, manageable. Jose loved how he felt today, how he galloped out. Very happy to get this work in him.”' Ortiz rode Clever Again in a pair of Oaklawn races. Asmussen said Clever Again likely will work a half-mile on Monday [May 12] and van to Pimlico on Tuesday. GII Wood Memorial winner Rodriguez (Authentic), who was withdrawn from the Derby because of a minor foot issue, is scheduled to have a timed workout this weekend. Rodriguez continued to train every day, including galloping Tuesday morning at Churchill Downs. “We're going to breeze this weekend, and then ship to Pimlico,” Baffert said. The post UAE Derby Runner-up Heart of Honor Confirmed for Preakness; Clever Again Works appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Wednesday, Chester, post time: 15:05, BOODLES CHESTER VASE STAKES-G3, £140,000, 3yo, 12f 63yT Field: Convergent (Ire) (Fascinating Rock {Ire}), Faire La Nouba (Ire) (River Boyne {Ire}), Further (Ire) (Waldgeist {GB}), Lambourn (Ire) (Australia {GB}), Lazy Griff (Ger) (Protectionist {Ger}), Pinhole (GB) (Frankel {GB}), Square D'Alboni (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}), Thrice (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}). TDN Verdict: There's something about this week every year that seems to coincide with the beginning of Ballydoyle's season proper and Chester's resurgent May Festival has been a very happy hunting ground for the stable for some time now. As it hosts key Derby and Oaks trials, it is more than coincidence that Aidan O'Brien comes to the fore and with a record 10 wins in this old favourite it is to his representative that it is imperative to turn first. Lambourn is Ryan Moore's pick over Thrice, with his latest second in Leopardstown's G3 Ballysax Stakes an improvement on his lazy showings at two. If this place, with its demands and turns, can light his fire he could establish himself towards the front line of the yard's Derby arsenal. Ralph Beckett also has two, with Juddmonte's Pinhole of particular intrigue moving up from a mile having broken his maiden in style at Southwell in December. For what its worth, his half-brother Boardman liked it around here. [Tom Frary]. Wednesday, Chester, post time: 14:35, WEATHERBYS EPASSPORT CHESHIRE OAKS-Listed, £120,000, 3yo, f, 11f 75yT Field: Caspi Star (GB) (Camelot {GB}), Kate O'Riley (GB) (Sea The Moon {Ger}), Minnie Hauk (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), Modern Utopia (Ire) (Sottsass {Fr}), Queen Of Thieves (GB) (Frankel {GB}), Secret Of Love (GB) (Sea The Moon {Ger}), That's Amore (Ire) (New Bay {GB}). TDN Verdict: Aidan O'Brien already has eight of these and the 2023 Goffs Orby Book 1 topper Minnie Hauk ticks all the boxes stepping up from the mile over which she broke her maiden at Leopardstown in October. From the excellent Juddmonte family of Kingman and Oasis Dream, she has the six-length Newbury debut scorer That's Amore to deal with and also Cracksman's sister Queen Of Thieves who couldn't have done much more than win by 11 lengths at Yarmouth last month. [Tom Frary]. Click here for the complete fields. The post Black-Type Analysis: Lambourn The Pick Of Moore In Chester Vase appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Russell Kennedy is hopeful a fast tempo will play into his hands at Addington tonight. The Yaldhurst-based trainer lines up Radioactive Jaffa in the ninth heat of the Canterbury Plains Challenge Series. The Auckland Reactor nine-year-old heads into the race in fine form, having had three seconds in his last five starts. “He’s been the bridesmaid more than the bride …. but he’s working super and never felt better,” says Kennedy who also bred the horse, and owns him along with Wayne Ivey. On the back of his good recent form, he’s a $3.90 favourite tonight (7.09pm), with Star Magic and Westar Molly the next best backed at $5.50. He has one win and six placings over tonight’s distance (1980m). While he’s the “nicest little horse to have around the stable” Radioactive Jaffa doesn’t react well to have horses around him on race day. “If you put him in the draw he gets a bit claustrophic and pulls. He’s better off on the unruly where he relaxes a wee bit.” But from the outside of the second line Radioactive Jaffa’s chances are dictated to by what happens in front of him. “He likes to do nothing and follow a hot pace….the first half of the last mile needs to be 60 or 61 (seconds).” “That takes the wind out of some of them and he’ll always come out and run home.” His big finishes have become something of a trademark. With regular driver Ricky May being suspended, Sam Ottley will be in the sulky today and as long as they don’t loiter up front Kennedy is hopeful that Radioactive Jaffa can mark his 50th start in style. “He’s due,” he says. View the full article

Godolphin's GI Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty (Into Mischief) will bypass the May 17 GI Preakness Stakes, according to a release from Pimlico Race Course Tuesday afternoon. “We received a call today from trainer Bill Mott that Sovereignty will not be competing in the Preakness,” Mike Rogers, executive vice president of 1/ST which operates Pimlico, said in the statement. “Bill informed us they would point toward the GI Belmont Stakes. We extend our congratulations to the connections of Sovereignty and respect their decision. We continue to see the excitement building toward the milestone celebration of the 150th Preakness Stakes, and we look forward to an incredible weekend of world-class racing and entertainment.” Sovereignty won the Mar. 1 GII Coolmore Fountain of Youth Stakes in his sophomore debut before finishing second in the Mar. 29 GI Curlin Florida Derby. He charged past favored Journalism (Curlin) over a sloppy Churchill track to secure a 1 1/2-length victory in the Derby last Saturday. The post Sovereignty to Skip Preakness appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Spendthrift Farm will sponsor the upcoming Sir Barton Stakes, presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. The farm will also make a donation of $50,000 to the TAA during a check presentation following the running of the race on the May 17 Preakness Stakes undercard at Pimlico Race Course. “We are honored to partner with Spendthrift Farm for this year's Sir Barton Stakes,” said Stacie Clark Rogers, Operations Consultant, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. “Their commitment to the welfare of Thoroughbreds, both during and after their racing careers is inspiring, and we are deeply grateful for their support of Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance's mission.” Spendthrift General Manager Ned Toffey added, “At Spendthrift, the care and future of Thoroughbreds has always been a top priority. We are proud to support Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and to be part of a weekend that celebrates the best of our sport, both on and off the racetrack.” The post Spendthrift Farm to Sponsor Sir Barton Stakes 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 (Sea The Stars), a stylish winner of the G3 Acomb Stakes in 2024, leads the 42 remaining G1 Betfred Derby entries following the latest scratching stage. One of 16 Irish-trained runners, he is trading at 100-30 on Betfred for the June 7 showpiece at Epsom. Trained by Aidan O'Brien, the bay has a slew of stablemates entered, including Wootton Bassett Group -winning colts Twain–third choice at 7-1 and a winner of the G1 Criterium International, Swagman, GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf hero Henri Matisse, and G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere scorer Camille Pissarro. Another Wootton Bassett colt, Expanded, was second in the Dewhurst, while fellow Coolmore partner entries are Siyouni's Mount Kilimanjaro, second in the G1 Criterium International, and Dubawi's Delacroix was second at that level, as well. He is fourth choice at 8-1. Second in the betting is Godolphin's G1 2000 Guineas hero Ruling Court at 7-2 for Charlie Appleby, while Saeed bin Suroor has entered Toronado Alert (Too Darn Hot), fourth on Saturday. Group 1 winners Hotazhell (Too Darn Hot) and Tennessee Stud (Wootton Bassett) are 25-1 and 33-1, respectively. Coronation Cup Field Taking Shape The 12-furlong G1 Coronation Cup at Epsom on Oaks Friday is down to 21 entries remaining after the May 6 scratching deadline. Godolphin's globetrotting champion Rebel's Romance (Dubawi) is one of the leading lights, and he will face a solid field including horses experienced with the quirky Epsom course, among them last year's G1 Derby second Ambiente Friendly (Gleneagles). Group 1 winners Al Riffa (Wootton Bassett), Los Angeles (Camelot), Sunway (Galiway), White Birch (Ulysses), Kalpana (Study Of Man), Ancient Wisdom (Dubawi) and G1 Irish Oaks heroine You Got To Me (Nathaniel) have also stood their ground. Also among the entries are the winners of the past two G1 St Legers in Continuous (Heart's Cry) and Jan Brueghel (Galileo). Christophe Ferland has nominated recent G2 Prix Allez France hero Aventure (Sea The Stars), who was runner-up in the 2024 G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Coral-Eclipse Attracts 58 Entries Sandown's £1-million Coral-Eclipse Stakes, which is the first major all-aged Group 1 of the season, has 58 entries at the current nomination stage. Set for July 5, the 10-furlong race sees Godolphin's Charlie Appleby nominate both of his weekend Guineas winners in Ruling Court and Desert Flower (Night Of Thunder). John and Thady Gosden have also left 2000 Guineas second Field Of Gold (Kingman) in the Sandown feature. Brian Meehan, whose Rashabar (Holy Roman Emperor) will miss an intended engagement in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains this coming Sunday, is also part of the 3-year old brigade. Jessica Harrington's Hotazhell beat fellow entry Delacroix–one of a multitude for the Coolmore partners and Aidan O'Brien–into second in the G1 Futurity Trophy Stakes at Doncaster. O'Brien has also nominated the one-time 2000 Guineas favourite and current Derby pick The Lion In Winter, G1 Criterium International one-two Twain and Mount Kilimanjaro, and the top-flight-winning pair of Camille Pissarro and Henri Matisse, 2000 Guineas runner Expanded (Wootton Bassett), and last year's G1 Irish Derby winner Los Angeles. O'Brien's son Joseph has entered G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud winner Tennessee Stud. Among the older horses is G1 Irish Champion Stakes hero Economics (Night Of Thunder) for trainer William Haggas. Francis-Henri Graffard has three in the race including G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes hero Goliath (Adlerflug). Group 1 winners Sosie (Sea The Stars), Al Riffa, second in the 2024 edition, and G1 Prix de l'Opera winner Friendly Soul (Kingman) add weight to the Eclipse. David Menuisier's top-flight winning pair of Sunway and Tamfana (Soldier Hollow) alongside Andrew Balding's G1 Fillies & Mares Stakes heroine Kalpana and John Joseph Murphy's G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup winner White Birch will also line up. Coral's David Stevens said, “The Coral-Eclipse is one of the most prestigious Flat races in the calendar, and we are incredibly proud of our fifty-year association with the race, which makes it the longest-running group race sponsorship in the world.” The post The Lion In Winter Still Holds Derby Favouritism At Latest Entry Stage appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The voting media gave the son of Into Mischief 299 points, a total that matches the season-best total achieved by Journalism, who was favored to win the Derby. Journalism posted consecutive 299-point weeks in leading the poll April 14 and 21.View the full article

There was a buzz surrounding the debut of City Of Memphis on Tuesday evening at Cork and the filly who topped last year's Tattersalls Ireland Breeze Up did not disappoint. Introduced by Paddy Twomey in the six-furlong maiden, the 8-13 favourite travelled easily under Billy Lee throughout before asserting her superiority in the final furlong. At the line, the Zinlo Syndicate's daughter of Sioux Nation who cost €370,000 had 2 3/4 lengths to spare over Too Darn Hot's fellow newcomer Bonus Time. A filly with a BIG future City Of Memphis, a 370,000 euros daughter of Sioux Nation, powers clear to make a winning debut in the style of a filly that is surely destined for Pattern races. @ptwomeyracing | @wjlee24786 pic.twitter.com/zFP4TdSJCi — Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 6, 2025 “We bought her off Katie Walsh at the breeze-ups last year and just waited with her. We haven't looked much, but she has plenty of ability and, everything she does, she does with ease,” trainer Paddy Twomey said. “When you go to the breeze-up sale, you pay your money and take your chance. [Owner] Alan [O'Flynn] asked me to buy him fillies in the past few years and we got Purple Lily the first year and now this one, so he has two nice fillies.” The dam, who died last year and whose final foal is a 2-year-old colt by the established National Hunt sire Walk In The Park, hails from the excellent Wildenstein family of Arcangues whose numerous top-class performers include Luxembourg. 2nd-Cork, €12,000, Mdn, 5-6, 3yo/up, 6fT, 1:12.18, gd. CITY OF MEMPHIS (IRE) (f, 3, Sioux Nation–Decorative {Ire}, by Danehill Dancer {Ire}) Sales history: €60,000 Ylg '23 GOFOR; €370,000 2yo '24 TATBRU. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $8,147. O-Zinlo Syndicate; B-Decorative Syndicate (IRE); T-Paddy Twomey. The post Impressive Debut For Sioux Nation’s Tattersalls Ireland Breeze Up Topper City Of Memphis appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It might seem a bit late in the year to be talking mating plans, but last week's call to Gary Hadden turned out to be a very timely one indeed, with the man at the helm of Craig Bennett's Merry Fox Stud having not one but two significant developments to report. Tragically, the first such update regarding Bennett's beloved Cursory Glance was of the worst possible kind. The daughter of Distorted Humour, who won the G3 Albany Stakes and G1 Moyglare Stud Stakes in a career spanning just four starts as a juvenile, sadly died late in April due to complications when foaling. She is survived by a Lope De Vega colt foal and leaves behind some wonderful memories for the whole team at Merry Fox Stud, having provided Bennett with one of the greatest days of his near-20 years in the sport when winning at Royal Ascot. “In terms of special moments, I know that would be right up there for Craig,” said Hadden. “Any person who makes a big investment into the horse industry, they want to experience the emotion of winning at the biggest meetings and competing at the highest level. Those memories are locked in for Craig and it was just a great family occasion. He was there with his wife and his mother, who has unfortunately passed away since then. He didn't have any expectation to win and it was just one of those once-in-a-lifetime moments to cross the winning line first at one of the biggest meetings in the world.” He added, “Craig is still enjoying the game. It's been nearly 20 years now and he's still in it. There are a lot of people who have come and gone in that time. It was very sad to lose Cursory Glance because she was right at the top of the tree, but he's very resilient and the mission now is to breed another one as good.” Bennett will be aided in that quest by the recent acquisition of another illustrious name in Zero Gravity, the dam of last year's G1 British Champion Fillies and Mares Stakes heroine Kalpana. The daughter of Dansili was led out unsold at 575,000gns when offered by Whatton Manor Stud at the Tattersalls December Mares Sale, but she has since joined the clutch of mares owned by Bennett in partnership with Newsells Park Stud. “She was a private purchase by Craig and Newsells a couple of weeks ago,” said Hadden. “To get the dam of a Group 1 winner to add to the portfolio, we thought it was a good bit of business. She's a proven mare, so a lot of the hard work has been done. Kalpana is already a Group 1 winner and she's a filly who could progress again this year. “It's a good Juddmonte family–I think her full-sister [Shared Account] has produced another Group 3 winner [Better Together] this year. It can be hard to get into these families and the idea will be to try and get a daughter at some stage.” Hadden went on to reveal that Zero Gravity will visit Night Of Thunder as he ran through the mating plans for a stud which is said to have “grown quite considerably” over the last few years. “When all the foals were born this year, we had maybe 84 horses between everything in training, mares, yearlings and foals–I think Craig was quite taken aback by that,” Hadden added, before identifying a handful of horses in training to look out for when they sport Bennett's familiar yellow and orange silks in 2025. He continued, “We hope there's a nice filly with Paddy Twomey called No Alibi. She was second first-time-out at the Curragh and we're hoping she can win her maiden and go on to better things. She's a half-sister to [G3 Round Tower Stakes winner] Treasure Trove. “We've got a good filly in America with Graham Motion called Five Towns, who is a Listed winner and has been Group-placed over there. She's actually going to run on the Kentucky Derby undercard [finished a close-up fourth in the GII Churchill Distaff Turf Mile Stakes]. “We also have a nice horse who won first-time-out for William Haggas called First Principle. We were all very impressed with how he won at Kempton and the acceleration he showed. He's a horse we're looking forward to.” That was lovely Taking turn of foot from Kingman colt First Principle @kemptonparkrace pic.twitter.com/b7bIeSqYcw — Racing TV (@RacingTV) December 4, 2024 Merry Fox Stud Mares Voodoo Queen (Frankel–Cursory Glance, by Distorted Humour). To be bred to Too Darn Hot This Listed winner is one of two black-type performers out of Cursory Glance, along with fellow Listed scorer Tinker Toy. She is unfortunately the only daughter of Cursory Glance that we have. We were hoping to send Cursory Glance back to Lope De Vega again to try and get a filly, but she's left behind a nice colt foal who survived. Voodoo Queen is quite a big mare, so physically we thought she'd go well with Too Darn Hot. He has the promising Cathedral out of a Frankel mare. Willow View (Lemon Drop Kid–Time Control, by Sadler's Wells). To be bred to City Of Troy A half-sister to Cursory Glance, she is the dam of the GI Turf Classic Stakes winner Digital Age and the G3 Prix la Rochette scorer Acer Alley. We usually like to use proven stallions because, first and foremost, Craig wants to try to breed a racehorse and you get the most accurate information following trends and stallions who have already had runners. But City Of Troy was such a fantastic racehorse that we kind of took exception to the rule to try and fit him in. Physically, we thought he would suit Willow View. Acer Alley (Siyouni–Willow View, by Lemon Drop Kid). To be bred to Night of Thunder Night Of Thunder has worked very well with Siyouni mares. Fairy Godmother was bred on that cross and there's been plenty of success with Dubawi and his sons when crossed with Siyouni mares. We thought it would be a good match and physically he would complement her. Pichola Dance (Distorted Humour–Liffey Dancer, by Sadler's Wells). To be bred to Lope De Vega The dam of the aforementioned Treasure Trove and No Alibi, she herself was Listed-placed at two. She has a nice colt foal on the ground by Lope De Vega. It's another Group 1-winning cross and Lope De Vega looks a very strong, emerging broodmare sire. We'd like to repeat the mating with a view to trying to get a filly. The evidence of the foal suggests the two complement each other, physically. Treasure Trove (Siyouni–Pichola Dance, by Distorted Humour). To be bred to Justify She's in the States and she's already had a lovely filly foal by Justify. As she's out there we thought we'd try it again and she's already been scanned in foal. Whenever we really believe in a mating, we'll try it two or three times because you don't always get the good one first. She'll probably come home next year. Timed to perfection! Ice-cool Billy Lee gets Treasure Trove motoring late on to land the Group 3 Heider Family Stables Round Tower Stakes @curraghrace by a whisker for Paddy Twomey! pic.twitter.com/Y65niFGK8S — Racing TV (@RacingTV) August 27, 2022 Yellow Band (Dalakhani–My Dark Rosaleen, by Sadler's Wells). To be bred to Lope De Vega A full-sister to Bennett's G1 Grosser Preis von Berlin winner Second Step, she is the dam of the French Listed winner Eternal Dance. She's a quality mare and the Lope De Vega cross has worked out a treat–there's been six stakes winners on that cross. Physically, she probably needs a stronger horse so it lined up well. She has a nice yearling by him and we like that one enough that we thought we'd try it again. Eternal Dance (Dubawi–Yellow Band, by Dalakhani). To be bred to Frankel She has a nice filly foal on the ground by Frankel and she's going back to him again. She's a young, stakes-winning mare and not too big. She's short-coupled and quite typical of Dubawi. Frankel can impart a little bit more size and scope, and I think that's the reason why Dubawi and Frankel have worked together so consistently. Guilty Twelve (Giant's Causeway–Arkadina, by Danehill). To be bred to Blame Successful in the GIII Robert G. Dick Memorial Stakes, she is the dam of the aforementioned Five Towns and First Principle, as well as the Grade III-placed Three Priests. She's definitely breeding racehorses and she has a nice colt foal by Blame on the ground. We're always thinking of the next generation and of the younger broodmare sires Blame is really up there. His statistics are phenomenal considering he's never been that expensive himself. We want to develop the family some more and hopefully she will oblige this time and give us a filly. Gumriyah (Shamardal–Yummy Mummy, by Montjeu). To be bred to Sea The Stars A winning half-sister to the 1,000 Guineas heroine Legatissimo, she produced the G3 Hampton Court Stakes runner-up Exoplanet from a previous visit to Sea The Stars. We were doing our homework on the mare when she came up at the December Sale and we knew Roger [Varian, trainer] thought a lot of Exoplanet. Unfortunately, he just had a couple of soundness issues and then he was traded for not very much money. We thought that's probably the last we've heard of him, so we were pleasantly surprised when he finished a good second at Kempton recently after being off for so long. We were very encouraged by that and hopefully he can go on and become a full stakes winner. That might be a bonus we weren't expecting and, if we could get a filly this time, that would be brilliant. Golden Sheen (Frankel–Yellow Band, by Dalakhani). To be bred to Kingman Flamenco Fan (Dark Angel–Annabelle's Charm, by Indian Ridge). To be bred to Night Of Thunder Whispering Palms (Oasis Dream–Annabelle's Charm, by Indian Ridge). To be bred to No Nay Never Pecking Order (Fastnet Rock–Shemaya, by Darshaan). To be bred to Gleneagles Dancing Breeze (New Approach–Posterity, by Indian Ridge). To be bred to Mehmas Kindred Spirit (Invincible Spirit–Pontenuovo, by Green Tune). To be bred to No Nay Never Passing Parade (Cape Cross–Model Queen, by Kingmambo). To be bred to Siyouni Mares Owned in Partnership with Newsells Park Stud Shambolic (Shamardal–Comic, by Be My Chief). To be rested The dam of the G1 Moyglare Stud Stakes winner Ylang Ylang, she was also responsible for a Siyouni filly who sold last year for 3,700,000gns at Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale. She'd just got a bit late on us and we decided to give her a break for a year. I think from a veterinary point of view you'd like to keep these mares going every year, because sometimes it's hard to get them started again when you pull stumps. But she's a lovely mare to have and she's still very young. She was quite a significant purchase [800,000gns] at the time, but she's produced a Group 1 winner and she's had some exceptional commercial results. It's looking money well spent at this stage. Aljazzi and Shambolic this morning after a packet of well earned polos! pic.twitter.com/0IEcjLi2BV — Newsells Park Stud (@newsellspark) October 11, 2024 Legerete (Rahy–Sea Hill, by Seattle Slew). To be bred to Nathaniel Successful in the G2 Prix de Malleret, she is the dam of four black-type performers, including Derby entry Damysus. Although we don't own him, Damysus is another horse that we're looking forward to following this year. I think the Gosdens have said that he's going to improve loads for that run at Sandown and he might be heading to the Dante to keep the Derby dream alive. If he's not at that level, he should go on and be a stakes performer of some nature. He's an exciting horse. We had contemplated retiring the mare, but I suppose when you get a fresh update like that, the temptation is to try once more. She has a nice colt foal by Nathaniel on the ground and hopefully we can get a filly this time. Nathaniel is one of these emerging broodmares sires who has done very well so far. With that pedigree, fillies are always going to be very desirable. Mea Domina (Pivotal–Regina Mundi, by Montjeu). To be bred to Frankel A Listed winner when trained in France, she also filled the runner-up spot in the G3 Gladness Stakes for Paddy Twomey. We're not trying to reinvent the wheel. She's a young, stakes-winning Pivotal mare and the obvious thing is to try Frankel. She has a nice first foal by him and she's going back to him again in keeping with the policy that if we like a mating and really believe in it, we'll try it multiple times to make sure we give it the best chance of working. Via Manzoni (Monsun–Via Milano, by Singspiel). To be bred to Sea The Stars The dam of Listed winner Integrant, she herself was third in the G3 Prix Vanteuax as a three-year-old. She has a Sea The Stars yearling colt and we're hoping if we go back again she might throw a filly. Sea The Stars fillies are like gold dust. They're incredibly hard to buy and we're hoping to gather as many Sea The Stars fillies as we can before it's too late. He offers a bit of size and substance and it works very well on paper–it's a fantastic cross. If we could get a filly, it would be job done. Luminate (Lawman–Kalandara, by Rainbow Quest). To be bred to Lope De Vega Trained in France by Freddy Head, she was a dual Group 3 scorer with wins in the Prix de Conde at two and Prix Penelope at three. We've got a nice Lope De Vega filly out of her and we were quite taken by that. Again, it's a proven cross, with Lope De Vega and Lawman mares. Physically, she has lots of quality and can take a stronger horse. It's another one that matches up on pedigree and physical. The post Merry Fox Stud on a Mission to Find the Next Cursory Glance appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A total of $100,000 in bonus money is on the table for trainers who run a minimum of five horses in the 15 Thoroughbred stakes races held during Preakness weekend, May 16 and 17, at Pimlico Race Course. Points for the trainer's bonus, which is returning to the Maryland track for the ninth year, are accumulated for finishing first (10 points), second (seven), third (five), fourth (three) and having a starter (one) in the 15 Thoroughbred stakes. The trainer with the most points will receive $50,000, second is worth $25,000, third $12,000, fourth $7,000, fifth $4,000 and sixth $2,000. There will also be bonus money totaling $50,000 for trainers with the most points in non-stakes races during Preakness weekend. The points are accumulated in similar fashion, with $25,000 going to the leader, $10,000 to second, $7,500 to third, $4,000 to fourth, $2,500 to fifth and $1,000 to sixth. Trainers must have a minimum of three starts to qualify for the bonus. The post Preakness Weekend Trainer Bonus Returns appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article