Wandering Eyes

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Luxembourg (Ire), a four-time Group 1 winner at ages two, three, four and five, has been introduced on Coolmore's National Hunt roster at a fee of €7,000. The son of Camelot (GB) will stand at The Beeches Stud in Co Waterford. Bred by Ben Sangster, who sold him as a yearling for €150,000 to MV Magnier, Luxembourg's top-level wins came in the Futurity Trophy, Irish Champion Stakes, Tattersalls Gold Cup and Coronation Cup. Coolmore's team of jumps stallions runs to 16 and includes the 2015 co-Horse of the Year Crystal Ocean (GB), whose fee is €8,000, along with winners of the Derby, Irish Derby and Deutsches Derby: Wings Of Eagles (Fr) (€4,000), Hurricane Lane (Ire) (€5,000), Santiago (Ire) (€5,000) and In Swoop (Ire) (€3,000). The reigning champion National Hunt sire Walk In The Park (Ire), who is based at Grange Stud, stands for a private fee. Westerner (GB), who turns 26 on January 1, and Soldier Of Fortune (Ire), who is rising 21, have both been retired from the roster for 2025. The post Luxembourg To Stand at €7,000 at The Beeches Stud appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Matscot will take his place in the Group 1 Zabeel Classic (2050m) at Ellerslie on Boxing Day. Photo: Race Images South Sharon Robertson had a taste of the Group One action at Ellerslie nearly 16 years ago, and on Boxing Day she will return to the northern headquarters with Matscot taking on the Group 1 Zabeel Classic (2050m). Back in 2008, the Canterbury horsewoman took her stable star Delbrae to Ellerslie to contest the Group 1 New Zealand Stakes (2000m), where he finished just out of the placings behind Sir Slick. The race was Delbrae’s final start in a highly successful career, where he won just shy of $500,000 in stakes, with victories in the Listed Marton Cup (2200m), Listed Spring Classic (2000m), Group 3 Canterbury Gold Cup (2000m) and Group 2 Coupland’s Mile (1600m). “We travelled up from Canterbury then and Vinnie (Colgan) rode him, I think he got fourth,” Robertson said. “He’s about 24 now, still happy and he’s got a lovely home.” Matscot, a horse co-bred by Robertson and her partner Alan Reeves, had big shoes to fill and has come close to matching the feats of Delbrae so far in his career, winning the Listed Spring Classic (2000m) and $350,000 Southern Alps Challenge (1600m) last term. As a seven-year-old, his upward trajectory only continued, placing in the Group 1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) and Group 3 TAB Mile (1600m) through the spring. The gelding was awkwardly away from the barriers in the Group 1 Mufhasa Classic (1600m) earlier this month and finished ninth, but his closing sectionals were only bettered by Ladies Man and La Crique, indicating a step-up over ground was looming. Colgan partnered the son of Haradasun in the Arrowfield and will be back on board this Thursday, having drawn the ace barrier in a high-class field. “He missed away a bit and his sectionals were very good, but he’s looking for 2000m now, which he will get here, and we’ll have Vinnie back on him,” Robertson said. “He will fly out today (Monday). Hopefully everything goes to plan on Thursday. I think he can be right there.” Horse racing news View the full article

Rory Hutchings has returned to New Zealand for a three-month riding stint. Photo: Trish Dunell A decade ago, Rory Hutchings had the most successful day of his career at Ellerslie on Boxing Day, and the expat Kiwi hoop will kick off a stint riding in his homeland at the iconic meeting this Thursday. Hutchings was a three-time champion apprentice jockey in New Zealand whilst under the tutelage of Graeme Rogerson, for whom he won his first Group One aboard Soriano in the 2014 edition of the Zabeel Classic (2000m). “That was the greatest day I’ve had on a racecourse for sure, I was apprenticed to Rogey and he trained her,” Hutchings said. “Denise (Howell) owned Soriano and she was like a second mother to me while I was an apprentice, I still keep in touch with her now. That trophy sits pride of place in the trophy cabinet at my house.” Hutchings has spent much of his twenties riding in New South Wales, winning a champion apprentice crown in Sydney while indentured to champion trainer and fellow New Zealander Chris Waller, alongside victories up to Group Two level. Taking notice of the increase in stakes back home this season, Hutchings decided to return to the Waikato temporarily, enjoying his first Christmas at home in a number of years. “It had been playing on my mind, I talked to Aidan Rodley about three months ago and we started to get the ball rolling,” he said. “It’s been a pretty good season so far (in Australia), I’m riding at a pretty high strike rate and had a few metropolitan winners, which is always good. I’ve noticed probably in the last month that the rides have slimmed up a little bit, there are a lot of UK and Irish riders over on their winter break which makes things a bit more competitive. “Obviously with the increase in prizemoney, I saw a good opportunity here and thought I would come back and have a go for a few months. It’s really good, probably in the last 12 months it’s gotten the boost that it really needed. New Zealand is a jurisdiction that’s always had the promise and I think we’re finally going to see that potential come to fruition now. “I’ll just spend Wednesday with my family, I don’t think I’ve been home for Christmas for about seven years, so that will be good. My little sister has just had a baby a couple of weeks ago, so it’ll be nice to spend time with them.” Hutchings has picked up rides in each of the three Group races on Thursday, including course-proven Group One winner El Vencedor in the Group 1 Zabeel Classic (2000m). The son of Shocking upset star mare Legarto when claiming the Group 1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) in March, a performance he emulated when winning the Group 3 Balmerino Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie on Melbourne Cup Day. At his most recent appearance, El Vencedor finished at the tail of the field in the Group 1 Mufhasa Classic (1600m), a run Hutchings is happy to look past ahead of the feature. “At his best, he’s going to be very competitive,” he said. “He missed the kick the other day and had to do a lot of work early, so you can probably forgive that run at Wellington.” The 29-year-old will also partner Customized in the Group 2 Auckland Guineas (1400m) and Real Class in the Group 2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m). “I’ve got a couple of up-and-coming three-year-olds in tough races for Steven Cole and Jenna Mahoney,” he said. “Jenna’s horse (Real Class) won really nicely at Te Aroha. “I have a couple for Tony Pike too (Poetic Justice and Overdrawn) and his team is going very well.” Hutchings will be based at Matamata, with his former agent in Rodley doing his rides over the coming months. “Aidan did my rides before I left and he was more than happy to help me out while I’m here,” he said. “The plan is to stay for three months at this stage and hopefully be busy and take opportunities.” Horse racing news View the full article

It's all about family for Tom Frary in selecting his favourite horse of 2024, and that extends to this talented sprinter's exciting young sire. Horse of the year: Kind Of Blue There is nothing better than seeing families produce good horses time after time, particularly when they are associated with the same owner-breeder-trainer combination down the years. Kind Of Blue (GB) (Blue Point {Ire}) represents just that, with his original owners Michelle Morris and Jan and Peter Hopper having also enjoyed much success with the dam's brother Deacon Blues (GB) (Compton Place {GB}). Kind Of Blue went on to emulate that former Fanshawe trainee in winning Ascot's British Champions Sprint Stakes, but he did it a year earlier having had some tough battles along the way including when edged out of the Haydock Sprint Cup. When a TDN Rising Star tag was put on him at Doncaster in May, there was little in the way of expectation that he would hit the heights so soon and justify that decision. Deacon Blues was just a useful handicapper as a three-year-old, while his half-brother The Tin Man (GB) (Equiano {Fr}) had a go at the Champions Sprint at that age but could manage only fourth before he went on to mature into a top-class sprinter. He won this last Group 1 at the age of six, while another ex-Fanshawe member of the dynasty, Warningford (GB) (Warning {GB}), was the grand age of eight when taking his third renewal of the old G3 Leicestershire Stakes. Kind Of Blue has all their class, but the key may be that he is by Blue Point who has injected that bit of x-factor to take him to the next level. Have a look at his debut win at Kempton and you'll see it was all there at the beginning, just as it was when another of the stable's kingpins Soviet Song (GB) won on her debut there in 2002. When a Fanshawe horse wins first time out, you have to take notice and it was great to see the humble maestro of Pegasus Stables have such a banner year again thanks to this crack sprinter and the Derby runner-up Ambiente Friendly (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}). One for next year: Falakeyah This one came late in the day, but the manner of Shadwell's TDN Rising Star performance at Wolverhampton last month suggests she could be one to take seriously. Trained by Owen Burrows, whose horses usually need time to flourish, she is a granddaughter of the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf heroine Lahudood (GB) from that amazing family of Hukum (Ire) and Baaeed (GB). Like Kind Of Blue, she did what she wasn't supposed to win on debut and although that probably wasn't a strong race she couldn't help but showcase her class. By the high-achiever New Bay (GB), she should stay at least 10 furlongs next term and whatever she does on the track she could be a significant addition to Shadwell's broodmare ranks in time. Stallion to follow: Blue Point Not exactly a leftfield suggestion, but after the start this boy has had at stud the sky is the limit. Shamardal has already given us Lope De Vega (Ire) and now he has supplied another star sire. With Kind Of Blue, the brilliant St James's Palace Stakes and Irish 2,000 Guineas hero Rosallion (Ire) and the super-charged Big Evs (Ire) already in his locker along with the exciting two-year-old Sky Majesty (Ire), the way is clear for him to get some top producers and some stouter mares to deliver those Classic horses year after year. The post Horse Of The Year; One For Next Year appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Victorian-based jockey Jason Maskiell celebrates with the trophy after guiding the Phil Cole-trained Smuggling to back to back wins in the $100,000 Pioneer Sprint (1200m) on Alice Springs Cup Day at Pioneer Park last May. Picture: Nikki Westover Photography) Racing Victoria (RV) Stewards have concluded their investigation into jockey Jason Maskiell’s ride aboard My Schieller Wood in the Insuremyfleet Maiden Plate over 1600m at Seymour on Friday, November 15, 2024. The $10 PlayUp hope finished 12th out of 13 starters, trailing the winner by 25.55 lengths. Following a thorough inquiry, the Stewards issued Maskiell with two charges, one under AR 129(1) and an alternative charge under AR 129(2). Both charges pertain to the horse’s handling during the race. Jason Mskiell’s Summary of Charges Charge 1 – AR 129(1): Failure to Ride on Merits The Stewards allege Maskiell did not ride My Schieller Wood to its full potential, citing the following incidents: 300m to 250m: Maskiell restrained the horse and failed to improve its position between Just Riff Raff and Vidocq, despite the opportunity to do so. 250m to 150m: He continued to restrain the horse, neglecting another opportunity to improve. Post-150m: After Frontline Action shifted out, Maskiell allegedly persisted in restraining the horse for the remainder of the race, failing to capitalise on available opportunities. These actions are alleged to have resulted in the horse not being ridden on its merits. Charge 2 – AR 129(2) (Alternative): Failure to Ensure Best Possible Outcome During the Race, Mr Maskiell failed to take all reasonable and permissible measures to ensure that My Schieller Wood was given full opportunity to win or obtain the best possible place in the field, in that: a) From approaching the 300m until approximately the 250m, he restrained My Schieller Wood and failed to improve his mount’s position between Just Riff Raff and Vidocq where there was an opportunity, and it was reasonable and permissible to do so; and/or b) From approximately the 250m until approaching the 150m, he restrained My Schieller Wood and failed to improve his mount’s position where there was an opportunity, and it was reasonable and permissible to do so; and/or c) After Frontline Action shifted out in advance of his mount at approximately the 150m, he continued to restrain My Schieller Wood for the remainder of the race and failed to improve his mount’s position when there was an opportunity, and it was reasonable and permissible to do so. Mr Maskiell’s actions resulted in My Schieller Wood not being given the full opportunity to win or to obtain the best possible place in the field. The charges, classified as serious offences under the Rules of Racing, will be heard by the Victorian Racing Tribunal (VRT). A hearing date is yet to be determined. Under Section 50O of the Racing Act 1958, serious offences such as those under AR 129(1) and AR 129(2) must be adjudicated by the VRT. The Stewards cannot impose penalties in these cases. If found guilty, Maskiell could face sanctions under the Rules of Racing. No mandatory minimum penalty applies to these charges, leaving the tribunal with discretion in determining any potential penalty. The tribunal’s decision will set a precedent in the ongoing effort to uphold integrity in Victorian racing. Horse racing news View the full article

Sharon Robertson had a taste of the Group One action at Ellerslie nearly 16 years ago, and on Boxing Day she will return to the northern headquarters with Matscot taking on the Gr.1 Cambridge Stud Zabeel Classic (2050m). Back in 2008, the Canterbury horsewoman took her stable star Delbrae to Ellerslie to contest the Gr.1 New Zealand Stakes (2000m), where he finished just out of the placings behind Sir Slick. The race was Delbrae’s final start in a highly successful career, where he won just shy of $500,000 in stakes, with victories in the Listed Marton Cup (2200m), Listed Spring Classic (2000m), Gr.3 Canterbury Gold Cup (2000m) and Gr.2 Coupland’s Mile (1600m). “We travelled up from Canterbury then and Vinnie (Colgan) rode him, I think he got fourth,” Robertson said. “He’s about 24 now, still happy and he’s got a lovely home.” Matscot, a horse co-bred by Robertson and her partner Alan Reeves, had big shoes to fill and has come close to matching the feats of Delbrae so far in his career, winning the Listed Spring Classic (2000m) and $350,000 Southern Alps Challenge (1600m) last term. As a seven-year-old, his upward trajectory only continued, placing in the Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) and Gr.3 TAB Mile (1600m) through the spring. The gelding was awkwardly away from the barriers in the Gr.1 Mufhasa Classic (1600m) earlier this month and finished ninth, but his closing sectionals were only bettered by Ladies Man and La Crique, indicating a step-up over ground was looming. Colgan partnered the son of Haradasun in the Arrowfield and will be back on board this Thursday, having drawn the ace barrier in a high-class field. “He missed away a bit and his sectionals were very good, but he’s looking for 2000m now, which he will get here, and we’ll have Vinnie back on him,” Robertson said. “He will fly out today (Monday). Hopefully everything goes to plan on Thursday. I think he can be right there.” View the full article

A decade ago, Rory Hutchings had the most successful day of his career at Ellerslie on Boxing Day, and the expat Kiwi hoop will kick off a stint riding in his homeland at the iconic meeting this Thursday. Hutchings was a three-time champion apprentice jockey in New Zealand whilst under the tutelage of Graeme Rogerson, for whom he won his first Group One aboard Soriano in the 2014 edition of the Zabeel Classic (2000m). “That was the greatest day I’ve had on a racecourse for sure, I was apprenticed to Rogey and he trained her,” Hutchings said. “Denise (Howell) owned Soriano and she was like a second mother to me while I was an apprentice, I still keep in touch with her now. That trophy sits pride of place in the trophy cabinet at my house.” Hutchings has spent much of his twenties riding in New South Wales, winning a champion apprentice crown in Sydney while indentured to champion trainer and fellow New Zealander Chris Waller, alongside victories up to Group Two level. Taking notice of the increase in stakes back home this season, Hutchings decided to return to the Waikato temporarily, enjoying his first Christmas at home in a number of years. “It had been playing on my mind, I talked to Aidan Rodley about three months ago and we started to get the ball rolling,” he said. “It’s been a pretty good season so far (in Australia), I’m riding at a pretty high strike rate and had a few metropolitan winners, which is always good. I’ve noticed probably in the last month that the rides have slimmed up a little bit, there are a lot of UK and Irish riders over on their winter break which makes things a bit more competitive. “Obviously with the increase in prizemoney, I saw a good opportunity here and thought I would come back and have a go for a few months. It’s really good, probably in the last 12 months it’s gotten the boost that it really needed. New Zealand is a jurisdiction that’s always had the promise and I think we’re finally going to see that potential come to fruition now. “I’ll just spend Wednesday with my family, I don’t think I’ve been home for Christmas for about seven years, so that will be good. My little sister has just had a baby a couple of weeks ago, so it’ll be nice to spend time with them.” Hutchings has picked up rides in each of the three Group races on Thursday, including course-proven Group One winner El Vencedor in the Gr.1 Cambridge Stud Zabeel Classic (2000m). The son of Shocking upset star mare Legarto when claiming the Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) in March, a performance he emulated when winning the Gr.3 Balmerino Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie on Melbourne Cup Day. At his most recent appearance, El Vencedor finished at the tail of the field in the Gr.1 Mufhasa Classic (1600m), a run Hutchings is happy to look past ahead of the feature. “At his best, he’s going to be very competitive,” he said. “He missed the kick the other day and had to do a lot of work early, so you can probably forgive that run at Wellington.” The 29-year-old will also partner Customized in the Gr.2 Shaw’s Wire Ropes Auckland Guineas (1400m) and Real Class in the Gr.2 Hallmark Stud Eight Carat Classic (1600m). “I’ve got a couple of up-and-coming three-year-olds in tough races for Steven Cole and Jenna Mahoney,” he said. “Jenna’s horse (Real Class) won really nicely at Te Aroha. “I have a couple for Tony Pike too (Poetic Justice and Overdrawn) and his team is going very well.” Hutchings will be based at Matamata, with his former agent in Rodley doing his rides over the coming months. “Aidan did my rides before I left and he was more than happy to help me out while I’m here,” he said. “The plan is to stay for three months at this stage and hopefully be busy and take opportunities.” View the full article

Don Goodwin, the breeder of 11-time Group One winner Verry Elleegant, has passed away, aged 86. Goodwin was a proud student of thoroughbred pedigrees, and it was this passion that led him to acquiring Verry Elleegant’s dam, Opulence, to send to Grangewilliam Stud stallion Zed, for whom he was a shareholder. It was purchasing Opulence off trainer Nicholas Bishara that set the wheels in motion for the formation of a lucrative partnership and friendship between the pair, which took them on the ride of a lifetime. “I had the mare, Opulence, we won a couple of races and she ended up flipping over in a freak accident in the paddock and hurt her spine, so she couldn’t race on,” Bishara said. “We put her in-foal to Towkay and we didn’t have land at that stage so we decided to sell her. We put her in the sale and Don, who was into his pedigrees, bought her (for $14,000) specifically to go to Zed. “He put the weanling filly foal in the sales, so we snaffled that up (for $2,000) and she turned out to be (three-time winner) Black Lace.” Opulence went on to have a further six live foals, five of those by Zed, including Group Three performer Verry Flash, Grand National Hurdle (4200m) winner Affluential, and most notably Verry Elleegant. Verry Elleegant showed immense talent from day one and won two of her three starts for Bishara before she was partly sold, with the ownership group expanding to include John, Mark and Rachael Carter and a group of their Auckland friends, along with a number of Australians, including Aziz “Ozzie” Kheir and Brae Sokolski. She was subsequently transferred to leading Victorian trainer Darren Weir, for whom she had four starts, including victory in the Gr.3 Ethereal Stakes (2000m) and placed in the Gr.2 Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m), before she joined leading Sydney trainer Chris Waller’s barn following Weir’s disqualification. Verry Elleegant was a very raw individual with her eccentric and ungainly galloping style, but under Waller she matured into a world-class racehorse and won a further 13 races, 11 of those at elite-level, highlighted by her popular victory in the 2021 edition of the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m). Conquering Europe was on the minds of a few of her owners and the decision was made to head to France with the mare, who had an unsuccessful four-start campaign for trainer Francis-Henri Graffard before she was retired from racing and was subsequently served by Sea The Stars. Her performances on the track earned her a string of accolades, including Australian Horse of the Year (2020-21), Champion Australian Stayer (2020-21 and 2021-22), Champion Australian Middle-Distance Horse in (2020-21), and Joint Head of 2021 WBR Rankings (Ext.). Bishara, who remained in the syndicate of owners of Verry Elleegant with Goodwin prior to selling their shares ahead of her European campaign, said he shared some of his biggest highlights with Goodwin when racing the great mare. “We had a lot of good times together, particularly with Verry Elleegant,” Bishara said. “We had a magical ride. “The only regret we had is that we couldn’t get to Melbourne during COVID to see her win the Melbourne Cup, that was a real disappointment.” While they enjoyed plenty of memorable moments with Verry Elleegant, they also enjoyed plenty of success with her full-brother Verry Flash, who won 14 races, including the Listed Rangitikei Gold Cup (1600m), and placed twice in the Gr.3 Winter Cup (1600m). “He was a terrific horse in his own right but was overshadowed by Verry Elleegant,” Bishara said. “I think it is an appropriate time to retire him now and he will go to Rowena (Smyth, former jockey) who rode so many wins on him, she will give him a great life.” Through the success of his breeding endeavours through his broodmate gem Opulence, Goodwin was named the inaugural winner of the New Zealand Small Breeder of the Year Award for 2020-21. While racing was Goodwin’s passion later in life, rugby was his first love, and he spent years dedicated to the sport. “He played and coached a lot of rugby, he was very passionate about the sport,” Bishara said. “He was in Suburbs Rugby and he coached the Carter boys (John and Mark of Jomara Bloodstock), and that’s how they got them into the (Verry Elleegant) syndicate.” While Goodwin lost Opulence in 2022 and Zed passed away earlier this year, he was excited about the prospects of their last daughter Verry Stella, who is in training with Chris Waller, who also has her full-brother, So Suave, in work. “Waller has got the cracking full to Verry Elleegant, and they tell me that she is a gorgeous filly,” Bishara said. “It’s a shame he (Goodwin) wasn’t around a little bit longer.” Bishara said Goodwin would be greatly missed, and he will forever remember the great times they shared. “He was a generous man who was into his horses and pedigrees,” Bishara said. “We had a great time racing Verry Elleegant, she was an absolute freak.” View the full article

Trainer saddles up six runners on the expanded card, which is believed to be the first 10-race night meeting at the city circuit.View the full article

What Wagga Races Where Murrumbidgee Turf Club – Travers St, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650 When Tuesday, December 24, 2024 First Race 1pm AEDT Visit Dabble Christmas Eve racing heads to the Murrumbidgee Turf Club on Tuesday afternoon, with a competitive eight-race program set for decision. Participants will be racing on the Riverside circuit, and with warm conditions forecast in the lead-up, punters can anticipate a genuine Good 4 surface. All the action is scheduled to get underway at 1pm local time. Best Bet at Wagga: Associate The Danielle Seib-trained Associate appears set to peak third-up in the campaign and looks perfectly placed in the $40,000 Wagga Wagga Ryder Cup (1675m). The Star Witness gelding caught the eye when closing off impressively in the Nowra Cup (1600m) on December 15, getting too far back before exploding through the line to go down by a length. Barrier six should allow Pierre Boudvillain to take closer order, and provided Associate can sit within striking distance turning for home, this guy should justify the short price with Neds. Best Bet Race 6 – #7 Associate (6) 5yo Gelding | T: Danielle Seib | J: Pierre Boudvillain (55kg) +150 with Neds Next Best at Wagga: Tap ‘N’ Run Tap ‘N’ Run returns from a 200-day spell and must be considered the class runner in this BM82 contest. The son of Reward For Effort is undefeated at this course and distance, and although his first-up record appears average on paper, this contest lacks depth compared to what he’s faced in the past. He needs to lug 63kg to victory, but with gate one allowing the seven-year-old to land on the leaders’ back throughout, Tap ‘N’ Run should get the job done despite his lengthy absence. Next Best Race 4 – #1 Tap ‘N’ Run (1) 7yo Gelding | T: Ron Stubbs | J: Jason Lyon (63kg) +300 with BlondeBet Best Value at Wagga: Ferrari Man Ferrari Man drops back significantly in grade after contesting a BM70 at Canberra on December 13. He was only beaten less than a half-length on that occasion and showed plenty of fight when attempting to make all. Glenn Cahill takes 3kg off his back after the claim, and provided Ferrari Man can tick-over a soft sectional or two in the middle stages, this guy will give a bold sight at the each-way price with horse racing bookmakers. Best Value Race 5 – #1 Ferrari Man (3) 5yo Gelding | T: Andrew Bourke | J: Glenn Cahill (a3kg) (62kg) +700 with Picklebet Tuesday quaddie tips for Wagga Wagga quadrella selections December 24, 2024 1-2-7-13 2-3-7 2-3-4-10 2-9-10-12 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

HRNZ will be closed from midday Tuesday, December 24 and will re-open on Monday, January 6 at 8.30am. In the meantime we have staff assigned to cover core roles and will answer email enquiries. The contact point is : admin@hrnz.co.nz View the full article

A new initiative is being launched by Harness Racing New Zealand to encourage new owners. Labelled “Next Gen”, the scheme’s ambition is to be a game changer. “We want people to ‘Own The Thrill’,” says HRNZ Chief Executive Brad Steele, who’s the architect behind the project. “We need to get new and younger people involved, convey the excitement of owning and racing a horse, and provide pathways for trainers and others making their way in our sport.” Total new additional bonuses of up to $600,000 per year will be awarded to the connections of Next Gen horses during their 2YO season. Critical to the Next Gen scheme are the NZB Standardbred National Yearling Sales at Karaka (Auckland) on Saturday, February 15 and at Christchurch on Tuesday, February 18, 2025. Horses must be purchased there and then certain criteria have to be met. Three qualifying criteria : Sire : The yearling bought at the above-mentioned NZB sales must be sired by a stallion with his first, second or third New Zealand crop. In 2025 the Next-Gen eligible yearlings must be sired by : Bettor’s Wish King Of Swing Bird Parker On A Streak Zenith Stride McWicked Tall Dark Stranger Bold Eagle Elite Stride Propulsion Timoko Captain Crunch Lather Up Stay Hungry Face Time Bourbon Ultimate Sniper To be Next Gen eligible one of the following criteria also has to be met : Trainer No member of the horse’s training partnership can have won a Group 1 Race as of January 1, 2025. Or Ownership Ownership Groups must comprise at least four people, where the horse is owned 30% or more by people who are born after 1984 or have never previously been registered HRNZ owners. To incentivise owners to get involved there will be lucrative Next Gen bonuses. Yearlings bought at the sales are eligible for the three Harness Million races – Colts and Geldings, Fillies and Trotters. A $50,000 bonus ($35,000 will go to the owner, $10,000 to the trainer and $5000 to the breeder) will be awarded to the first Next Gen eligible horse across the line in each of those three races. A $5000 2YO Second Start bonus ($4000 to the owner, $1000 to the trainer) will also be awarded to any Next Gen eligible horses that have two race day starts during their 2YO season. To be eligible for the Second Start bonus the yearling must be purchased at the NZB Sales and sired by a Next Gen sire OR it must be a yearling (regardless of sire) purchased at the sales and trained by a non Group 1-winning trainer. This will be capped at 90 horses, with a total payout of $450,000 per year. FAQs : 1. How’s Next Gen funded? HRNZ is very proud to be working alongside partners TAB NZ and NZB Standardbred in fully funding this scheme. Funding has been secured for next 3 years. 2. Who will administer the Next Gen scheme? It will be run by HRNZ, and they will be responsible for all eligibility enquiries, administration, payments etc. HRNZ’s Head of Racing and Wagering Matthew Peden will be the first point of contact for any queries. He is at matthew.peden@hrnz.co.nz. 3. Do you need to pre-register for the scheme, and if so, how? It is preferred to have people pre-register their interest but if you have a bought a yearling you can contact HRNZ after the sale and as long as the eligibility criteria are met you can be part of the Next Gen scheme. 4. Where do you get more information? The HRNZ website will have a designated Next Gen page and there will be regular updates there and on HRNZ’s social media channels. HRNZ will also be on course at race meetings with an information booth to explain the Next Gen scheme. The dates and locations will be published on the website and social media channels closer to the time. 5. How long are horses involved in Next Gen? Horses bought at the sales will only be eligible for Next Gen during their 2YO seasons. 6. Do you need to have an ownership group or a trainer in place before you buy a yearling at the sales? No, you can buy a yearling and then sort out those logistics later. As long as the criteria are met before the horse races you will be Next Gen eligible. 7. How does the eligibility criteria work to get the Harness Million Bonus? You have to meet two of the criteria. You must buy a yearling from the sales from an eligible sire and then you have to met one of the other two criteria, either through the ownership group or by using a non Group 1-winning trainer. 8. How can you tell if a horse is Next Gen eligible? At the sales all Next Gen eligible horses will have a special sticker on them alerting prospective buyers. NZB will also make people aware at the time the horse goes through the sales ring. 9. What does success look like for this scheme? We want to see people getting enthused about new ownership and racing opportunities in our sport and we want yearling buyers to place their horses with emerging trainers. From an ownership and training perspective it’s all about widening the net and providing more opportunities for everyone. 10. Is this a one off and can you imagine the scheme will become a regular feature of the NZB Sales? Our intention is for it to become a long term scheme that will see new owners get involved in the sport. As mentioned funding has been secured for next three years. We think the scheme has real potential and that 2025 will be the start of something very positive for the sport. View the full article

Kingswood. (Photo by Brett Holburt/Racing Photos) Irish import Kingswood could be aimed at the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) in March, with trainer Gavin Bedggood cautiously weighing up the timing following a taxing spring carnival campaign. The gelding was last seen finishing fifth in the Group 2 Zipping Classic (2400m) on November 30, after claiming victory in the Group 3 Coongy Cup (2000m) during a four-start preparation. “I earmarked the Australian Cup for him, but it’s not a long turnaround from spring from his last run to that race,” Bedggood told Racing.com. “I will go and have a look at him towards the end of the year. He’s been in the paddock now for a couple of weeks, and I’ll see how he is looking. “It’s a possibility. He’s a pretty good galloper.” Reflecting on Kingswood’s recent performances, Bedggood added: “I would say we went to Sydney not quite at the end of his preparation, but he was on the way down, and then we went to the Sandown Classic. “I think 2400 metres saw him out, but I don’t think he’s all that at home on wet ground. “We may poke around the fringes early, then end up in Brisbane in a race like the Doomben Cup. We will see how his form stacks up.” Horse racing news View the full article

By Adam Hamilton A couple of sweltering Melbourne days have delayed the start of exciting Kiwi pacer Tact McLeod’s Victorian campaign. In the care of Anthony Butt and Sonya Smith, Tact McLeod was slated to open his assault in a free-for-all at Cranbourne on Saturday. “We’re going to hold back and wait another week now,” Butt said. “When he arrived down from Sydney, we had a couple of really hot days, so we decided just to take it easy on him. “Cranbourne was never a definite, more a good starting point, if it suited at the time.” Instead, Tact McLeod will go to the Group 2 Bendigo Cup on January 4. “That’s the new starting point,” Butt said. “The Ballarat Cup is also a definite target on January 18. Now he’s missing Cranbourne, there’s a chance he could go to the Shepparton Cup (January 11) in between Bendigo and Ballarat as well, but we’ll play that by ear.” Tact McLeod, who missed the recent Inter Dominion series with an untimely hoof abscess, will head to the Group 1 Hunter Cup (February 1) after Ballarat. It is shaping as a potentially thin Hunter Cup with dual NZ Cup winner Swayzee almost certain to miss it and doubts still lingering over defending champion Leap To Fame. “It doesn’t look as though those early races will have much depth to them,” Butt said. “Even the Hunter Cup if you take out Swayzee and maybe Leap To Fame it becomes a really attractive and winnable option. “We haven’t had him here long, but he’s a lovely horse, very well mannered. “He showed NZ Cup Week he can match it with the best and he’s still on the way up. “It was good to see him come out and win so well at Menangle the other week, especially knowing Mark (Jones, trainer) felt he was a bit short of his top going into it. “The gate speed he showed was exciting. As you know, gate speed is such a vital thing in Aussie racing.” Butt already holds the record with seven Hunter Cup wins as a driver, but it’s 11 years since his last victory aboard Mah Sish. “It’s always been a great race to me and I’m due for another one,” he laughed. View the full article

Keenelnd winning the Listed Super Impose Stakes (1800m) at Flemington. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained Keeneland is being aimed at the Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m) this winter following an explanation for his disappointing run in last month’s Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m). The gelded son of Almanzor finished tenth in the 2500-metre Classic, despite appearing to be a winning chance as he surged to the front on the home turn before fading late. “He looked like the winner and then he gave absolutely nothing,” Busuttin told Racing.com. “There had to be an excuse, and we had him scoped. The vets found he had an entrapped epiglottis. “Since then, he’s had a minor procedure to correct it.” Busuttin added: “He peeled out like he was going to win, which is what his jockey Hugh Bowman thought as well, but he just didn’t let down. “That’s no surprise, as that’s what’s going to happen when you can’t get any air in. “You just can’t pick up if that’s the case.” Acknowledging the quick turnaround from the Victoria Derby to Sydney, the trainers have decided to take their time, with their focus now on the Queensland Derby. Horse racing news View the full article

Parx has cancelled its live racing card Monday due to frigid temperatures in the Philadelphia area. Temperatures are expected to fall to 11 degrees overnight, with Monday afternoon temperatures forecasted in the mid-20s. Racing is scheduled to resume at Parx with a first post time of 11:05 a.m. Tuesday, but the forecast calls for snow and rain during the day as temperatures are expected to rise. The post Parx Cancels Monday Card appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Dashing. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) After four consistent runs this season without clinching victory, the Aaron Purcell-trained Dashing is set to target a breakthrough performance in Thursday’s Listed Lord Stakes (1600m) at Caulfield Heath. The five-year-old gelding has been knocking on the door with strong placings, finishing third in the Listed Cranbourne Cup (1600m) and second in the Werribee Cup (1600m) in his last two starts. However, Purcell also has the option of sending Dashing to the $300,000 Coastal Classic (1700m) at Geelong ten days later. “The plan is to accept for Thursday with Craig Newitt to ride,” Purcell explained. “I wouldn’t imagine it to be a super big field, with a couple of them nominated having gone around at Pakenham. “The weights are a bit strange, with Welwal carrying 60 kilos and the rest at the bottom with 54. If he (Welwal) doesn’t run, the rest will go up.” Reflecting on Dashing’s recent runs, Purcell noted: “Globe ran up to his best and was too good on the day at Cranbourne. “At Werribee, we drew a bit wide and had to work a bit early, which left us vulnerable late for Riot And Rose to run over the top of us. “He’s right there and just needs to draw a gate and get a bit of luck in running.” Dashing’s versatility and recent form ensure he remains a strong contender, whether at Caulfield Heath or Geelong. Horse racing news View the full article

Quietside, one of the country's leading 2-year-old fillies, will make her 3-year-old debut in the 1 1/16-mile $300,000 Martha Washington Stakes at Oaklawn Park Jan. 25, trainer John Ortiz said Dec. 22.View the full article

A close second in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint when stuck on the inside, Motorious will likely go favored in the Joe Hernandez Stakes at Santa Anita.View the full article

Multiple Grade I-placed Quietside (Malibu Moon) will be targeted to make her sophomore debut in the Jan. 25 Martha Washington Stakes at Oaklawn Park, trainer John Ortiz confirmed Sunday. The Shortleaf Stable homebred, tabbed a 'TDN Rising Star' following her 6 1/4-length debut win at Saratoga in August, was second behind expected 2-year-old filly champion Immersive (Nyquist) in the GI Spinaway Stakes and was third behind that foe while making her two-turn debut in the GI Darley Alcibiades Stakes. She was most recently seen finishing second in the GII Golden Rod Stakes. “Quietside is doing fantastic,” Ortiz said. “She came back out of [the Golden Rod] in great shape. Looking a little bit more tight and fit. She's really developing into her 3-year-old body. So, we're excited about it.” Quietside worked four furlongs in :48.60 (8/132) at Oaklawn Park Saturday. The Martha Washington will offer 42 total points (20-10-6-4-2) to the top five finishers toward starting eligibility for the GI Kentucky Oaks. Quietside, based on her finishes in the Alcibiades and Golden Rod, has already collected eight points. The post Quietside to Target Martha Washington appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Also working for the Malibu was Raging Torrent for Chief Stipe O'Neill. Installed at 9-2 on the morning line, Raging Torrent worked four furlongs in :48 1/5.View the full article

Following an impressive 10 1/4-length romp in his return to the races, 2023 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) winner White Abarrio jumps back into graded company as he faces 11 rivals in the $165,000 Mr. Prospector Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park Dec. 28.View the full article

Repole Stable's Accuracy (Arrogate), who romped to a 15-length maiden score at Santa Anita Oct. 19 and added a 7 1/4-length optional claimer win at Del Mar Nov. 29, will tackle stakes company for the first time in Thursday's GI La Brea Stakes at Santa Anita. The chestnut filly's back-to-back wins came at 1 1/16 miles and one mile and she cuts back to seven furlongs for the La Brea, where she is the 5-1 third choice on the morning line and will break from post two under Umberto Rispoli. “She's had two very good races back-to-back,” trainer Michael McCarthy said. “Cutting back to seven-eighths is maybe a little bit of a question mark. She's also drawn inside with speed all around her. Hopefully she'll bounce away from there and Umberto does what he sees fit.” Of the decision to target the La Brea, McCarthy said, “It's a Grade I and straight 3-year-olds. It's something where you have to give her a shot.” McCarthy will also saddle Sandy Bottom (Omaha Beach) in the La Brea. The bay filly, unbeaten in three starts, won on debut at Del Mar last September and added the Anoakia Stakes that October. She returned from a year on the sidelines to just hold off Grade I winner Tamara (Bolt d'Oro) in a six-furlong optional claimer at Del Mar Nov. 15. “I was expecting that,” McCarthy said of Sandy Bottom's comeback effort. “I've always expected a lot of her.” Sandy Bottom is 20-1 on the morning line in the La Brea. “It seems like she bounced out of her comeback really well,” McCarthy said. “The seven-eighths will be a little bit of a question mark with her as well. But she's got a favorable post position and we'll leave it up to Luis [Saez] tactically. She's a very fast filly in her own right.” The post Accuracy to Make Stakes Debut in La Brea appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Multiple Meydan group 1-winning rider Mickael Barzalona has been booked to ride Facteur Cheval (IRE) for his dirt debut in the Maktoum Challenge (G1) at Meydan Racecourse Jan. 24.View the full article