Wandering Eyes

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Wednesday’s Insights features a full-brother to G1 Irish 2000 Guineas hero Awtaad (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}). 4.45 Kempton, Cond, £6,000, 2yo, 8f (AWT) Phoenix Thoroughbred Ltd’s AL BATTAR (IRE) (Dubawi {Ire}), who topped the sheets when sold for €1.55 million at last year’s Arqana August sale, is a son of G1 Falmouth S. victress Giofra (GB) (Dansili {GB}) and debuts for the Ed Vaughan yard. His rivals include Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s once-raced Alhaazm (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}), a full-brother to G1 Irish 2000 Guineas-winning sire Awtaad (Ire), representing Sir Michael Stoute; Cheveley Park Stud’s Astrologer (GB) (Intello {Ger}), a homebred daughter of G1 1000 Guineas and G1 Coronation S. second Starscope (GB) (Selkirk), from the John Gosden barn; and Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Elamirr (Ire) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}), who is a Roger Varian-trained son of G1 1000 Guineas victress Ameerat (GB) (Mark of Esteem {Ire}). 5.15 Kempton, Cond, £6,000, 2yo, 8f (AWT) Jaber Abdullah’s FIGHTWITHME (IRE) (Shamardal), a homebred son of G1 Falmouth S. victress Music Show (Ire) (Noverre), gets a third opportunity to shed maiden status after hitting the board in starts at Newmarket and Newcastle last month. His opponents feature Lord Lloyd-Webber-owned stablemate Trapani (GB) (Shamardal), who is kin to six black-type performers headed by MG1SW sire Jakkalberry (Ire) (Storming Home {GB}), G1 Derby Italiano hero Awelmarduk (Ire) (Almutawakel {GB}) and G1SW G2 Derby Italiano victor Crackerjack King (Ire) (Shamardal). View the full article

The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s new racecourse in Conghua, China offers trainers a plethora of facilities above and beyond what is available at the Club’s two Hong Kong racecourses: four racetracks together with a 1100-metre uphill gallop; 20 spelling paddocks; a world-class veterinary hospital equipped with an X-ray unit, an exam room and operating suites, and a rehabilitation unit that includes salt-water spas and an aqua treadmill to treat injured horses. The Hong Kong Jockey Club has invested HK$3.7-billion (almost US$500-million) into Conghua Racecourse, which is situated in the Guangdong Province in Southern China about 200 kilometres from Hong Kong–three hours’ ride by car. Spread across 150 hectares, Conghua racecourse can house more than 660 horses in its stables. The racecourse was built with the vision to take Hong Kong racing to the next level and to create a more spacious and relaxed training environment. Land is sacred in Hong Kong, and the Club spent almost 20 years searching for suitable land to build such a training ground without much success. Conghua Racecourse was officially opened on Aug. 28, 2018 and nine trainers in Hong Kong, including former champions Tony Cruz and Dennis Yip, are now training horses out of both Conghua and Hong Kong. Horses are shipped to Sha Tin at least two days before running. The movement of horses across the border between Hong Kong and Mainland China means that maintaining strict biosecurity is a top priority. The Club and the government veterinary services of Hong Kong and China have established strict regulations and procedures to prevent outbreak of infectious diseases, and specific measures have been established for visitors. All visitors–including owners, trainers, jockeys and training staff–must go through the biosecurity entry point, wear a protective overcoat and have their hands and shoes disinfected to minimize the risk of contamination. The Club also maintains a strict no same-day entry policy where all the visitors must sign a declaration form stating that they have not visited any other equine facilities in Mainland China for 24 hours prior to visiting Conghua. “Conghua Racecourse is the largest strategic investment since the racetrack in Sha Tin was opened 40 years ago, when at that time only the Happy Valley Racecourse was available. The decision to expand to Sha Tin was similar to our decision to go to Conghua today,” says Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, chief executive officer of the Hong Kong Jockey Club. “Without the Sha Tin racecourse, we would only contain ourselves to Happy Valley. Conghua is necessary for the long-term growth of Hong Kong racing. “Conghua Racecourse also creates a perfect environment for injured and nervous horses to rest and take a break. For example, they can rehabilitate in the spa, and that will help them re-integrate before going back to racing in Hong Kong.” Although it has officially been in operation less than six months, the Club’s investment in Conghua is already seeing positive results in Hong Kong racing. As of today, 25 winners for the season have been trained in Conghua. These included the John Size-trained Special Stars and Country Star in last week’s International Jockeys Championship, as well as the Danny Shum-trained Regency Legend on the day of the Longines Hong Kong International Races. “In the early stages there were a little bit of reluctance among owners and trainers about training horses between Conghua, because of the distance between Conghua and Sha Tin,” says Bill Nader, director of racing business and operations of the Hong Kong Jockey Club. “And the early results have been so encouraging that people now not only accept Conghua as a world-class training centre, but they also embrace it.” The Hong Kong Jockey Club will next invest approximately HK$1.5-billion into the Sha Tin stables to bring the facilities up to the same standard as Conghua, Engelbrecht-Bresges said. View the full article

As expected, the dispersal of the breeding operation of Simon Munir and Isaac Souede dominated the final day of the Arqana Breeding Stock Sale, which brought the curtain down on the bloodstock trading season in Deauville with increases in both turnover and average. Nine of the 12 most expensive lots of the day hailed from the dispersal draft, which was presented on the owners’ behalf by Haras du Lieu des Champs. As befitting their former celebrated status on the racecourse, the headliners Ma Filleule (Fr) (Turgeon) and Gitane Du Berlais (Fr) (Balko {Fr}) shared the honours at the head of the leaderboard after they each sold for €220,000. Offered as lot 932, the 10-year-old grey Ma Filleule slipped her foal by Martaline (GB) several weeks in advance of the sale but she has a colt foal on the ground by the Haras de Montaigu sire after being barren to him in her first year at stud. She is likely to remain in France for the short term to be covered next season. Ultimately, however, she will join the elite band of National Hunt mares owned by Newbury Racecourse chairman and Champion Hurdle-winning breeder Dominic Burke, which board at Richard and Sally Aston’s Goldford Stud in Cheshire. “Dominic and [his wife] Val were over for the weekend but had to go home before today,” explained Richard Aston, who bought Ma Filleule on their behalf. “She was the one we wanted before the sale and we didn’t see anything to put us off once we got here. We all hugely admired her over the years but never thought we’d have the chance to buy her—when a chance like this comes up you have to take it.” One of the best jumping mares of the modern era, Ma Filleule was thoroughly tested in open company, winning at up to Grade 2 level over hurdles, as well as landing the G3 Topham Chase over the Grand National fences and finishing runner-up to Uxizandre (Fr) in the G1 Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. In 30 career starts, she won eight races and was placed a further 12 times, earning a career-high rating of 163. Aston added, “She hasn’t had the best start to her breeding career so we hope all her bad luck is behind her. If she can produce a foal to replicate her own performance it would be terrific. She’ll stay in France to be covered. There are plenty of high-class jump stallions in the country who don’t cover huge books, which is particularly appealing. Sadly Martaline will not be available but Doctor Dino (Fr), Authorized (Ire) and Kapgarde (Fr) are all being considered. We’ll let the dust settle before we make a final decision.” Peter Molony of Rathmore Stud in Ireland has solid dual-purpose credentials in the bloodstock world, both as a valued member of the buying team for Qatar Bloodstock and as a National Hunt pinhooker in his own right, with the Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Bobs Worth (Ire) among his successes. Given the job of selecting a top-class broodmare on behalf of an unnamed client, he opted for the Grade 1-winning chaser Gitane Du Berlais (Fr) (Balko {Fr}). The 8-year-old (lot 934) is another to have made repeat visits to Martaline and has a filly foal on the ground as well as being back in foal to him. Her first offspring is a yearling filly by Kapgarde. “She’ll head first to the UK and will then come back to me at Rathmore to foal and be covered in the spring,” Molony said. “She’s been bought with the intention of breeding to race. My client wants to build up a decent selection of National Hunt broodmares and this mare has the whole package: she has the looks, she’s a Grade 1 winner in foal to a good stallion and she’s young. Mares like this just don’t come on the market very often.” Trained by Willie Mullins after winning over hurdles in France for Robert Collet and being bought privately by Munir and Souede, Gitane Du Berlais went on to win six more races in Britain, Ireland and France including the G1 Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase. Anthony Bromley had already played his part in assembling this high-class band of jumpers for Munir and Souede during their racing days and on behalf of other clients of his Highflyer Bloodstock agency, he and partner David Minton stepped in again to buy the G1 Prix Maurice Gillois winner Utopie Des Bordes (Fr) (Antarctique {Ire}) (lot 938), who is in foal to Balko, for €120,000. They also went to €85,000 for Une Artiste (Fr) (Alberto Giacometti {Ire}), winner of the G3 Fred Winter Juvenile Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, who was sold as lot 938 in foal to Martaline. All told, the 21 horses sold through the Munir and Souede Dispersal accounted for €1,287,500 giving a significant boost to the final-day aggregate of €3,032,500 for 121 horses sold, which was up by 42% on last year. The session’s average was €25,062 (+34%) and the median rose from €13,000 to €15,000. The only sector in which there was a reduction was the clearance rate, which dropped from a solid 80% 12 months ago to 71%. For the four-day Breeding Stock Sale as a whole, turnover improved by 6% to €33,504,700 for 682 horses. The clearance rate of 76% was down by three points, while the average of €48,757 represented a rise of 7% and the median dropped slightly to €18,000. View the full article

William Perry, the longtime prominent East Coast trainer best remembered as conditioner of two-time grade 1 winner Formal Gold, died at age 71 Dec. 6 in Naples, Fla. View the full article

Another Triple Crown winner broke from the starting gate Dec. 8 at Gulfstream Park, though this one falls into a different category than Seattle Slew, Affirmed, and Justify. View the full article

Zac Purton came crashing back down to earth on Sunday night after stewards suspended the star jockey for three meetings following his two stunning Group One victories, but the Australian is hoping to put that behind him on Wednesday night. The reigning champion jockey will take seven rides into the meeting, including a number of strong chances and will be looking to add to his winning total before his enforced holiday begins after Sunday’s card. Purton will team up with Happy Valley... View the full article

A week is a long time in Hong Kong racing so a year would feel like an eternity for Ricky Yiu Poon-fai with his galloper Spring Win. It has been 12 months since the six-year-old won two races on the trot at Happy Valley before moving up in grade and racing uncompetitively since. However, jockey Neil Callan – who was aboard for both wins – believes a year of pain could amount to some gain with his rating finally returning to a “winning mark”. After only riding the horse... View the full article

A well-established fixture in the lead up to the Triple Crown, trainer Todd Pletcher is attempting to secure a record 16th training title during Gulfstream Park’s 2018-2019 championship meeting, while diligently working to unearth another jewel who can join his roster of five prior Classic victories. As recently as 2017, the seven-time Eclipse Award winning trainer employed his South Florida base of Palm Beach Downs as a launching pad for a pair of Classic wins: Always Dreaming (Bodemeister; GI Kentucky Derby) and Tapwrit (Tapit; GI Belmont S.). The TDN caught up with Pletcher, who provided a glimpse into his success at Gulfstream Park and offered a closer look into the development of the stable’s youngest and brightest racing talent. TDN: Why do you think Gulfstream Park suits your program so well? TP: Well, Gulfstream traditionally has a lot of 3-year-old races, and now that it starts in December. With 2- and 3-year-old racing, we emphasize that program. I think because of the timing and the calendar, it’s allowing the later developing 2-year-olds and early developing 3-year-olds to get ready. We’ve been fortunate enough over the years to have had five GI Florida Derby winners, so timing wise it works well for us. I also think that the speed-favoring nature of the main track plays in how our horses generally run. They’re generally into the race early on, and show some pace. So I think that suits them as well. {"id":3,"instanceName":"Articles No Playlist","videos":[{"videoType":"HTML5","title":"Todd Pletcher Talks Gulfstream","description":"","info":"","thumbImg":"","mp4":"https://player.vimeo.com/external/305605504.sd.mp4?s=0c5c2e7ed1f692f74df9512b7323b9ae043fbd39&profile_id=164","enable_mp4_download":"no","prerollAD":"yes","prerollGotoLink":"prerollGotoLink","preroll_mp4_title":"preroll_mp4_title","preroll_mp4":"https://player.vimeo.com/external/281449967.sd.mp4?s=b7485f32ab2c8512189fee9b10e4f87b059d2ea3&profile_id=165","prerollSkipTimer":"5","midrollAD":"no","midrollAD_displayTime":"midrollAD_displayTime","midrollGotoLink":"midrollGotoLink","midroll_mp4":"midroll_mp4","midrollSkipTimer":"midrollSkipTimer","postrollAD":"no","postrollGotoLink":"postrollGotoLink","postroll_mp4":"postroll_mp4","postrollSkipTimer":"postrollSkipTimer","popupAdShow":"no","popupImg":"popupImg","popupAdStartTime":"popupAdStartTime","popupAdEndTime":"popupAdEndTime","popupAdGoToLink":"popupAdGoToLink"}],"instanceTheme":"light","playerLayout":"fitToContainer","videoPlayerWidth":720,"videoPlayerHeight":405,"videoRatio":1.7777777777778,"videoRatioStretch":true,"videoPlayerShadow":"effect1","colorAccent":"#000000","posterImg":"","posterImgOnVideoFinish":"","logoShow":"No","logoPath":"","logoPosition":"bottom-right","logoClickable":"No","logoGoToLink":"","allowSkipAd":true,"advertisementTitle":"Ad","skipAdvertisementText":"Skip Ad","skipAdText":"You can skip this ad in","playBtnTooltipTxt":"Play","pauseBtnTooltipTxt":"Pause","rewindBtnTooltipTxt":"Rewind","downloadVideoBtnTooltipTxt":"Download video","qualityBtnOpenedTooltipTxt":"Close settings","qualityBtnClosedTooltipTxt":"Settings","muteBtnTooltipTxt":"Mute","unmuteBtnTooltipTxt":"Unmute","fullscreenBtnTooltipTxt":"Fullscreen","exitFullscreenBtnTooltipTxt":"Exit fullscreen","infoBtnTooltipTxt":"Show info","embedBtnTooltipTxt":"Embed","shareBtnTooltipTxt":"Share","volumeTooltipTxt":"Volume","playlistBtnClosedTooltipTxt":"Show playlist","playlistBtnOpenedTooltipTxt":"Hide playlist","facebookBtnTooltipTxt":"Share on Facebook","twitterBtnTooltipTxt":"Share on Twitter","googlePlusBtnTooltipTxt":"Share on Google+","lastBtnTooltipTxt":"Go to last video","firstBtnTooltipTxt":"Go to first video","nextBtnTooltipTxt":"Play next video","previousBtnTooltipTxt":"Play previous video","shuffleBtnOnTooltipTxt":"Shuffle on","shuffleBtnOffTooltipTxt":"Shuffle off","nowPlayingTooltipTxt":"NOW PLAYING","embedWindowTitle1":"SHARE THIS PLAYER:","embedWindowTitle2":"EMBED THIS VIDEO IN YOUR SITE:","embedWindowTitle3":"SHARE LINK TO THIS PLAYER:","lightBox":false,"lightBoxAutoplay":false,"lightBoxThumbnail":"","lightBoxThumbnailWidth":400,"lightBoxThumbnailHeight":220,"lightBoxCloseOnOutsideClick":true,"onFinish":"Play next video","autoplay":false,"loadRandomVideoOnStart":"No","shuffle":"No","playlist":"Off","playlistBehaviourOnPageload":"opened (default)","playlistScrollType":"light","preloadSelfHosted":"none","hideVideoSource":true,"showAllControls":true,"rightClickMenu":true,"autohideControls":2,"hideControlsOnMouseOut":"No","nowPlayingText":"Yes","infoShow":"No","shareShow":"No","facebookShow":"No","twitterShow":"No","mailShow":"No","facebookShareName":"","facebookShareLink":"","facebookShareDescription":"","facebookSharePicture":"","twitterText":"","twitterLink":"","twitterHashtags":"","twitterVia":"","googlePlus":"","embedShow":"No","embedCodeSrc":"","embedCodeW":720,"embedCodeH":405,"embedShareLink":"","youtubeControls":"custom controls","youtubeSkin":"dark","youtubeColor":"red","youtubeQuality":"default","youtubeShowRelatedVideos":"Yes","vimeoColor":"00adef","showGlobalPrerollAds":false,"globalPrerollAds":"url1;url2;url3;url4;url5","globalPrerollAdsSkipTimer":5,"globalPrerollAdsGotoLink":"","videoType":"HTML5 (self-hosted)","submit":"Save Changes","rootFolder":"http:\/\/wp.tdn.pmadv.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/Elite-video-player\/"} TDN: You mentioned the Florida Derby, and it is a stop that you have used with success in the past. You used it with Always Dreaming, who won the Kentucky Derby in 2017. In terms of its timing, why do you think that works so well for you? TP: I love the spacing of the Florida Derby–five weeks out from the Kentucky Derby. It’s ideal. We’ve also gone elsewhere– Super Saver won the GI Arkansas Derby three weeks out–so it’s not mandatory. The good thing about it is, if you’re fortunate enough to have some decent 3-year-olds, there’s so many good options everywhere. Generally, every weekend there’s a significant prep race being run somewhere. But the Florida Derby, I think, where it’s positioned on the calendar is ideal, and that’s why we’ve seen it as a very successful prep in the past. TDN: Now that you have a couple of Kentucky Derby wins under your belt and you’ve seen what it takes to win it firsthand, what are you looking for with your 2-year-olds turning three? What is the ideal progression that you want to see with a young horse? TP: Well, you know it just depends. You have some that you know what their established form is, so you’re sort of targeting some prep races early. Then you have some other ones that are just getting started and that you’re trying to figure out where they are. But in Always Dreaming’s case, even though he was still a maiden at this time, we had high hopes for him based on his 2-year-old form, so we were kind of laying down a program for him. Occasionally, you’ll have some step up and surprise you and, hopefully, you’ve already got a line on a few others from early summer and fall that you’ve been laying out plans for. It’s an exciting time of the year, you’re obviously hoping to see them physically develop and make that transition from two to three. TDN: Do you currently have any 2-year-olds that you think might be the type to potentially join the Triple Crown trail? TP: Well, we’re hopeful. We don’t have any obvious standouts at this point on the dirt, and I think [Red Oak Stable’s] King for a Day (Uncle Mo) ran a better-than-looked fourth in the [GII] Kentucky Jockey Club. He’s one that we have high hopes for, even though it’s only his third start. We’ve got a few other ones we’re getting ready to run, so the next 60 days are a really key period of development. View the full article

Kaleem Shah's Bellafina delivered a strong, half-mile workout Dec. 10 at Santa Anita Park and the two-time grade 1 winner convinced trainer Simon Callaghan she's on schedule for a seven-furlong tilt for 3-year-old fillies Jan. 6 at Santa Anita Park. View the full article

The Iowa Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association is currently conducting an online auction of seasons to more than 180 stallions from 16 states. Proceeds from the online auction will fund three stakes races for all 2020 offspring of stallions whose seasons are sold at this auction: the 2022 Stallion Futurity and two 2023 Stallion Stakes races for 3-year-olds, one for colts and one for fillies. The auction began Dec. 8 and closes Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. CDT. A list of the stallions donated and details of the auction are available at http://www.thoroughlybred.com/sites/itboa. Since 2008, the Stallion Futurity and Stallion Stakes have each averaged more than $90,000 in purses and, in 2015, a race for 3-year-old fillies was offered for the first time. The three races in 2018 had total purses of just over $280,000. A $5,000 bonus will be paid to the winner of any of the three races if the foal is conceived from a breeding season purchased at the auction. Stallion donations are still being accepted. Contact the ITBOA office at itboa@msn.com to donate or visit iowathoroughbred.com. View the full article

Renovation on the one-mile dirt racetrack at Indiana Grand Racing and Casino is currently underway and the $700,000 project is expected to be completed in March 2019 when the barn area opens for training. Gerry Porcelli, former track man for the New York Racing Association for more than 40 years and Butch Lehr, who served as track man for Churchill Downs for more than 45 years, are working in conjunction with Indiana Grand’s track superintendent Roy Smith on the project. “We are right on schedule,” said Smith. “We’ve been busy taking all the existing cushion off down to base and have been working with GRW from Lexington, who have done a lot of design work on racetracks across the country. We are receiving all new drawings and have shot elevations for the existing surface on both tracks. Once that is completed, then we will begin laying a new limestone cap over the existing base, which will take place before Christmas.” Smith continued, “In a project like this, everything is weather related. The stage we are at now with the renovation, the cold weather actually helps us. We will lay the new cushion down the last of February or the first of March when we get a window of decent weather.” The track renovation was identified as a priority of capital investments by Caesars Entertainment, who assumed ownership in July 2018. In addition to the track renovation, Caesars is also replacing the existing exterior stair wells on the grandstand, which will be completed before racing resumes in April 2019. “We are very appreciative of Caesars willingness to step up and tackle both of these capital projects during our off-season of racing,” said Jon Schuster, vice president and general manager of racing. “It really shows the company’s commitment to ensuring safety is at the forefront of their business, and improving the track at this level is a major plus for our entire racing community.” The 17th season of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing will resume Apr. 16 and the 120-day racing meet will run through Nov. 6. View the full article

The third day of trade in Deauville saw mares in-foal to young sires prove the most popular and all indices improve over 2017’s numbers. Topping Monday’s session of the Arqana December Breeding Stock Sale was the listed-placed bay Lykea (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}) (lot 660) from the consignment of Haras du Logis Saint Germain. Out of the listed winner and G3 Prix Eclipse third Alyzea (Ire) (King Charlemagne) and in-foal to Tweenhills resident Charm Spirit (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) who has his first juveniles this term, the 8-year-old was knocked down for €55,000 to Elizabeth Ribard. Her second dam is a SW half-sister to G1 Prix de la Salamandre heroine Maximova (Fr) (Green Dancer), who is also ancestress of top U.S. stallion Malibu Moon (A.P. Indy). The second of three lots to breach the €50,000 barrier on the day was lot 534, Listed Balanchine S. heroine Seeharn (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}). Part of the Haras de Castillon reduction sale, the 10-year-old was snapped up by JK Thoroughbred and brought €53,000. In foal to G1 Prix Jacques-le-Marois hero Al Wukair (Ire) (Dream Ahead) who was standing his first season at Haras de Bouquetot this spring, the bay’s dam is a half-sister to G1 Golden Jubilee S. victor Malhub (Kingmambo) and Grade III winner Dhaamer (Ire) (Dubai Destination). Anna Sundstrom’s Coulonces Sales consigned the two-time winner Brigh (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) (lot 773). Carrying to Group 2 victor Balios (Ire) (Shamardal), the 8-year-old caught the eye of Chris Richner Bloodstock for €52,000. One of six winners out of SW and GII San Clemente H. third La Vida Loca (Ire) (Caerleon), herself a half-sister to MGSWs Crimson Tide (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells) and Pharatta (Ire) (Fairy King), Brigh also counts Irish highweight Shahrastani (Nijinsky II) under her third dam. Two lots brought €45,000 apiece-Haras d’Ombreville’s dual winner Epouville (Fr) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}) (lot 634) and Monday’s highest priced foal, a colt (lot 818) by Haras de Bouquetot’s MG1SW Shalaa (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}). Oceanic Bloodstock purchased the former, whose second dam is responsible for top-class stayer and MG1SW Vazirabad (Fr) (Manduro {Ger}). Howson & Houldsworth Bloodstock were in action for the dark bay colt who is out of a winning half-sister to two stakes winners including Grade III runner-up Willard Straight (Lion Cavern). Compared to 2017, 211 lots sold from 267 offered (79%), up 5%. The gross was €2,075,500, and the average was up 2.9% at €9,836. Rounding out the positive results, the median also rose to €6,500 (+8.3%). The final session of the Arqana December Breeding Stock Sale begins at 11 a.m. local time. View the full article

Anothertwistafate (Scat Daddy) may have disappointed in his first racetrack appearance at Santa Anita last month, but the juvenile made amends with an effortless four-length maiden victory at his home base of Golden Gate Fields Sunday. “I was actually relieved,” trainer Blaine Wright said of the win Monday. “He didn’t show a whole lot the first time we ran him, but that was probably my fault. Yesterday, he showed us the kind of horse we thought he was all along.” Bidding on behalf of Canadian owner Peter Redekop, bloodstock agent Alistair Roden purchased Anothertwistafate from the Wavertree Stables consignment for $360,000 at this year’s OBS June Sale. The colt, who worked a furlong in :10 1/5 was the fourth-highest priced offering at the auction and went through the OBS sales ring just seven days after Justify, another son of Scat Daddy, sealed his Triple Crown championship in the GI Belmont S. Anothertwistafate trained at Wright’s Golden Gate base before shipping south for his six-furlong debut at Santa Anita where he was ninth, beaten 15 lengths, Nov. 3. “I probably never should have sprinted him,” Wright said. “Obviously, for us training at Golden Gate and taking him to Santa Anita, he took dirt in his face for the first time. Training on the synthetic, we don’t get any kickback. And he got a little green down the backside on my rider and kind of backed away from it. The only encouraging thing that we saw was, once he got clear in the lane, he did start making a move. The chart didn’t do him much justice on the race, but he did finish up pretty good and galloped out strong. I just chalk it up to trainer error. I probably should have run him a week before going a mile on the turf. He’s always shown he’s more of a stayer than a sprinter. Maybe in the end it will end up being a good thing getting some race experience.” Stretched out to 1 1/16 miles and back on his home track, Anothertwistafate was never challenged in a wire-to-wire victory (video) Sunday. “He galloped the whole way other than the last sixteenth of a mile,” Wright said. “He got just a touch green before that and he kind of veered in to the rail and Juan [Hernandez] straightened him out. Then from the sixteenth to the wire was the only time he really pushed on him. He never hit him with the stick. I think he really galloped until then.” Bred by Bryant Prentice’s Pursuit of Success, Anothertwistafate is out of Imprecation (First Defence). Out of Media Nox (GB) (Lycius), the mare is a half-sister to multiple Group 1 winner Nebraska Tornado (Storm Cat) and graded winner Mirabilis (Lear Fan). While the colt’s pedigree might indicate his future is on the grass, Wright thinks his charge is versatile enough to perform on any surface. “We probably will try the turf with him at some point,” Wright said. “But I don’t think surface is going to be an issue for this horse. He trains like gangbusters on the synthetic. He’s bred for turf. He’s been on dirt for the training sales and at Santa Anita. He got over the dirt well, he just didn’t handle it in the race real well. But I think going a route of ground, he’s got natural speed and he won’t be behind a :21 and change pace going a route on the dirt.” Wright said he was keeping all options on the table for Anothertwistafate’s next start. “We’ve got some good races at home at Golden Gate that will obviously be on our radar,” Wright said. “Most of the time those guys don’t come north to run on the synthetic track, so sometimes you can dodge the big guys in those races. We’re not going to be in a rush to jump back in with the wild boys real quick. We’ll just see how our horse comes out and trains good and see what happens. So there is no definite race picked out yet. The first-condition allowances are tough to get to fill in Northern California and we would probably entertain a first-condition allowance or a minor stakes on the turf at Santa Anita should that come up. But honestly, I haven’t opened the condition book to even look at anything yet.” Wright, leading trainer at this year’s Emerald Downs race meet, annexed a pair of Southern California graded races with Alert Bay (City Zip). The dark bay gelding carried Redekop’s colors to victory in the 2014 GII Mathis Brothers Mile and 2015 GII City of Hope Mile S. and was recently third in the Lure S. in Arcadia. Wright is hoping Anothertwistafate is able to follow in that veteran’s footsteps. “We’ve got our fingers crossed that he has a bright future,” Wright said of Anothertwistafate. “Hopefully we have another one that can take us down south.” View the full article

A $700,000 renovation project on the one-mile dirt racetrack at Indiana Grand Racing and Casino is running on schedule and is expected to be completed in March 2019 when the barn area opens for training, the track announced Dec. 10. View the full article

DEAUVILLE, France-With the major Flat mares having taken their turn in the ring as the Arqana December Sale opened on Saturday, the curtain will be brought down in Deauville today with some classy National Hunt stock. The traditional jumping theme to the final day of trade has been given an extra boost this year by the inclusion of a dispersal of 22 broodmares and horses in training owned by the successful partnership of Simon Munir and Isaac Souede. Among the major National Hunt owners in Europe, Munir was notable in his willingness to race fillies and mares long before the racing programme was enhanced in a bid to persuade others to do so. With his racing partner Souede, Munir has amassed an array of talented mares who have since become well-credentialed breeding prospects, but the duo has taken the decision to reduce significantly their breeding interests, which have boarded in Normandy at Richard Powell’s Haras du Lieu des Champs since that side of their operation began. “The numbers have got quite big and that’s actually the reason this sale is happening,” said Anthony Bromley of Highflyer Bloodstock, who buys horses for the partners. “They are primarily racehorse owners and the breeding side of it has mushroomed so they’ve drawn a line and said that from next year there will be no more foals, though they will race all the progeny currently in the fields.” He added, “Some of the fillies have been withdrawn as they are still racing prospects and have won in the last week, but they will be sold eventually.” Among those remaining in the draft, which has been reduced to 22 from 28 catalogued, is the 8-year-old Gitane du Berlais (Fr) (Balko {Fr}) (lot 934), whose seven victories include the GI Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase, and who is now carrying her third foal by Martaline (GB). She is joined by another Grade 1 winner, the comparatively diminutive, at least by jumping standards, but no less talented Utopie Des Bordes (Fr) (Antarctique {Ire}) (lot 942). The 10-year-old is carrying to Balko, while the Cheltenham Festival winner and AQPS-bred Une Artiste (Fr) (Alberto Giacometti {Ire}) is another in foal to Haras de Montaigu’s Martaline and will be sold as lot 938. One of the real head-turners of the draft is the statuesque grey Ma Filleule (Fr) (Turgeon {GB}) (lot 932), a top-class steeplechaser in her day who still very much has a spring to her step, though she unfortunately slipped the foal she was carrying this year. “It’s bittersweet in some ways,” admitted Bromley. “I bought all the horses and planned their careers, and Richard has had them at the stud. Isaac and Simon ended up breeding because they had so many good racemares. It seemed the logical next step, and in fact the breeding programme has been working. Raffles Sun (Fr) has won a Grade 3 at Auteuil and was Grade 1-placed recently, and this is just the first bunch of 4-year-olds.” Despite the dispersal, it may well not be the end of the association of Bromley and his Highflyer partner David ‘Minty’ Minton with some of the stock. He continued, “I feel proud to be associated with such a nice bunch of horses and fingers crossed they sell well for the boys. Minty and I do like a lot of these mares. They are all here for sale, it’s a proper dispersal, but we have other clients and we will be bidding on some of the horses.” Richard Powell, who is well known as a consignor of both Flat and National Hunt horses, and whose father David has had a long-running association with Bromley and Minton as the French advisor for Highflyer Bloodstock, added, “From a consignor’s point of view, it is a privilege to offer such a high-class draft. These horses have been with us for some years now and they are not just horses they are friends, so it’s a bit sad, but that’s the way it is and we’re looking forward to some new adventures in the future. “This a lovely opportunity for National Hunt breeders to buy a treasure, a mare you would keep for a lifetime.” View the full article

The New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC) voted by unanimous voice vote Monday to tweak a claiming price rule enacted in 2012 that had aimed to dis-incentivize owners and trainers from entering lame or uncompetitive horses in lower-level races that had been bolstered by gaming-inflated purses. The new rule will allow for some flexibility in setting claiming prices that are below the required 2:1 standard mandated by the NYSGC. It reads as follows, with the new language that was added to the existing rule highlighted in bold: “The minimum price for which a horse may be entered in a claiming race shall not be less than 50% of the value of the purse for the race, unless the commission approves a request from a franchised or licensed corporation conducting thoroughbred racing for a lower minimum price for all or a portion of a race meeting. The commission shall not approve such a request unless the track has implemented increased measures required by the commission to ensure close examination of the competitiveness, soundness and safety of each horse entered in such race.” When the proposal first came up in September, NYSGC equine medical director Scott Palmer, VMD, had advocated for the rule change, underscoring that he supported allowing flexibility in claiming prices because other protective measures have since been successfully incorporated to try and cut down on injuries and fatalities. According to a brief written by NYSGC general counsel Edmund Burns that was included in the informational packet for the Dec. 10 meeting, “various interested parties have requested the Commission to consider adding flexibility to the existing rule, identifying neighboring jurisdictions who have experienced safe racing with higher purse-to-claiming-price ratios. “The proposal would allow a Thoroughbred racetrack operator, with the approval of the Commission, to depart from this limitation under certain circumstances,” Burns continued. “The Commission has added the requirement that its approval to depart from the limitation will not be granted unless the track implements enhanced measures to ensure close examination of the competitiveness, soundness and safety of each horse in such races.” The new claiming ratio rule takes effect immediately. Two other proposals were advanced to the 60-day public commentary period, both by unanimous voice vote. One would set forth standards for backstretch housing at state-licensed Thoroughbred and harness tracks. “The proposed rule, which would provide, among other things, standards for buildings and residential rooms, sanitary, water, garbage removal and pest control, is generally modeled after the New York Department of Health’s Migrant Farmworker Housing regulations,” Burns wrote. “Staff from the New York Department of Health and New York Department of Labor provided significant input in the development and refinement of the proposal.” According to the NYSGC, of the 2,512 beds currently located on racetrack backstretches statewide, 2,261 (90%) are at facilities operated by The New York Racing Association. A separate proposal that advanced to the public commentary stage involves updating safety standards for helmets and vests at Thoroughbred tracks. Most notably, the proposed new rule would increase the maximum weight of the safety vest from two to four pounds “to permit the wearing of newer vest models, which provide enhanced safety,” Burns wrote. In addition, the proposal also expands the requirement to wear a safety helmet to apply to any person mounted on a horse, plus members of the starting gate crew, including the starter and all assistant starters. View the full article

The annual Longines World’s Best Racehorse and Longines World’s Best Horse Race ceremony is scheduled for Jan. 23. The event will be held for the first time at The Landmark in London, England after it was selected by Longines and the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities. The world’s three highest-rated horses-according to international handicappers–in the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings will be honoured, as well as the Longines World’s Best Horse Race. The award for the top-rated racehorse is a the trophy Equus, a crystal vase, while the trophy for the best race is a proud horse head. The highest rated race is determined by averaging the rankings of the first four placed horses. For the full listed go to http://www.ifhaonline.org. View the full article

I don’t see how the Triple Crown winner cannot be Horse of the Year. I go back to the days before the Breeders’ Cup was inaugurated and the Triple Crown is still the engine that fires this game. Justify did all that he needed to do to prove to me that he was the Horse of the Year. The Eclipse Awards are tough. I’ve had several that I thought deserved the accolade and didn’t get it. If they don’t win it with Accelerate, I’m going to know how John Sadler feels. In 2012, we had Little Mike who won the Breeders’ Cup Turf, the Arlington Million and the Woodford Reserve at Churchill. It just so happened he did that in the same year that Wise Dan came along and beat us. For us, there was no other award we could get other than turf champion. At least Accelerate will be older male champion. I don’t like to talk about other people’s horses, but I will say they were both great horses. It’s just that I’m a little more old school and, to me, the power of winning the Triple Crown is impossible to overcome. Dale Romans does not have an Eclipse Award vote View the full article

Sandy Dudgeon has been elected as a senior steward (non-executive chairman) of The Jockey Club beginning July 12, 2019 after the organisation’s winter meeting held in London on Monday. He will serve for five years and succeeds Roger Weatherby. Elected as a Member of The Jockey Club in 1989, Dudgeon served as a steward from 2009-2012, and joined the Board of Stewards in December of 2017. Currently a chartered accountant, Dudgeon won 60 races in point-to-points and under National Hunt rules and was previously a managing director of Thornhill, as well as holding directorship positions with Dunedin Enterprise Investment Trust plc and Man Alternative Investments Ltd. He is also a senior advisor at Schroders’ private wealth management business. “I am honoured to have been chosen as the next Senior Steward of The Jockey Club,” said Dudgeon. “I am looking forward to building on the great work of my predecessors from next summer, as we continue to ensure The Jockey Club plays a positive and active role in the long-term success of British horseracing.” Lord Daresbury will retire as a steward on Dec. 31 and The Hon Rose Paterson will join the Board on Jan. 1. Added Weatherby, “I am delighted with Sandy’s appointment and will be pleased to pass the baton on to him in July. I would also like to thank Peter Daresbury for his commitment as a Steward and welcome Rose Paterson, the current Chairman of Aintree Racecourse, onto our Board of Stewards. Her appointment helps to ensure The Jockey Club continues to benefit from an exceptional main board.” View the full article

Last spring, consignor Kip Elser and a longtime client came into the Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream Sale with five horses and an old idea made new again. The five 2-year-olds bypassed the typical pre-sale breeze and instead galloped down the lane during the auction’s under-tack preview show. The experiment proved enough of a success that the two men have purchased another group of yearlings this year intent on repeating the scenario at the 2019 Gulfstream sale. “We very happy with the first year,” Elser said. “We were very well received–both in the market, which is most important, and then with the buzz created by the whole thing. It has been very positive to the point where my friend and client is doing it again.” In addition to the five yearlings purchased this fall for the original client, who has chosen to remain anonymous, a further four yearlings were purchased by a separate group of partners. “[The original client] decided that he did not want any partners, but he did encourage me to put together another small group,” Elser said. “He thinks there is enough room in the market to expand it somewhat. So that is what we did. We are going with nine horses this year. It’s an exciting project. It’s a lot of fun. We are doing something a little different and we think people are getting a good look at these horses. We’re really looking forward to taking them out in public.” Three of the five 2-year-olds purchased as yearlings in 2017 under the name Gulfstream Gallop sold at the 2018 Gulfstream auction, led by a Noble Mission (GB) colt who brought $120,000 and a filly by Blame who sold for $100,000 to Dennis O’Neill. The filly, named Splashy Kisses, was a maiden winner at Del Mar in August and finished second in the GII Pocahontas S. at Churchill Downs. She was eighth in the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. “We feel great about last year’s results,” Elser said. “That vindicates the project. We have some later-developing horses who ran well first time and look like they are okay. But to have the one filly be graded placed in the first small group of relatively inexpensive horses is very gratifying. I’ve checked with everybody who has one and they are pleased enough. They are going to win their share, they think.” After putting a toe in the water last year, Elser’s client decided to increase his investment going into the 2018 yearling sales. “Last year was very much a, ‘Let’s throw a dart,’ experimental thing,” Elser explained. “It went very well. I think we ratcheted it up this year–we certainly bought more expensive horses.” Gulfstream Gallop opened its 2018 yearling purchases with a $50,000 colt by Bayern (hip 284) at the Fasig-Tipton July sale and purchased a colt by Flatter (hip 1756) for the same price at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale. It made its biggest purchase of the year with a $65,000 daughter of Street Sense (hip 123), one of three purchased at the Fasig-Tipton October sale. Only one of the yearlings was not purchased under the name Gulfstream Gallop, a colt (hip 229) who RNA’d for $100,000 at the Keeneland September sale. “He is a More Than Ready colt who was in Book 1 at Keeneland,” Elser explained. “We partnered up with Jack Delhomme, who bred him. He’s an old friend who used to play here in Charlotte. So he is the only one in the group who wasn’t bought and signed for by the Gallop group.” While the Gulfstream sale is still months away, Elser is already feeling positive about the 2019 gallopers. “I’m very happy with the group,” he said. “They are all up and galloping and putting in the days and the miles.” The Gulfstream sale will be held Mar. 27 next year and its date on the calendar makes it a perfect spot to sell these prospects, according to Elser. “I think if you get a little later in the year, you don’t have a reason not to breeze,” Elser said. “These horses are sitting on ready to breeze and I think if you get a little bit later in the year, like for instance at Keeneland where they are already running 2-year-old races, I think people scratch their heads about not breezing. So it got to be a process of elimination picking Gulfstream.” Elser stressed these horses will be doing exactly what was intended when they gallop in Hallandale next spring. “I think it is important that people know what this group is,” he said. “They haven’t been tried and found wanting. Right from the start this was the plan. As we did last year, they will two-minute lick down the lane at Gulfstream. The intent is to go just fast enough that the guys with the motion analysis cameras can get a read on them. That’s it. Whether you call it an open gallop or a two-minute lick, I don’t know. It is not a fast breeze.” View the full article

William Buick intends to appeal against the severity of the six-week ban imposed by the stewards for his ride in Sunday’s G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase. The jockey pleaded guilty to a charge of reckless riding after partnering the Tony Cruz-trained Pakistan Star (Ger) (Shamardal) to finish sixth in the Group 1 heat. Buick was found to have caused interference to both Waldgeist (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) and Red Verdon (Lemon Drop Kid) when going for a gap with a couple of furlongs to race, with the Hong Kong Jockey Club stewards suspending him from Dec. 17 to Jan. 28, which is equivalent to 12 Hong Kong racedays. Buick was also fined HK$20,000 for the rule breach, but intends to lodge an appeal against the sanctions. View the full article

In 2018, a new milestone was reached by a broodmare sire in Europe. Pivotal (GB) became the first-ever to be represented by as many as eight individual European Group 1 winners in a single year. And on only four previous occasions has a broodmare sire managed to top the annual list with five or more Group 1 winners. Danehill was the best in 2011, 2012 and 2014, siring the dams of seven, six and five Group 1 winners. Meanwhile, Sadler’s Wells sired the dams of five Group 1 winners when topping the list in 2005. So, only three stallions have managed to head the annual list with five or more Group 1 winners since the pattern began. That’s pretty exalted company considering that some of the finest broodmares have fallen short. Darshaan (GB) was a leading broodmare sire of Group 1 winners in Europe on nine occasions between 1998 and 2013, but the most he could manage in his best years was four, which he achieved on five occasions. Sadler’s Wells was at the top on four further occasions with four Group 1 winners and his son Galileo also had four Group 1 winners in 2016 and 2017, when he shared the title with Pivotal and Storm Cat. What’s remarkable about Pivotal’s success this year is the breath in aptitude of his daughter’s Group 1 winners. There were two juvenile six-furlong winners in Advertise (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) and Fairyland (GB) (Kodiac {GB}), and a five-furlong sprinter in Mab’s Cross (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}). One Master (GB) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) won a Group 1 over seven furlongs and Rhododendron (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Olmedo (Fr) (Declaration Of War) over a mile. Then there were middle-distance stars Cracksman (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and Magical (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). View the full article

As his odds of 1-5 make perfectly clear, there was nothing improbable about Improbable (City Zip)’s victory in the GI Los Alamitos CashCall Futurity. Nor was there anything improbable about a colt of his pedigree establishing a record of three wins from three starts as a 2-year-old. His sire, the ultra-tough City Zip, won five of his 11 juvenile starts, including the GI Hopeful S., and this son of the fast Carson City has also been represented by the Breeders’ Cup 2-year-old winners Bulletin (2018 Juvenile Turf Sprint) and Catch A Glimpse (Juvenile Fillies Turf). It was on the undercard of the opening day of the Breeders’ Cup that Improbable had earned ‘TDN Rising Star’ status with his effortless victory in the Street Sense S., over a mile of the Kentucky Derby course. Sadly, City Zip had to be euthanized at the age of 19 in July 2017, and his long-standing foot problems appear to have prevented him carrying out his stallion duties that year. At least he had been able to cover 129 mares in 2016, so we can look forward to a final crop of nearly 100, which will race in 2019. No fewer than seven members of this 2017 crop sold for prices between $250,000 and $500,000 as yearlings, which illustrates the progress City Zip made after starting his stallion career in 2002 at a fee of $7,500. He was originally based at Contemporary Stallions in New York in 2002, before being moved to Lane’s End Farm at the end of 2004. City Zip wasn’t just a 2-year-old. Although his tough juvenile campaign might have drained a less durable individual, City Zip made a further 12 starts at three and he was good enough to win four more stakes races, including the GIII Jersey Shore S. and GII Amsterdam S. All four of his 3-year-old victories came over six furlongs. Add in the fact that his sire Carson City had gained all of his three graded successes over six furlongs and it seemed fair to assume that City Zip would primarily be a source of speed. The fact that his two-year-younger half-brother Ghostzapper was versatile enough to win the Vosburgh, the Met Mile and the Breeders’ Cup Classic didn’t seem particularly relevant, as his sire Awesome Again possessed much more stamina than Carson City. However, City Zip proved to be much more than a one-dimensional speed sire. He proved very proficient at siring smart performers on turf, as well as dirt, and quite a few of his progeny have been effective around two turns. Two who combined turf prowess with a degree of stamina were Catch A Glimpse, who added the GI Belmont Oaks over a mile and a quarter to her Breeders’ Cup success, and Dayatthespa, a multiple Grade I scorer who landed the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf over the Kentucky Derby distance. Another who enjoyed Grade I success over a mile and a quarter was City Zip’s admirable son Collected, who defeated Arrogate and Accelerate to take the 2017 Pacific Classic, prior to his second to Gun Runner in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. At the other end of the distance spectrum were Work All Week, winner of the GI Breeders’ Cup Sprint, and Finest City, who landed the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint. It is a measure of City Zip’s talent that Work All Week, Finest City and Dayatthespa were all sired at $15,000, while Catch A Glimpse was the result of a 20,000-dollar season. City Zip also enjoyed Grade I success with Palace (Forego S. and Alfred G. Vanderbilt H.), Bustin Stones (Carter H.), Personal Diary (Del Mar Oaks) and Zipessa (First Lady S.), In the process of siring all these good winners, City Zip established an Average Earnings Index of 1.68, whereas his mares’ Comparable Index stood at only 1.41, which is another way of saying that City Zip often succeeded in upgrading his mares. It is going to be interesting to see whether City Zip can pass on his prowess as a sire to his sons. Although City Zip is easily the most successful of Carson City’s sons, with his ten Grade I winners, four other sons of Carson City succeeded in siring a Grade I winner, these being Pollard’s Vision, Flying Chevron, Hear No Evil and Cuvee. As yet, no son of City Zip has been responsible for a Grade I winner, but that looks set to change. The precocious Run Away And Hide has a creditable record with six graded winners, despite never standing at more than $7,500. Another of City Zip’s fast sons, the dual Grade I winner Palace, is based at Spendthrift, and will have his first runners next year. Collected is well placed to make a much bigger impact, as he begins his stallion career at Airdrie at a fee of $17,500, and Improbable has already done enough to be taken seriously as a stallion prospect. There is also good reason for thinking that Improbable has a good chance of becoming another good performer at up to a mile and a quarter for City Zip, as there is stamina in the bottom half of his pedigree. The one possible weak link is Stravinsky, the champion European sprinter who sired Improbable’s second dam Our Rite of Spring, who won the Exogenous S. over 8.3 furlongs at Aqueduct. It is interesting that Improbable’s dam, the four-time winner Rare Event, is a daughter of the Belmont and Breeders’ Cup Classic winner A.P. Indy. I have pointed out in the past that A.P. Indy’s son Bernardini has enjoyed considerable success with mares by City Zip’s sire Carson City. This cross’s statistics currently stand at 20 foals, 18 starters and 15 winners, with five of the 15 enjoying black-type success. Among them are the Grade I winners Cavorting and A Z Warrior, and a mare bred this way is the dam of GI Hollywood Derby winner Mo Town. Improbable’s dam Rare Event cost $400,000 as a yearling. Improbable comes from a highly successful Darby Dan female line which is no stranger to classic success, with the Futurity winner’s fifth and sixth dams being Luiana and Banquet Belle. It was Banquet Belle who provided John W. Galbreath with Primonetta, a champion older mare, and Chateaugay, a winner of the Kentucky Derby and Belmont S. Another of Banquet Bell’s foals, Luiana, gave Darby Dan Little Current, winner of the Preakness and Belmont. Improbable’s fourth dam, Darbyvail, was a winning daughter of the Epsom Derby winner Roberto and his third dam, Turkish Tryst, is by Turkoman, who gained two of his GI wins over a mile and a quarter. Turkish Tryst passed on some of the family’s stamina to her Danzig colt Hard Spun, who stayed a mile and a quarter well enough to finish second to Street Sense in the Kentucky Derby and to Curlin in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. View the full article

14:40 Fontwell As the only hurdle winner set to take aim at this 10 runner field Outofthisworld could be seen as a very obvious choice but perhaps that’s doing some of her rivals a disservice. The Alan King trained Midnightreferendum finished second in a Grade 2 national hunt flat race at Aintree and the form of that contest looks very good indeed. The downside to the King runner however is a slightly disappointing 7th placed finish on her hurdling debut doesn’t inspire a tonne of confidence but this race looks far less competitive and a finish closer to the front is certainly expected. The some what of an unknown quantity is Amethea. She’s not done all that much to take note of in her career to date but trainer Ben Pauling has his horses going well at the moment and its very interesting to see that top jockey Nico De Boinville travels to Fontwell just for this one ride. A possible each way shout for punters looking for a horse at a bigger price but I can’t see past the top weight who aims to add another winner to the long list of Harry Fry successes. OUTOFTHISWORLD (WIN) – NAP 15:30 Uttoxeter The fantastic thing about watching any national hunt flat contest is the promise of what might be. Youngsters taking one of their first forays into racing all bright eyed and green is a spectacle to behold and if you’re very lucky you’ll witness a future great in the making. Needless to say not all races in this sphere can produce amazing horses but based on breeding alone I’d be surprised if one or two from this race didn’t turn out to be at least half decent. Lots of the major jumps operations (even the flat with trainer Mick Appleby) are represented with surnames such as Fry, Skelton, Hobbs, Greatrex and Bowen listed amongst the trainers. It’s obviously going to be a hotly contested affair but I think any horse that’s already graced the course before is at a significant advantage and Just Rocky will just get the nod. Out of superstar long distance flat performer Yeats this five year old gelding is precociously bred and a 4th placed effort at Warwick should stand him in good stead for team Skelton. The un-raced Get In The Queue demands a close eye in the betting and North Star Oscar looks an obvious threat as well but Just Rocky may have that extra touch of class that’s needed to prevail here. JUST ROCKY (WIN) Southwell: 11:50 – Sylviacliffs (E/W) 12:20 – Fox Kasper (WIN) 12:50 – Chez Vegas (E/W) 13:20 – Epitaph (E/W) 13:50 – Carlovian (E/W) 14:20 – Esprit De Corps (E/W) 14:50 – Helen Sherbert (WIN) 15:20 – The Groove (E/W) Uttoxeter: 12:30 – Katebird (E/W) 13:00 – Alliteration (WIN) 13:30 – Just Don’t Ask (E/W) 14:00 – Kitikat (E/W) 14:30 – Volcano (WIN) 15:00 – Wish In A Well (E/W) 15:30 – Just Rocky (WIN)* Fontwell: 12:40 – Lee Side Lady (E/W) 13:10 – The Ogle Gogle Man (WIN) 13:40 – Tazka (WIN) 14:10 – Scoop The Pot (WIN) 14:40 – Outofthisworld (WIN) – NAP 15:10 – Bears Rails (E/W) 15:40 – Blue April (E/W) The post Picks From The Paddock Best Bet – Tuesday 11th December appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

The fallout from an action-packed Longines Hong Kong International Races continues with top European jockey William Buick appealing against the severity of the 12-meeting suspension he copped for his “reckless” effort on Pakistan Star in the Vase. After considering the matter, the Godolphin-retained rider has decided to try and get a reduction in the ban, which currently sees him out of action from December 17 through to January 28 and includes a HK$20,000 fine. Buick pleaded guilty... View the full article