Wandering Eyes

Now that he has that all-important pipe-opener under his belt, Masar (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) can hopefully begin the process of rebuilding back to where he promised to be in Thursday’s G2 Princess of Wales’s S. on the first day of Newmarket’s July meeting. Cut short after his G1 Epsom Derby triumph last June, Godolphin’s ‘TDN Rising Star’ produced a respectable effort after the layoff when fifth in Royal Ascot’s G2 Hardwicke S. June 22. Stumbling at the start and then too free throughout the early stages, the homebred may have a case for reversing form with Khalid Abdullah’s Mirage Dancer (GB) (Frankel {GB}) who was third after a perfect trip. Masar’s handler Charlie Appleby is looking ahead now. “He has definitely come forward for his run at Ascot,” he said. “When you are preparing a horse off a long lay off that has been running over a mile and a half at the top level, you can get them fit to a level at home but a race just puts the edge on them. He came into the race really well, but he just got a bit tired and he had nice blow afterwards. He was as fit as we could get him without getting a run in, but that run has definitely brought him forward and his preparation has gone well from Ascot to the Princess of Wales’s and he will be better with that run under his belt. He is moving well and his fitness is good. He is clear on ratings and if the Masar we are seeing at home turns up then they have him all to beat.” The Juddmonte team are hoping that Mirage Dancer can deliver something of note and the owner-breeders’ racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe is hopeful. “He was tanking along at Ascot, but to be fair it was only his second run start this season and you have to pretty happy with him. He has been straightforward since. I know Masar hadn’t run since last year’s Derby when they met in the Hardwicke and he ran a super race, so it will be interesting.” Two Royal Ascot winners line up, with Mohammed bin Hamad Khalifa Al Attiya’s June 21 Duke of Edinburgh H. winner Baghdad (Fr) (Frankel {GB}) joined by Mick and Janice Mariscotti’s June 19 G2 Queen’s Vase scorer Dashing Willoughby (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) who gets 12 pounds weight-for-age allowance from the May 4 G2 Jockey Club S. winner Communique (Ire) (Casamento {Ire}) and nine pounds from the rest. The card opens with the G3 Bahrain Trophy, where St Leger aspirants include the June 21 G2 King Edward VII S. third Eagles By Day (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}), while the 2-year-olds have their turn in the G2 July S. ‘TDN Rising Star’ Visinari (Fr) (Dark Angel {Ire}) will be a warm order following his highly impressive course-and-distance debut win June 8. Timeform’s Simon Rowlands has measured his stride length at 28.1 feet and therefore greater than Frankel (GB) and behind only Sea the Stars (Ire) and Black Caviar (Aus), so it is no surprise that Rob Ferguson’s grey is coming to Suffolk with great enthusiasm surrounding him. All that said, he is inexperienced and has the June 18 G2 Coventry S. third Guildsman (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) as a significant benchmark to aim at. Visinari’s trainer Mark Johnston’s son and assistant Charlie is keen to play down the colt’s current cramped odds. “I think it’s probably a little bit unfair on the horse that he’s as short a price as he is, to be honest,” he said. “I don’t see him as an 11-10 shot, or whatever he is, but I hope they are right. He’s only a once-raced maiden winner at the end of the day, but obviously there’s a lot of talk about him because a man with a stopwatch says he’s something out of the ordinary. He was certainly very impressive, but this is a big step up in class and it is a step into the unknown. Win, lose or draw, I’m sure he’ll be stepping up to seven furlongs on his next start.” Guildsman’s trainer Archie Watson is keen to take on Visinari with his smart juvenile and commented, “He is a very nice horse and he ran a very good race in the Coventry. This was the next logical step with him. I’ve been very happy with him since Ascot. Running at Ascot came only 11 days after his debut, but we did expect a big run. I think the first three in the Coventry are very nice horses. I think the track will suit and his running style suggests he will get seven furlongs in time, but that is something we won’t do now. He has already shown a high level of form and he is very laid-back. Everything should suit him.” The post Masar Headlines July Opener appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Charlie Appleby believes a drop down in trip will play to the strengths of G1 Melbourne Cup winner Cross Counter (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}) when he renews rivalries with Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) in the G1Qatar Goodwood Cup S. The Newmarket trainer will bypass an outing in the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S. with the 4-year-old in favour of a shot at the Group 1 prize on July 30. After finishing fourth behind Stradivarius in last month’s Ascot Gold Cup, Cross Counter will seek to turn that form around and stop John Gosden’s 5-year-old becoming just the second horse to win the two-mile contest three times after Double Trigger (Ire) (Ela-Mana-Mou {Ire}). Appleby said, “Cross Counter has come out of the Ascot Gold Cup well, and the plan is not to run in the King George but head straight to the Goodwood Cup. We wanted to drop him in on his first time over the 2 1/2 miles. They went strong enough early on, but he was not in the best position when they got racing. “He still showed plenty of class, the way he came into the race, and the drop back to two miles on a track he holds the mile-and-a-half course record on is positive.” A return to Deauville may be on the cards, meanwhile, for stablemate and ‘TDN Rising Star’ Space Blues (Ire) after he found only fellow ‘Rising Star’ Too Darn Hot (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) too strong in the G1 Prix Jean Prat on Sunday–with Appleby earmarking the G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest as a potential target on Aug. 4. The son of Dubawi (Ire) is also under consideration for the Oct. 6 G1 Qatar Prix de la Foret at ParisLongchamp. He said, “He is a tough little horse, and we might look at the Maurice de Gheest with him if he is showing the right signs because he has had a busy early part of the season. If we decide not to go to the Maurice de Gheest we will work back from the Foret.” The post Cross Counter Tackles Goodwood Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It is advantage John Size in the epic battle for the trainers’ title after snaring two late winners at Happy Valley to take a two-win advantage over John Moore heading into Sunday’s final meeting of the season.It is a contest that has captured the imagination of the racing public and the two heavyweights traded blows at the city track, making the last three races on the card theirs.Moore landed the first (metaphorical) punch when Magic Legend took out the seventh race to level things up at 74… View the full article

A total of 223 yearlings have been cataloged for the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale, to be conducted in two sessions Monday and Tuesday, Aug. 5 and 6, in Saratoga Springs, New York. Bidding begins each evening at 6:30 p.m. With no racing on Mondays during the Saratoga meeting, prospective buyers will have a full day to devote to shopping Aug. 5 “We have an outstanding group of yearlings to present to buyers once again this August,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning. “Sire power, depth of pedigree, and quality conformation will all be on display once again at Saratoga. The Saratoga Sale is statistically proven as North America’s leading source of Grade I winners and graded stakes winners. Special horses are sold at Saratoga.” The catalog for the Saratoga Sale features multiple Grade I-winning graduates Rushing Fall (More Than Ready, 2016, $325,000) and Stormy Liberal (Stormy Atlantic, 2013) as well as Sippican Harbor (2018, $260,000), winner of last year’s GI Spinaway S. across Union Avenue. The catalog features a nice mix of proven and up-and-coming sires and includes no fewer than nine offerings from the second crop of Triple Crown winner and Horse of the Year American Pharoah and four from the first crop of dual Horse of the Year and near $15-million earner California Chrome. Some highlights of the catalog on pedigree include hip 24, a Frosted half-sister to Japanese Group 1 winner Mozu Ascot (Frankel {GB}); hip 50, a colt by Ghostzapper out of a stakes-placed half-sister to MGISW Paulassilverlining (Ghostzapper) and GISW Dads Caps (Discreet Cat); hip 129, the first foal from GSW and ‘TDN Rising Star’ Super Majesty (Super Saver), a colt by American Pharoah; hip 134, a Curlin colt and first produce from ‘TDN Rising Star’ Taris (Flatter); hip 178, a New York-bred daughter of Uncle Mo-Artemis Agrotera (Roman Ruler); hip 206, a March-foaled full-sister to GI Preakness S. winner Exaggerator (Curlin); and hip 218, a Pioneerof the Nile filly out of 2015 GI Alabama S. victress Embellish the Lace (Super Saver). The catalogue may now be viewed online, and will also be available via the equineline sales catalogue app. Print catalogues are now available from all Fasig-Tipton offices. The post Fasig-Tipton Catalogs 223 for Saratoga Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Salcey Forest Stud, which since its inception in 2013 has purchased the five-time Group 1 winner Laurens (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}), topped the 2018 Goffs London Sale with Belle Josephine (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and purchased and managed sire Pearl Secret (GB) (Compton Place {GB}), has relocated to Warwickshire. Their 70 acres near Henley-in-Arden has an indoor and outdoor school, a solarium, a walker, a lunge ring, a gallop and a dedicated owners’ suite. “The business has been going from strength to strength and we wanted to move to a place that better suited our needs going forward,” said co-owner Daniel Creighton. “Sandall House Farm ticks all the boxes as we remain in a central location for our clients, but we have access to top-of-the-range facilities.” Josh Schwartz, who also operates C&S Bloodstock with Creighton, said, “We started at Salcey Forest in Northampton but quickly outgrew the facilities, so we are pleased to be moving forward. We are delighted that our loyal clients and staff have moved with us and we will continue to offer a high-class service from our new base, while we also look forward to welcoming new clients to the farm.” The post Salcey Forest Stud Relocates appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Wesley Ward has confirmed Richard Ravin’s undefeated Group 3 winner Maven (American Pharoah) an intended runner in the G3 Markel Insurance Molecomb S. at Goodwood on July 31. Having made a winning debut at Aqueduct in April, the American Pharoah colt travelled to Britain with the aim of providing his trainer with a third victory in the G2 Norfolk S. at Royal Ascot–only to be declared a non-runner on the morning of the race on account of the rain-softened ground. Switched to Chantilly, the chestnut colt saluted in the G3 Prix du Bois on June 29. “We’re heading for the Molecomb–that’s the plan,” Ward told PA. “I think he would have shown up really well in the Norfolk, and it was a last-minute decision to scratch him. I just didn’t think it was fair to the horse–especially with him being by American Pharoah–to let him run in conditions that probably wouldn’t have been to his liking. “It was great to see him win in France–it’s special to win any group race in Europe–and it vindicated our decision to bring him to Ascot.” Maven is set to be a belated first runner at Glorious Goodwood for the popular American trainer, following Happy Like A Fool (Distorted Humor)’s late defection from the Molecomb in 2017. Ward added, “I was all geared up to run Happy Like A Fool in the Molecomb a couple of years ago, before it poured down with rain and we decided to scratch her. I made it to the track, but unfortunately we haven’t had a runner there yet. Let’s hope for sunshine and good weather–and Maven will be there.” The post Maven Targets Molecomb appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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The Richard Collett-trained My Callisto showed his determined spirit when taking out the West Brook Wines 1600 at Avondale on Wednesday. The three-year-old son of Rock ‘n’ Pop was caught three-wide the entire trip after jumping from his wide barrier, but he was able to gather in the leaders down the home straight to win by half a length over Sheez Leica. Jockey Andrew Calder was pleased with the result after the pair finished runner-up on debut at Counties last month. “I don’t want to ge... View the full article

An increase in political action will provide policy and regulatory framework to remedy the declining water quality throughout New Zealand. It has been well documented that poor farming practises over the years have led to a loss of nutrients in the soil and pollution of the waterways, and that it is no longer acceptable. Not surprisingly the Waikato Regional Council, which has the one of the largest rivers in the country flowing through its region, is proactive in wanting to provide policy and r... View the full article

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Talented New Zealand-bred mare Another Dollar has never won at Doomben but she has the best form on the track of the runners in Saturday's Membership at BRC Handicap (2020m). The race has attracted a disappointing field of six but it is one of the more interesting races because every runner has a chance of winning. Another Dollar, who heads trainer Chris Waller's three runners, has had five starts at Doomben for four seconds and a third. It may not sound all that impressive until it is realised ... View the full article

Talented New Zealand-bred mare Another Dollar has never won at Doomben but she has the best form on the track of the runners in Saturday's Membership at BRC Handicap (2020m). The race has attracted a disappointing field of six but it is one of the more interesting races because every runner has a chance of winning. Another Dollar, who heads trainer Chris Waller's three runners, has had five starts at Doomben for four seconds and a third. It may not sound all that impressive until it is realised ... View the full article

Tony Pike is pleased with progressive galloper Sacred Day heading into Thursday’s Listed Grafton Cup (2350m), but he has a fair handle on his main opposition. A last-start winner at Doomben, Sacred Day has continued to impress Pike, but it is fellow Kiwi raider Igraine that the Cambridge horseman is wary of. “He is way out of the handicap, but on his best New Zealand form he would be a chance,” Pike said. “He has improved since his last run and he should get a good trip from gate one. ... View the full article

The attorney for Jerry Hollendorfer says the 73-year-old trainer has not received an official ruling from track management that the Hall of Famer cannot train or race horse at Del Mar and that both sides are working toward a "pragmatic" solution. View the full article

The Grant Plumbing Wellington Steeplechase (5500m) holds some great memories for Hastings trainer Paul Nelson and he hopes to add another victory in the race at Trentham on Saturday. Nelson has been one of Hawke's Bay's top trainers for many years, concentrating mainly on jumpers and has produced well in excess of 200 winners since he started training in the mid-1970s. His first major success came in the 1987 Wellington Steeplechase with Storm. “It does bring back some wonderful memories... View the full article

The attorney for Jerry Hollendorfer says the 73-year-old trainer has not received an official ruling from track management that the Hall of Famer cannot train or race horse at Del Mar and that both sides are working toward a "pragmatic" solution. View the full article

LEXINGTON, KY – The Fasig-Tipton July Selected Yearlings Sale produced results largely in line with 2018 figures Tuesday in Lexington as a broad buying bench of pinhookers and end-users purchased 202 yearlings for a total of $18,621,000. The average dipped 8.6% to $92,183 and the median remained constant at $75,000. WinStar Farm and the China Horse Club partnered to take home the day’s top-priced lot, paying $440,000 for a son of Flatter from the Indian Creek consignment. “All in all, it was about as expected,” Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning, Jr. said at the close of business Tuesday. “It was a fair and balanced marketplace and, statistically, it was remarkably similar to 2018 levels, which had a pretty good jump from 2017. I think it was kind of what everybody expected.” The 2018 July sale saw a 7.7% jump in average and a 7.1% increase in median from the auction’s 2017 renewal. From a catalogue of 364 yearlings, 300 went through the ring and, with 98 failing to sell, the buy-back rate was 32.7%. That figure was 30.5% in 2018. Tuesday’s $440,000 topper was one of 14 to sell for $200,000 or over, while 24 hit that mark a year ago. “It’s not an easy market, but it’s not an impossible market,” Browning said. “I think if you asked the buyers what their experience was today, it was pretty tough to buy the horses they wanted to buy, with very, very competitive bidding. And I think if you ask the sellers about the market today, they would say it was ok, it was pretty good, but it was a little tougher than we hoped it would be on some of the horses in our consignment. Buyers always want it easier and the sellers always want it better.” Bloodstock agent Jacob West recognized that there are plenty of yearlings still to be offered this summer and fall. “The right ones are bringing the money,” West said. “I know some people might argue there are a couple of soft spots, but, at the end of the day, it is the first [yearling] sale of the year. Everybody knows that there are a plethora horses coming up in the next months, so they are being selective and I think it is showing up in the market. I think if you lead one here that everybody loves, you get paid for it.” Consignor Duncan Taylor saw familiar trends at the July sale. “I think it is the same old thing,” he said. “If you have something that vets good and is the horse everybody wants, you can get a lot of money. The horses that are fairly nice horses, but still aren’t making the grade, are not getting sold.” WinStar & China Horse Club Strike for Flatter Colt A son of Flatter (Hip 22) sparked early fireworks at Newtown Paddocks Tuesday morning with the powerhouse team of WinStar and the China Horse Club bidding from the left side of the pavilion and top bloodstock agent Steve Young countering from the right side. When the dust settled, it was the China Horse Club’s Michael Wallace left signing the $440,000 ticket on the colt surrounded by WinStar’s Kenny Troutt, Elliott Walden and David Hanley. “We thought he was the best horse here from a proven sire and he ticked what we liked for our racing program,” said Walden. “He has great balance. I think he will look good in the stud barn if he can win a Grade I.” WinStar and China Horse Club have teamed up over the past few years with a focus on buying Classic-type colts. The partnership, along with SF Racing, Starlight Racing and Madaket Stables, has campaigned the likes of Triple Crown hero Justify (Scat Daddy) and GI Florida Derby victor Audible (Into Mischief). As for the price on the Flatter yearling, Walden said, “He was right where we thought he would be. That is where the market should be on a colt like that.” Consignor Indian Creek’s Shack Parrish was pleased, but not surprised by the colt’s price tag. “I’d say we are happy,” Parrish said. “It might have been a little above, but not much. We knew if the end users stayed in, we could go there. If it was pinhookers, it would be another number, but the end users stayed in. The owner [Susan King], or ex-owner, is down at the barn hugging on him.” He continued, “The level of interest has been overwhelming. He was foaled at our farm, went back to Susan’s farm in Ohio, was weaned and came back. We knew he was nice, but in the last month and a half, he really did well. Susan raises these wonderful horses and our staff did an outstanding job getting him ready.” —@CDeBernardisTDN Small Breeder Makes Big Profit at F-T July Susan King keeps just 10 mares at her farm located 50 miles north of Cincinnati, Ohio, and she had her biggest sales success to date Tuesday when a Flatter colt she bred summoned $440,000 from WinStar’s Maverick Racing and the China Horse Club. “It was a surprise,” said King, whose husband Alan was shaking his head, adding he was not surprised by the final price. “I felt like he was well received, but I did not think that at all. It is very exciting. This is my best sale to date.” Hip 22 is out of King-bred and MSP Ruth and Neva, who is a half-sister to GSW Sassy Sienna (Midshipman), who was purchased by Maverick Racing for $775,000 at last term’s Keeneland November Sale. The mare’s now-3-year-old filly Paynterbynumbers (Paynter) was a $95,000 FTKOCT yearling turned $200,000 BARAPR 2-year-old purchased by Michael Dubb. Ruth and Neva produced a Classic Empire colt Mar. 7 of this year. When asked why she chose Flatter for the 11-year-old mare, who has only produced five foals, with two to race thus far, King said, “I think Flatter is a consistent stallion and gets runners. I was trying to breed something that would be a runner for her, something more proven.” Hip 22 proved himself to be one to watch from the start, according to King, whose program is half Kentucky-breds and half Ohio-breds. “He always seemed to be very forward,” the breeder said. “He is a very friendly and kind colt, easy to be around. He always looked good. When people came to the farm, they always asked, ‘Who’s that?’ I always had a good feeling, but being such a small farm with six to seven foals per year, it is kind of hard to know where something really stacks up. I sent him to Kentucky to prep with Indian Creek and the rest is history. I had no idea he was that much of a standout. It is just so exciting.” —@CDeBernardisTDN Freshman Sires Continue to Standout at July The Fasig-Tipton July Yearling Sale tends to be a showcase for first-year sires, and this year was no different. Seven freshman had offspring summon $200,000 or over, led by Darley’s Frosted (Tapit) and Nyquist (Uncle Mo), who were both represented by $330,000 yearlings. Other freshman standouts include Outwork (Uncle Mo) (top yearling of $300,000), Speightster (Speightstown) ($285,000), Runhappy (Super Saver) ($225.000), Brody’s Cause (Giant’s Causeway) ($240,000) and Not This Time (Giant’s Causeway) ($200,000). Exaggerator (Curlin) and Upstart (Flatter) did not break the $200,000 threshhold, but each held their own, with the former’s top seller bringing $170,000 and the latter’s summoning $140,000. FROSTED Foals from the first crop of three-time Grade I winner Frosted were very popular at the weanling sales last year and the demand for his offspring continued during 2019’s first yearling auction. His top-priced yearling Tuesday was a $330,000 filly (Hip 246), signed for by Danielle Bricker on behalf of Let’s Go Stables. Bred by H. Allen Poindexter, the gray daughter of SP Humble Street (Street Sense) was consigned by Wynnstay Sales. “I really loved the Frosteds as weanlings,” said Bricker, who works for trainer Todd Pletcher and his clients. “I think he is going to be a good sire for racing. She just looked very athletic, had a huge walk to her, good angles. Overall, I just think she is the perfect size. As soon as she grows a little bit and fills out, she is going to be what we want to see on the racetrack.” Frosted’s most expensive weanling last year was a $310,000 colt and he had a filly sell for $300,000 with his weanlings averaging at $184,230. Due to his success in 2018, Bricker was not surprised that Hip 246 brought the price she did. “We expected it,” said Bricker. “With the way the market has been showing and the way the Frosteds sold as yearlings, I expected she would be a bit pricey.” Justin Casse also supported Frosted, going to $275,000 for a colt (Hip 158) consigned by Lane’s End on behalf of breeder G. Watts Humphrey, Jr. The bay is out of Candy Crush (Candy Ride {Arg}), who is a half-sister to GSW English Affair (English Channel), SW & MGSP Seruni (Saint Liam) and SW Roman Emperor (Empire Maker). “I think Frosted’s performance in Saratoga and in the [GI] Met Mile is very memorable, so he was a dynamic racehorse,” said Casse, who was buying on behalf of an undisclosed client of both him and his brother, trainer Mark Casse. “I would say he is a very appealing first-year season, especially here, and this was one of the better pedigreed, first-year sired horses in the sale. He was really a smooth colt, good angles, athleticism, good walk. He looks like he will [go] two turns.” Four of the five Frosted yearlings in the catalogue sold with one RNA. The group average was $228,750 with a median of $217,500. Frosted’s first crop was bred on a $50,000 stud fee, which has remained steady in his two subsequent seasons. “There is no doubt that from the get-go he was producing very strong physicals,” said Darley’s Darren Fox. “Frequently, mare owners said, his were the mare’s best foal. We saw early on that they tended to hit you in the face with their physique and they stayed that way. He has some very nice ones for Saratoga and for the rest of the year. We are very pleased with how they have developed and he certainly looks primed to make his mark, so we are very excited.” NYQUIST Not to be outdone by his stablemate at Jonabell, champion juvenile and GI Kentucky Derby hero Nyquist tied Frosted for highest-priced yearling by a first-crop sire with a $330,000 colt (Hip 333) purchased by bloodstock agent Ben McElroy. “It is for the same partnership that owns ‘TDN Rising Star’ Nayibeth (Carpe Diem),” said McElroy, who was acting on behalf of Meribelle Stables and Dr. Ramon Tallaj. “I liked [the Nyquists] when I saw them as foals. This horse was a really nice horse with a top physical. I liked his brother when he sold a few years ago with Ciaran Dunne.” He continued, “I thought he was one of the nicest horses in the sale. Nyquist was a phenomenal racehorse, champion 2-year-old, who won the Kentucky Derby, what’s not to like?” The colt, who is a half to SW & MGISP Red Vine (Candy Ride {Arg}), was bred by Highclere and Springtown Show Stables and was consigned by Stuart Morris. “I think it is hard to expect any horse to be received that well,” said Morris. “We had high hopes that he could and we are very excited to see him in Wesley Ward’s barn. He is a homebred for my father and a longtime partner of ours named Tim Wicks.” The horseman continued, “My impressions [of Nyquist’s first crop] are limited because that is one of the only ones I have been around and he is pretty nice, so my impression of Nyquist is pretty high. I think he is a very exciting young stallion and he has a bright future.” Darley’s Darren Fox, who has much more experience with Nyquist’s first crop, expressed similar sentiments. “He is a stallion who has been replicating himself pretty consistently,” said Fox. “He tends to stamp them. They are very nice, well-balanced horses and a lot of them are solid bays like he is. They seem to have good temperaments and just be very straightforward and very nice horses. Given what he achieved as an unbeaten 2-year-old through the [GI Kentucky] Derby, he definitely caught a lot of people’s imagination. I think the market is primed for his progeny.” Hip 333 was the highest-priced of three Nyquist yearlings to sell during Tuesday’s sale. The bay, who has stood for $40,000 in each of his three seasons at stud, was also represented by Hip 70, who sold to Jacob West for $70,000, and Hip 315, who brought $10,000 from Webb Carroll Training Center. OUTWORK This GI Wood Memorial S.-winning son of Uncle Mo had 10 six-figure yearlings during Tuesday’s auction, topped by a $300,000 colt (Hip 134). The WinStar stallion had 12 yearlings in this auction; 10 sold after one out and one RNA for an average of $107,500. This group was bred on a $15,000 stud fee, which Outwork also stood for in 2018 and 2019. “They look like Uncle Mos and I think people can see that,” said WinStar’s Elliott Walden. “With him being a horse that was 17 hands and could win at 4 1/2 furlongs and being the first winner for Uncle Mo is extremely impressive and he comes from a beautiful family. There is a lot to like about him and we felt like that when we stood him. He was received extremely well.” He continued, “They are big, good-looking horses. Physically, they are well developed, which bodes well for them being 2-year-olds.” Taylor Made Sales consigned the top-priced Outwork colt, who they purchased as a weanling for just $50,000. They also sold a filly by the stallion (hip 84), who was a $150,000 post-sale purchased by Crow-Sharp Ventures. “From what I’ve seen go through, I think he is doing a great job,” said Taylor Made’s Duncan Taylor. “We had a filly that was bought back, but was sold after the sale, so I think he is doing exceptional.” SPEIGHTSTER Standing alongside Outwork at WinStar is another promising freshman sire in GIII Dywer S. victor Speightster, whose sire Speightstown also resides in Kenny Troutt’s stallion barn. Jacob West went to $285,000 to secure a colt from the young stallion’s first crop (hip 169) on behalf of owners Robert and Lawana Low. “Speightster only got to show his brilliance a handful of times during his race career, but he was a brilliant horse,” West said. “He is very well-bred and has a license to become a brilliant stallion.” The bloodstock agent continued, “This colt in particular is from a very fast family with [Grade I winner] Capo Bastone (Street Boss) under the second dam. I have a lot of respect for him. We just thought he looked like a fast horse with a fast pedigree. Mr. and Mrs. Low got in behind and we got the horse.” West was not surprised by the colt’s price tag despite the fact his sire is still unproven. “From the second I saw him, I knew he was going to be expensive,” West said. “I loved him. We were prepared to spend that much. We had an idea he would be very popular.” Consigned by Denali Stud, Hip 169 was bred by WinStar out of the Mizzen Mast mare Cheap Perfume, a half-sister to the aforementioned Capo Bastone, winner of the GI King’s Bishop S. and a ‘TDN Rising Star.’ “We really liked him and thought he was one of the top five colts in the sale,” Walden said. “[WinStar’s] David [Hanley] put him in here to showcase the stallion.” Speightster stood his first season in 2017 for a fee of just $10,000 and he was offered at the same price in both 2018 and 2019. His six yearlings sold Tuesday averaged $140,833 with a median of $122,500. “We have liked all the Outworks and the Speightsters,” said Walden. “We really liked an Exaggerator, Hip 9, earlier in the sale as well [who brought $170,000 from Ciaran Dunne’s North London Bloodstock]. So we are happy with all of the stallions, Tourist (Tiznow) as well.” Dunne was also quite pleased with his purchase of Hip 9, saying, “Exaggerator could run and the colt we bought was smooth and an easy mover. I think we very lucky with the Exaggerator colt because we got in there early and we bought him. I’ll tell you next year how lucky we were.” —@CDeBernardisTDN McPeek, Leeds Make it Work Two years ago at the Fasig July sale, Ken McPeek acquired a colt from the first crop of Cairo Prince for Scott Leeds’s Walking L Thoroughbreds. The yearling turned into graded stakes-winning juvenile Cairo Cat. McPeek was back in action on behalf of the owner Tuesday in Lexington, going to $300,000 to purchase a colt from the first crop of GI Wood Memorial winner Outwork (Uncle Mo) from the Taylor Made Sales Agency consignment. “There was a lot of Uncle Mo coming out in this colt,” McPeek said. “I was fortunate enough to be around him a bit when he was young and he looked a lot like him. He might even be a better-looking horse than Uncle Mo himself. It looks like he’ll grow into himself.” The yearling (hip 134) is out of graded stakes-placed Back Spin (Successful Appeal). Bred by Jose Luis Espinoza, the colt was purchased by D W Partners for $50,000 at last year’s Keeneland November sale. “We bought him to pinhook,” said Taylor Made’s Duncan Taylor. “You never expect $300,000, but he was a very nice horse. We had a lot of interest, a lot of activity and he looked very good. It exceeded our expectations.” McPeek purchased 11 horses Tuesday for a total of $1.4 million. He also purchased a filly by Runhappy (hip 202) for $225,000 and a colt by Summer Front (hip 360) for $200,000. @JessMartiniTDN Young Strikes for Empire Maker Colt A colt from Empire Maker’s second crop since being repatriated to Gainesway from Japan sold for $300,000 to bloodstock agent Steve Young Tuesday at Fasig-Tipton. The yearling (hip 320) was consigned by Shawhan Place as agent for his breeders, Austin and Brenda Paul. “I liked the Empire Maker of Gainesway’s,” Young said, referring to the Gainesway-consigned hip 263, a granddaughter of MGISP Resort (Pleasant Colony), who RNA’d for $245,000 earlier in the session. “I always thought that Phipps family, especially coming through Resort, would throw a terrific horse, but when we went and looked at this horse, this is a faster, quicker, athletic horse, to me, plus he comes from [GISW] Materiality’s family. So, if he’s as good as that horse is, we’ll be all right.” Austin and Brenda Paul purchased the yearling’s unraced dam Miss Patchouli (Bernardini) for $160,000 at the 2013 Keeneland November sale. She is a half-sister to Grade I winner Snow Ridge (Tobasco Cat) and stakes winner Pavarotti (A.P. Indy). Materiality, winner of the GI Florida Derby, appears under the yearling’s third dam. “He was a rockstar for us up here from day one,” said Shawhan Place Farm Manager Gus Koch. “He’s a nice big colt and very classy. He did everything we asked of him. We brought him here hoping he’d be the standout of the sale and we feel he was. So our plan paid out perfectly.” @JessMartiniTDN Munnings Colt to Cox A colt by Munnings will be joining the barn of trainer Brad Cox after the partnership of Rick Keuber and Ten Strike Racing purchased the yearling for $265,000 Tuesday at Fasig-Tipton. Bloodstock agent Liz Crow, standing alongside Cox in the pavilion, signed the ticket on the bay (hip 105), who is the first foal out of the unraced Walking Miracle (Into Mischief). “Brad loved the horse and I loved the horse,” Crow said. “The Munnings side on top looks quick, you could see that physically, and the Into Mischief showed a lot through his physical as well.” The bay colt, consigned by Eaton Sales, is from the family of Grade I winner Mast Track. Bred by McCauley Farms and Nathan McCauley, the youngster sold to Bloodstock Management Services for $55,000 at last year’s Keeneland November sale. Crow was busy during Tuesday’s first yearling sale of the season, ultimately purchasing five yearlings. In addition to hip 105, she purchased another Munnings colt (hip 144) for $120,000, an Outwork filly (hip 84) for $150,000 and a Point of Entry filly (hip 229) for $130,000. “We liked a lot of the physicals here,” she said. “[Keeneland] September is always strong and there are a lot of agents who aren’t here at this sale. I always find if you don’t strike now, you end up regretting it in September.” @JessMartiniTDN Campion Strikes Early at Fasig July Padraig Campion’s Blandford Stud had just one yearling to send through the sales ring at Fasig-Tipton and the colt went through in the opening stages of Tuesday auction, but it was a good one. Hip 9, a colt from the first crop of GI Preakness S. winner Exaggerator, sold for $170,000 to pinhooker Ciaran Dunne, who signed the ticket as North London Bloodstock. Blandford Stud had purchased Radiant Ruby (Tale of the Cat), with the colt in utero, for $42,000 at the 2017 Keeneland November sale, and the yearling was co-bred by the operation and Brian O’Rourke. “He didn’t bring as much as I wanted, but he brought more than I was expecting,” Campion said with a laugh. He continued, “I think he’s a very special colt and we’ll be hearing about him.” Radiant Ruby is a daughter of Throw to Home (Grand Slam) and her second dam is Slide (Smarten), who produced graded stakes winner Santiva. Campion had plenty of experience with the family when the mare went through the ring at Keeneland. “I had sold a bunch of horses out of Slide, so I knew the pedigree very well,” Campion said. “And we actually claimed Throw to Home. She died after having two foals, so that explains the pedigree being a little bit light there. When we saw her in the sale, we decided we’d have a crack.” But Campion’s knowledge of the pedigree wasn’t the only reason to add the broodmare to his band. “Plus, she was hip number 2346 and that was [part of] our phone number.” he said jokingly. “So I thought that was a sign. And then the colt came out looking like that.” Blandford Stud has a broodmare band of four head and Campion said, “Radiant Ruby is the number one now.” While the 8-year-old mare’s 2019 foal died, she is currently in foal to Midnight Lute. Hip 9 was Exaggerator’s first yearling to go through the sales ring. Campion sees plenty to be optimistic about the stallion who won the 2016 Preakness, GI Haskell Invitational and GI Santa Anita Derby. “You can’t go wrong–it’s the first year and they haven’t done anything wrong yet,” he said. “Exaggerator was a racehorse. You win three Grade Is, that’s quite a good thing. And he’s by Curlin. He has every chance to make it, especially if they all look like this one.” Blandford Stud eased into the yearling sales season with the one-horse consignment, but Campion is gearing up for a busy fall of selling. “I have to thank Gerry Dilger at Dromoland [Farm], he got him ready for us because we only had the one horse,” Campion said. “So Gerry did his usual outstanding job.” @JessMartiniTDN The post Steady Results at F-T July appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Korean students on an educational tour at Kranji View the full article

England expects as Cruiser takes another stab in July View the full article

Pike booked on King Louis in Derby View the full article

Fort Erie Race Track announced today that effective immediately, there will be a five percent increase in purse scale for the remainder of the 2019 racing season. View the full article

Cheval Grand (JPN) (Heart’s Cry {JPN}), winner of the 2017 G1 Japan Cup, will arrive in Newmarket on Thursday ahead of his intended start in the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S. at Ascot on July 27. Trained by Yasuo Tomomichi for former Japanese baseball star Kazuhiro Sasaki, the 7-year-old was last seen finishing runner-up to Old Persian (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan in March. Prior to that he had been placed in the G1 Arima Kinen and also in his third consecutive start in the Japan Cup when fourth to Almond Eye (JPN) (Lord Kanaloa {JPN}). Bred by Northern Farm, Cheval Grand has won seven of his 30 starts, including Argentina’s GI Copa Republica. He is a full-brother to the G1 Shuka Sho (Japanese 1,000 Guineas) and 2017 G1 Dubai Turf winner Vivlos (JPN), who also races in the colours of Sasaki. She too raced in Dubai at the recent World Cup meeting when runner-up in the Turf for the second year running. Cheval Grand will join his compatriot Deirdre (JPN) (Harbinger {GB}) at Abington Place Stables in Newmarket, where he will be prepared for the King George and also the G1 Juddmonte International S. Deirdre, meanwhile, is being aimed at the G1 Qatar Nassau S. at Glorious Goodwood. The post Japanese star en route to UK appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

More eyes will be on Saratoga’s prized summer meet than ever before following a landmark agreement between the New York Racing Association, Inc. and FOX Sports. As part of the most expansive television programming deal in horse racing history, the critically acclaimed Saratoga Live will appear on FOX, FS1 and FS2 for an unprecedented 192.5 combined show hours, with 190.5 of those hours on FS2. In addition to daily national coverage on FS2, Saratoga Live can be seen on regional sports networks including MSG Networks, which will air 105 hours of coverage, in addition to FOX Sports Prime Ticket, FOX Sports San Diego and Altitude Sports. “We realize that, in order for the sport to grow, we have to find a way to reach a new audience. There never was any sport that was hurt by being on television,” said Tony Allevato, president of NYRA Bets and executive producer of NYRA TV, adding, “It really speaks volumes to FOX’s commitment and the success we’ve had with our shows.” Saratoga Live kicks off Thursday for the 40-day meet that runs from July 11-Sept. 2. Greg Wolf and Laffit Pincay III will call on an array of experts such as retired Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens, Kentucky Oaks-winning trainer Tom Amoss, Eclipse Award-winning jockey Richard Migliore, professional handicapper Jonathon Kinchen and retired All-Star catcher Paul LoDuca. The program will also include insights from Andy Serling, Maggie Wolfendale and Acacia Courtney. The post Saratoga Live Returns on Opening Day Thursday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Centennial Farms' 6-year-old Preservationist (247 votes), runaway winner of Saturday's Suburban Stakes (G2) at Belmont Park, has jumped to No. 3 in the latest Breeders' Cup Classic Rankings poll. View the full article

Bahrain Trophy Stakes The well-bred Eagles By Day outran his odds behind Japan in the King Edward Stakes at Ascot where he stayed on well. The extra yardage looks sure to suit and at the weights, he’s the one to beat. Barbados has progressed nicely through the ranks and is a very likeable stayer. The […] The post Newmarket July Meeting – Masar The Main Attraction on Day 1 appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article