Wandering Eyes

Ashbrook Farm and BBN Racing's Concrete Rose romped to a four-length win in the $750,000 Belmont Oaks Invitational Stakes (G1T) July 6 at Belmont Park. View the full article

JAYWALK (f, 3, Cross Traffic–Lady Pewitt, by Orientate) is back! Adding blinkers, the champion juvenile filly took the field wire-to-wire for a dominant score in the GIII Delaware Park Oaks Saturday. Taking up her preferred position at the head of affairs, the 7-5 second-choice ticked off early fractions of :24 flat and :47 3/5. Challenged by favored Fashion Faux Pas (Flatter) briefly turning for home, the gray quickly dismissed that rival and rolled clear to win for fun in 1:43 1/5. Jaywalk won the Eclipse Award as 2018’s top juvenile filly after dominant scores in both the GI Frizette S. and GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. A disappointing fourth as the favorite in the GII Davona Dale S. at Gulfstream on seasonal bow Mar. 2, the $190,000 KEESEP buy was third when heavily bet again in Keeneland’s GI Ashland S. Apr. 6. She crossed the line sixth in the GI Kentucky Oaks last time May 3, but was disqualified and placed last for coming out at the start and causing Positive Spirit (Pioneerof the Nile) to fall. Lifetime Record: 9-5-1-1. O-DJ Stable & Cash is King; B-Gainesway Thoroughbreds (KY); T-John Servis. The post Champion Jaywalk Returns to Winning Ways in Delaware Oaks appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

CONCRETE ROSE (f, 3, Twirling Candy–Solerina, by Powerscourt {GB}) kept her unbeaten season going while reaching a career best in the GI Belmont Oaks Invitational. Installed the 5-2 second choice behind Newspaperofrecord (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) despite having bested that one handily in the GIII Edgewood S. at Churchill May 3, the dark bay tracked longshot Japanese invader Jodie (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}) before kicking away in the stretch and running the score up to about four lengths. Coolmore representative Just Wonderful (Dansili {GB}) kicked on to be second over Cambier Parc (Medaglia d’Oro). Jodie was fourth. Newspaperofrecord was extremely tough to handle early, attempting to get out multiple times and interfering with several rivals, and faded to last. Sales history: $19,000 RNA wlg ’16 KEENOV; $20,000 yrl ’17 KEESEP; $61,000 2yo ’18 EASMAY. Lifetime Record: 7-5-0-0. O-Ashbrook Farm & BBN Racing LLC. B-Ron Patterson (Ky). T-George R. Arnold II. The post Twirling Candy’s Concrete Rose Dominates in the Belmont Oaks appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

CODE OF HONOR (c, 3, Noble Mission {GB}–Reunited, by Dixie Union), last seen crossing the wire third and promoted to second in the GI Kentucky Derby May 4, made good on even-money favoritism Saturday to take the GIII Dwyer S. with authority. Second in the GI Champagne S. over track and trip last October, the chestnut annexed the GII Xpressbet Fountain of Youth S. at Gulfstream Mar. 2 but was third behind Maximum Security (New Year’s Day) in the GI Xpressbet Florida Derby Mar. 30. Content to caboose the field early, he uncorked a powerful move to pick off foes into the lane and cruised away a 3 1/2-length winner, stopping the clock in 1:35.81. Final Jeopardy (Street Sense) completed the exacta. Lifetime Record: 7-3-2-1. O/B-W S Farish (Ky). T-Claude R McGaughey III. The post Noble Mission’s Code of Honor Returns to Winning Ways in the Dwyer appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Dual Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) winner Enable made a successful return to action in the Coral-Eclipse (G1) July 6 at Sandown, scoring by three-quarters of a length under Frankie Dettori to extend her winning streak to 10. View the full article

Saratoga Springs, N.Y. — As he begins his quest for a third training title at Saratoga Race Course, Chad Brown is well aware that he will be measured against himself. It’s a tough assignment. Brown claimed his first title in 2016, and finished second, 40-39, to perennial champ Todd Pletcher in 2017. During the rain-soaked 2018 meet, when 50 races were washed off the turf — the surface where Brown dominates — he ran away from the competition with a record-setting 46 victories. Pletcher was next with 19 wins. Success at Saratoga is a big deal for every trainer. For Brown, 40, who grew up in Mechanicville, 15 miles from the historic track, there is even more incentive, or pressure, to perform well. He makes no secret that a primary focus of his now massive stable is the 40-day Saratoga season, which opens on July 11. During an interview in his office in the Horse Haven barn area across Union Avenue from the track, the three-time Eclipse Award winner smiled and acknowledged that the goal is for a repeat of 2018. “We are realistic about the prospects of doing it again. It’s not easy to do,” he said. “A lot of things have to go your way, you know, from keeping your horses healthy, to the weather, to racing luck. A lot of factors go into having a really good meet, a record-breaking meet. “But that said, we are flush with a lot of talented race horses right now and maybe we got a lot of the rain out of the way. You would think the law of averages would bring us to a better weather pattern into the meet. Last year, we had a remarkable meet, but, man, the first week to two weeks were very wet, particularly the first week. The fact we were still able to have the meet that we had with so much wet weather we had was really remarkable. It’s probably unrealistic to think that we can go eight weeks all with good weather. That is part of it; we have a lot of turf horses. I am sure there are some areas where we won’t do quite as well, but there are some other areas where we might do better at when you put the whole meet together.” In 2016, Brown never seemed able to relax, even when it was clear that he was on his way to the first title. The 2017 trainers standings were decided on the final day. But last year he said he was able to enjoy what he and his team were accomplishing. “During the meet, especially the last couple weeks of the meet, I, personally, tried to slow things down as much as I could to try and take it all in and appreciate the success of our operation, of all of our hard-working staff that were really getting their personal gratification about succeeding, about winning,” he said. “That meet last year, like all the meets before it, was a result of long-term preparation by our team. And to see it coming together, successfully, I did stop and observe this and appreciate it as much as we could. We all know we can’t stop time. Things are going to keep moving forward every minute, every hour, every day. I feel I got a lot of satisfaction out of it. I don’t have any regrets about how much I appreciated it, how much I enjoyed it last year.” In late May it was announced that Brown had agreed to a $1.6 million settlement with the U.S. Department of Labor for violations that included failure to pay overtime to some of his employees. The settlement figure was for back wages, liquidated damages and penalties. Part of the agreement, Brown said, is that he is prevented from talking about the case. “I can’t comment on it, unfortunately,” he said. “I just want to move on from it.” This is Brown’s 12th full season as a trainer after working for five years for the late Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel, who he considers his mentor. With little to show in his nascent career, Brown’s request for Saratoga stalls in 2008 was initially turned down by NYRA. He did manage to pick up some, though, and won with the first horse he saddled, Star Player (Tale of the Cat), in the first race on opening day. By season’s end his stats — six wins from 18 starts and 50% in the money – were yielding attention and new clients. According to Equibase, Brown has 282 career wins from 1,100 starts at Saratoga, 25.6%, and his runners have been on the board at a 58.9% clip. Brown has 29 graded stakes wins at Saratoga, nine of them in Grade I races, and a total of 59 stakes wins. Chad C. Brown Total Statistics at Saratoga through 7/2/2019 Year Starts Wins Seconds Thirds Earnings 2018 171 46 35 28 $ 4,428,772 2017 158 39 33 26 $ 4,358,465 2016 164 40 35 23 $ 4,889,285 2015 142 31 21 23 $ 2,655,834 2014 98 23 15 14 $ 1,905,604 2013 87 24 14 18 $ 2,277,378 2012 95 29 21 13 $ 1,978,093 2011 75 22 16 4 $ 1,185,194 2010 56 17 8 5 $ 537,630 2009 36 5 5 6 $ 273,208 2008 18 6 3 – $ 199,616 Total 1,100 282 206 160 $ 24,689,079 Much like Saratoga itself, Brown understands he is graded against his previous accomplishments, especially at his home track, where he became a fan of the sport. “I have accepted that as being part of professional sports. So, I don’t think there is anything unfair about it,” he said. “I think another way to term is: it’s a challenge you accept when you enter a profession like this in professional sports. If you are successful and running a championship team or championship organization, you are often expected to keep raising the bar, or at the very least, repeat. I accept that as part of the deal.” Two of Brown’s stable stars, Bricks and Mortar (Giant’s Causeway) and defending champ Robert Bruce (Chi) (Fast Company {Ire}) are headed to the GI Arlington Million and won’t race at the Spa. Bricks and Mortar has returned from a career-threatening injury to win five straight races, three of them Grade I stakes. Brown said it was possible that Raging Bull (Fr) (Dark Angel {Ire}), third behind Bricks and Mortar and Robert Bruce in the GI Manhattan, may run in the Million or the GI Fourstardave, also Aug. 10 at Saratoga. The unbeaten GI Acorn winner Guarana (Ghostzapper) is a candidate for the GI Coaching Club American Oaks July 20 and, if she handles the 1 1/8 miles, could go on to the GI Alabama Aug. 17. Rushing Fall (More Than Ready) is on course for the GI Diana — which Brown has won four times, the last three in a row — July 13. He estimated that about two dozen of his 80 2-year-olds are likely to race during the Saratoga meet. Once again this summer, Brown aims to be on top of the Saratoga trainer’s standings when the meet ends Sept 2. “I am confident that we are in a very good position because we have a deep bench of talented, healthy horses, knock on wood, right now that I can see having good meets here,” he said. “The advantage of doing it this many years in a row is like a golfer going to a certain course every year. You have certain courses that you know. For us, I am not going to say I know this course better than anyone but I am doing this a little while now and I know this course very well. I know every hole that is coming. I know where the fairways are and how the greens flow. So, I try to adapt my game, my roster, to what is about to happen.” The post Brown Aims for Third Title at the Spa appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Prolonged heavy rain and lightning forced the cancellation of seven races. View the full article

There's no other way to say it: Do It Again did it again July 6 at Greyville Racecourse in South Africa, winning the iconic Vodacom Durban July (G1) for the second straight year. View the full article

MONTAUK DADDY (c, 2, Daddy Long Legs–Snow Fashion, by Old Fashioned) settled for second in a sloppy off-the-turfer here June 21, and was 3-1 to go one better and provide his sire (by Scat Daddy) with a first Northern Hemisphere winner. Attending hot splits of :21.50 and :44.97, the chestnut started to shake free heading for home and proved not for catching from there, crossing the line two lengths to the good of a fast-finishing Time for Trouble (English Channel). He stopped the clock in 1:08.87. Daddy Long Legs started his stud career off auspiciously in Chile, but was brought to Kentucky for the 2016 breeding season by Taylor Made Farm. Sales history: $160,000 2yo ’19 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: 2-1-1-0. O-Chris Fountoukis & McCourt Racing. B-Jennifer A. & Gillian K. Johnson (FL). T-Linda Rice. The post First Northern Hemisphere Winner for Daddy Long Legs Comes at Belmont appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Now that connections are sure they have found the ideal metier for ‘TDN Rising Star’ Too Darn Hot (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), his opponents in Sunday’s renovated G1 Prix Jean Prat had better watch out. Last year’s champion juvenile has gone from Derby prospect to ultimate miler to now seven-furlong sprinter-miler in the space of just a month and a half, but his talent almost certainly remains undiminished. He looked to have that freak quality as he romped through the G3 Solario S., G2 Champagne S. and G1 Dewhurst S. at two and despite his stout pedigree he has proven hard to peg down distance-wise until now. It is taken as read that the soft ground that prevailed at Royal Ascot undermined him when fading late to be third in the June 18 G1 St James’s Palace S. and quick conditions over this straight seven there should be no call for excuses. Godolphin have stacked three against the Lloyd-Webber homebred, with the Charlie Appleby-trained ‘TDN Rising Star’ Space Blues (Ire) another Dubawi who has steadily reverted to this trip. Successful in Epsom’s Listed Surrey S. May 31 and runner-up in the G3 Jersey S. at Royal Ascot June 22, he has emerged from the Royal meeting in top order. “He has shown plenty of pace this season and we felt that he deserved a crack at a nice prize over this trip,” his trainer said. “It will be his first Group 1 start, but he won’t look out of the place in the line-up. If he can continue his improvement, he should be involved in the finish.” Saeed bin Suroor also drops Royal Marine (Ire) (Raven’s Pass) to seven after three out-of-the-frame efforts at a mile so far this term. While the form of his G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere success at ParisLongchamp in October gives mixed messages, he is considered better than his latest ninth in the St James’s Palace and Saeed bin Suroor is expecting a turnaround. “We have been disappointed with Royal Marine so far this year, but we are looking forward to seeing how he goes over seven furlongs,” he commented. “His last piece of work went well and this looks the right race for him. I am hoping for a better result from him this time.” Chief among the home representation is Gerard Augustin-Normand’s Graignes (Fr) (Zoffany {Ire}), who was runner-up to Godolphin’s third runner here Munitions (War Front) over this trip in the G3 Prix Djebel at Maisons-Laffitte Apr. 10 but reversed the form as they finished fourth and ninth respectively in the G1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains at ParisLongchamp May 12. Unraced on ground good or faster, the Yves Barberot-trained colt who was also third in the G1 Criterium International at Chantilly in October needs to find improvement to make a serious impact. Hamburg are celebrating the 150th running of the G1 IDEE Deutsches Derby, where Gestut Ittlingen’s Laccario (Ger) (Scalo {GB}) occupies favouritism after impressive successes in Dusseldorf’s Listed Derby-Trial May 26 and the G2 Union-Rennen at Cologne June 10. On the latter occasion, the homebred dealt a blow to the ego of Django Freeman (Ger) (Campanologist) who had previously beaten Stall Salzburg’s Quest the Moon (Ger) (Sea the Moon {Ger}) in the May 1 G3 Bavarian Classic at Munich. Following that eclipse, Quest the Moon went to ParisLongchamp to capture the G3 Prix du Lys in authoritative fashion May 26 and that may represent stronger form than his domestic efforts. The post Hot Property appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It took 19 years, but the Justin Snaith-trained Do It Again (SAf) (Twice Over {GB}) and Richard Fourie rewrote the record books as Do It Again became the first horse since 2000 to record back-to-back victories in the R4,250,000 G1 Vodacom Durban July. The Twice Over gelding, carrying top weight of 60kg, fought a fierce duel with Rainbow Bridge (SAf) (Ideal World) and Gavin Lerena down the home straight to prevail by 0.4 lengths with Twist Of Fate (SAf) (Master Of My Fate {SAf}) in third a further 1.3 lengths back. The winning time was 2:15.04 on a good track. Unfortunately the tote favourite, the Mike De Kock-trained Hawwaam (SAf) (Silvano {Ger}), became unsettled in the barriers and reared, dislodging jockey Anton Marcus. The colt injured himself slightly in the process, leading to him being scratched by the course vet. Once the field had been reloaded and sent on their way, Fourie settled Do It Again midfield, with Lerena positioning Rainbow Bridge slightly ahead, two off the rail. Return Flight (SAf) (Pomodoro {SAf}), leading the field from the jump, set a brisk pace through the first turn and into the back straight. Coming around the final turn, Fourie started moving the long- striding Do It Again through the field in order to give the gelding a clear run up the middle of the track. Lerena meanwhile had found the perfect gap on the rail and deftly sent Rainbow Bridge through and into the lead. With both horses drifting inward, they ended up locked in a duel in the final furlong, with neither prepared to give an inch. It was a bobbing of heads until Do It Again proved that his 2018 win was no fluke as he slowly inched clear of Rainbow Bridge. Once in front, Fourie wasted no time in celebrating, standing in his stirrups and waving his whip in salute. After winning the 2014 Vodacom Durban July in the boardroom, Fourie was delighted to finally win the race on the racetrack. “At least I got my own victory lap this time”, he quipped. Quite rightly he took full advantage of that victory lap trotting Do It Again down to the 300 metre mark while waving to the crowd, before cantering back. Fourie was full of praise for Do It Again, saying, “he is simply remarkable. He is such a smart horse. He is very intelligent and he definitely has a big-match temperament.” Snaith said he always believed that Do It Again was capable of a repeat victory despite having to carry top weight of 60kgs. “I am very sorry for Sheikh Hamdan, the owner of Hawwaam. I would have preferred to win the race fair and square, but I was never worried about my chances of winning the race,” he said. “This is the best horse in South Africa.” When asked whether Do It Again could be heading overseas, Snaith replied that it could be a possibility. “If the exports open up, anything is an option. However his owners like racing in South Africa and for now we are going to have glass of champagne and enjoy the moment. Then I think we are going to put him away for a bit before getting him ready for next season.” Winning owners Nic Jonsson and Bernard Kantor were on hand to lead their champion in and could not contain their delight. Kantor explained that while he felt happy beyond belief, the victory was tinged with sadness after the death earlier this year of part owner Jack Mitchell. “It is however absolutely remarkable to win it twice in a row, but he is a truly special horse”, he added. Do It Again, by Twice Over out of the Casey Tibbs (Ire) mare Sweet Virginia (SAf), was recording his seventh victory and his fourth Grade 1 win, taking his earnings to R8,410,000. The post Do It Again In July Repeat appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It will not take long for the fireworks to start at Saratoga Race Course as the opening Saturday of the 40-day meet may feature a showdown between two of the nation's very best turf females. View the full article

The Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint (G3T) is already America's most lucrative race for sprinters on grass outside of the Breeders' Cup championship races. Now its winner could earn an additional $1 million. View the full article

Dual Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) winner Enable made a successful return to action in the Coral-Eclipse Stakes (G1) July 6 at Sandown, scoring by three-quarters of a length under Frankie Dettori to extend her winning streak to 10. View the full article

Never out of her comfort zone during Saturday’s G1 Coral-Eclipse, Khalid Abdullah’s Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) made light of the drop to 10 furlongs to readily account for old rival Magical (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) by 3/4 of a length. The subject of a significant gamble into 4-6, the dual Arc heroine tracked Hunting Horn (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) until leading approaching the two-furlong pole and comfortably holding the Ballydoyle raider, with Regal Reality (GB) (Intello {Ger}) two lengths away in third. “I’d say she was 85-90% ready,” John Gosden said. “She’s an exceptional athlete.” 1–ENABLE (GB), 130, m, 5, by Nathaniel (Ire) 1st Dam: Concentric (GB) (SW & GSP-Fr, $117,776), by Sadler’s Wells 2nd Dam: Apogee (GB), by Shirley Heights (GB) 3rd Dam: Bourbon Girl, by Ile de Bourbon O-Khalid Abdullah; B-Juddmonte Farms Ltd (GB); T-John Gosden; J-Lanfranco Dettori. £425,325. Lifetime Record: Hwt. 3yo-Eur at 11-14f, Hwt. Older Mare-Eur at 11-14f, MG1SW-Fr, G1SW-Ire & GISW-US, 12-11-0-1, £8,432,351. *1/2 to Contribution (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}), MGSP-Fr; and Entitle (GB) (Dansili {GB}), GSP-Eng. The post Easy For Enable In the Eclipse appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

CHITOSE, Japan—When it comes to breeding and racing Thoroughbreds, there’s no doubt that Japan does it properly. When it comes to sales, however, the Japanese do things a little differently. A yearling sale in July is nothing new but a full session of youngsters not yet weaned is a format unseen anywhere else in the bloodstock sales world, but it is one which appears to work very well in Hokkaido. “In Japan, traditionally buyers always preferred to buy their racehorses as foals, though gradually they are coming round a bit more to the yearling market,” said the JRHA’s international representative Naohiro Goda as we ventured out on Saturday morning to view foals at Japan’s two biggest breeding operations. Our first port of call was to Teruya Yoshida’s Shadai Farm, followed by a preview of an even bigger draft from his brother Katsumi’s Northern Farm, situated right next door to the Shadai Stallion Station, which is owned by all three Yoshida brothers—Haruya included—under the Shadai Corporation banner. The JRHA Select Sale gets underway on Monday, with a session of 246 yearlings followed on Tuesday by 225 foals. The yearlings, along with a number of prospective buyers, shipped in to the sales ground at Northern Horse Park on Saturday but the foals, who sell alongside their dams and then return to their breeders at least until they are weaned, only arrive on Tuesday morning. Potential purchasers therefore make tours of the farms around Hokkaido in the days leading up to the sale, and with the Shadai and Northern Farm three-figure drafts dominating the consignors’ list numerically, naturally it is these two studs which have been the busiest this weekend. Selling foals at this stage of the year in the Northern Hemisphere is not the only thing done differently in Japan. Using a system which could be quite usefully adopted elsewhere, the vendors make known their reserves ahead of the sale, while Northern Farm also provides a sheet detailing the weights and measurements (as of July 5) of its yearlings. At Shadai, Teruya Yoshida is present to talk visitors through his band of foals along with his son and the farm’s vice president, Tetsuya. Among those paraded is a filly by Kitasan Black (JPN), a son of Black Tide (JPN), the stallion who is likely always to be defined by his more famous brother Deep Impact (JPN). Among Kitasan Black’s seven Group 1 victories are the Tenno Sho, Japan Cup and Arima Kinen, the latter achieved as his magnificent swansong in the dying days of his 5-year-old season, meaning that at the age of seven he only now his first foals on the ground. It is a situation in the Japanese stallion ranks which, refreshingly, is the norm rather than the exception. The Black Kitasan filly in question (lot 374) is a daughter of the G1 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) winner Erin Court (JPN) (Durandal {JPN}), and to emphasise further the level of support thrown at the elegant Kitasan Black by the Yoshida brothers, later at Northern Farm we see a half-brother to Japanese hall-of-famer Gentildonna (JPN) (Deep Impact {JPN}) alongside his mother, the G1 Cheveley Park S. winner Donna Blini (GB) (Bertolini) (lot 338). Donna Blini’s own achievements, and those of her daughters Gentildonna and Donau Blue (JPN) are such that this year’s Japanese Derby winner Roger Barows (JPN) (Deep Impact {JPN}), a son of Donna Blini’s half-sister Little Book (GB) (Librettist) and a graduate of the 2016 foal sale at ¥78 million ($719,000), is mentioned almost in passing, right at the bottom of the colt’s page. His reserve price of ¥50 million (almost $500,000) means that only serious buyers need apply, but the figure is only half that which has been put on the heads of a couple of colt foals by Deep Impact, lots 358 and 400 each being siblings to Grade 2 winners, respectively Renee’s Titan (Bernstein) and Denim And Ruby (JPN) (Deep Impact {JPN}). The sum of at least ¥100 million will also have to be given for three yearling colts by Deep Impact: half-brothers to Satono Crown (JPN) (Marju {Ire}) and Lightening Pearl (Ire) (Marju {Ire}) (lot 21), and to Best Warrior (JPN) (Majestic Warrior) (lot 123), and a full-brother to champion 3-year-old filly Mikki Queen (JPN) (lot 51). The 17-year-old king of Shadai is currently recuperating after a neck injury cut short his covering season and, available for viewing on Saturday, Deep Impact has no fewer than six of his sons for company in the same complex, including the G1 Dubai Turf winner Real Steel (JPN), a brother to this season’s G1 Yushun Himba winner Loves Only You (JPN), who was herself a ¥160 million ($1.47 million) JRHA Select Yearling Sale graduate in 2017. While Deep Impact, with 29 youngsters in the sale, is in his twilight years, one stallion whose name will not be seen again in the first generation of Select Sale horses after this week is the redoubtable King Kamehameha (JPN). Now 18, the son of Kingmambo was munching quietly in the shade of his paddock on Saturday having been pensioned in 2018, meaning that his six foals to sell on Tuesday are among the last to be offered. They include a colt out of the GI Spinaway S. winner So Many Ways (Sightseeing) (lot 411). King Kamehameha’s son and stud-mate Lord Kanaloa (JPN)—sire of the record-breaking Japan Cup winner Almond Eye (JPN)—has been extra busy in his father’s absence this season and among his foals already on the ground and included in the sale is a filly out of another American Grade 1 winner, Ticker Tape (GB) (Royal Applause {GB}) (lot 409). Meanwhile, another son, the dual Classic winner Duramente (JPN), is represented by his first yearlings in the catalogue, including a colt out of the European champion sprinter Fleeting Spirit (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), who sells as lot 364. In its 21-year history the Select Sale has grown from a debut catalogue of 230, which sold for almost ¥5 billion, to last year’s high of 415 sold for just shy of ¥18 billion, at a record clearance rate of 89.4%. Demand has, to an extent, been driven by a healthy international buying bench, but the domestic owners more than hold their own when it comes to having a chance to ensnare one of the best of those to be offered for sale. “We have many foreign buyers coming back for the sale but every year we feel after the sale that the Japanese buyers were stronger most of the time, so I’m not sure how happy the foreign buyers are to go home without a souvenir. The Japanese buyers are stronger than we had expected,” said Teruya Yoshida, who is not just a major breeder and consignor but is also vice chairman of the JRHA. He concurs with Goda’s assertion that buyers’ tastes are evolving. “From last year things started to change,” he continued. “Traditionally, we have always sold our products as babies but people are getting used to buying as yearlings, and now we even have 2-year-old sales, so people are much more free in the way they buy the horses.” As for Japan’s reputation as a cradle for the staying horse, he added, “The most important races are all at a mile and a quarter to two miles, so we prefer staying horses. But we produce many horses every year, so there is always a selection of sprinters and stayers. The Japanese programme is very varied and we have the advantage of experiencing every kind of race here—we have five-furlong races on dirt as well as middle-distance races on turf. Japanese horses are becoming stronger in every category. There has even been one [Master Fencer (JPN)] challenging in the American Classics. Before, we never thought we could compete with American-bred horses on a dirt track but now we have more confidence to compete. Our path is good for older horses so people don’t need to worry about retiring horses too early as long as the horse is sound enough.” Of those coming from overseas to find a young horse from Japan’s enviable collection of internationally purchased bloodlines, Sydney’s top trainers Chris Waller and Gai Waterhouse are both making repeat visits along with Coolmore’s MV Magnier, while Price Bell of Kentucky’s Mill Ridge Farm is on a reconnaissance mission. “We don’t mind where a horse comes from as long as the horse is good,” said Yoshida of his famed and costly global recruiting of some of the best mares off the track. In these days of an increasingly international marketplace, they are words we should all live by. The post Japan’s Growing Confidence In International Market 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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Champion jockey Zac Purton is 12 victories off matching Joao Moreira’s history-making 170-win season so he needs everything to go right in the last 31 races if he is to break it.The Australian takes a full book of rides into Sunday’s 11-race card and is hoping his long and successful association with the Kwok family can bring him one win closer.Frankie Lor Fu-chuen’s Beauty Spark returns for his second start in the Class Three Members’ Care @HKJC 1,400m Handicap after disappointing on debut.The… View the full article

Jockey Vincent Ho Chak-yiu insists he is not a numbers man as he bears down on the best season for a local rider since 2012-13.Ho has racked up 54 winners this term in a career-best effort, but still finds himself three short of Matthew Chadwick’s 2012-13 season, which was the best in 27 years after legendary jockey Tony Cruz rode 67 winners in 1985-86.While he has a chance to put his name among the elite, Ho said he was never one to get carried away with winning totals.“It’s business as usual,… View the full article

Each Saturday NTRA and BloodHorse provide a one-stop guide to the day's graded stakes races. Races are listed in chronological order (all times Eastern). Click on links for full preview. View the full article

With a strong performance at Awapuni on Saturday, emerging wet-track performer Herengawe produced a bold audition for next month’s Gr.3 Winning Edge Presentations 122nd Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton. A last-start Rating 72 winner, Herengawe was thrown in at the deep end on Saturday and tackled open class for the first time in the Grant Plumbing (1400m). With Lisa Allpress in the saddle, the four-year-old son of Zed sprinted superbly through the mud to go from last to first and beat the fron... View the full article

Miss Mandito has brought up a milestone for Charlotte Littefield at Flemington, giving the trainer her first city winner in the Leilani Series Final (1400m) on Saturday. With Michael Walker aboard, Miss Mandito defeated favourite El Questro ($3.20) by a half neck in Saturday's race for mares, with another length to Something Silver third. "I'm shaking I'm so happy," Littlefield, who has been training for three years, said. "She was absolutely super. "This is what dreams are made of. I don't thin... View the full article

Belmont Park features an all-graded stakes Pick 5. View the full article

TOP LINE GROWTH (g, 3, Tapizar–Orinoquia, by Whywhywhy) crossed the line second in the Iowa Derby, but was promoted to first after Winning Number (Speightstown) was disqualified for interference following a stewards inquiry and jockey claim of foul. Biding his time in mid-pack as Winning Number clocked a half-mile in :48 flat, the gelding made rapid progress on the backstretch run to sit second turning for home. He kept after the pacesetter in the lane, but could not get to him, coming up two lengths short in 1:43.07. However, after an inquiry and objection, Winning Number was taken down and placed third for interfering with third-place finisher Shang (Shanghai Bobby). Romping by 9 1/2 lengths when unveiled in a $40,000 maiden claimer at Laurel Apr. 22, Top Line Growth was fifth next out in the Sir Barton S. at Pimlico May 18. He returned to winning ways with an eight-length restricted allowance score at Laurel June 8. Lifetime Record: 4-2-0-0. The post Tapizar Colt Promoted to First in Iowa Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

New Zealand-bred gelding Gold Ambition has earned himself a chance in stakes company after confirming his reputation as a horse with a mind of his own at Doomben. Despite coming from well back off a muddling early pace Gold Ambition beat Awake The Stars by a neck in Saturday's Class 6 Handicap (1600m). Trainer Michael Costa said the best way to describe the six-year-old was "weird" and having a mind of his own. "He was on his game today and you could see how well he can finish. We have tried him... View the full article