Wandering Eyes

2018 G1 Investec Derby hero Masar (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}), who was sidelined with an injury in July, is on the mend and will winter in Dubai before a possible clash with two-time G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe heroine Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}), according to Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby. “Masar has not been seen since the Derby, but he is doing well in his recuperation,” said Appleby. “He will go to Dubai again and winter out there, but he won’t be running out there. We are looking forward to getting him back on track.” Appleby was complementary of Juddmonte’s rising 5-year-old mare and added, “It is great for racing that Enable stays in training, as she has obviously had a light campaign this year with only having the three runs. From our point of view, for us, and for racing, to have the chance to take her on is exciting and hopefully their paths will cross.” View the full article

Godolphin’s MG1SW Wild Illusion (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) will stay in training in 2019, trainer Charlie Appleby confirmed on Thursday. Landing the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac on her final start at two, the three-time Group 1 winner finished fourth in the G1 1000 Guineas on her return ahead of filling the runner-up spot in both the G1 Oaks at Epsom and G2 Ribblesdale S. at Royal Ascot. The decision to drop Wild Illusion back to a mile and a quarter proved a turning point following top-level victories in the G1 Nassau S. and G1 Prix de l’Opera, before she signed off the year with a second in the GI Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf at Churchill Downs earlier this month. Appleby said, “Wild Illusion is staying in training next season and for sure it is nice to have these good older horses. She lost nothing in defeat in the Breeders’ Cup and ever since her third run she has only raced at Group 1 level, except when running in the Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot. We will see how she is in the spring and what progress she is making, and then look at what races we will take in. She is good at a mile and a quarter and I don’t see any reason why we should take her out of that sphere, as she has proven herself at the highest level over that trip.” View the full article

KILDARE, Ireland—Once the thinner air of the upper tier of the foal market is reached, only the bravest pinhookers remain to do battle against those owner-breeders with a longer-term plan. The beauty of the Thoroughbred business is that each year at least one new player will emerge, intent on spending some serious money for the best bloodlines available, and thus it proved in the transaction of the most expensive foal sold at Goffs this week. The breeder and the vendor of the Kingman (GB) filly in question are names which resonate beyond their Irish homeland. Paddy and Helena Burns produced the daughter of Juddmonte’s rising star at their Loughtown Stud and entrusted Jacqueline Norris to conduct the consigning duties. Norris’s Jockey Hall Stud has a well earned reputation for excellence and duly featured in two of the top five lots of the session, including the €350,000 market leader, and ended the sale as leading consignor by average. On the other side of the deal, the buyer remains unnamed but Seville-based agent Francisco Bernal of Outsider Bloodstock was able to divulge that his Spanish client is prominent in the world of sport-horse breeding and is launching a fledgling venture into the Thoroughbred world. On her behalf, Bernal has bought three horses so far and he intimated that he will continue in this endeavour next week at Tattersalls. The Kingman filly will be sent to France before eventually going into training for her new owner. Jacqueline Norris said of lot 600, “The Kingman filly was a queen. I’m thrilled for her breeder Paddy Burns. My team has done a wonderful job all week in difficult weather.” Burns bought the filly’s dam Splashdown (GB) (Falbrav {Ire}) from her breeders Luca and Sara Cumani of Fittocks Stud last December for 145,000gns. Now 12, Splashdown was successful both on the track and in the paddocks for the Cumanis, winning the listed Ballymacoll Stud S. in their colours and breeding, to date, three winners including G3 Solario S. winner Aktabantay (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) and the useful multiple scorer Baydar (GB) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}). For Norris, the day wasn’t just a success as a consignor, but also as a breeder in her own right when selling a Sea The Stars half-brother to the listed winner and G2 Norfolk S. runner-up Mind Of Madness (Ire) (Azamour {Ire}). Lot 593, a son of the the winning Oasis Dream (GB) mare Sioduil (Ire), was purchased by Camas Park Stud for €290,000. “We had a lovely update yesterday as the 2-year-old half-sister [Reticent Angel] won again. I bred this colt so obviously I’m delighted,” she said. Hard Act To Follow “It has been as hard as ever to buy the good ones but there were more falling through the cracks than in recent years,” was the assessment of Goffs group chief executive Henry Beeby as he drew breath between the close of the first section of the foal sale and the start of the mares’ sale. The daily clearance rate at Goffs has risen from 59% to 73% to a much more buoyant 84% on the closing day of Part 1, during which 161 of 191 foals offered found a buyer. This brought the overall clearance for the three days to 72%—markedly down on last year’s 81% when the sale was headed by a €1.1 million weanling. Figures overall were ahead of the trade seen in 2016. The aggregate last year had leapt by 43% to €25,515,750, so this year’s tally of €20,311,000 represented a 20% shortfall from that lofty figure. The average fell by 11% to €42,315 but the median saw a rise of 4% to €28,000. Wednesday’s trade added exactly €12 million to the overall takings. This too was down by 20%, as was the final-day average of €74,534. The median was €52,000 (-12%). Beeby continued, “Last year’s Part 1 Foal Sale was always going to be a hard act to follow as it recorded big rises in each area and was headed by the rarity of a millionaire foal sale topper. So we have seen a sale that is still ahead of 2016 but it must be accepted that one of the key messages to be taken away from the sale has been the lower clearance rates, especially on day one. This mirrored the commercial yearling sales and, as we pointed out a few weeks ago, should be a clear indication that the market is increasingly polarised.” He added, “So the good ones have sold very, very well with several extremely happy breeders, especially throughout today, and we are grateful to them all for their ongoing support as it is they who make the sale such a success each year along with the huge group of buyers that descended on Kildare Paddocks from Saturday morning. Indeed, we have rarely seen the place as packed and the barns were just so busy for the last five days to illustrate the ongoing hunger for the best-bred foals on the market, and following so many excellent pinhooking results from last year. The advance in the three-day median also shows that there has been more consistency in the top half of the sale where there was the most activity. “We now turn our attention to two days of breeding stock and look forward to another day of foals on Saturday mindful of several great pinhooking stories from last year’s Part 2 sale.” A Merry Notion For Galileo The younger stallions may have had their chances in the spotlight but come the most prestigious day of the Goffs November Sale it was the turn of Europe’s heavy-hitting brothers to take a dominant role in proceedings. A quartet of Coolmore-bred weanlings by the champion sire Galileo (Ire) sold nowhere near as well as their pedigrees suggested they should, but leading the pack was a three-quarter sister to the 2016 Derby winner Harzand (Ire) (Sea The Stars {GB}) (lot 709). The May-born filly was bought by Hugo Merry at €300,000. “It was just a notion, really, but I’ve bought her for myself, Jane [Allison] and a friend of ours,” he said. “How often are you able to buy into a pedigree like this? Galileo is a very good broodmare sire and the mare does it every time.” Jim Bolger, as noted for his breeding achievements as he is for his training exploits, not to mention his contribution to the early success of Galileo, bought lot 570 for €160,000. The first foal is a daughter of the unraced Replete (GB) (Makfi {GB}), herself out of the champion racemare Banks Hill (GB). With Juddmonte’s late blue hen Hasili (GB) as her third dam, the young Galileo foal’s pedigree is certainly replete with black type. Flash Conroy signed for lot 680, the Galileo half-brother to G2 Lowther S. winner Besharah (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) at €170,000, while the half-brother to rising young Australian stallion Zoustar (Aus) (Northern Meteor {Aus}) was led out unsold at €85,000. Big Stars Come Out With 17 weanlings catalogued, it was always likely that Galileo’s half-brother Sea The Stars (Ire) would feature prominently as Part 1 of the foal sale swung into top gear and he was indeed represented by a run of high prices through the day. As previously mentioned, Jacqueline Norris’s colt was the most expensive of the stallion’s offspring, and of the six to sell for six figures, there was also success for Oak Leaf Stud, run by Willie Pilkington, which sold lot 590 for €220,000 to Jamie Railton. “It’s hard to find a Sea The Stars filly with that sort of profile. I like the Distorted Humor mare, it all worked for me,” said the pinhooker. Pilkington, who bred the filly from the unraced Shared Humor, a full-sister to the Group/Grade 3-winning duo of Slow Pace and Funny Duck, added, “It’s what you dream of really, we’re over the moon. You never really know what’s going to happen but she made more than we expected. I have’s stopped smiling since she left the ring.” Gay O’Callaghan of Yeomanstown Stud also picked up a pricey duo of Sea The Stars colts, going to €260,000 for a son of the G2 Qatar Prix Daniel Wildenstein victrix Pollyanna (Ire) (Whipper) (557) from Stanley Lodge, and later buying lot 719, a colt out of the listed-placed Hot Sauce (Ire) (Peintre Celebre) for €195,000 from Highfort Stud. Another colt for whom it would be fair to have Classic aspirations is Oaklawn Stud’s Sea The Stars son of Stealth Missile (Ire) (603), an Invincible Spirit (Ire) half-sister to the G1 Darley Irish Oaks winner Covert Love (Ire) (Azamour {Ire}). He was knocked down to Brendan Holland’s Grove Stud for €240,000. Excitements Mounts For Muhaarar Shadwell’s Muhaarar (GB) was one of the most successful freshman sires at last year’s foal sales and a member of his second crop (lot 730) became the most expensive colt foal sold at Goffs this year when eliciting a final bid of €320,000 from Stephen Collins, representing Shadwell’s Irish operation at Derrinstown Stud. The result was another feather in the cap of his breeders Sonia and Anthony Rogers of Airlie Stud who have tasted Group 1 glory on the track this season with Skitter Scatter (Scat Daddy) and bought the dam of the Muhaarar colt at this sale 12 years ago for €56,000. Now known as Kate The Great (GB) (Xaar {GB}), she was a winner at two herself and has bred five winners, including G3 Bengough S. winner Eastern Impact (Ire) (Bahamian Bounty {GB}) and Group 3 runner-up Miss Katie Mae (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}). “He has the looks, the walk and the pedigree,” said Collins. “Obviously we have a lot of stock by the sire at Shadwell and next year is a really big year for him but we’re really excited.” Even at this early stage of his stud career, the Shadwell team on both sides of the Irish Sea could be forgiven for feeling further excitement in the case of young Derrinstown resident Awtaad (Ire), whose first foals have been given a notably warm reception this week. Twenty-one of the 23 offered at Goffs have sold for an average price of €61,286, with a top price of €170,000 coming for a colt (544) bred by Des Leadon and Mariann Klay of Swordlestown Little. The half-brother to dual Hong Kong Group 3 winner Dinozzo (Ire) (Lilbourne Lad {Ire}) was bought by Shadwell, but a range of pinhookers have also been sweet on Awtaad’s weanlings, including Mick Fitzpatrick, Charlie Vigors, Tally-Ho Stud, Mags O’Toole and Eddie O’Leary. Angelic Trio On the rostrum, he’s Nick Nugent, but as breeders the Goffs auctioneer and his wife Alice and listed as Sir Nicholas and Lady Nugent and the couple struck sales-ring gold once again via their ultra dependable broodmare Noyelles (Ire) (Docksider). The 14-year-old’s Dark Angel (Ire) filly, a sister to the prolific stakes winner Lily’s Angel (Ire) and half-sister to listed victrix Zurigha (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}), brought the hammer down at €300,000, but thankfully for Nugent that hammer was in one of his colleague’s hands as he watched from the sidelines. John McCormack was the successful bidder on behalf of an unspecified owner who wishes to race the filly, and the youngster will eventually make a worthy inclusion to any broodmare band. The unraced Noyelles is herself a half-sister to three stakes winners, including In Clover (GB) (Inchinor {GB}), whose broodmare career has been enhanced season after season of late thanks to her Group 1-winning offspring We Are (Ire), With You (GB) and Call The Wind (GB), all of whom have raced for their breeder George Strawbridge. Commenting on the attributes of lot 545, who will remain in Ireland, John McCormack said, “She’s a lovely filly by a proven sire and from a proven mare. Dark Angel just goes from strength to strength. You can’t cheat the market. When a stallion keeps moving up it’s usually merited. “This is a very deep, active family. The relations down the page are very appealing.” Glacken View’s Dark Angel half-brother to G3 Silver Flash S. winner Jack Naylor (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}) (695) was another to make the leader board and sold for €250,000 to Darley Japan’s Harry Sweeney under the name Paca Paca Farm. Sweeney signed for seven foals during the three days for a total of €510,000. Tom and Alexandra Whitehead of Powerstown Stud, who sell foals under their Altenbach Bloodstock banner, also enjoyed a good result via a Dark Angel weanling (lot 753) late in the session. The couple’s homebred first foal out of the G2 Duchess Of Cambridge S. runner-up Magical Fire (Ire) (Dragon Pulse {Ire}), herself a half-sister to G2 German 1,000 Guineas winner Hawksmoor (Ire) (Azamour {Ire}), sold to Jamie Railton for €220,000. The first of two days of breeding stock sessions gets underway at Kildare Paddocks at 10am. View the full article

A yearling son of Authorized (Ire) (lot 632) provided some late fireworks to top the third and final session of the Arqana Autumn Sale on Wednesday. The topper, consigned by Haras de la Perelle, brought €72,000 on the bid of Jean-Marie Callier acting for Bertrand Le Metayer. Out of a half-sister to top stallion Monsun (Ger) (Konigsstuhl {Ger}), the January-bred is also a half-brother to GSP Beaulieu (Ire) (Motivator {GB}). “He is a very classy horse with all the right credentials to make a good horse over jumps,” said Jean-Marie Callier. “I have bought him on behalf of Bertrand Le Metayer and he will stay in France.” Second dearest on the day was a yearling colt by the red-hot No Nay Never (lot 574). Snapped up by Con Marnane for €52,000, the yearling is a member of the Haras des Capucines draft. He is out of the Group 3-placed Folle Allure (Fr) (Poliglote {GB}), herself a half-sister to MGSW and G1 Gold Cup placegetter Nysaean (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells)and MSW Charme Slave (Fr) (Sicyos). For Wednesday’s session of Flat-bred yearlings, 138 horses sold from 177 offered for a clearance rate of 78% and a gross of €1,130,500. Both the median and average increased compared to 2017, with the former sitting at €6,000 (+9.1%) and the latter at €8,192 (+7.1%). Cumulatively, 426 horses (76.9%) found new homes from 554 offered and an aggregate of €7,733,800. The average remained identical at €18,154 and the median was up an encouraging 12.5% to €9,000. “The yearling market has been undoubtedly selective, what has become a general feature of many an auction this season,” said Arqana’s Eric Hoyeau. “Even at the very end of a session, as we have seen today, there is good money for the horses who fit the buyers’ criteria. However, these criteria tend to be as restrictive as ever and one can’t shy away from the fact that trade is more complicated in the lower tiers of the market. Monday saw a very international bench for the horses in training, from every corner of Europe to America, Australia, Northern Africa and China, which I think speaks positively of the appeal of the French racing industry.” View the full article

The New York Racing Association announced Nov. 21 purse increases across a number of categories for the upcoming winter meet at Aqueduct Racetrack. View the full article

Peter Brant’s DEMARCHELIER (GB) (c, 2, Dubawi {Ire}—Loveisallyouneed {Ire}, by Sadler’s Wells) looked to have too much to do with as little as an eighth of a mile to race, but, despite racing greenly on his incorrect lead, shaded six seconds for his final 110 yards to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat to become a ‘TDN Rising Star.’ Not surprisingly bet down from his morning line of 7-2 into 2-1 favoritism by post time, the attractive bay colt broke alertly from gate one, then settled back into a midfield position three back the fence beneath Javier Castellano. Traveling on the bridle through the middle stages, the 425,000gns Tattersalls October yearling acquisition came around a rival while gaining ground on the swing for home, was angled out sharply around Juddmonte Farms’ second-time starter Seismic Wave (Tapit) leaving the eighth pole and grabbed that one right on the wire. Sea of Hope (Quality Road) finished a strong third on his debut, while Lisbon (Quality Road) rallied boldly three deep on the turn and lacked room at a crucial stage in the waning stages. Demarchelier is out of an unraced full-sister to Irish highweight and 2003 G1 Irish 1000 Guineas winner Yesterday (Ire) as well as fellow champion and G1SW Quarter Moon (Ire), dam of G1SW Diamondsanrubies (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}). Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0. O-Peter Brant; B-Newsells Park Stud; T-Chad Brown. View the full article

The Weatherbys Bloodstock Sales Review 2018 Part 1, which comprises European yearling sale results, is now available, Weatherbys announced on Thursday. A total of 410 stallions were represented in the Part 1 review, with yearlings selling across 32 different yearling sales worldwide. Dubawi (Ire) led all sires with the most expensive yearling sold in 2018 at 3.5 million guineas for a colt out of Dar Re Mi (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}). In January, Weatherbys will release their Bloodstock Sales Review 2018 Part 2, which covers all horses sold throughout the year-including foals and mares. Between the two reviews there are sale details available of over 14,000 horses. Copies of Part 1 are available at www.bettrendsshop.co.uk and priced at £18 (including p&p). View the full article

Beginning this coming January, Irish breeders are required to notify Weatherbys Ireland General Stud Book within 30 days of the birth of a Thoroughbred or non-Thoroughbred foal born in Ireland and bred for racing, Horse Racing Ireland announced on Wednesday. The birth notification will be triggered automatically by the submission of DNA (blood and markings), and there will be no additional fees for notification of birth within the 30-day window. This notification, in addition to being mandatory, is integral to the welfare and traceability for the equine industry and will assist in the proviso for life after Brexit, particularly with regards to the free movement of equidae. “The move to a 30-day foal notification is an important step in ensuring that we have full lifetime traceability of all Thoroughbreds for health and welfare reasons,” said Jason Morris, Director of Racing, HRI. “HRI warmly welcomes its introduction which has the widespread support of the industry.” “The ITBA welcome the 30-day foal notification as a positive move that will assist in our efforts for the Codes of Practice and the High Health Horse Concept to be used as the basis of continued, uninterrupted free movement of Thoroughbred horses post Brexit,” added Shane O’Dwyer of the ITBA. View the full article

Tampa Bay Downs kicks off its 2018-19 season Nov. 24 with growing optimism about its well-supported racing, although off the track, the results of a state vote earlier this month likely will make it more difficult to bring in added gaming. View the full article

The Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association launched its Next Generation Apprenticeship Scheme “Supporting Employment Programme” on Nov. 14 with the aim to attract young workers to the Irish Thoroughbred industry. The TDN’s Alayna Cullen sat down with ITBA CEO Shane O’Dwyer to find out more about the new programme. AC: Tell us about the new scheme that you have launched? Shane O’Dwyer: The ITBA Next Generation Apprenticeship Scheme is designed to provide employment and support career development within the Thoroughbred industry. In addition, it seeks to assist with the growing concerns towards recruitment and skilled staff in this sector. Stud farms offer a multitude of experiences in a single year from mares and foals to stallions and yearlings. Throughout the placement apprentices will learn basic skills required to work on a stud farm whilst being mentored both personally and professionally by both the employer and the ITBA. The apprenticeship will also offer a number of seminars and workshops to ensure each candidate is given every opportunity to learn and develop their knowledge within the year. We feel this is an invaluable experience for those wishing to develop a career in with the breeding of Thoroughbreds. AC: Why did you decide to launch this scheme? SO’D: At present there are huge concerns with staff shortages in the Thoroughbred industry and over the last few months members have highlighted the difficulty with recruiting entry level staff. The scheme was developed to encourage workers to the breeding sector whilst providing attractive opportunities to work in this rewarding industry. Stud work offers a multidimensional learning experience with foaling and sales prep as main highlights. We have had great support to date from our stakeholders and are looking forward to it commencing in January. AC: How does it differ to the previous apprentice programme that you ran? SO’D: It differs from the previous apprentice programme in that it is geared towards young people who are eager to enter the workforce and gain “on the job” learning and training. The previous scheme was primarily geared towards third level graduates. AC: What are your aims for this programme? SO’D: Our aim is to provide opportunities for individuals to develop a career in the Thoroughbred industry. Together with a mentoring system and regular workshops each apprentice will have a structured and rounded learning experience. Furthermore, there will be the opportunity to continue working in a stud and further develop a career. AC: What are you looking for in applicants? SO’D: Applicants must have a genuine interest in rural activity and in particular working with horses. Enthusiasm and competency are key attributes that will maximise learning outcomes. Suitable applicants will undergo an induction in early January before being placed on a stud farm for the remainder of the year. The programme is due to commence on the 21st of Jan. 2019 and will offer up to 10 applicants a year paid employment on a stud farm. AC: How do people apply and where can they find out more information? SO’D: To apply for the scheme simply download the application form from our website www.itba.ie or via social media @ITBAnextgen. When complete, forward it on to icrosse@itba.ie or post it to ITBA, Greenhills, Kill, Co. Kildare. Application close on the 7th Dec. 2018. A selection process will then take place with the induction course due to take place before the start of the programme. To find out more information log on to www.itba.ie or phone ITBA HQ on 045 877543. View the full article

Moments after prevailing in a stretch-long duel to secure the biggest stakes win of his career, Trigger Warning suffered what would prove to be a catastrophic injury. View the full article

It went down to the last race of the night, but Matthew Poon Ming-fai secured the coveted final spot for next month’s Longines International Jockeys’ Championship – a pretty neat trick given he wasn’t even riding. The talented 23-year-old was forced to watch Wednesday night’s Happy Valley meeting from the sidelines because of suspension and must have been on the edge of his seat while biting his nails – pick a metaphor – heading into the Class Three... View the full article

When the eyes of the racing world focus in on the Longines Hong Kong International Races next month, all the attention will be on local hero Beauty Generation as he looks to affirm his position as one of the best horses on the planet. The Jockey Club on Wednesday released the list of 50 horses set to compete at Sha Tin on December 9 and John Moore’s superstar – a three-time Group One winner and Hong Kong’s reigning Horse of the Year – is clearly the main attraction for... View the full article

Pakistan Star will need to not only turn his own form around but defy history if he is to take out the Longines Hong Kong Vase (2,400m) next month with the quirky gelding needing to break a long run of outs for local horses in the race. Hong Kong horses have a woeful record, winning just twice in its 24-year history, with Europeans frequently taking out the HK$20 million event. Along with the 10 internationals Pakistan Star – who will be ridden by William Buick – has to fend off, he... View the full article

Hong Kong’s richest race has been thrown wide open with a host of international raiders set to challenge local stars Time Warp and Werther for the Longines Hong Kong Cup crown. Consistent Japanese performers Sungrazer, Deirdre and Staphanos will make the trip to Sha Tin while legendary Irish trainer Dermot Weld will bring his up-and-coming four-year-old Eziyra from Europe, fresh off a Breeders Cup tilt in America. It is local trainer Tony Millard, however, who brings the most intriguing... View the full article

Beauty Generation has already shown he has the locals covered, but he will have to contend with seven internationals – including five Group One winners – as he looks to defend his Longines Hong Kong Mile title. John Moore’s superstar – the reigning Hong Kong Horse of the Year – has gone to another level this season and he looks to have a mortgage on the HK$25 million feature after his track-record setting domination in Sunday’s Group Two Jockey Club Mile.... View the full article

Master Hong Kong trainer John Size is looking to make it back-to-back Group One Longines Hong Kong Sprints and enters the race with an impressive hand, but his 2017 champ Mr Stunning is out to spoil the party for his former handler. After saluting in this race last year, Mr Stunning switched to the stables of Frankie Lor Fu-chuen and is tracking perfectly in his bid to make it consecutive victories. After a third in the Group Two Premier Bowl (1,200m), Mr Stunning was second in last weekend... View the full article

Picks from the paddock – Wednesday 21/11/18 Racing Post NAP 18.40 Kempton A fascinating contest with some major yards and owners represented here for this valuable prize. The William Haggas trained Victory Bond looks the one to be on here. A real all weather specialist who saves his best form for these types of occasions. He has won three of his last six starts and was runner-up in a further two so expect to see him go close once more this evening and with the unstoppable James Doyle in the saddle, he is the confident pick to land the spoils. The main danger is Flaming Spear who has proven form on artificial surfaces, has the assistance of Robert Winston in the saddle and he could easily bounce back to form to give the selection the most to think about. VICTORY BOND (WIN) – NAP RACEBETS Alternative Bet 18.20 Wolverhampton The feature race of the evening card at Wolverhampton plays host to a number of course and distance winners making for a fascinating contest. Bamako Du Chatelet is hat-trick seeking after two impressive wins in a similar grade, but both of those wins have been over further and he will likely need every single yard of this with a strong pace not guaranteed. Illey Boy won impressively at Kempton recently and warrants respect having won at the track before, but he has a 6lb penalty to contend with here tonight, which might just leave the door open for the ultra-consistent, Calvinist to land the spoils here. He has found his form on this course and loves it round here. Clifford Lee takes the ride here and his 3lb claim could make the difference as he aims for his second win of the season. He led here last time out for a long way before fading close home when runner-up over 1m6f and he shaped that day as if this drop in trip is exactly what he needs so he is the confident pick. CALVINIST (WIN) Warwick 12.30 Generation Gap 13.00 Black Tulip e/w 13.30 She Mite Bite 14.05 Djingle 14.35 Malachite 15.10 Beat That 15.45 Lady Cylla e/w Chepstow 12.40 Steel Bob e/w 13.10 Deise Aba 13.40 Native Getaway e/w 14.15 Glen Forsa e/w 14.45 Ekayburg 15.20 Oxwich Bay e/w 15.55 Radical Archie Hexham 12.50 Hill Sixteen e/w 13.20 Blottos 13.50 Take a break 14.25 Chanceiton e/w 14.55 Love at Dawn 15.30 Le Frank Dundalk 17.30 Hasselnott 18.00 Avalanche e/w 18.30 Beau Warrior 19.00 Proud and Elated 19.30 Amazing One e/w 20.00 Hatton Cross e/w 20.30 Sleepy Head 21.00 Easy Boy Kempton 16.10 Go Fox e/w 16.40 Open Sea 17.10 Headman 17.40 Forest of Dean 18.10 Honest Albert 18.40 Victory Bond e/w 19.10 Alqamar 19.40 Dalileo e/w Wolverhampton 16.50 Toolatetodelegate e/w 17.20 Black Salt 17.50 midnight Guest e/w 18.20 Calvinist (NAP) 18.50 Earl of Bunnacurry 19.20 Woosh e/w 19.50 Foxy Lady e/w 20.20 Assimilation e/w The post Picks From The Paddock Best Bet – Wednesday 21st November appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

Grylls grateful for Singapore opportunity but home is where the heart is View the full article

Zuriman, Zyrul suspended View the full article

The second of three days of selling at the Arqana Autumn Sale featured a Martaline (GB) yearling colt, who proved the dearest lot on the day when selling to Frederic Sauque. Lot 307, consigned by Jean-Pierre and Guillaume Garcon’s Haras de l’Hotellerie, brought a final bid of €160,000 to top the session. The April-born yearling is a half-brother to Grade 2 winner Roi Mage (Fr) (Poliglote {GB}). Also breaking into six figures was lot 312, a son of Doctor Dino (Fr) out of Sandside (Fr) (Marchand de Sable from the Haras de la Haie Neuve draft. Already named Guillaume (Fr), the yearling was knocked down to Saubouas Bloodstock for €125,000 and is well related, as he is a full to the Grade 1 winner Sceau Royal (Fr). At the close of Tuesday’s session the clearance rate for the National Hunt yearlings settled at 63%, with an average of €23,954, roughly even with the 2017 renewal. Leading the 2-year-old store category was lot 328, who went the way of Guy Petit for €40,000 from the consignment of Haras du Lieu des Champs. Overall, 123 lots sold Tuesday for a clearance rate of 63.4%. The average dropped 8.4% to €22,228, while the median remained steady at €16,000. The aggregate on the day was €2,734,000. The final day features Flat yearlings beginning at 11 a.m. local time on Wednesday. View the full article

Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens has retired for the third and final time Tuesday after suffering a spinal injury during an incident in a post parade at Del Mar Saturday. The news was first reported by the Daily Racing Form. “I would have liked to have walked away on my exact terms, but I consider myself very fortunate for the career I’ve had as a jockey and that I can still walk with the news I got this morning,” Stevens told the TDN when reached by phone Tuesday. “The whiplash has moved C4 forward and it is pressing directly on my spinal cord. I am waiting to hear back on when the surgery will be to relieve the pressure.” As for future plans, Stevens said, “I’ve got several irons in the fire. The time was coming near anyway, so it is not like I wasn’t thinking about what I was going to be doing. I have a few things that I am excited about.” Stevens scored his first victory at his home track of Les Bois Park in Idaho in 1980 and now owns a total of 5,187 wins, with 11 of those coming in Breeders’ Cup races and nine in Triple Crown events. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997, the 55-year-old won his first Classic aboard Hall of Fame filly Winning Colors in the 1988 GI Kentucky Derby (video) and his most recent Triple Crown victory came shortly after his last comeback in the 2013 GI Preakness S. aboard Oxbow, who, like Winning Colors, was trained by D. Wayne Lukas (video). “Dating back to Winning Colors, Wayne gave me my first Classic win and my last Classic win [with Oxbow], so that is pretty cool,” Stevens said. The Eclipse-winning pilot also navigated 1995 Derby and GI Belmont S. winner Thunder Gulch for Lukas and took home the roses again in 1997 aboard the Bob Baffert-trained Silver Charm, who also captured that year’s Preakness. Rounding out his trio of Preakness winners is fellow Baffert pupil Point Given, who captured the Triple Crown’s second jewel, as well as the Belmont, in 2001. Stevens also rode Victory Gallop to an upset of Real Quiet’s Triple Crown bid in the 1998 Belmont. Some of the journeyman rider’s other memorable mounts include Silverbulletday, Serena’s Song, Rock Hard Ten, Indian Charlie, Best Pal, War Chant, Da Hoss, Escena, Macho Uno and Bertrando. “Gary Stevens galloped my first Thoroughbred for me and rode my first Kentucky Derby winner,” Baffert said. “I came up through the sport alongside him. When I think of my greatest memories in racing, Gary is always right there, front and center. He is a legend in this sport and I am proud to call him my friend.” Stevens retired for the first time in 1999 with knee issues and briefly worked as a trainer and a jockey agent, but returned to the track a short time later in 2000. He retired again in 1995 to work as an analyst at NBC and was back in the saddle in 2013 after eight years on the sidelines. During his most recent comeback, Stevens scored several career highs. In addition to winning the 2013 Preakness with Oxbow at odds of 15-1, the rider scored his long-awaited first GI Breeders’ Cup Classic victory aboard Mucho Macho Man (video). He was also the regular rider of four-time Eclipse winner and future fellow Hall of Famer Beholder, guiding her to two GI Breeders’ Cup Distaff wins, in 2013 and 2016 (video), respectively. Stevens climbed aboard Beholder for the first time in the 2013 Torrey Pines S., which they won, and together they captured a total of 12 races, seven of which were Grade Is, highlighted by her World Championship scores and an 8 1/4-length tour de force in the 2015 GI Pacific Classic (video). “Throughout my career, Gary and I have had a lot of success and always made a good team, but particularly with Beholder,” said Hall of Fame conditioner Richard Mandella. “They had a real relationship and it was obvious in the performances she gave him. Her previous rider was insistent that she needed to go to the front and we always trained her to sit back and use her speed when we wanted, rather than just letting her run off on the front end. Gary and I, like I said, always understood each other well enough that, when he got on and I asked him to try that, it put her in a new league. I’m very sad to hear that he is retired again.” Stevens won four graded stakes during the 2018 season, but the aforementioned trio of Oxbow, Mucho Macho Man and Beholder were certainly the highlights of his last stint in the saddle, which also included riding Firing Line to a second place finish behind American Pharoah in the 2015 Derby. “I wouldn’t trade that decision I made to come back [in 2013] for anything, between Mucho Macho Man, Oxbow, Beholder, especially Beholder,” Stevens said. “The Breeders’ Cup Classic was the one race that was missing and Mucho Macho Man got that trophy on the pedestal. Beholder was the best I’ve ever ridden. Everything has a reason for happening. It was a short five years. These past five years went by pretty quickly, I’ll tell you that, but they were the best five years I have had in my career.” View the full article

From Nov. 30-Mar. 3, the National Army Museum will display some of the paintings by Sir Alfred Munnings in an exhibit titled Alfred Munnings: War Artist, 1918. Originally developed by the Canadian War Museum in partnership with The Munnings Art Museum and sponsored by The Beaverbrook Canadian Foundation, the exhibition will display over 40 paintings created during the final years of the First World War. Among the themes on display are equine subjects, portraiture and pastoral landscapes. The Munnings exhibit, which is locally supported by Juddmonte, is supplemented with works from the National Army Museum’s own collection relating to General Jack Seely, who commanded the Canadian Cavalry Brigade throughout much of the war. Munnings was commissioned by the Canadian War Memorials Fund, created by Lord Beaverbrook, as an official war artist to capture the fighting front and the crucial logistical work behind the lines. The exhibition will be accompanied by the book Alfred Munnings: Memory, The War Horse and the Canadians in 1918, edited by Dr. Jonathan Black and a public programme at the National Army Museum. “It is a pleasure to share works by Alfred Munnings with an international audience,” said Mark O’Neill, President and CEO of the Canadian War Museum and Canadian Museum of History. “His paintings of First World War scenes–from the men and horses who served in wartime, to forests and battlefields–are an evocative reflection not only of Canada’s military history, but the development of one of England’s best-known artists.” View the full article

Trainer Jim Cassidy is hoping Prime Attraction's next try against grade 1 competition goes down as the time he gets a result in line with the company he has kept. View the full article

Trainer Mark Casse completed a sweep of the two OBS Championship Day of Racing stakes Nov. 20 at the Ocala Training Center with Bill and Vicki Poston's Southern Sis and Gary Barber's Lookin to Strike. View the full article