Wandering Eyes

Because of the impact of winter weather moving through the area, Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races and Laurel Park cancelled its live racing programs scheduled Nov. 15. View the full article

Grade 1-placed Code of Honor turned in his first workout since having to miss the Nov. 2 Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1), breezing three furlongs in :37.23 at Belmont Park Nov. 15. View the full article

Audible (Into Mischief), a runaway winner of the GI Xpressbet Florida Derby and third-place finisher in the GI Kentucky Derby, has returned to Todd Pletcher’s training base at Palm Beach Downs to continue preparations for a planned start in the $9-million GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational at Gulfstream Park Jan. 26. He returned to action with an impressive win in the seven-furlong Cherokee Run S. at Churchill Downs Nov. 3 and is scheduled to make his next start in the Dec. 15 GIII Harlan’s Holiday S. at Gulfstream. “We were thrilled with that performance,” Pletcher said of Audible’s win on Breeders’ Cup weekend. “He hadn’t run since the Derby and we were looking for the right kind of race to bring him back in. We have our goal set for the Pegasus and we were trying to figure out the best path to get there. We felt like the Cherokee Run was a good starting point and the spacing from that to the Harlan’s Holiday was good. Of course, the spacing between the Harlan’s Holiday and the Pegasus is good. It was kind of Step 1 of a three-race plan, and the first step went very smoothly.” View the full article

Videos of all panels and presentations from the fifth Thoroughbred Owner Conference, including the keynote address by Jon Miller, the president of programming for NBC Sports, are now available at www.ownerview.com/conference-videos. The owner conference was held Tuesday, Oct. 30, through Thursday, Nov. 1, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., to coincide with the Breeders’ Cup. “We are happy to post videos from the Thoroughbred Owner Conference each year so that both our conference attendees as well as those who were unable to attend are able to benefit from the insights shared by our speakers,” said Gary Falter, project manager for OwnerView. “Throughout the years, our guests have indicated that our panels have been educational for all types of owners.” View the full article

For the second year in a row, Del Mar will host a “Toys for Tots” motorcycle ride and gift-gathering program as part of a highly successful U.S. Marine Corps-backed charity event that has been ongoing for more than 70 years. Racing fans who bring a new unwrapped toy to the track this Sunday earmarked for the event will receive free admission. Cash or check donations also will be accepted by uniformed Marines and sailors on hand manning the “Toy” collection boxes. View the full article

The unveiling of the Cartier Award winners for 2018 has highlighted the dominance of John Gosden, who has ended the 2018 season as Champion Trainer of Great Britain for the third time. It is not merely that Gosden has trained the Cartier Horse of the Year for the fourth time in the last five years, Roaring Lion (Kitten’s Joy) following in the footsteps of Kingman (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), Golden Horn (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}) and Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}), who were the Cartier Horses of the Year in 2014, 2015 and 2017. This year, Roaring Lion (who also received the prize for Cartier 3-Year-Old Colt) was one of four Cartier winners handled by Gosden, also responsible for Enable, Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and Too Darn Hot (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), recipients of the awards for Cartier Older Horse, Cartier Stayer and Cartier 2-Year-Old Colt, respectively. Born in 1951, John Gosden grew up as the son of a very successful trainer, but tragically John Montague ‘Towser’ Gosden died in 1967 when his son was still at school in Eastbourne. Towser Gosden ranked as one of Britain’s best trainers in the decades after the Second World War, sending out numerous high-class winners from Heath House, Lewes, in East Sussex. Having gained both a degree (in economics) and a blue (for both discus and javelin) at Cambridge, John Gosden set out in the early ’70s to follow in his late father’s footsteps by securing positions in arguably the two best stables in the British Isles, working as assistant for Sir Noel Murless in Warren Place in Newmarket and for Vincent O’Brien in Ballydoyle in Ireland. After completing his education by working for Tommy Doyle in California (while making sure that his homework included keeping an eye on everything that Charlie Whittingham did with his horses) John Gosden took out a trainer’s license there in 1979. Success inevitably followed, most notably with 1983 Eclipse Award winner Bates Motel (Sir Ivor), who landed a series of major victories headed by wins in California’s biggest race, the GI Santa Anita H. At the inaugural Breeders’ Cup in 1984, Gosden sent out Robert Sangster’s European import Royal Heroine (Ire) (Lypheor {Fr}) to land the GI Breeders’ Cup Mile; while the former Guy Harwood inmates Zoffany (Our Native), Alphabatim (Verbatim) and Allez Milord (Tom Rolfe) also secured major triumphs, as did another U.S.-bred British import Bel Bolide (Bold Bidder), who had been trained in the UK for Prince Khalid Abdullah by Jeremy Tree. While it’s a myth that it never rains in Southern California, it must have seemed to John Gosden and his wife Rachel (whom he had met at Cambridge) as if the sun always shone there. They may well have stayed forever, but Sheikh Mohammed was expanding his empire in Newmarket and needed a trainer. Moulton Paddocks Stables had become available for rent following the retirement of Jeremy Hindley, and the Sheikh had bought Stanley House Stables (formerly the hub of the racing empire of the Earls of Derby) from Gavin Pritchard-Gordon as well as Highfield from John Winter. The Sheikh made Gosden an offer which he couldn’t refuse, and in 1989 he and Rachel duly boarded an eastbound 747. Through the ’90s, John Gosden gradually established himself among England’s leading trainers. Initially the bulk of his string were Maktoum-owned, such as the trainer’s first British Classic winner Shantou (Alleged) as well as Flemensfirth (Alleged) and Sheikh Hamdan’s Muhtarram (Alleged) and the top sprinters Wolfhound (Nureyev) and Keen Hunter (Diesis {GB}). He also had, understandably, a nucleus of American owners. George Strawbridge’s Presenting (GB) (Mtoto {GB}) finished third in the Derby in 1995 (as did Sheikh Mohammed’s Shantou the next year) before Landon Knight’s Benny The Dip (Silver Hawk) took his trainer to the summit of his profession in 1997, landing a thrilling short-head victory at Epsom in the Blue Riband. When Peter Chapple-Hyam relocated to Hong Kong at the end of the 1999 season, John Gosden moved into the Sangster family’s estate at Manton in Wiltshire in his stead, thus taking the helm of the property where Alec Taylor Jr had won 11 trainers’ championships between 1907 and 1925. After six very successful years there, he and Rachel returned to Newmarket, putting down roots by buying Clarehaven Stables, famous as the former home of the great filly Pretty Polly (Ire) (Gallinule {GB}), at the end of the Bury Road. The property had become available following the death of Alec Stewart, who had trained several top-class horses there including the champion Mtoto (GB) (Busted {GB}). In the post-war years former dual Champion Trainer Joe Lawson, a long-time assistant to Alec Taylor Jr before taking over as trainer at Manton on the latter’s retirement, had made the move from the famous estate to Clarehaven. In his new home and in the twilight of his great career, Lawson had achieved a lifetime’s ambition in 1954 when sending out Robert Sterling Clark’s Never Say Die (Nasrullah {Ire}) to become the first Kentucky-bred Derby winner. In time, John Gosden would bring even greater glory to Clarehaven than Joe Lawson had done. While Sheikh Mohammed and his immediate family have been John Gosden’s major patrons since the trainer’s repatriation, it has been remarkable how broad the stable’s ownership base has become. It speaks volumes for the trainer’s diplomacy, as well as for the extremely high regard in which he is held, that so many major investors are happy to sit side by side on the same ownership bench. We seem to have moved on from the ‘Cold War’ when Darley was Darley and Coolmore was Coolmore, and never the ‘twain would meet–but even when that seeming stand-off existed, Gosden was far enough above it all to train for both camps simultaneously. In all, John Gosden trains for nearly every major owner/breeder in Europe, and plenty from other continents too. It is not just that owners know that, by sending their horses to Clarehaven, they will maximise their chances of success; they also know that they will be treated fairly by a man with the dignity to stand unmoved through the earthquake, wind and fire, and to speak throughout with the still voice of calm. It speaks volumes that Gosden’s five 2018 Cartier Award winners of the last two years–a list which includes 2017 Cartier 3-Year-Old Colt Cracksman (GB) (Frankel {GB})–were all raced by different people. To see John Gosden’s string going about its business on Newmarket Heath provides on-lookers with the type of education which he made sure that he secured when he took the opportunity to watch Charlie Whittingham marshaling his cavalry all those years ago. It is very rare to see a horse trained by John Gosden misbehaving at exercise, and even rarer to see one who does not look fit, well, healthy and content. It is rarer still to see one of his usually-smiling jockeys or exercise-riders flustered. There is no fuss, no rush, no panic. His several assistants and head lads who supervise the work (each of whom would be more than capable of being a very good trainer in his own right) do so with an aura of calm proficiency and helpfulness. If/when you see one of them helping to coax a difficult horse towards the gallops, the likelihood is that the horse is trained by someone else and they’re just lending a helping hand. At the centre of these perfectly choreographed daily equine manoeuvres stands the trainer directing operations; never flustered, seeing all, missing nothing. This list of champions trained by John Gosden has been growing year by year, as has the list of big races which he has won. His tally of Group/Grade I victories is already into three figures. Among the landmarks which must surely have given him the greatest satisfaction would have been his triumphal ‘homecoming’ to Santa Anita for the Breeders’ Cup in 2008 when Princess Haya of Jordan’s Raven’s Pass (Elusive Qualilty) won the GI Breeders’ Cup Classic. Even more poignant, one imagines, would have been the G1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth S. victories of Lady Rothschild’s Nathaniel (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in 2011, of Sheikh Hamdan al Maktoum’s Taghrooda (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) in 2014 and of Prince Khalid Abdullah’s Enable in 2017. His father enjoyed arguably his finest hour when sending out Sir Harold Wernher’s Aggressor (GB) (Combat {GB}) to lower the colours of the mighty Petite Etoile (GB) (Petition {GB}) in the same race in 1960. John Gosden’s Derby victories (two of them at the last count, although that total could obviously rise) must also have brought a lump to the trainer’s throat. In his last season (1965) before handing over his stable to Gordon Smyth, Towser Gosden trained a promising 2-year-old colt called Charlottown (GB) (Charlottesville {GB}). The great man lived long enough to see Smyth send his protege out to win the following year’s Derby, but sadly not much longer than that. John Gosden is currently a trainer at the peak of his powers. It is not just that he seems to have perfected the art of having a horse in perfect condition on the day that matters; he has developed an uncanny ability correctly to identify the day that matters, playing his hand of equine trumps with such deftness and assurance that the right horse inevitably ends up in the right race, which can be easier said than done when one is training a large number of good horses for a variety of powerful owners. Gosden currently ranks as undisputedly the pre-eminent trainer in Great Britain, and it is our privilege and pleasure to stand back and watch a master at work. View the full article

Grade 1-placed Code of Honor turned in his first workout since having to miss the Nov. 2 Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1), breezing three furlongs in :37.23 at Belmont Park on Nov. 15. View the full article

The ITV racing team bring us four races from Cheltenham on the first day of the November meeting. There will be pointers galore and most punters will have their notebooks at the ready, with one eye on March. Some big names set to strut their stuff include festival favourite and last season’s Grand National winner Tiger Roll. BetVictor Handicap Chase Bun Doran has a very poor strike rate over fences for a horse with such ability, in fact, his only win over fences came in a small event at Newcastle. A drop back in trip on seasonal debut and a reduced opening mark, all point to a big run from Tom George’s charge. A Hare Breath carries top weight and is a very interesting contender here, it seems that he’s been around forever but this will actually only be his fourth run over fences. The last of these came in the Arkle where he finished well behind Altior. The lightly raced ten-year-old excels over two miles and races off what looks like a lenient mark here. Paul Henderson’s Doitforthevillage is a course and distance winner having won this contest last season off a mark of 135. He is only two pounds higher this time having failed to add to this victory last season and Tom O’Brien in the plate, he must have a big chance. Others of note include Movie Legend and Shanahan’s Turn. Selection: A Hare Breath Steel Plate and Sections Novices’ Chase Mr Whipped had a fantastic start to last season, winning his first three starts but ended the season on a low when pulling up in the Grade 1 Albert Bartlett Hurdle at the Cheltenham festival. This former point to point winner should appreciate the larger obstacles and looks like a very nice prospect. Jerrysback has only had two runs on the racecourse proper but he has won both of them in very taking fashion. It’s worrying that we haven’t seen Philip Hobbs’ lightly raced six-year-old since February last year but if he continues to progress, then he could be the dark horse in the race. Colin Tizzard started off point to point winner White Moon in a maiden hurdle at Wincanton on his racecourse debut which resulted in a cosy six-length victory. Such was his progression that two runs later, he was lining up in a Grade 2 at Sandown where he trailed in a long last behind On The Blind Side. However, there may have been excuses that day as the German-bred gelding has had a wind operation since that run and hasn’t been seen for 343 days. I think it’s too early to write him off and he’s worth keeping an eye on. The in-form Nigel Twiston-Davies is represented by Count Meribel who was Grade 2 placed last season over hurdles but was found out in the Grade 1 Sefton at Aintree. He won well on seasonal/chase debut at Carlisle but will have to be an improved horse to take this. Selection: Mr Whipped Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase This race should prove very informative for Cross Country race at the festival as it gives us a rare chance to see horses run over this niche track. Jossies Orders is a regular in these cross-country contests and he just thrives over this discipline. So much so he’s record over the course reads 11136 and he took this exact race back in 2015. Enda Bolger the “King of the banks” bids for a third victory in three years here and holds leading claims of doing so. The JP McManus owned gelding had a nice pipe-opener at Galway last month over hurdles and should give his supporters a good run for their money. The standout runner in the field is last seasons Grand National winner Tiger Roll. Gordon Elliott’s Aintree hero is having his first run of the season here and although there will be bigger targets, principally back to back Grand Nationals, Tiger Roll also has a very good record at Cheltenham including victories at the last three festivals, which only enhances his chances, given his good record when fresh he must go close Gordon is also represented by Bless The Wings, who finished second in the festival cross country race two seasons back and wasn’t beaten that far behind Tiger Roll in the Grand National last season. He’s not getting any younger and hasn’t won off the back of a break since 2011, so a watching brief is advised. The other horse of note is Midnight Shot who is tackling the discipline for the first time and if he takes to it, could run well. Selection: Tiger Roll Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle This race has been won by some future starts in the past, including Gold Cup winner Coneygree and Shantou Village. This race looks to have a host of exciting hurdlers and it’ll be very informative to see who emerges on top. The Nicky Henderson trained Pym has only seen the racecourse five times and looked very smart when winning on debut at Ayr. He was found out in two further bumper runs although he did run well on both occasions. Pym won well on hurdle debut at Chepstow but it looked like a weak contest and he was once again beaten at Ascot in a novice event behind Anemoi. The five-year-old son of Stowaway needs to find improvement if he is to feature in this contest. Coolanly jumped off as a 100/1 outsider in the Ballymore Novices’ hurdle and ended up finishing forty lengths behind impressive winner Samcro. He followed this up with with a fine run to finish fifth in the Grade 1 Top Novices’ hurdle behind Lalor. Fergal O’Brien’s inmate was keen early on chasing debut in the Persian War Hurdle and came to grief at the fourth obstacle. If he is none the worse for that fall then he should run well. Colin Tizzard must hold Darlac in very high regard, as he pitches the twice-raced five-year-old at this Grade 2 contest on the back of just one maiden hurdle victory. In fairness, he did make a mockery of the field that day and with the Tizzard stable in red-hot form he’s a horse worth considering. Selection: Coolanly The post Cheltenham Preview – Friday appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

Canterbury Park officials have submitted to the Minnesota Racing Commission a request for a 66-day schedule in 2019 that would begin May 3, the day prior to the Kentucky Derby, and conclude Sept. 14. View the full article

Three Diamonds Farm's Bigger Picture will make his 16th consecutive graded stakes start as one of three entrants for trainer Mike Maker as part of a full field in the $200,000 Red Smith Handicap (G3T) Nov. 17 at Aqueduct Racetrack. View the full article

Because of the impact of winter weather moving through the area, Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races has cancelled its live racing program scheduled Nov. 15. View the full article

I might have missed it, but I haven’t seen any story that pointed out that Accelerate, in winning the Breeders’ Cup Classic, hit a major milestone–winning four Grade I races at 1 1/4 miles on the dirt in a single year. Winning the Triple Crown is supposed to be one of the toughest achievements in horse racing, right? Well, since the Graded Race era began in 1973, there have been five Triple Crown winners. The number of horses that have won four Grade I, mile-and-one-quarter races on dirt in a single year is only four. It might seem like a fairly unacknowledged accomplishment, but maybe it shouldn’t be.　Grade I races are the ultimate goal for any horse, and one mile and one-quarter on the dirt is still the CLASSIC distance in American racing and will remain so (because of the Kentucky Derby and the Breeders’ Cup Classic) no matter how much money is thrown at turf races or nine-furlong dirt races (sorry Pegasus). Affirmed did it in 1979 winning the Strub, the Santa Anita Handicap, the Hollywood Gold Cup and the Woodward. Alysheba did it five times in 1988, opening his four-year-old season with the Strub and the Big ‘Cap and ending it with the Woodward, the Meadowlands Cup and the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Cigar in 1995 won the Gulfstream Park Handicap, the Hollywood Gold Cup, the Jockey Club Gold Cup and the Breeders’ Cup Classic. And now Accelerate has joined the club. The list of top horses that ran in the Graded Stakes era but didn’t hit the magic number of four includes Alydar, Forego, Spectacular Bid, Easy Goer, John Henry, Sunday Silence, Holy Bull, A.P. Indy, Best Pal, Skip Away, Curlin, Ghostzapper and Tiznow as well as Secretariat, Seattle Slew and the two most recent TC winners. Looking back through the DRF Champions book, the only pre-graded stakes horses I could find that probably would have been credited with four Grade I 10-furlong wins in a year were Gun Bow in 1964 (Strub, Gulfstream Park Handicap, Brooklyn Handicap and Woodward) and Round Table in 1958 (Santa Anita Maturity, Santa Anita Handicap, Gulfstream Park Handicap and Woodward). Those that didn’t make the list included Kelso, Dr. Fager, Damascus, Buckpasser, Sword Dancer, Bold Ruler, Swaps, Nashua, Citation and Seabiscuit. As always, no 100% guarantee that my research is error-free, but I’m pretty sure the old eyes got it right. –Jeffrey Tufts Jeffrey Tufts is a former morning line maker and timer on the Southern California circuit. View the full article

In this continuing series, Alan Carasso takes a look ahead at US-bred and/or conceived runners entered for the upcoming weekend at the tracks on the Japan Racing Association circuit, with a focus on pedigree and/or performance in the sales ring. Here are the horses of interest for this weekend running at Kyoto and Tokyo Racecourses, including Mozu Ascot (Frankel {GB}) looking for a second Group 1 in the Mile Championship and a pair of pricey Cairo Prince fillies front and center Saturday. Saturday, November 17, 2018 4th-TOK, ¥13,400,000 ($118k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1400m DALLAS TESORO (f, 2, Cairo Prince–Copelan’s Angel, by Copelan) was purchased for $60K as a weanling at the 2016 Keeneland November Sale, then was hammered down to prominent owner Kenji Ryotokuji for $235K after breezing a furlong in :10 1/5 at this year’s OBS April Sale. The April foal is a daughter of GSP Copelan’s Angel, the dam of SW Fly Away Angel (Skip Away) and granddam of GSP Sonja’s Angel (Smoke Glacken). This is the female family of GISWs Pure Fun and Chelsey Flower. B-Christiana Stables LLC (KY) 6th-KYO, ¥13,400,000 ($118k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1200m MONT PERDU (f, 2, Cairo Prince–Spanish Post, by Flatter) fetched $115K at last year’s Fasig-Tipton New York-bred sale and was ticketed for that auction house’s Gulfstream sale this past March, where she also covered a furlong in :10 1/5 before selling for $325K to Katsumi Yoshida. The bay filly is out of a half-sister to five-time SW and dual GSP Spanish Decree (War Deputy) and is bred on a similar cross to this freshman sire’s GSP Pahket. B-Bluewater Sales LLC & Three Diamonds Farm (NY) Sunday, November 18, 2018 11th-KYO, Mile Championship-G1, ¥210m ($1.86m), 3/up, 1600mT MOZU ASCOT (c, 4, Frankel {GB}–India, by Hennessy), impressive winner of the G1 Yasuda Kinen this past June, looks to make it a sweep of Japan’s major mile events in this stepping-stone to the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile Dec. 9. A $275K KEESEP buyback, the half-brother to ‘TDN Rising Star’ Kareena (Medaglia d’Oro) is out of a MGSW half-sister to Pilfer (Deputy Minister), the dam of MGISW To Honor and Serve (Bernardini), GISW Angela Renee (Bernardini) and SW & GISP Elnaawi (Street Sense). Christophe Lemaire returns in the saddle in a race that also includes US-bred Gendarme (Kitten’s Joy). B-Summer Wind Farm (KY) View the full article

Following the addition of G2 Queen Mary S. winner Signora Cabello (GB) (Camacho {GB}) on Wednesday, three more wildcards have joined the Tattersalls December Sale. Italian Group 3 winner Binti Al Nar (Ger) (Aerion {Ger}) will be offered at the Mares Sale as lot 1908B. The 3-year-old filly, trained by Peter Schiergen, is also Group 3-placed in Germany. Binti Al Nar will be offered on Dec. 4 alongside another Italian stakes-winning 3-year-old filly, Intello Kiss (GB) (Intello {Ger}) (lot 1908C). The relative of G1 St Leger winner Sixties Icon (GB) won the Listed Premio Nogara in Milan. A yearling colt by Invincible Spirit (Ire) has been added to the December Yearling Sale on Nov. 26. Lot 144A is a late May foal out of the French listed winner Glory Power (Ire) (Medicean {GB}) and will be offered by Baroda & Colbinstown Studs. View the full article

Dark Angel (Ire) once again heads the Yeomanstown Stud stallion roster for 2019, and he will stay at €85,000 for the second straight year. “Dark Angel has had another sensational year at stud, proving himself once again as an established Group 1 producer,” said Gay O’Callaghan. “He had a new Group 1 winner in 2018 in the form of Hunt, who ran out a good winner of the Shoemaker Mile at Santa Anita, adding to his previous three Group 2 wins. The emergence also of Raging Bull, who is among the top rated 3-year-old milers in America having won listed, Group 3 and Group 2 contests; he looks set to be a future star. Battaash and Harry Angel showcased their scintillating speed and durability this season, competing at the highest level. Dark Angel’s influence as a broodmare sire was also seen in the top-class performers Havana Grey and Rumble Inthejungle.” Camacho (GB) has enjoyed a career-best season thanks to the likes of G1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches winner Teppal (Fr) and G2 Queen Mary S. winner Signora Cabello (Ire), and he is up to €12,000 from €7,500. Gutaifan (Ire), whose first crop is two next year, stays at €10,000, and El Kabeir, a son of Scat Daddy whose first crop arrives in 2019, stays at €8,000. View the full article

Addressing your thoughts, questions and statements about Hong Kong racing. Have something to say? Send a tweet to @SCMPRacingPost Joao Moreira’s first ride on Sunday is the aptly named “Quick Return” – @sanjchug There is a nice bit of symmetry with the Magic Man’s first ride back in Hong Kong coming aboard Quick Return – he has only been missing for 20 meetings. While he was always going to be competing at the Hong Kong International Races, Sunday’s... View the full article

Danny Shum Chap-shing is hopeful a switch to the turf can help his promising four-year-old Pick Number One return to the winner’s circle at Sha Tin this Sunday. Pick Number One runs in the Class Two BOCHK Asset Management Handicap (1,200m) and will step out on the Sha Tin turf for just the second time after posting a runner-up finish at the course and distance in his second career start. “That time was in Class Four, now he’s in Class Two. It’s a big difference,”... View the full article

He celebrated his birthday on Tuesday but it’s been a bittersweet week for trainer Tony Millard, with the career of 2017 Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse winner Nassa coming to an end. While Millard is preparing to send Singapore Sling around in the Group Two Jockey Club Mile (1,600m) at Sha Tin on Sunday, he is also dealing with the loss of a horse he said had “everything there for the taking”. Nassa set the 1,800m track record in his Sa Sa victory but missed last year’s... View the full article

A protest over the condition of the Woodbine turf course by the track's jockeys forced the cancellation of the first race on the Toronto track's Nov. 14 card. View the full article

Restructuring of Prizemoney and Singapore Racing Fixtures 2019 View the full article

Amirul relishes first chance to ride Lim's Cruiser View the full article

Galvarino close to mending his Crazy ways View the full article

A winning 4-year-old filly by Unbridled’s Song led returns bringing $102,000 from the Army Mule Partnership during Wednesday’s Book 6 session of the Keeneland November Sale. During this 10th session of the 12-day sale, 237 horses grossed $2,903,800 for an average of $12,252 and a median of $7,000. There are no comparable figures from 2017. Cumulatively, 2,286 horses have sold for $187,191,400 for an average of $81,886 and a median of $32,000. Out of a daughter of millionaire Lady Tak (Mutakddim), the session-topping Stormy’s Song earned her ‘TDN Rising Star’ Badge in a blowout win on debut at Belmont Park last June. Hip 3877 was consigned by Hidden Brook, Agent XXX, as a racing or broodmare prospect. “We’re real familiar with the whole family; we bred Stormy Tak [in a partnership],” Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm General Manager Jared Burdine said representing the ownership group. “She’s going to go to [new Hill ‘n’ Dale stallion] Army Mule for a partnership there. We’re excited about him as a stallion.” A filly from the first crop of Tourist was the day’s highest- priced weanling, selling for $50,000 to Stafford Pond Farm. Consigned by Endeavor Farm, agent, as Hip 3567, the filly is out of the stakes-placed Skip Away mare Blondz Away and is a half-sister to stakes winner Colonel Samsen and stakes-placed Summer Share. Lane’s End’s Farm ranked as the session’s leading consignor, selling 33 horses for $585,600. The November Sale continues through Friday with all sessions beginning at 10 a.m. ET. View the full article

Officials at Santa Anita Park have announced the stakes schedule for the track’s upcoming winter/spring meeting, featuring 60 added-money events, eight of which are at the Grade I level. Two of those traditional top-level events anchor Santa Anita’s opening-day program, the GI Malibu S. for sophomore males and the GI La Brea S. for 3-year-old fillies, both contested over seven furlongs. The Dec. 26 card also includes the GII San Antonio S. at 8 1/2 furlongs on the main track, the GII Mathis Brothers Mile for sophomore turf males and the Lady of Shamrock S. for 3-year-old fillies at a mile on turf. The other Grade I events over the course of the meeting are the American Oaks Dec. 29; the Santa Anita H. and Frank E. Kilroe Mile Mar. 9; the Beholder S. Mar. 16; and the Santa Anita Derby and Santa Anita Oaks Apr. 6. Santa Anita’s winter meet again be comprised of 60 racing dates, while the track’s total offering, to run through Sunday, June 23, will offer fans and horsemen 102 combined racing days, dating back to Dec. 26. View the full article

Jerry Bozzo, who died Nov. 11 at the age of 98, will be remembered as the oldest winning Thoroughbred trainer in history, as well as a gentleman and a scholar. View the full article