Wandering Eyes

Minister for Racing Winston Peters announced today that the Government has invested $389,351 in 17 projects to improve safety at racecourses. The grants are made available through the Racing Safety Development Fund which provides $1 million annually to racecourse safety across two funding rounds. This year’s second funding round has supported a range of infrastructure projects including track maintenance equipment, mobile barrier vehicle upgrades, replacement running rails and a greyhound tra... View the full article

Sydney Cup runner-up Vengeur Masque will be missing from the spring carnival after suffering an injury in a paddock accident. The Mike Moroney-trained imported stayer won the Geelong Cup and Queen Elizabeth Stakes during the 2017 Victorian spring carnival while his spring preparation last year included unplaced runs in the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups before his third in the Sandown Cup. Vengeur Masque was sent for a spell after finishing a game second to Shraaoh in the Group One Sydney Cup (320... View the full article

Rondinella is set to kick off her spring campaign in the Gr.1 $A1 million New Zealand Bloodstock Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on September 1, Cambridge trainer Robert Wellwood has revealed. Placed in the Gr.1 New Zealand Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie and the Gr.1 Tancred Stakes (2400m) at Randwick before finishing fourth in the Gr.1 Sydney Cup (3200m) during the autumn, Rondinella has returned to training with Wellwood and his training partner Roger James. "She's back and she looks great," W... View the full article

New Zealand Bloodstock graduate Mega Heart secured his second win in Hong Kong on Wednesday when victorious in the Hoi Mei Handicap (1200m) at Sha Tin. Trainer Michael Chang was confident with the gelding heading into Wednesday and was pleased with the result. “I expected him to run a good race,” he said. “At the start of the season he carried big weights and was only beaten two or three lengths and now he’s dropped down the handicap. “I thought the dirt track would suit him, and, of... View the full article

Tony Pike's two winter Group One performers are heading home but he still plans to have a hand in the rest of the Queensland carnival. Pike has been a major Group One player during the winter carnival with The Bostonian winning the Doomben 10,000 and Kingsford Smith Cup and Endless Drama running third in the Stradbroke Handicap. The Bostonian and Endless Drama are booked to return to Pike's New Zealand stable on Friday. "They can have a break while we decide which way they will head in the Austr... View the full article

Early scratching June 15 View the full article

Canterbury jockey Krishna Mudhoo kicked off his senior riding career in style at Waimate on Sunday, securing his 100th win when riding home Red Rose Warrior for trainer Neill Ridley. Mudhoo was excited to have reached the milestone, but admitted to being a bit disappointed he wasn’t able to reach it as an apprentice. “It was pretty good to get my 100th win on Sunday,” he said. “I wasn’t actually aware I was approaching it. My riding master, Mr (David) Walsh, told me after the race that... View the full article

OCALA, FL – The Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company June Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training opened Wednesday in Central Florida with a day of steady bidding. In all, 187 juveniles sold for $6,119,500. The average was $32,725–down 11.8% from last year’s opening session–and the median rose 11.1% to $20,000. With 263 horses offered, 76 horses were reported not sold for a buy-back rate of 28.9%. A colt by Tapit (hip 277) brought the day’s highest price when selling for $400,000 to Mickey Gonzalez’s M Racing from the Pick View consignment. The day’s highest-priced filly was a daughter of Constitution (hip 256) who sold for $280,000 to Phil and Christine Hatfield from the Potrero Stables consignment. In all, five juveniles sold for $200,000 or over. “I think it’s good,” Pick View’s Joe Pickerell said of the market during the first session of the June sale. “We brought seven up here and sold six through the ring and we’ve maybe got something going on the other one. There are people here to buy horses at all levels and that’s a good testament to OBS. They did a good job getting the buyers here. We were a little unsure bringing a horse with that pedigree and that kind of physical here, but they did their part and got the people here to look at him.” De Meric Sales was the session’s leading consignor, with seven sold for $667,500. Tristan de Meric was seeing a fairly typical June marketplace. “I’ve found it fair, but the market is definitely a bit spotty,” de Meric said. “Overall, it’s been about what we expected. The right horse is still selling, and selling pretty well, but it’s been tough for some of the others. It’s a typical June market and typical to the trends we’ve seen in the last couple of years. There are still buyers for the good horse and I think there are still some good horses to come.” While the good horses continue to attract plenty of attention, bloodstock agent Mike Mulligan is taking a wait-and-see approach to the middle and lower end market. “There are 10 or 15 standouts, maybe 20 standouts in this sale,” Mulligan said. “Maybe another 100 or 150 that are going to be in the trading market between $25,000 to $100,000 to $150,000. And then what’s going to happen with the rest of the horses? We’ll see.” The OBS June sale continues through Friday with bidding beginning daily at 10 a.m. Tapit Colt Tops OBS June Opener When Mickey Gonzalez woke up Wednesday morning, he had no intention of buying a juvenile at OBS, but the longtime owner made the biggest bid of the day when going to $400,000 to acquire a colt by Tapit (hip 277) from the Pick View consignment. Gonzalez, standing alongside bloodstock agent Christina Jelm, did his bidding out back for the half-brother to Grade I winner Verrazano (More Than Ready), who will be trained by Jerry Hollendorfer. “I am a good friend of Christina and Jerry,” Gonzalez said. “I just bought a farm here in Ocala and every time they are coming to the auction, they stay at my home. I was not going to buy horses until the Keeneland sales, but this morning at 5:30, Christina convinced me to see the workout of this horse and I really loved the horse. I am here, last minute, having a hamburger and then I just bought a horse. It wasn’t my intention originally, but my good friend Christina made me see the workout and check out the horse and I really loved him. I think I bought a really great horse.” Gonzalez, who was born in New York and grew up in Puerto Rico, races as M Racing Group and has owned horses since 1971. He has campaigned graded stakes winner Tonito M, winner of the 2014 GIII Oklahoma Derby, and Who’s Up, who won the 2009 GIII Generous S. “Racing has been my passion all of my life and I’ve been in the horse business as a hobby for 43 years,” Gonzalez, who is in the insurance business, said. “I have a lot of health conditions and I live in Las Vegas. I am moving from the metropolis to a quiet place to relax and take care of my health. That’s the reason I am moving to Ocala. So it’s not a commercial farm, it’s just for me to enjoy.” Asked if he might be buying additional horses Wednesday, Gonzalez said with a laugh, “I am going back to my farm to rest and put my pajamas on.” The chestnut colt, out of Enchanted Rock (Giant’s Causeway), is also a half to graded winner El Padrino (Pulpit). It was the youngster’s second trip through the sales ring this year. He RNA’d for $325,000 after working a furlong in :10 3/5 at the Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream Sale in March. “He worked a lot better here,” Pick View’s Joe Pickerell said. “He’s really changed a lot since that sale and we’re just glad that all of the buyers agreed with us on how nice a horse we thought he was all year.” Pickerell purchased the colt for $190,000 under the name Slate Mills Equine at last year’s Fasig-Tipton October sale. “He was a beautiful physical with a great walk to him and he was a big colt,” Pickerell said of the colt’s appeal last fall. “We just felt like he was going to do good throughout the winter. We actually thought, with his pedigree, we wouldn’t be able to get him in the fall, but we got lucky and it worked out.” Distorted Humor Colt to Casse Bloodstock agent Justin Casse purchased a colt by Distorted Humor for $290,000 during Wednesday’s opening session of the OBS June sale. The colt (hip 254), consigned by de Meric Sales on behalf of Tami Bobo, worked the furlong in a co-bullet :9 4/5 during last week’s under-tack preview. “He breezed fast and he’s a beautiful-looking horse,” Casse said of the juvenile. “I know he was here in March, but he performed when he was asked both times and that’s important.” The bay, purchased privately by Bobo as a weanling, worked a quarter-mile in :20 3/5 prior to the OBS March sale, where he RNA’d for $245,000. Casse said he had been mildly interested in the colt in March. “Slightly, if you want to call it that,” Casse said of his interest in the colt two months ago. “We weren’t prepared and I made a half-hearted effort and then of course he showed back up and they were rewarded for doing so because the horse proved himself again.” Hip 254 is out of the unraced Driven (Forestry) and is a half-brother to multiple stakes placed Glamoride (Ide). Bobo was rewarded for the decision to take the colt home from the March sale. “I am very happy with that result,” Bobo said Wednesday. “I felt like he was worth the $245,000 he RNA’d for in March, for sure. And he came back and he showed everyone he could do it again with a :9 4/5. I think he’s a phenomenal colt and I wish the buyers the best of luck. From now, we just hope he’s in the right hands to go on. Justin Casse is signing the ticket, so it looks like he made it into the right hands. We are excited for the horse and his future.” Daredevil Colt to Head West A colt by Daredevil (hip 100), who turned in the co-fastest quarter-mile breeze of :20 3/5 during last week’s under-tack preview, will be joining the Southern California barn of trainer Doug O’Neill after being purchased by Paul Reddam’s Reddam Racing for $245,000 during Wednesday’s first session of the OBS June sale. Steve Venosa signed the ticket on the dark bay juvenile. “We felt that he was the outstanding physical of the sale,” Venosa said. “He worked well on the racetrack and he showed well. He did everything right.” The colt is from the first crop of GI Champagne S. winner Daredevil (More Than Ready), who was represented by his first winner at Hamilton hours after he sold. The juvenile is out of Bible (U S Ranger) and from the family of Grade I winner Corinthian. He was purchased by Ciaran Dunne’s Redwings pinhooking partnership for $72,000 at last year’s Fasig-Tipton July sale. “We bought the horse with Reddam to pinhook,” Dunne explained. “He’s a horse we’ve always liked. Paul was high on him. He said his number where he would sell or stay in and he didn’t, obviously, reach the number where he wanted to sell. So he’ll buy us out and he’ll take him and run him.” The colt had originally been targeted at the OBS April sale, but was re-ticketed for the June sale after having a curb pin-fired this spring. Venosa said the setback wasn’t a concern. “It was addressed and the horse came here and showed up and did what he needed to do,” Venosa said. Of the colt’s final price tag, Dunne admitted, “I really don’t understand it. We thought he was one of the fastest horses we’ve brought to market this year. He couldn’t have performed any better than he did. It just didn’t happen for him today. It’s just one of those things. You just move on.” Despite the June sale’s position as the final stop on the juvenile auction calendar, Venosa said there were still buyers for the top horses. “There are good horsemen here looking at and evaluating horses,” he said. “They can separate the good ones from the bad ones. We’ll find out if this was one of the good ones.” Morton Adds to Stable Tobey Morton added another 2-year-old to his racing stable when bloodstock agent Mike Mulligan signed the ticket at $230,000 to acquire a filly by Quality Road Wednesday in Ocala. The youngster will be trained by John Kimmel. “Tobey Morton is a really good client of John Kimmel,” Mulligan said. “I really liked the filly, obviously on the racetrack and through everything that she did. She jumped through all the hoops for us both.” The filly (hip 186) is out of Comfort and Joy (Harlan’s Holiday) and is a half-sister to stakes winner Giza Goddess (Cairo Prince). She worked a furlong in :10 flat during last week’s under-tack preview. She was consigned by de Meric Sales and was purchased by de Meric Stables for $170,000 as a weanling at the 2017 Keeneland November sale. Of the filly’s final price tag Wednesday, Mulligan said, “We weren’t thinking she was going to cost $300,000 or $400,000. I thought she would cost $200,000+, maybe $250,000, so we were happy with that. We didn’t feel like we really had to stretch.” Morton purchased a pair of juveniles at last month’s Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May Sale, going to $375,000 for a colt by Uncle Mo (hip 410) and $220,000 for a colt by Bayern (hip 355). “The horses that we bought for him at Timonium are training really, really well. They are both with John as well,” Mulligan said. Morton campaigns multiple graded placed Pacific Gale (Flat Out) with Kimmel. Garcia Blanco Stays Busy at OBS Veterinarian Jose Garcia Blanco was perhaps one of the busiest men in Ocala Wednesday, purchasing 31 juveniles on behalf of Puerto Rico’s horse owners association for a total of $294,000 and an average of $9,484. The group will be shipped to Puerto Rico where the individual horses will be raffled off among the owners. “The horse owners association in Puerto Rico comes here and tells me, ‘We want so many horses,'” Garcia Blanco explained. “They take those horses down to Puerto Rico, they add up all of the expenses–the horses, the shipping, the vetting–and they set the price. Then the horses are raffled off. That way, the big guys cannot dominate the scene.” The most expensive purchase of the day for Garcia Blanco, who signed tickets as C H P R, was a $24,000 filly by Biondetti (hip 241). “Our average at this sale should be between $10,000 and $12,000,” he said. “We try to keep it around $10,000, so by the time we take them to Miami and do the vet work, they take them on an airplane to Puerto Rico, it’s going to be $14,000. So the average price down there will be $14,000.” Garcia Blanco was born in Boston, Massachusetts, but grew up in Puerto Rico. “My father is from Spain and my mother is from Puerto Rico,” he said. “When I was nine months old, I went to Puerto Rico and I lived there until I was 17 when I went to school in the States.” He’s been shopping at the June sale on behalf of Puerto Rican buyers for several years now. “Before our economy was better and the prices of the horses were not that high, we would never come to the June sale,” he said. “We came to the April sale and I remember April sales where we would buy 100 horses between all the clients and the group, we would take 100 or 110 horses. As our economy declined, the equine industry got more expensive and more expensive and it got very hard for us to buy horses. So we started coming to the June Sale and we’ve been doing the June sale probably six or eight years now.” Garcia Blanco expects to buy around 40 juveniles this week in Ocala. “As the economy got worse in Puerto Rico, especially after the hurricane, our import population got very thin,” he said. “So we are trying to make an effort [to increase the island’s horse population]. This year, we even went to the Louisiana sale and to the Texas sale trying to look for other markets.” Asked how the racing industry on the island is rebounding from the devastating hurricane which hit Puerto Rico in September 2017, Garcia Blanco said, “There is a unique phenomenon going on in Puerto Rico right now. There is a lot of money coming in to restore the country and as that money comes in, it trickles down to the guy who does the electricity, the carpenter, the guys who work on cement and work the trucks. Those are the guys that play the horses. So handle has been doing surprisingly well.” The post Steady Opener to OBS June appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Kingsclere Stables will traverse the Tasman on Saturday as Hypnos continues his campaign in Melbourne, while Killarney, Hanger and newcomer Even Chance compete at Ruakaka. Roger James is in Melbourne as Gr.1 Levin Classic (1600m) runner-up Hypnos prepares for Saturday's Ladbrokes Odds Boost Handicap (1600m) at Sandown, while training partner Robert Wellwood is charged with applying the finishing polish to the Ruakaka team. Wellwood said reports from James were positive on Hypnos. "His work has b... View the full article

Ziconic (Tapit), a 6-year-old son of once-beaten Horse of the Year Zenyatta (Street Cry {Ire}), has officially been retired and will move on to a second career as an Off-The-Track-Thoroughrbed, according to a blog post from Ann Holbrook Moss at www.zenyatta.com. Ziconic will be under the care of Linda Moss and her husband, George Bedar, at Templeton Farms, a Sportshorse Farm in California. “George and I are so incredibly honored and over the moon to have the opportunity to provide for Ziconic and to take the journey with him in the coming chapters of his life as an OTTB,” Linda Moss said. “This is the stuff dreams are made of, and having him join our family is beyond words.” The second foal from the three-time Eclipse Award-winning older mare, the homebred Ziconic was placed eight times from 12 career starts for the Mosses, including a third to Justify (Scat Daddy)’s half-brother The Lieutenant (Street Sense). Ziconic was also fourth to Arrogate (Unbridled’s Song) in his maiden-breaking win. Ziconic’s year-older half-brother Cozmic One (Bernardini) was retired as a five-race maiden and is an OTTB in Kentucky. The post Zenyatta’s Son Ziconic To Transition Into OTTB appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Gift Box is once again east of the Mississippi River and rates as a top threat among a field of 12 in the $600,000 Stephen Foster Stakes (G2) June 15 at Churchill Downs, a 1 1/8-mile "Win and You're In" Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) qualifier. View the full article

The June 15, $250,000 Wise Dan Stakes (G2T) at Churchill Downs attracted a competitive full field for the 1 1/16-mile grass feature, one of two stakes run on the Matt Winn Turf Course on the Stephen Foster Handicap (G2) undercard. View the full article

McKinzie has earned the No. 1 position following results tabulated for the inaugural Breeders' Cup Classic Rankings, a weekly rating of the top 10 horses in contention for the $6 million Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) Nov. 2 at Santa Anita Park. View the full article

Katsumi Yoshizawa's homebred Master Fencer, who closed to finish fifth in the Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1) June 8, is being pointed toward the new Turf Triple series, beginning with the Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes (G1T) July 6. View the full article

Katsumi Yoshizawa's homebred Master Fencer, who closed to finish fifth in the Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets (G1) June 8, is being pointed toward the new Turf Triple series, beginning with the Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes (G1T) July 6. View the full article

Umberto Rispoli missed Saturday’s Sha Tin card with a back injury. That was his first absence this term and he made up for it with his first success since 5 May in race two at Sha Tin on Wednesday night, section one of the Class 4 Tong Fuk Handicap (1650m), on former New Zealand based galloper Lasting Friendship. The Peter Ho-trained galloper had not hit the mark in 11 Hong Kong starts, not since a 1200m maiden win at New Plymouth for Lauren Brennan pre-import. The gelding held race favourite ... View the full article

Ugly Warrior won the Class 2 Butterfly Bay Handicap (1200m) at Sha Tin on Wednesday night. Karis Teetan positioned Me Tsui’s galloper in the front pair and kicked upon straightening for home. The four-year-old son of Swiss Ace was all out with 200m to race but held on to hold Raging Blitzkrieg by three quarters of a length, taking his career tally to six from 11. “Last time things didn't go his way but Me had him spot on for today and last week he trialled really good with me, so the h... View the full article

The City of Baltimore has withdrawn a lawsuit filed earlier this year against The Stronach Group (TSG), owners of Pimlico, which had asked a judge to block any attempts on the company’s part to move the GI Preakness S. to Laurel. The suit, filed in March, also requested that the court grant ownership of the track to the city through the process of condemning Pimlico. According to a press release issued Wednesday by Baltimore Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young, the city decided to drop the suit because there have been new discussions between the mayor’s office and TSG Chairman Belinda Stronach about finding ways to keep the Preakness at Pimlico. The press release said the two met on Preakness Day and that the parties “discussed the resumption of good faith negotiations concerning the ways and means by which to revitalize, renovate and/or redevelop Pimlico and other Thoroughbred racing facilities in the State, with Pimlico as a priority, in order to maintain and enhance the State’s Thoroughbred racing industry, the City’s capacity to host the Preakness Stakes, provide for sustainable year-round racing in the State, and to further economic and community development and the public’s interest at large.” The original suit was filed by then-Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh, who resigned from office on May 2 over a scandal whereby she allegedly sold children’s books she wrote to organizations which were then granted contracts with the city. TSG has made no secret of its intentions to move the Preakness to Laurel, a track it has invested heavily in to improve the facility. Meanwhile, very little money has been spent on upkeep at Pimlico, which has caused the track to continue to deteriorate. Things had gotten so bad that track officials closed down an area of the grandstand for this year’s Preakness that seats nearly 7,000 people, claiming it was not safe because it could not support the weight of so many people. With TSG wanting to move the race and with the city wanting to keep a sporting event that was a matter of civic pride and a money-producer, the Maryland Stadium Authority came up with a plan to not only rebuild Pimlico but to revitalize the rundown neighborhood that is its home. However, the estimated cost of the plan was $424 million and neither the city nor the Stronach team stepped forward with any concrete plans on who would pay for it. “I am pleased that we have reached this withdrawal agreement and standstill with the Maryland Jockey Club and The Stronach Group to give the parties an opportunity to discuss Pimlico and racing in Maryland,” Young said in the release. “The City is committed to keeping the Preakness in Baltimore and I look forward to working with the Maryland Jockey Club and The Stronach Group on good-faith negotiations toward a positive outcome for the Park Heights community and the City of Baltimore.” In the same press release, Belinda Stronach said: “We appreciate the withdrawal of the lawsuit and look forward to working with Mayor Young and his representatives, along with the State and other stakeholders.” “In the coming days, we will be continuing our dialogue with the City Solicitor’s Office to arrange for these important discussions,” said Alan M. Rifkin, attorney for the Maryland Jockey Club and the Preakness Stakes. TSG has so far committed to keeping the race at Pimlico only through 2020. Lester Davis, a spokesman for the mayor’s office, told the Baltimore Sun that talks between the two sides are expected to begin shortly and “that the mayor’s ‘baseline’ for the talks is that the Preakness continue to be held at Pimlico.” The post Stronach Group, City of Baltimore Reach Cease Fire On Battle Over Preakness appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Master Fencer (Jpn) (Just a Way {Jpn}), promoted to sixth in the GI Kentucky Derby before running on well to finish a close fifth in the GI Belmont S. June 8, will remain in New York and will target the 10-furlong GI Belmont Derby July 6. The chestnut colt was originally scheduled to depart for Japan Thursday, but owner/breeder Katsumi Yoshizawa decided to shift gears Wednesday. Although six of Master Fencer’s eight career outings have come on the main track, he made his first two appearances on the turf, including a sound runner-up effort in a 2000-meter maiden on Hanshin debut last September (see below, gate 2). He was a close fourth at Chukyo second time out (video, gate 3) before graduating in his first start on the main track in late December. “We’re excited for the challenge of the Belmont Derby,” said Yoshizawa via translator Mitsuoki Numamoto. “Master Fencer has come out of the Belmont with good energy. He has raced twice on the turf in Japan and run well even though he did not win. I’m confident he will give a positive showing in the Belmont Derby on grass.” There will also be Japanese representation in the GI Belmont Oaks Invitational, the first leg of the Turf Tiara, in the form of the Northern Farm-bred Jodie (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}). A two-time winner as a juvenile, including a debut success in a newcomers’ event at Tokyo, the bay was third in this year’s G3 Daily Hai Queen Cup (1600m) in February (video, gate 4) and again in the G2 Sankei Sports Sho Flora S. (2000m) in April (video, gate 9), but was well down the field after setting the pace in the G1 Yushun Himba (2400m) May 19. Click here for additional information on the Turf Triple Series. WATCH: Master Fencer finishes second in his career debut on turf last September The post Master Fencer Sticking Around for Belmont Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The California Horse Racing Board, in conjunction with The Stronach Group, says it will implement “enhanced safety measures and reviews to further protect horses at Santa Anita,” according to a release Wednesday. The move comes in response to a call from California Governor Gavin Newsom Tuesday to halt racing at the Arcadia oval after two more horses died over the weekend to bring the total number of fatalities to 29 since the meet began Dec. 26. Led by CHRB Equine Medical Director Dr. Rick Arthur, DVM, and Chief Steward Darrel McHargue, the CHRB will convene a five-member team to conduct additional reviews of horses’ medical, training and racing histories prior to clearing them to race. The release said the team will consist of independent CHRB veterinarians and stewards who will be given the authority to scratch horses that “do not appear fit to run.” “These are historic safety enhancements,” said CHRB Executive Director Rick Baedeker. “We are taking these additional steps to further mitigate the risk to horses at Santa Anita. The California Horse Racing Board is committed to doing all we can to ensure the safety of the horses there.” “Specifically, the horse safety review team will utilize a new, comprehensive evaluation rubric to determine if each individual horse is at elevated risk of injury before racing,” according to the release. “These criteria will include any history on the Veterinarian’s List and Steward’s List as well as any medical history, race history, and physical observations of the horse.” Under the new protocol, every member of the review team must agree that a horse is not at elevated risk of injury in order to clear the horse to race. One dissenting member of the team can elicit a scratch. “This is unprecedented in American horse racing,” said Alexis Podesta, Secretary of the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency, which oversees CHRB. “Never have we had this additional layer of review with a team of experts to connect data points and confer on the well-being and capability of individual race horses. Furthermore, recommendations coming from this team will be the final word as to whether or not a horse races. I expect the industry as a whole will embrace this effort.” “Horse and rider safety is our top priority at Santa Anita Park, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to making California horse racing the safest and best in the world,” added TSG President and Chairwoman Belinda Stronach. “We look forward to working with Governor Newsom and the California Horse Racing Board as they implement this additional layer of review through the end of our current meet.” The review team will be in place for the final six days of the Santa Anita meet, which is scheduled to conclude June 23. The post CHRB, Stronach Group Agree to ‘Enhanced Safety Review’ of Horses at Santa Anita appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Today’s Observations features a half-sister to Al Kazeem debuting. 2.00 Newbury, Cond, £7,400, 2yo, 6 1/2fT Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum’s GOLD SOUK (IRE) (Casamento {Ire}) is a homebred half to MGSW & MG1SP G1 Epsom Derby runner-up Dee Ex Bee (GB) (Farhh {GB}). Debuting for the same Mark Johnston stable, his opponents include Wren (GB) (Raven’s Pass), a Roger Charlton-trained daughter of G1 Cheveley Park S. heroine Magical Romance (Ire) (Barathea {Ire}). 2.10 Nottingham, Mdn, £6,500, 3yo/up, 8f 75yT Khalid Abdullah’s FRONTMAN (GB) (Kingman {GB}), a John Gosden trainee, is a half-brother to G1 Nassau S. heroine Winsili (GB) (Dansili {GB}) and faces six rivals in this belated debut. They include Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Maydanny (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), who is a son of MG1SW Attraction (GB) (Efisio {GB}), returning off a debut second at Beverley for the William Haggas stable last month. 2.30 Newbury, Cond, £8,550, 3yo, f, 8fT George Scott trainee NARAK (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) is a homebred half-sister to Saturday’s G3 Pinnacle S. victress Klassique (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) out of Chachamaidee (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}), who posted a career high when handed the G1 Matron S. in the stewards’ room. She goes postward against a cast of 10, including John Deer’s Kingslady (GB) (Kingman {GB}), who is a homebred half-sister to MG1SW sire Al Kazeem (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), debuting for Eve Johnson Houghton. 2.50 Great Yarmouth, Mdn, £5,800, unraced 2yo, f, 6f 3yT Godolphin nominee SUMMER ROMANCE (IRE) (Kingman {GB}) bettered a 300,000gns price tag at last year’s Tattersalls October Book 1 Sale by securing the second-highest price–€800,000–at last month’s Arqana Breeze-Up. The Charlie Appleby debutante is a half-sister to G1 Moyglare Stud S. and G1 Coronation S. victress Rizeena (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}) and is the likely favourite in this four-runner affair. Danger lurks in the shape of Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s €230,000 Goffs November foal Huboor (Ire) (More Than Ready), a Mark Johnston trainee. The post Observations: June 13, 2019 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The rash of equine fatalities at the current Santa Anita meet has led some to speculate over whether or not a change of location for the Breeders’ Cup could be an inevitable consequence. However, Breeders’ Cup Chairman Fred Hertrich told the TDN that no decisions have been reached yet and, as such, Santa Anita is still officially being recognized as the host of the two days of championship racing, scheduled for Nov. 1 and Nov. 2. Through Sunday, a total of 29 horses have died at Santa Anita since the meet began Dec. 26. After Formal Dude (Furst Dude) broke down Saturday, the California Horse Racing Board requested that Santa Anita suspend the final seven days of racing which were remaining at the meet at that point. Santa Anita management denied the request. Though it could happen at any racetrack, everyone agrees that a horse breaking down during a Breeders’ Cup run at Santa Anita would create a catastrophic public relations nightmare for a sport that has never before come under such intense fire from animal rights activists, the media and others who are questioning why so many horses die while racing and training each year, not just at Santa Anita but in horse racing in general. But Hertrich was firm in saying that no decisions had been made as yet and that none can be made until the Breeders’ Cup takes all the necessary steps to resolve what is a very difficult and controversial situation. “We are evaluating the situation,” Hetrrich said. “As of right now the Breeders’ Cup is going to be run at Santa Anita. There’s no change.” The issue will certainly come up when the Breeders’ Cup holds a board meeting June 27 in Lexington. The meeting was scheduled a year earlier, and was not scheduled to deal specifically with the question, said Hertrich. “We don’t make knee-jerk decisions,” Hertrich said. “Of course, this is a major issue that the industry in total is looking at. Like anything else, it will be discussed. It’s not that cut and dried because we are in uncharted waters because, normally, major events just don’t change venues. In other words, the only way we would ever make a change is for the board to make a decision with the management team. We have a meeting in two weeks. I’m sure it will be a topic of conversation but as of right this minute, without having had a board meeting, with management, it is business as usual.” If a resolution were put before the Board to remove Santa Anita as the host of this year’s Breeders’ Cup, it would be voted on by a 14-member board and the decision would be based on a majority vote. Should the Breeders’ Cup Board decide to move the event, the next question would be to where? It has been reported that the only track under consideration as the new location is Churchill Downs. When asked if that were the case, Breeders’ Cup Board member and President and CEO Craig Fravel declined to comment. Though time is running short, the Board does not have to make a decision at the June 27 meeting as Breeders’ Cup bylaws call for the Board to assemble at any time to deal with emergency situations. The post Breeders’ Cup Chairman: ‘As of Now, BC Will Be Run at Santa Anita’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Martin Brassil landed the top lot during the opening session of the Goffs Land Rover Sale on Tuesday, and he repeated the dose on the sale’s second and final day on Wednesday when securing a 3-year-old son of Beat Hollow (GB) (lot 280) for €90,000. The unbroken gelding is a half-brother to the listed-placed mare Masons Daughter (Ire) (Sandmason {GB}). Nine lots later, Harold Kirk and trainer Willie Mullins teamed up for Supermound (Ger) (Sea The Moon {Ger}) lot 289, a 3-year-old gelded half-brother to Soprana (Ger) (Cadeaux Genereux {GB}), who is listed-placed on the flat in Germany for €75,000. The third highest-priced lot on the day was lot 520, a 3-year-old gelding by Elusive Pimpernel bought by Aidan O’Ryan and Gordon Elliott for €70,000. Thursday’s Part 2 session of the sale saw 177 sold for €3,602,500, at an average of €20,353 and a median of €17,000. The post Brassil Gets Land Rover Top Lot Again appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

3rd-Belmont, $77,600, Msw, 6-12, 2yo, f, 5f, :58.57, ft. KISS THE GIRL (f, 2, Into Mischief–Spin the Bottle, by Hard Spun) was the sales topper at the EASOCT sale, with the hammer dropping at $210,000. Dispatched here as the 3-5 favorite in her career debut, the Maryland-bred tracked outside of Sweet Kisses (Carpe Diem) through a steady opening quarter in 22.19. Coming into the lane, the bay battled with Sweet Kisses until shaking off that rival with an eighth of a mile left to run, rocketing home in front by 4 1/2 lengths at the wire. The winner is the first foal from the unraced mare Spin the Bottle, who was bred to Practical Joke last term. Sales history: $210,000 Ylg ’18 EASOCT. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $44,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. O-Three Diamonds Farm; B-Classic Thoroughbred XII (MD); T-Todd A. Pletcher. The post Into Mischief EASOCT Topper Wins Belmont Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

2nd-Hamilton, £6,400, Mdn, 6-12, 2yo, 5f 7yT, 1:01.11, gd. BETTER THE DEVIL (c, 2, Daredevil–Hen Reception, by Henny Hughes) brushed aside an early inconvenience at the break and was sharply into stride from the outside stall to claim the stands’ side fence and lead after the initial stages of this debut. Holding sway throughout, the 4-1 chance was shaken up soon after passing the quarter-mile marker and lengthened clear in impressive fashion under mild urging up the hill to easily outpoint experienced 6-4 favourite Spring Bloom (GB) (Power {GB}) by 2 3/4 lengths, becoming the first winner for his WinStar Farm-based freshman sire (by More Than Ready). “He knew his job when he came to us–he was prepared for the [Goffs] breeze-up sale and met with a setback so didn’t go there–and he’s a very nice horse,” said winning trainer Archie Watson. “He’s been a bit of slow learner since we got him, but he hit the lids well and was able to get the rail. He’s got a nice pedigree and I’m sure he’ll do well if and when we get him on the synthetic surfaces.” Half-brother to a 2019 colt by Unified, the bay is the second scorer out of a half-sister to GII Fantasy S. victress Ruby’s Reception (Rubiano) and GII General George H. placegetter Heritage Hall (Unbridled’s Song). He shares his GSW third dam Court Hostess (Sovereign Dancer), herself out of a winning half-sister to MG1SW sire Mashaallah (Nijinsky II), with GI Del Mar DebutanteS. heroine Union Strike (Union Rags) and MGSW GII Pennsylvania Derby-winning sire Handsome Mike (Scat Daddy). Sales history: $14,000 Ylg ’18 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $5,252. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. 1ST-TIME STARTER. O-Better The Devil; B-Two-Turn Farm LLC (PA); T-Archie Watson. The post Freshman Daredevil Off the Mark in Style at Hamilton appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article