Wandering Eyes

Tickets to the 144th GI Preakness S. to be held May 18, 2019 at Pimlico Race Course are now on sale, The Stronach Group announced Thursday. Tickets, which range from $40 to $720 per person, can be found at Preakness.com. “The Stronach Group is committed to the ongoing success of the Preakness and to modernizing the event experience for all of our guests,” said Belinda Stronach, Chairman and President of The Stronach Group. “From horsemen to fans, the focus on experience is a key driver of our business and we look forward to treating all in attendance to an unforgettable weekend.” View the full article

A pair of Grade I-winning distaffers who raced in the colors of John C. Oxley will be up for auction at Sunday’s Fasig-Tipton November sale in Lexington, and Pretty City Dancer (Tapit) and La Coronel (Colonel John) both figure to be attention-getters based on striking physical attributes that rival their deep credentials on paper. Hip 122, Pretty City Dancer, is in foal to Medaglia d’Oro. “Pretty City Dancer I have always considered royalty,” Oxley told the TDN. “She’s by Tapit and a half-sister to [GISW] Lear’s Princess (Lear Fan). She has always had that ‘star presence.’ What makes her special is exactly what breeders are trying to find these days, and that’s precocity.” Mark Taylor, the vice president of marketing and public sales operations at Taylor Made Sales Agency, will consign both 4-year-old fillies. “Pretty City Dancer, it’s cliché, but she’s the whole package,” Taylor said. “If you look at her, you can see why she was an expensive [$825,000 KEESEP] yearling. She’s just an absolutely beautiful Tapit–just a beautiful head and eye on her; so much class. And then she goes and did what you would hope she would do: She won a Grade I at Saratoga [the 2016 Spinaway S.], and now she’s coming through in foal on an early cover to Medaglia d’Oro, who’s had a career year. She’s the whole package for anybody that wants to play at the very top end of the game, and she’s one of those horses that’s just a privilege to sell.” Hip 213, La Coronel, is a “real stunner” according to Oxley. “The attribute that made her successful was her sheer determination,” Oxley said. “She closed and won, she was the pace and won, and she has a huge turn of foot. She always gave it her best. Her win at Keeneland in the [2017] GI Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup S. was very gratifying for me because we knew she had that Grade I talent and deserved that win.” Added Taylor: “Anybody that hasn’t seen this filly, they have to come see her. La Coronel is just absolutely a picture. If there’s a better-looking filly or broodmare prospect going through, I want to see her. She’s just a real beautiful dark bay, a lovely neck and shoulder on her, perfect balance, big hip, and very correct–just a specimen.” From an outcross sire line, La Coronel has major graded stakes winners under her first six dams. “La Coronel comes from a very good, deep family that just keeps producing year after year,” Taylor said. “She’s out of a Chester House mare, so I really like getting [2002 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year and dam of Empire Maker] Toussaud back in there on the bottom side. This filly was precocious. She won the GIII Jessamine S. at Keeneland at two, came back and won the GI QEII at three, and is approaching a million dollars in earnings. She’s just a very, very top-class racehorse, and then she’s got the physical. It’s hard to surpass Grade I performance on the track, but her physical is even better. It’s phenomenal.” When asked for his assessment of the current Thoroughbred marketplace ahead of the November sales period, Oxley quipped that it certainly “seemed very strong this year when we were trying to buy yearlings.” Oxley added that “the top of the market is very healthy across the board. I’ve really enjoyed the yearling market over the past couple of years, so I’d like to subsidize that with a couple of these mares when I can.” Taylor credited Oxley and Mark Casse, who trained both fillies, with “doing the heavy lifting” that will make the duo an A-list consignment. “They picked them out and turned them into Grade I winners,” Taylor said. “And now we get the privilege of showing them around to the top buyers from around the world.” View the full article

The Breeders’ Cup has released an updated version of the Official Breeders’ Cup Mobile App, offering new and improved capabilities designed to provide fans worldwide with an enhanced user experience, it was announced Thursday. Available for iOS and Android devices, the updated mobile app provides fans both on-site and remote with fundamental and timely information on the 2018 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, taking place on November 2 and 3 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. The Official Breeders’ Cup App is now available to download on the iTunes App Store and Google Play Store. Features on the app include a catalogue on all 14 championship races, a Breeders’ Cup virtual reality function and live streams of official Breeders’ Cup events. “We’re pleased to present an updated version of our official Breeders’ Cup app, which we’ve designed with the modern-day fan in mind,” said Craig Fravel, president and CEO of Breeders’ Cup. “Whether through its comprehensive information library, timely push-notifications, or new livestreams and broadcast programs, the app ensures fans will have all the tools they need to make the most out of championship weekend.” View the full article

After a fast-moving construction timeline that began following Kentucky Derby 144, the Kentucky Derby Museum has added 11,000 square feet of new space and renovated an existing 5,000 square feet. It was the largest expansion of the Museum’s footprint since it opened in 1985 and one of the largest renovations since a major refurbishing project following damaging flooding in 2009. The highlight of the expansion is the new exhibit space, which envelops guests into the stories of the famed careers of Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas, with exhibit entitled “D. Wayne Lukas: The Modern Trainer,” and Hall of Fame jockey Bill Shoemaker, with the exhibit “Bill Shoemaker: Larger Than Life.” “This marks a historic day for the Kentucky Derby Museum. As our number of world-wide visitors continues to grow each year, we are honored to elevate the guest experience with our new exhibits and unique event space,” Patrick Armstrong, Kentucky Derby President and CEO, said. “D. Wayne Lukas and Bill Shoemaker are icons of the Thoroughbred racing industry and have had such profound influence on the sport. We are excited to share their stories and keep their legacies thriving for years to come.” View the full article

Free nominations for the $125,000 OBS Sprint and $125,000 OBS Filly and Mare Sprint will close Tuesday, Nov. 6. The races are slated to run on Tuesday, Nov. 20. Both six-furlong events are for three year olds and older, restricted to horses who have passed through the OBS sales ring. Entries will be taken Nov. 13, and all starters finishing fifth through last will earn $5,000. There is a fee of $1,250 to enter and $2,500 to start. Nomination forms and the condition book may be found at the OBS website. View the full article

The number of foals registered in Britain for 2018 is up marginally at 1% from the 2017 figure, according to Weatherbys, which on Thursday published its Return Of Mares. The number of registered foals in Britain this year is 4,674, and that follows increases of 2% and 3% the previous two years. After growing 7% and 3% the past two years, the Irish foal crop has fallen 0.5% to 8,987. Foals have continued to be registered since the Sept. 30 cutoff for the Return of Mares, and final figures will be available in February’s Return of Mares supplement. Other significant figures from the Return of Mares include: -7,409 mares (85% of the reported mares at stud) were covered in Britain, and 13,193 (89% of the reported mares at stud) in Ireland. -The total number of coverings in Britain and Ireland (21,297) increased by 478 from 2017. -The number of stallions in Britain is down by 10 (158) in Britain, and up by one in Ireland (252). -Eighty-seven stallions covered 100 or more mares in 2018 compared to 92 in 2017. -Eleven stallions covered 200 or more mares in 2018. In 2017 it was 10. -Soldier Of Fortune was again the busiest stallion in 2018, with 281 mares covered compared to 341 last year. View the full article

LOUISVILLE, Ky – When Mike Stinson hired Tom McGreevy as his advisor last spring, it represented a “pivotal point” for the longtime owner’s racing operation. The 72-year-old native of Texas had already campaigned about a half dozen or so stakes winners in New Mexico, but is clearly playing at an entirely differently level now as he makes his way to Louisville with his first Breeders’ Cup runner in ‘Future Stars Friday’s’ featured Juvenile with impressive Santa Anita maiden winner Dueling (Violence). “The only way that I would participate at the level that I am now is a result of partnering with Tom McGreevy,” Stinson said. “Tom is such a unique talent. It was a very big deal for us to be able to partner with him. In our first crop together to have a colt that is going to the Breeders’ Cup is beyond a thrill for me and my family.” A self-described “small business guy for his entire life,” the now-retired Stinson was one of the partners in the ownership group Taylor Made formed for two-time Horse of Year California Chrome. He also bought into New Mexico hometown hero Pepper’s Pride after she concluded her brilliant racing career undefeated with 19 victories. “I’ve been around it for a long time and love the sport,” said Stinson, who added that he shares his passion for racing along with his wife Linda of 45 years. “I lived in Texas my whole life and we spend summers in New Mexico, so that’s where we’ve run horses for a number of years. I’ve been going to the races in New Mexico since I was six or seven years old. I love it and you have to, to participate in it.” It was through Stinson’s longtime relationship with Taylor Made that opened the door for him to join forces with Rick Porter’s former right-hand man, who selected Fox Hill superstars such as 2011 Horse of the Year Havre de Grace (Saint Liam) and two-time champion and ‘TDN Rising Star’ Songbird (Medaglia d’Oro). Dueling was the most expensive of six yearlings acquired at last year’s Keeneland September Sale by McGreevy on Stinson’s behalf, bringing $475,000. Stinson has continued to add to his growing stable this year, purchasing six yearlings, led by a $410,000 Distorted Humor filly, at Keeneland September for a total of $1.91 million; a $410,000 Pioneerof the Nile filly and $210,000 Goldencents filly at Fasig-Tipton Saratoga; and a $725,000 Bodemeister colt at the OBS March 2-Year-Old Sale. “We bought 10 yearlings last year and we’ve bought nine horses this year–that’s sort of our model,” Stinson said. “We’ll buy six to 10 a year. We’re not the mega buyer–we have a range that we’re trying to hit. The purchasing end of it from a decision standpoint is all Tom. His record speaks for itself. I’m just along for the ride. He’s the guy and Jerry Hollendorfer trains our horses in California and John Servis currently has some horses for us back east.” McGreevy added, “Mr. Stinson is not only a great owner, he’s a great person. He’s just a pleasure to work for and work with. He’s so enthused about the racing industry. There will be nobody more excited than him to get to the Breeders’ Cup. He followed all the horses that I’ve bought over the years and he wasn’t trying to reinvent the wheel. He just wanted to give me a chance to do my job and see if we could get lucky enough to get a good horse.” Dueling certainly looks like he could be a good horse. Second in his first two starts sprinting, including a runner-up finish as the 4-5 favorite behind unbeaten ‘TDN Rising Star’ and likely Juvenile choice Game Winner (Candy Ride {Arg}), he took a big step forward in his two-turn debut, graduating smartly by 2 3/4 lengths last time Sept. 28. The long-striding gray is listed at odds of 20-1 on the morning-line while adding blinkers for the first time in the Juvenile. “I think back years ago when Mr. Gaines had the brainchild of the Breeders’ Cup-I’m not sure very many people could envision what it would evolve into,” Stinson concluded. “It showcases the things that are the very best about our sport-the people, the horses, the human interest stories, etc. It’s just terrific. And of course, for a little guy like me to have an opportunity to have a horse participate, it’s just a dream come true. I couldn’t be happier. I’m a very lucky guy.” View the full article

Iquitos (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}) had annexed the 2016 G1 Grosser Preis von Baden and last term’s G1 Grosser Dallmayr-Preis in 14 prior starts at the highest level and secured the hat-trick with victory in Thursday’s G1 Bayerische Hausbau-Grosser Preis von Bayern at Munich, Europe’s penultimate Group 1 event of the year. Employing patience at the tail of the seven-runner field as last term’s G1 Deutsches Derby and G1 Preis von Europa hero Windstoss (Ger) (Shirocco {Ger}) led the way for most of the 12-furlong test, the 18-5 chance crept closer off the home turn and was pushed clear once quickening smartly for the lead with 300 metres remaining to comfortably account for British challengers Defoe (Ire) (Dalakhani {Ire}) and Dee Ex Bee (GB) (Farhh {GB}) by four lengths and the same. Iquitos has a healthy record in a busy stint at the top table and, as well as the aforementioned highs, posted runner-up finishes in last term’s edition of this event and when attempting to defend his G1 Grosser Preis von Baden crown. Having closed 2017 with a second unsuccessful try at Tokyo’s G1 Japan Cup, he opened this year with victory in Baden-Baden’s June 3 G2 Grosser Preis der Badischen Wirtschaft before finishing off the board in the July 1 G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud and July 29 G1 Grosser Dallmayr-Preis at this venue. The bay’s two latest efforts yield a third, behind Best Solution (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) in another go at the Sept. 2 G1 Grosser Preis von Baden, and a second to Va Bank (Ire) (Archipenko) in Hoppegarten’s Oct. 3 G3 Preis der Deutschen Einheit. Iquitos, whose three Group 1 triumphs have been on left-handed tracks, is the first living foal bred from the Irika (Ger) (Areion {Ger}), herself a winning full-sister to the stakes-placed Inanya (Ger). His second dam Ingrid (Ger) (Nebos {Ger}) is a full-sister to G2 Grosser Preis von Dusseldorf placegetter Inkognito (Ger) and a granddaughter of G3 Zukunfts-Rennen runner-up Ipameri (Ger) (Pentathlon {GB}), who in turn is a full-sister to G3 Zukunfts-Rennen hero Imperator (Ger) and the dam of Listed Oppenheim-Rennen and Listed Preis von Schlenderhan victor Illampu (Ger) (Athenagoras {Ger}). Irika has also produced the winning 3-year-old filly International Love (Ger) (Kamsin {Ger}) and has a yearling filly by Wiener Walzer (Ger) and a colt foal by Adlerflug (Ger) to come. Thursday, Munich, Germany BAYERISCHE HAUSBAU – GROSSER PREIS VON BAYERN-G1, €155,000, Munich, 11-1, 3yo/up, 12fT, 2:37.80, sf. 1–IQUITOS (GER), 132, h, 6, by Adlerflug (Ger) 1st Dam: Irika (Ger), by Areion (Ger) 2nd Dam: Ingrid (Ger), by Nebos (Ger) 3rd Dam: Iracema (Ger), by Konigsstuhl (Ger) O-Stall Mulligan; B-Dr Erika Buhmann (GER); T-Hans-Jurgen Groschel; J-Eddy Hardouin. €100,000. Lifetime Record: Hwt. Older Horse-Ger at 9.5-11f, 26-8-7-1, €671,690. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. 2–Defoe (Ire), 132, c, 4, Dalakhani (Ire)–Dulkashe (Ire), by Pivotal (GB). O-Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum; B-Darley (IRE); T-Roger Varian. €30,000. 3–Dee Ex Bee (GB), 128, c, 3, Farhh (GB)–Dubai Sunrise, by Seeking the Gold. O-Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum; B-Godolphin (GB); T-Mark Johnston. €15,000. Margins: 4, 4, 8. Odds: 3.60, 1.60, 3.20. Also Ran: Windstoss (Ger), Royal Youmzain (Fr), Racing History (Ire), Tiberian (Fr). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. View the full article

The ambition burns brighter than ever at Dan Skelton’s impressive Lodge Hill stables in deepest Warwickshire, and following a record-breaking summer season that has sent him clear in the trainers’ championship, Skelton is heading full throttle into the competitive winter months. From the off in 2013, his business has focused on all 12 months of the year and the first half of the 2018-19 season has been an undoubted triumph, with 101 winners on the board and more than £800,000 in prize-money already banked. But it is not all about quantity for the 33-year-old, who has worked hard to build a team rich in quality for the core jumps season, and when he says his squad is “strong in every department this year” you can guarantee he is well stocked for the second half. “Any year you have 100 winners and over £1 million in prize-money is a great year but everyone knows we’re ambitious and trying to get to the top,” he says. Skelton looks particularly strong in the novice chase division this season, especially over middle and staying distances, and classy hurdler turned novice chaser Spiritofthegames opening his account over fences at Listed level this month could well be a sign of things to come. Star mares Rene’s Girl and Roksana, both second at the highest level at Aintree last year, return to action with their ceiling yet to be reached, while last year’s County Hurdle hero Mohaayed is another big gun Skelton can call on from a yard that has already come so far yet is nowhere near its end destination. Stable profile Yard Lodge Hill Where Alcester, Warwickshire Started training 2013 Horses in yard 130 Members of staff 44 Head lads Tolley Dean, Sam Davies-Thomas & Nick Pearce Assistant trainer Tom Messenger Travelling head lad Phil Haywood Jockeys Harry Skelton, Bridget Andrews and Conor Shoemark Amateurs William Marshall & Tristan Durrell Stable sponsor Ladbrokes Website danskeltonracing.com Twitter @DSkeltonRacing WINNERS IN BRITAIN 2017-18 158 2016-17 118 2015-16 104 2014-15 73 PROFIT/LOSS TO A £1 STAKE 2017-18 -£153.35 2016-17 -£259.57 2015-16 -£156.34 2014-15 -£63.69 TOTAL PRIZE-MONEY 2017-18 £1,738,235 HORSES Aintree My Dream Eight-year-old gelding Saint Des Saints (sire) – Pretty Melodie (dam) Owner: Malcolm Olden Form figures: F14/3- Racing Post Rating: 130 (chases); Official Rating 136 (chases) He had one run over fences last year but I’d say he picked up an injury mid-race and had the rest of the year off with a leg. I’m happy with the way he’s come back in and we’ll crack on over fences. He’s ready to go but loves a bit of soft ground and we’re just waiting for some rain. AINTREE MY DREAM with B Andrews on way to winning Novice Hurdle at Warwick 11-2-17.Al Shahir 6g Robin Des Champs – Sarah Massini N W Lake 1/2221P- RPR 126h OR 125h Held some good novice form last year but everything that could go wrong did in the EBF Final. He wants to go chasing and wants a step up in trip and I’m really happy with him. He could start over fences on November 7 at Chepstow. If I could sum up last season in one word . . . Alright. Anytime Will Do 5g Scorpion – Pellerossa Surrey Racing (at) F1-1 RPR 114h OR – It wouldn’t have been the strongest maiden hurdle in the world but he looked really good winning at Uttoxeter earlier this month. He’s entered at Bangor on Tuesday and has got to go out there and improve but, if he did, I could see him going for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Trial at the BetVictor meeting. A fast-run 2m is good for now but in time I’d say he’d want a trip. Ardlethen 5g Arakan – Itsafamilyaffair Mike And Eileen Newbould 1 (pointing form) RPR – OR – A winning pointer who jumps well and looks like a real stayer. He should be ready to go when we get a bit of soft ground and I like his attitude at home. Aux Ptits Soins 8g Saint Des Saints – Reflexion Faite J Hales 5/21428/ RPR 149h OR 146h He came to us last year but we never got round to running him. He’s high quality and we’re just getting back to where he should be. He hasn’t been to the grass gallop yet and when we do we’ll know a bit more but he won’t be far off a mid-November return I’d imagine. Once he’s ready we’ll then find the right race but he’s going very well and will start back over hurdles. Dark horse Beakstown 5g Stowaway – Midnight Reel Bryan Drew 12- RPR 113b OR – I’m quite excited about him. He got beat in a bumper in February but we hadn’t had him long and looking back he was still getting everything together last season. He jumps nicely and has had a wind op and we’ve got him well prepared for this season over hurdles. He looks smart and will probably start over 2m4f and go from there. Bennys King 7g Beneficial – Hellofafaithful Mezzone Family 104/P- RPR 130h OR 126h New to us and a real soft ground horse. He goes novice chasing now and has some nice form in the book. I like what I’ve seen in training and his jumping is that of a chaser. As soon as the ground is soft he’ll be running and I’m sure we can do well with him. Betameche 7g Kapgarde – Kaldona Judy Craymer 11/ RPR 128b OR – He had a leg last year and we’ve had to take our time but the form of his bumper win at Wetherby is exceptional. If the ability remains he’s obviously going to be exciting but we’ve got to get him back on the track and see where we are. I’d like to start at 2m on soft ground but he’s a little while off yet. Born Survivor 7g King’s Theatre – Bob’s Flame Mrs G Widdowson & Mrs R Kelvin-Hughes 3380-17 RPR 147c OR 139c He hasn’t quite hit the headlines he perhaps promised in his early days but he’s a consistent performer. I would like to go down the Topham route with him and I think there’s a big day in him. He’s fully matured now and is looking strong, so hopefully we can go and get something done with him this season. Cabaret Queen 6m King’s Theatre – La Dame Brune Highclere T’Bred Racing – Cabaret Queen 23-411P RPR 137c OR 130c She’s been good in the summer, winning twice. I had her ready to go again at Fontwell at the start of the month but she hit the first down the hill and Harry pulled her up almost straight away. There’s a Listed mares’ chase at Market Rasen on November 8. She loves a bit of nice ground and 3m around there will be perfect for her. Captain Chaos 7g Golan – Times Have Changed Mike And Eileen Newbould 1415-00 RPR 147c OR 138c He had a great year last term but the handicapper reacted and he’s on a hard mark to win off now. I was really happy with his comeback at Chepstow and he wasn’t too bad for the majority of the way at Cheltenham either. When the handicapper relents, I think he can be be a player and there’s plenty of staying races around Christmas and the New Year that will suit him. Ch’Tibello 7g Sageburg – Neicha The Can’t Say No Partnership 42280-5 RPR 158h OR 148h We put everything into winning at Haydock last season and he was just chinned by The New One. He ran well in the Kingwell too but found another one too good. We’ve tried him in a couple of handicaps since but he just hasn’t been good enough off his mark and the handicapper has got to give him a chance. He’s been a brilliant horse and will hopefully get his day in the sun again. Clondaw Anchor 5g Stowaway – Masiana Highclere Thoroughbred Racing – Anchor 2-2 RPR 117h OR – He looked a good horse in the making when second on his debut for us and he’s a more relaxed horse this year. Time is going to be his biggest friend and he’s going to be a 3m chaser but there’s races to be won over hurdles first. I’m sure he’s going to make into a nice horse and he’s not far off a run now. Cobra De Mai 6g Great Pretender – Miria Galanda Norman Lake & Susan Carsberg 4122-49 RPR 146c OR 138c Had a great season last year and started the new season well at Uttoxeter but we got it wrong at Chepstow last time, dropping in last down the rail and in hindsight it was a waste of time. We’ll get him back on track and I’m sure there’re nice races to be won with him. I could see him turning up in the December Gold Cup at Cheltenham. Denmead 5g Champs Elysees – Glorious Dreams John O’Donnell & Noel Kelly 213041 RPR 129 OR 101 He was good on the Flat but is a great big animal and looks like a National Hunt horse. I’m delighted to have him and he looked smart winning on debut at Huntingdon. He’ll run this week and we’ll play our hand at 2m to begin with but he’ll want to step up in trip eventually. I could see him turning up at the festivals – whether it’s in the graded novices or the handicaps, I’m not sure but he was a high-class Flat horse over a trip, so why can’t he be high-class over jumps? The winner Denmead (Harry Skelton,nearest) jumps the 3rd flight in the 2m novices hurdle Huntingdon 16.10.18 Pic: Edward WhitakerDark horse Destrier 5g Voix Du Nord – Razia Three Celts 0/1152- RPR 131h OR 127h There’s a lot of unfinished business with this horse and I think you’ll find he improves significantly in time, especially over a fence. He’s got to go and prove it but he’s very natural and would take a step up in trip. He gets to start his season off a real nice mark and gets the opportunity to be progressive. He might start at Sandown over hurdles and 2m at the end of next week and then we’ll step up in trip. Eclair D’Ainay 4g Network – Etoile D’Ainay J Hales 2- RPR 116h OR – Second on his only start over hurdles at Auteuil and looks very natural at home. He’ll want a trip in time but will start at 2m and I could see me holding out until the Ladbrokes Trophy meeting with him. He looks pretty smart on what we’ve seen at home. Embole 4g Buck’s Boum – Urielle Collonges Colm Donlon 435103- RPR 121h OR 128h It was all a bit of a rush last year to get him qualified for the Fred Winter but the ground came up too soft at Cheltenham. He’s a very honest horse and would favour better ground. I don’t know how high up the handicap he can go but feel he’s completely untapped. He gives his all and will definitely make a chaser in time. Etamine Du Cochet 4f Martaline – Nuance Du Cochet Mrs S L Edwards 2-2 RPR 106h OR – She’d been off an awful long time before her comeback at Ffos Las where she blew up and I’d have loved to have taken her to the grass gallop once or twice before. She’s got a nice mark and will win a mares’ maiden off it and then we can dictate her future. Race in focus We’re looking at the EBF & TBA Mares’ “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle Finale at Newbury in March for Etamine Du Cochet. We won the race last year with Roksana and she reminds me of her. Get On The Yager 8g Tamure – Florentino Dick And Mandy Higgins 61129P- RPR 143c OR 139c He’s going to have a bit of a later start as he had a little problem behind but it was nothing sinister and he’s back in work. It all came together in the Rowland Meyrick last year but I think he was on ‘the handicap mark’ that day. There’s no reason not to have the same races on the radar again but the handicapper is going to have to help because I don’t see him going and gaining a stone from somewhere. If he ever got in the Midlands National off something like 10st 7lb he’d be a player. Get On The Yager (Harry Skelton) wins division 1 of the 2m 5f novices hurdle Kempton 10.2.17 Pic: Edward WhitakerHear No Evil 6g Getaway – Listening John Magnier 32/131- RPR 126h OR 135h He was very good first time up last year and is on-course to go to Cheltenham for the 2m5f intermediate hurdle on BetVictor Gold Cup day. We gave him a wind op through the summer and he’s always looked decent. I’m not saying he’ll be a Grade 1 horse but I’d like to think he will be able to go and win some tidy races at least. Idee De Garde 5g Kapgarde – Idee Recue Robcour 1- RPR 112b OR – He was bought out of Nicky Richards’ stable having won his only bumper in heavy ground at Ayr. He’s by Kapgarde and definitely wants a bit of soft ground but looks a smart novice. Knight In Dubai 5g Dubai Destination – Bobbies Storm Mr & Mrs Ben Houghton 1340-F RPR 139h OR 135h A good horse last year but he has to go left handed and I think he might have won that Grade 2 at Warwick last year under different circumstances. He made a typical error at the ditch going up the hill and came down on his chase debut at Cheltenham on Saturday. He was going well at the time and seems fine. He deserves to be in the better novice chases we still feel and will I’m sire he will be making amends pretty soon. Maire Banrigh 6m King’s Theatre – La Marianne J Hales & J Diver /87-11 RPR 121h OR 112h We’d worked it out by her third start last season and she won well after a wind op and with a tongue strap fitted. She’s a lovely mare and jumped very well when making a winning return at Carlisle last week. We are toying with going to Cheltenham’s November meeting for a novice handicap hurdle. She’s completely untapped and next year, when she goes over a fence, is when she’ll be at her best. Mohaayed 6g Intikhab – Reyaada Mrs June Watts 10231-4 RPR 145h OR 146h He gave us a great day when winning the County Hurdle last season, although I was gobsmacked he went on the soft ground. It was a good comeback at Ffos Las where he just looked a bit stuffy. I think it was a really strong race but maybe he’ll just be a bit sharper for the run. The one thing we haven’t done yet but which warrants discussion is going up in trip. If there was a nice race over 2m3f I’d be encouraged to try. I’ll enter him for the Greatwood but we’ll see where the season takes us. MOHAAYED Ridden by Bridget Andrews (Harry Skeltons Girlfriend trained by his brother Dan) wins at CHELTENHAM 16/3/18 Photograph by Grossick Racing Photography 0771 046 1723Molly The Dolly 7m Flemensfirth – Pistol Flash Dermot Hanafin 2/1422-1 RPR 127h OR 127h She hacked up in a mares’ hurdle last year at Warwick but I could never get her right again after that. She’s a big mare and jumped brilliantly to win on her chase debut at Aintree on Sunday. Quite where we go next I don’t know but I probably won’t be messing about too much and, while the ground is okay, I’ll get her out and get her some experience before making a nice spring plan or two. New Quay 5g Mahler – Beg La Eile Norman Lake & Susan Carsberg 833- RPR 112 OR 115 Another who could leave his form behind this season and will start back in a novices handicap hurdle at Ascot on November 3, a race we won with Willow’s Saviour a few years ago. He’s more of a chaser but there’s no reason why he can’t get a bit of business done over hurdles first. No Hassle Hoff 6g Craigsteel – Endless Patience Simon Munir & Isaac Souede 149300- RPR 141h OR 136h He’s been a good horse for us but was probably over the top at the festivals last year. He gets the chance to go novice chasing now off level weights. Hopefully we can go and get a few ones by his name and I could see a race like the Towton Novices’ Chase – 3m miles on soft ground – suiting him. He’s not the biggest but jumps proper. Nube Negra 4g Dink – Manly Dream T Spraggett 12135- RPR 135h OR 135h Not many Spanish horses come over and do well but I liked him from the second he arrived and he was brilliant last year. He’s big and bold and probably a chaser but I’d imagine we’ll start in the Greatwood Hurdle – he’d be my main one for that race. I think 2m on good to soft is his ideal. As a chaser he could go the whole way but we’ll more than likely to stick at hurdles this year to give him the experience. Second from right is NUBE NEGRA with H Skelton 1st from next left PRESENT FROM DUBAI 2nd in Novice Hurdle at Doncaster 26-1-18.Oldgrangewood 7g Central Park – Top Of The Class Chris Giles & Sandra Giles 3/331P4- RPR 152c OR 145c He definitely looks like 3m is his trip now and he’ll have a later start to the season. He prefers going left-handed and likes a bit of decent ground, and I see him in the springtime turning up at the better meetings over a trip. His owners come from Ayr and I don’t see why one day he couldn’t be a Scottish National horse. One For Billy 6g Midnight Legend – Saxona Paul & Clare Rooney 621122RO RPR 151c OR 145c He’s been magnificent over the summer and I was gutted about what happened at Cheltenham on Friday. It wasn’t his fault, he was just following the rail, but he was in the process of running another fantastically improved race. I’d like to take him for the Rising Stars Novices’ Chase at Wincanton next as long as the ground remains on the quick side. He’ll go on his holiday after that before coming back in the spring for some of the better races like the the Pendil. Present Ranger 5g Presenting – Papoose Dick And Mandy Higgins /533-3 RPR 119h OR 121h A full brother to Ballabriggs and we’re taking it steady with him but it was a lovely start to the season when third at Aintree on Sunday. He just got tired at the last but I was really pleased with that. He wants a trip and wants a fence and is a longterm project but I think he has every chance of making it. Red Rising 7g Flemensfirth – Fugal Maid Paul & Clare Rooney 13121P- RPR 141h OR 139h A good horse last year and goes chasing now. We’ll start over 2m4f and work up from there. How high he can go over fences as a novice I’m not sure but I can see him being the type of horse who turns up for races like the Midlands National and Classic Chase down the line. Those staying chasers is what we’ve historically lacked so it’s nice to have a few coming through. Star quality Rene’s Girl 8m Presenting – Brogella Andy & Sharon Measham F13112- RPR 149c OR 144c I was gutted to get beat in a Grade 1 at Aintree last season but she was beaten by a proper horse who is sadly no longer with us. We were thinking about going straight for the Ascot Chase but off 144 the handicapper has said ‘go and have a go in a handicap before the big league’ and we’re going to start this season in the BetVictor Gold Cup and go from there. She goes well fresh, is going well at home and there’s no reason not to be confident about her running a big race. Robin Waters 5g Irish Wells – Skandia Colm Donlon 1/3316- RPR 142h OR 141h He was never going to be able to show his true ability over hurdles because he’s a chaser. He was bang there two out in the Albert Bartlett but just got outpaced by horses who were better than him last year. I think we can bridge the gap over fences but how far he can go I don’t know – but I wouldn’t rule him out of any grade as a chaser at this point. We’ll get him started over fences soon. Roksana 6m Dubai Destination – Talktothetail Mrs Sarah Faulks 4/31112- RPR 144h OR 142h A proper mare who just got chinned in a Grade 1 at Aintree last year and I feel she will improve again this season. She looks fantastic and we’re going to start in the Ascot Hurdle and then look at all the good races. She’s very good, gets 7lb against the boys and we’ll see how far we can go. Shannon Bridge 5g Flemensfirth – Bridgequarter Lady M Boothright G Lovett P Deffains 122P0-3 RPR 132c OR 138h Ran nicely over 3m on chase debut at Cheltenham on Friday and would probably like it a bit softer. He will probably go back there for the November meeting but he’s only five and I don’t want to be over racing him. I can see him taking a decent standard and I was delighted with that first run. Shantou Rock 6g Shantou – Cool Cool Mr & Mrs Gordon Pink F/12223- RPR 155c OR 148c Absolutely brilliant fresh and that’s why we’re going to Ascot on November 3 for a valuable 2m handicap first time up. After that we’ll have to plan but the key is getting him as fresh as possible and on the best ground possible. He could run in the Desert Orchid over Christmas and something like the Red Rum in the spring but if he wins a race like Ascot’s he’s had a good season. Solomon Grey 6g Sulamani – Sardagna Mrs Sarah Faulks 2/22131- RPR 136h OR 135h Clearly very talented but was always growing and strengthening last year. He looks fantastic and we’re going to start him in the Elite Hurdle on November 10 at Wincanton. I hope they get some rain – good ground is no problem – and if they do he’ll definitely be a player. We’ll plan from there and he has the option of going chasing this season. Star quality Spiritofthegames 6g Darsi – Lucy Walters N W Lake 12357-1 RPR 152c OR – I really like him and always have and was delighted with his winning chase debut at Chepstow. He’s best fresh and in hindsight I wish I hadn’t run in the Betfair Hurdle or at Cheltenham and gone to Aintree fresh last season – I think he might have won. We’ll go to the Ladbrokes Trophy meeting at Newbury next to give him a nice gap and make a plan after that. He’s just getting started over fences and I think he could be really good. It’s not all about Cheltenham for him – he could end up turning up at Aintree fresh if he proves good enough in the interim. SPIRITOFTHEGAMES Ridden by Harry Sakelton (Green & red) wins at Ayr 24/10/17 Photograph by Grossick Racing Photography 0771 046 1723Supremely Lucky 6g Milan – Lucky Supreme Malcolm Olden P/21-4 RPR 121b OR – Looked good when winning his bumper at Chepstow last season and ran really well in a very good novice hurdle back at the same track a couple of weeks ago. He finished fourth but the improvement to come should be massive. Symphony Of Angels 6g Sulamani – Flying Lion Good Evans Racing Partnership 1137-11 RPR 133h OR 134h He came to us in the summer and has won two quite authoritatively. If he wins another it’s going to be a big one as we’ll chip him into a good race now and then he’ll go chasing. He’s pretty good and always has something up his sleeve, so there might be a bit more to come. Tokay Dokey 4g Gold Well – Charming Present Colm Donlon 11 RPR 118h OR – He was good when winning the other day at Uttoxeter. He was a little bit keen but I think the first two are good horses and we really like him. I’d like to give him another run in a small race before thinking about going up in grade. I’ll probably look at Wincanton on Elite Hurdle day if the ground is safe. If he wins his next novice I’d probably look at the December meeting at Cheltenham. He’s always looked like a good horse. Tommy Rapper 7g Milan – Supreme Evening Judy Craymer & Nick Skelton 1119-3 RPR 132c OR 138c If you hit the front too soon on him you’re going to get beat but he won three last year and it was a good start over fences at Ffos Las the other day in what was a good novice chase. He stayed on well and will improve for the run. He’s going to go to Cheltenham next in November for a 3m novice chase and I’d be very surprised if he doesn’t end up a better chaser than hurdler. Rival to watch You’ve got to admire Tiger Roll. You’d love to have a horse like that, he’s just magical. Value At Risk 9g Kayf Tara – Miss Orchestra D M Huglin 1651-8 RPR 142c OR 138c He was running well in the Old Roan before turning in and then he checked out very tamely. He’s a very in-and-out horse and frustrating for his owner who loves him dearly. He could run in the Badger Ales next or perhaps go to Newbury for the Ladbrokes meeting, but he goes well fresh and I can actually see us running him in the Grand Sefton. VALUE AT RISK Ridden by Harry Skelton wins at Ayr 20/4/18 Photograph by Grossick Racing PhotographyVirgilio 9g Denham Red – Liesse De Marbeuf C J Edwards, D Futter, A H Rushworth 1/8PF-11 RPR 159c OR 157c He’s not that big and not that easy to train but tries his hardest and wears his heart on his sleeve. He fell at Becher’s in the Grand National and I thought that might have been it but then he came back and won his next two which was just brilliant. He’s already won a big one this year at Uttoxeter but he’s on a career high mark now and it’s going to be hard for him. We’ll enter for a handicap at Ascot and the Charlie Hall at Wetherby at the weekend. If he’s in the top three or four on ratings he will go for the Charlie Hall, if not it will be Ascot. Whatduhavtoget 6m Presenting – Smooching Highclere Thoroughbred Racing-Presenting F403-11 RPR 137c OR 135c She’s got a little hind suspensory issue and you probably won’t see her until Christmas at the earliest, but I’d say black type over fences is a formality. We might even wait a little longer for something like the Pendil and I think there’s plenty more to be achieved with her. Horse to follow Nube Negra Dan Skelton is making giant strides in most parts of jump racing, but one area where he is particularly adept is in 2m handicap hurdles. Given this dominant era of Irish jumpers, two County Hurdle wins in three years is some record and proves Skelton is a force to be reckoned with in that sphere. Nube Negra, who is being targeted at the Greatwood, could be a big Lodge Hill improver. Just a four-year-old, his best form is at Cheltenham and he’ll improve for better ground when he gets it. James Hill JUVENILE HURDLERS AND BUMPER HORSES King D’argent, who has a good attitude and jumps well, made a winning debut for the yard at Wetherby and he’ll go back there for the Wensleydale on Friday and we’ll see where we are with him. Normally the early juvenile form is more Fred Winter than Triumph but I like what I see. We’ve a German horse who’s rated in the 90s on the Flat called Aronius and if he transfers that as a juvenile we’re going to be in business. Protektorat is a real big National Hunt horse, as is Flegmatik. They ran in separate divisions of the Listed Prix Finot at Auteuil and both look pretty good juveniles. I’m really happy with the bumper horses too. There are too many to mention but the idea is we’re trying to improve the quality every year. We’ve bought some real nice horses that I’m sure we can mould into the next generation of novice hurdlers and novice chases. The post Dan Skelton Stable Tour appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

Authorities are in a race against time to broker an eleventh-hour deal which would allow Australian horses to compete in the Longines Hong Kong International Races but the ongoing quarantine saga has already claimed its first victim. Top sprinter Trapeze Artist is the first horse to officially withdraw because of the long-running dispute, with trainer Gerald Ryan confirming he has pulled the pin on a Hong Kong Sprint (1,200m) assault, instead opting for the spelling paddock in Australia.... View the full article

With 6 winners in the bag yesterday including a big price 14/1 winner at Kempton Park, Picks From The Paddock are back with their best bet of the day and a tip for every race! Best Bet Of The Day 15:40 Lingfield Although it may seem an obvious choice it’s very hard to ignore a William Haggas trainer 2yo that has the assistance of jockey James Doyle. A decent 2nd place finish saw Listen To The Wind make a very encouraging start to her career. She’ll have undoubtedly learnt a lot for her one and only run and looks likely to go one better this time around. Newcomers Autumn Leaf and Inhale obviously warrant a close eye in the market but it’s hard to tell at what level they’ll be at on their respective debuts. The main threat has to be John Gosden’s Mary Somerville who returns to an artificial surface after a very poor showing on turf. If the return to the all-weather and the addition of blinkers brings her back to the form she showed on her first start then she’s set to put it to our selection but the signs point towards Listen To The Wind putting in a very good performance. LISTEN TO THE WIND (WIN) Clonmel: 13:05 – Our Roxane (WIN) 13:35 – Markhan (WIN) 14:05 – Lill Smith (WIN) 14:40 – Musical Ava (E/W) 15:10 – King’s Song (WIN) 15:45 – Redwood Boy (E/W) Lingfield: 12:30 – Music Major (E/W) 13:00 – Pink Phantom (WIN) 13:30 – Kodiac Pride (WIN) 14:00 – Kimberella (E/W) 14:35 – Move Swiftly (E/W) 15:05 – Alwaysandforever (E/W) 15:40 – Listen To The Wind (WIN) * 16:10 – Locommotion (WIN) Newcastle: 17:30 – Burnieboozle (WIN) 18:00 – Mutasaamy (WIN) 18:30 – Deansgate (E/W) 19:00 – Polar Forest (E/W) 19:30 – Geography Teacher (WIN) 20:00 – Breathoffreshair (WIN) Sedgefield: 13:20 – Millie The Minx (E/W) 13:50 – Charmant (WIN) 14:25 – Speedy Cargo (WIN) 14:55 – Some Kinda Lama (WIN) 15:30 – Same Circus (WIN) 16:00 – Secret Escape (WIN) Stratford: 13:10 – Shannon Hill (WIN) 13:40 – Stowaway Magic (WIN) 14:15 – Elysian Prince (WIN) 14:45 – Activial (WIN) 15:20 – Larch Hill (WIN) 15:50 – Bradford Bridge (WIN) Wolverhampton: 17:10 – Ace Master (E/W) 17:45 – It’s Not Unusual (WIN) 18:15 – Lord Murphy (E/W) 18:45 – Calling The Wind (WIN) 19:15 – Mubakker (WIN) 19:45 – Joegogo (E/W) 20:15 – Hussar Ballad (E/W) 20:45 – Anonymous John (E/W) The post Picks From The Paddock Best Bet – Thursday 1st November appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

This week is a recap of Hansen's victory in the 2011 Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) Nov. 5 at Churchill Downs. The recap, written by Tom LaMarra, ran in the Nov. 12, 2011 magazine. It carried the headline, "Ridin' High." View the full article

Addressing your thoughts, questions and statements about Hong Kong racing. Have something to say? Send a tweet to @SCMPRacingPost How about this all-weather track tonight. Wowee. – @Hkhutchi There was definitely a bias at Sha Tin’s all-dirt meeting on Wednesday night – and there were plenty making note of it – but it wasn’t just the leaders who were advantaged. Three horses led all the way – Golden Effort, Calculation and Viva Council – and they did it... View the full article

The Hong Kong career of Coby Boy has been nothing short of a roller coaster and trainer Benno Yung Tin-pang is confident his horse is again on the way up ahead of Sunday’s Class Two Eleanor Handicap (1,400m). There is no doubting the ability of the six-year-old, who has notched 1,400m victories at Class Two and Class Three level across six Hong Kong starts, but keeping the horse sound has been another thing. After suffering a serious cannon bone injury soon after his debut win here at the... View the full article

WERRIBEE, Australia—As Flemington prepares for Saturday’s AAMI Victoria Derby day, featuring four Group 1 contests, the manoeuvring for Tuesday’s G1 Lexus Melbourne Cup continues. The Andrew Balding-trained Duretto (GB) (Manduro {Ger}) was ruled out earlier this week with a stress fracture and on Thursday morning Red Verdon (Lemon Drop Kid) did not appear on the Werribee training track having been found to be suffering with a bruised heel. The 5-year-old represents Ed Dunlop and Ronald Arculli, who came so close to Cup glory with Red Cadeaux (GB) (Cadeaux Genereux {GB}), and he will be reassessed by a Racing Victoria vet ahead of final acceptances for the race on Saturday. Nakeeta (GB) (Sixties Icon {GB}), the first Scottish-trained runner in the Cup who was fifth last year, is now one place away from gaining a run on Tuesday but he could yet shuffle back down the order depending on the outcome of two of Saturday’s races. The G3 Lexus S. provides a last chance for ten horses to be granted a place in the Melbourne Cup line-up and these include A Prince Of Arran (GB) (Shirocco {Ger}), who is currently 28th in the order to make the field of 24. The gelding has done much to raise the profile of Newmarket trainer Charlie Fellowes. In February he became the first winner for Fellowes at the Dubai International Racing Carnival and he was also third in the G2 Belmont Gold Cup before returning to England to finish runner-up to Withhold (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}) in the Northumberland Plate. Since heading out on his travels again he has run once in Australia, taking third in the G2 Herbert Power S. “He’s been the most remarkable horse because if you’d told me when he was two years old where he’d be in four years’ time I’d have laughed at you,” said Fellowes at Werribee on Thursday morning after watching his contender at exercise. “He was a nightmare as a 2-year-old colt because he was such a handful, and to do what he’s done this year—win in Dubai, place in America, second in the Northumberland Plate and to come here—I wouldn’t have predicted it because he’s a bit of a character, but he really seems to thrive on all the travelling.” For Fellowes, it is a first return to Australia since he spent time working for multiple Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Lee Freedman a decade ago. He added, “Lee was a great guy to work for and I did a bit of travelling while I was here so it was a good experience. I saw first hand how incredible this race is and how it captures everyone’s imagination so I was very keen to come back and have a runner in the race.” A win on Saturday for A Prince Of Arran would deliver that dream for Fellowes less than five years into his training career but the horse now at the head of the market for Tuesday is his Herbert Power conqueror Yucatan (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who, should he oblige, would deliver the Cup to owner Lloyd Williams for the third year in a row. Fifteen years ago, Yucatan’s dam Six Perfections (Fr) (Celtic Swing {GB}) won the GI Breeders’ Cup Mile and his trainer Aidan O’Brien is currently overseeing his team of runners at Churchill Downs before jumping on a plane to Melbourne. O’Brien was only too delighted to settle for second last year with Johannes Vermeer (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) when he was beaten half a length by his son Joseph’s runner Rekindling (GB) (High Chaparral {Ire}), but with Latrobe (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) ruled out of a Cup tilt, O’Brien junior has no representative in 2018, while his father’s trio is completed by Thecliffsofmoher (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who will be ridden by Ryan Moore, and Rostropovich (Ire) (Frankel {GB}). Wayne Lordan will ride the latter while Godolphin’s former jockey James McDonald is booked for Yucatan, who will carry a 2.5kg penalty for his Herbert Power win. Yucatan led a quintet of Ballydoyle horses from the quarantine barn at Werribee on Thursday morning as they trotted a lap of the track before he and Thecliffsofmoher broke free from the group for a strong canter around the sand. Two of the Godolphin fancies, Cross Counter (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) and G1 Caulfield Cup winner Best Solution (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), were among those having an easy stretch on the Werribee sand on Thursday while their trainers Charlie Appleby and Saeed Bin Suroor are also otherwise engaged in Louisville. John Gosden, who will saddle Sheikh Hamdan’s Muntahaa (GB) (Dansili {GB}) at Flemington, is also on Breeders’ Cup duty but his son Thady is already in Australia to oversee the preparation of the Ebor winner, who was ridden by Jim Crowley in a sharp piece of work. “It’s the first time I’ve sat on him since he won the Ebor and he feels great,” said Crowley, who has found his feet in Australia by riding two winners at Bendigo on Thursday. “John Gosden’s team is in great order but it’s a big ask to come down here, though he seems to have settled in well.” Back in Melbourne on Thursday morning, VRC Chairman Amanda Elliott and Victorian Minister for Racing Martin Pakula cut the ribbons to declare Flemington’s new Club Stand officially open ahead of four days of Carnival action at the course. With a fourth-floor roof garden overlooking the Flemington straight and Melbourne’s cityscape, the A$128 million development with a range of restaurants and bars is a stunning addition to the facilities at the historic track. “There has never been a more exciting year for the Victoria Racing Club,” said Elliott. “Six years ago we set out to build a new members’ stand that would not only celebrate the incredible rich heritage and character of the VRC, but would evolve the raceday experience and change the expectations of racegoers forever. The vision is realised, the game-changing moment has arrived.” View the full article

Six weeks and four days after the dreadful terrorist attacks that took place just miles to the west in Lower Manhattan, the 2001 Breeders’ Cup went ahead as planned, even as armed marksmen lined the rooftop at Belmont Park. That year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic featured a riveting final-furlong battle between Tiznow (Cee’s Tizzy) and Sakhee (Bahri) to go down as one of the most dramatic in the history of the event. For reasons beyond what happened on the racetrack. In this corner, the hulking Tiznow, who just 12 months prior defeated the ‘Iron Horse’ Giant’s Causeway after going toe-to-toe with the Ballydoyle representative for the better part of the final two furlongs at Churchill Downs. In the opposite corner, Sakhee, who parlayed a seven-length romp in the G1 Juddmonte International S. into an equally overpowering victory in the G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. As has been well-documented, no Arc winner has doubled up in the Turf in the same year, but Sakhee’s task at hand was ostensibly that much more difficult given that he would be trying the dirt for the first time in his career. It had been an up-and-down season for Tiznow, so much so that he was nearly a 7-1 gamble, but the Horse of the Year nevertheless was allowed to take his chance and sat in the breeze as Sakhee and Frankie Dettori drafted behind while racing in the company of one Galileo (Ire). Sakhee, dwarfed physically by Tiznow, traveled beautifully into the race and got first run on the American galloper, carrying the lead into the final eighth of a mile. But with Tiznow apparently taking one stride for every two of Sakhee’s, he plugged on doggedly from between rivals to “win it for America,” in a race that evokes chills to this day (video). View the full article

Poon back for an earlier whistle stop View the full article

Early scratchings November 4 View the full article

Churchill Downs track announcer Travis Stone, 34, called his first GI Kentucky Derby in 2015, and will now call his first Breeders’ Cup Friday and Saturday. He took some time out of his busy week to share some memories and insights with Brian DiDonato. TDN: How did you first get interested in racing? TS: I grew-up in Schroon Lake, NY, which is about an hour north of Saratoga. My family would go to the races often. My Dad, though, would save his vacation time so for two full weeks every meet, and whenever else he was off, he and I would go. I was hooked early. TDN: When did you know you wanted to be a race caller? TS: When I as young I would “race” my toys while pretending to call the race. I raced everything, from cars to marbles, and would even pretend to be a jockey on my bike. As I got older and the marbles turned to video games, I realized I loved the announcing and became obsessed with it. In 1996, I wrote a letter to Tom Durkin asking what I needed to do to become an announcer. I followed his advice, worked hard at it, got a little lucky and here we are. TDN: What was it like calling your first Kentucky Derby? TS: I had never been to the Kentucky Derby before, so the combination of going for the first time and calling it was both nerve-wracking and exciting. They were going to the gate and it was one of those moments where you realize, “Wow… this is really going to happen.” Thankfully, the race was fairly uneventful, so I was able to survive. I became emotional when I called my parents afterward. The only way I would describe it is: I hope everyone, at some point in their lives, can experience a similar rush in whatever they do or aspire to do. It’s a mix of anxiety, fear, thrill, excitement and everything in between. It’s just awesome. TDN: What do you do to prepare for a big weekend like this? TS: It’s a combination of preparation and lifestyle change. I’ve been thinking about these races for a while. I’ve worked on memorizing the silks, studying the horses, envisioning various scenarios and outcomes. What happens if Newspaperofrecord wins by 10 lengths? What if Abel Tasman and Monomoy Girl turn for home together? In addition to the preparation, it’s about getting enough sleep and reducing any alcohol consumption. I’m usually good for two out of three! TDN: It looks like we might have a wet track for at least Friday’s card. Does that impact your job at all? TS: Churchill Downs can dry out pretty quickly, so hopefully it stops raining early enough for it to do so. Otherwise, it’ll make for some muddy silks, which is never fun! TDN: Would you say there’s more pressure calling a world-famous race like the Derby or an entire Breeders’ Cup? TS: The Derby is stressful in that it’s the biggest race in the world with 20 horses. Keeping track of that many horses in two minutes is daunting. The race itself is so action-packed that there’s not a lot of time to think. You have to be ready. There are no do-overs. The Breeders’ Cup features a lot of horses in a lot of races, but the pressure of getting just one two-minute shot like in the Derby isn’t quite there. But, ask me again on Saturday! TDN: What’s the call that you’re most proud of? TS: This year’s Kentucky Derby was just brutal… rain, fog, mist, mud. There were several horses with the same silks, some changing silks from their prior start. It was a lot. I’ve never told him, but I owe Bob Baffert a big thank you for using a blue shadow roll on Justify. When they turned for home, I used it to verify it was indeed him and not Audible or Noble Indy, who wore the same silks. TDN: Do you have a favorite Breeders’ Cup moment? TS: In 2001, at Belmont Park I watched the Breeders’ Cup alongside a racing fan visiting from Europe. He was all-in on Sakhee and I was rooting for Tiznow. The place went nuts. It was such an amazing horse race that after the wire we couldn’t help but high-five each other. I’ll never forget that. TDN: What Breeders’ Cup race are you most excited about calling? TS: If I had to pick one race it would be the Distaff. This year’s cinch for 3-year-old filly champion Monomoy Girl takes on last year’s champion Abel Tasman. The campaign for Monomoy Girl has been outstanding, but Abel Tasman, when on her game, is really good. I hope they turn for home side-by-side–what a race that would be. View the full article

IT’S not the Melbourne Cup, but for racing zealots it’s like Christmas and your birthday combined — with a dash of Grand Final day for good measure. View the full article

NEWMARKET, UK–Newsells Park Stud made a solitary but spectacular foray into the market at the Tattersalls Autumn Horses In Training Sale on Wednesday evening by breaking the event record with a 1-million gns swoop for top-notch broodmare prospect Aljazzi (GB) (Shamardal) (lot 1140). The winner of this year’s G2 Duke Of Cambridge S. at Royal Ascot among four stakes prizes was, as Newsells manager Julian Dollar admitted, an unusual inclusion in a sale which is largely for ready-to-run candidates for destinations around the world. Indeed, Dollar’s final bid from a distant corner of the ring to repel some interest from Lordship Stud’s Trevor Harris, usurped last year’s mark for a similar breeding type in Elizabeth Browning (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) by 300,000gns. Aljazzi, who was owned and bred by Saleh Al Homaizi and Imad Al Sagar and in training with Marco Botti, is nominated for next month’s G1 Hong Kong Mile S. There is likely to be a cursory discussion as to whether it could remain an option to run in the colours of Andreas Jacobs’s operation, although it would seem as if retirement beckons. “I think she’s done her racing, she’s five now,” Dollar said. “Shamardal has shown that he’s an exciting young broodmare sire and there are plenty of outcross options for her.” Newsells was the leading consigner from Book 1, bringing in 11,055,000gns from 22 lots including a 1,200gns daughter of Dubawi (Ire). “We did have a good yearling sale. You take some and end up giving it back,” Dollar smiled. “The boss was brave with the bidding and it isn’t easy to buy these high-end fillies. We wouldn’t usually be active at this sale and she was the only one I looked at. You might have expected her to be in the December [Mares] Sale but in a way she stood out at this one.” Tony Nerses, representing her owners, and Botti both wished her well. “I’m sad to see her go but I’m very happy she has gone to Newsells,” Botti said. “She was a honest, straight-forward filly and I’d like to thank the owners for keeping her in training this year. She ticks all the boxes – and I’d like to train her progeny.” Despite an outlaying top lot, the average and median were each a tick down from the corresponding session last year; the average dipped 5% to 36,865gns, while the median was down 9% to 20,000gns. The clearance rate, however, was a strong 91%. A total of 283 horses were traded on the day for 10,432,800gns. Murphy Lays Down The Law Irishman Conor Murphy has made some astute gambles in his racing life so far and he sprang into action midway through the afternoon with two quick-fire purchases under his banner of Riverside Bloodstock among a total spend of 550,000gns on three. The former stable lad for Lambourn National Hunt icon Nicky Henderson reputedly won more than £1-million in an accumulator bet on his old boss’s runners at the Cheltenham Festival six years ago. It was enough to fund him setting himself up as a trainer in his own right in Louisville, Ky, with a current stable of 20. “I came last year to buy a horse called Great Wide Open (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Ire}), and he finished second in the Shadwell Turf Mile at Keeneland a couple of weeks ago,” Murphy explained. His purchases considerably outweighed the mere 45,000gns outlay on Great Wide Open. The most expensive buy at 210,000gns was lot 1040, Argentello (Ire) (Intello {Ire}), who has responded well to an extensive campaign with John Gosden which has yielded a pair of wins apiece in novices and handicaps. “You are buying from the best so you can’t expect him to improve but if he can hold his form you’d be hopeful of him doing well. He has good fast ground turf form so you’d hope he’d be one who could be running at Keeneland.” Something about the modest 32Red H. at Kempton on October 16 must have made an impression on Murphy. The race had been won by Argentello and only a few minutes later he was signing up the runner-up, the former Ed Walker-trained Sabador (Fr) (Kendargent {Fr}) (lot 1055) for 150,000gns. Later on at lot 1165 Murphy added Emmaus (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), a lofty purchase for the China Horse Club at Goffs Orby in 2015, for 190,000gns Knight To Remember For Waterhouse Gai Waterhouse has matters of greater importance closer to hand with Thinkin’ Big (Aus) (High Chaparral {Ire}) being prepared for an audacious double in the G1 Victoria Derby and Melbourne Cup. So Australia’s first lady of racing left duties at Tattersalls to agent Susie McKeever and her assistant Claudia Miller, who could return Down Under with good news about lot 1061. They took a fancy to Knight Errant (Ire) (So You Think {NZ}), a four-time winner for William Jarvis who has defeated others to make good money this week, such as Jack Regan (GB) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}) and Whitlock (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}). “He’s a big, scopey horse who should do well in Australia,” said Miller. “We’ve been underbidders for a few this week and probably spent more than we thought but that’s the state of the market.” McKeever anticipated that Waterhouse would be delighted. “Gai is a huge supporter of this sale and we’ve bought one or two that have done well before for her, including The Offer (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) and Glencadam Gold (Ire) (Refuse To Bend {Ire}),” she said. Williams Flying High Another man with Melbourne on his mind is Ian Williams, who was in the skies on an aeroplane to join up with the well-fancied Magic Circle (Ire) (Makfi {GB}). Agent Alex Elliott picked up the first of the always-popular Juddmonte (lot 1098) draft on his behalf. This was Breath Caught (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}), a half-brother to the top-class G1 Juddmonte International S. hero Twice Over (GB) and a progressive middle-distance handicapper himself. “Ian said this horse was his pick of the sale, and everyone knows what a good buyer Ian is,” said Elliott. “I’d imagine he’ll have a break and come back in the spring.” Earlier in the session at lot 874 Elliott had dug deep for an undisclosed client for The Grand Visir (GB) (Frankel (GB). The colt had been revived after wind surgery to strike in fine style on debut for John Butler at Doncaster last weekend. “He has gone up 8lb for that win and if he can continue to find improvement, he could be a very exciting horse for next year, maybe for races like the Irish St Leger,” he said. Zonderland Bound For Ireland One of the most recognisable names in the sale was that of Zonderland (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}) late in the day at lot 1180. The sprightly chestnut, still an entire at five, has been a fine performer for Clive Cox and Cheveley Park Stud, picking up his biggest prize in the G3 Sovereign S. at Salisbury. He is moving to Ireland after reaching 140,000gns. “He’s going to Luke Comer,” said his representative Jim Gorman. “Hopefully he’s going to race again.” Rebel Streak (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire} (lot 1161), a gelding from one of owner-breeder Jeff Smith’s speedy families and a good third in the recent G3 Dubai World Trophy S. at Newbury, is off on his travels to further afield. Stuart Boman of Blandford Bloodstock, who cast the final bid for 180,000gns, said: “He’s going to go to Hong Kong to race for David Ferraris. It’s quite hard for those 3-year-old sprinters but he came recommended by Andrew Balding and he had a good season.” Cumani Not Winding Down Yet Luca Cumani will be sorely missed amongst the ranks of trainers when he retires at the end of the year and puts his Bedford House Stables up for sale. So it was hard not to feel a twinge of nostalgia as his consignment of largely colts and geldings padded around the ring in their recognisable coffee and chocolate-coloured rugs. His dozen up for grabs realised a total of 596,500gns with lot 1076, Coolongolook (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), proving the most in-demand, being bought by agent Mags O’Toole for a prospective career as a jumper. The Italian agreed when asked if it was a somewhat bittersweet feeling to have been in such a position on the steps, although he still has substantial involvement in the industry not only through his son Matt but from his own bloodstock interest with Fittocks Stud. “It was my last sale as a trainer but it all went well and I’d like to thank all of my staff for turning the horses out so nicely,” he said. “Once the decision was made, it was made. It has been a big team effort and I’m lucky that my wife [Sara] has offered me a job. I’m still a breeder and will be selling some fillies and mares here in December.” The concluding day of the sale begins at 9.30am local time on Thursday. View the full article

For the home team, the spectre at the feast will be Justify (Scat Daddy). But let’s not forget that the European raiders at the 35th Breeders’ Cup have also–albeit temporarily–lost the services of their premier Classic winner. For the stylish Epsom success of Masar (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) represented spectacular vindication of an appointment that had come literally “out of the blue”-the royal blue, that is, his trainer Charlie Appleby having been promoted as an in-house solution to an excruciating crisis at Godolphin. To many, the Mahmood Al Zarooni steroids scandal of 2013 required Sheikh Mohammed to go out and hire a firefighter of established calibre. As such, it seemed nearly perverse for him instead to promote an unproven assistant educated entirely within the stable. For Appleby to need just five years to satisfy the Sheikh’s craving for a homebred Derby winner in Godolphin blue definitively confirmed the wisdom of that judgement. Among just three Breeders’ Cup starters for his trainer to date, moreover, Masar is the only one to have been beaten (when finishing strongly out of traffic at Del Mar last year). This weekend Appleby brings three candidates to emulate the success of Wuheida (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), who won the Filly & Mare Turf last year; and Outstrip (GB) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}), whose Juvenile Turf success at Santa Anita, just months after Appleby’s abrupt elevation, he will always cherish nearly as much as Masar’s Derby. “It’s my first year, he’s won the [G2] Champagne S., so all of a sudden you have this good 2-year-old,” Appleby recalled at Churchill yesterday. “And it’s amazing how different things suddenly look when you actually have the reins. On the outside, even when you’re one of the assistants or the head lad, it’s easy: the horse can do this, he can do that. But, my fault, I wrapped him up in cotton wool before the [G1] Dewhurst and he finished third, too fresh.” “So I spoke to HH Sheikh Mohammed and asked if I could take him to the Breeders’ Cup. I felt he’d be suited by quick ground and the tight turns. And I made sure I trained him for the moment. I asked Mike [Smith] to get him out and get him rolling. Instead he was slow from the gate and Mike was sat about three off the back. At that point, when it’s your only shot, you think you might as well turn on your heels and go home. But they call him ‘Big Money Mike’ for a reason. He knows where the lollipop is, and they were going a scorching pace. So when they came down to the wire and he hit the front, it was one of those moments when you just stand back; obviously that backdrop at Santa Anita is so amazing anyway, it all felt so surreal. Because it was my first chance to say thank you, the one way I had of repaying somebody who obviously wants for nothing.” To tell that story against himself is instructive not so much of an assurance Appleby has now amply earned, but of an authentic humility. Even in accepting that this has been a breakout year, in terms of external perceptions, he scrupulously refers sooner to the reputation and self-belief of his whole team than to his own. “It’s the same as any sport,” he says. “You gain so much confidence when you’re winning, and the momentum keeps rolling on. If you’re a football manager, looking after a team, and you take them to the top of the league you’re doing what the owners employ you to do. And that’s me, basically: I manage my team at Moulton Paddocks and over the last three years I feel the momentum’s been picking up and up, we’ve been focusing on nicer horses and campaigning them the way we feel is right. And this year it’s just gone from strength to strength: the Derby was a huge achievement by the team, and most importantly it’s what HH Sheikh Mohammed deserves. I’m just very fortunate to be in a position to deliver the goods.” That freedom from self-importance allows Appleby to reflect candidly on how his appointment must have struck the world outside the besieged walls of Godolphin. “When I took over the position, a lot of people were going to be asking questions, for sure: about myself, about the team,” he said. “People could say why didn’t they go and get somebody who’d been out there and done it, somebody with more experience. But we felt no pressure. Remember this is my 20th year with Godolphin. And from the day before I was asked to take on responsibility at Moulton Paddocks, to the day after, it felt no different: I just went in there and got on with the job. I knew the staff. I felt I knew the nuts and bolts of it all. And, most importantly, I knew what HH Sheikh Mohammed wants and what his drive is. And that’s definitely instilled into myself and the team: that positivity.” “Obviously I’ve changed things as time has gone on, to suit myself and the team. Outstrip was a huge help. We’d only done it once, but we had done it and you just get a feel for it all. As time has gone on, we’ve got confidence in ourselves; we’ve got our strategy, our key players in place and they are doing a great job. And I think that’s why we are where we are.” “Because we’re working for a man who instils confidence in you. If you make a decision, he backs you. And you’re like a kid riding a bike: if you fall off, you don’t just throw the bike on the floor and walk away. Sometimes in racing you make a call that doesn’t come off, but there’s no better man to say: ‘Don’t worry, get back on the bike and have another go.'” Funnily enough, Appleby views Masar himself as a perfect model for the merits of dusting yourself down and climbing back into the ring. “Obviously we had to put a line through what happened at Del Mar,” he says. “But most importantly, as a couple of old shrewdies said at the time, he was getting a lot of experience. Same when he flopped round the back on the dirt at Meydan in March. It was a win-win. If he had happened to adapt, he’d have ended up going to the UAE Derby and then potentially come over here. When he didn’t, some people said it was a waste of time–but it wasn’t. I wanted to get a run into him, because he was getting a bit too much of a boy out there and we wanted to put some manners on him. But the experience, again, put him in good stead.” He mischievously notes that he has enjoyed Roaring Lion’s service on Masar’s behalf, on the basis that they had met three times and Masar had beaten him three times. “It’s sport, things move on, and Masar is sort of a forgotten horse now–but I haven’t forgotten him,” Appleby said. “The great thing is that he’s doing well and the plan is for him to race next season. He’ll go to Dubai but not to run out there. If you were fortunate enough to map out a programme, you’d work back from the Arc.” Besides his sense of a personal debt discharged, Appleby relished the way the whole professional community appeared to savour Masar’s success at Epsom for a man who has invested so much into their industry. And, in the bigger picture, he also recognises how that industry can appreciate a broader revival in Godophin’s fortunes. “The old days are back,” he acknowledged. “We’re competitive at the top end, and everybody wants to see Coolmore-Ballydoyle and Godolphin. Again, it’s like any sport: if results are constantly going one way, it’s great for those who are winning but for the public it probably becomes a bit boring.” Even as his team has renewed its standards, moreover, the Sheikh’s rapprochement with his longstanding antagonists in the bloodstock market has introduced Appleby to exciting new professional opportunity. “I did say, tongue-in-cheek, what did I have to do to get one of these Galileos!?” he chuckled. “I’ve never dealt with one before this year, so it’s quite ironic that we’re turning up here at a championship meeting with one I feel will be very competitive.” That is G3 Prix de la Conde winner Line Of Duty (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the Juvenile Turf. “Obviously in my position I’m very lucky to have had a lot of Dubawis, and you can see why he and Galileo are the supersires they are,” Appleby says. “Their traits are actually very similar: they thrive on competition, and they love to train. In my experience, when a Dubawi (Ire) (Dubai Millennium {GB}) is in a dogfight, they very seldom lie down. And my one Galileo at the moment is showing exactly the same signs. If he’s boxed in, it might not be pretty to watch–but I’m confident that if there’s a hole, he’ll want to go through it.” Wild Illusion (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) issues from the more familiar conveyor belt, and heavy rain in Louisville did nothing to diminish her trainer’s optimism for the Filly & Mare Turf. “She’s a Group 1 winner in soft ground,” he noted. “And she’s in great form. She literally kept Will [Buick] on his toes this morning: he came off before we set off in our little breeze. Her coat’s like a seal, and as a big strong filly she won’t be easy to push over when it comes to the hustle and bustle.” His other runner is La Pelosa (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) in the Fillies’ Juvenile Turf tomorrow: a battle-hardened filly who won the GI Natalma S. at Woodbine last time. “She brings nice experience to the race,” Appleby said. “She showed that this morning, of the three she was the most professional. She too has a nice draw and she’s a filly we’ve always felt would appreciate cut in the ground. Strictly on their European form, both the 2-year-olds have a bit to find. But both are neat and athletic and I do think experience is a big help round these tracks.” Appleby admits that there was a concerted effort, in his third year, to get runs on the board–just to show that the team was functioning efficiently. It is significant, then, that he amassed almost exactly the same domestic prizemoney in 2017 as he did in 2015, but from 106 winners as opposed to 151; and that Masar, G1 King’s Stand winner Blue Point (Ire) (Shamardal) and company have this year increased the haul by over 75% from “just” 82 wins. That tells you how confidently Appleby is now prepared to focus on the tougher bull’s-eyes. “We all go through those stages, whether through your career or your season, when things aren’t going right,” he says. “That’s when you sometimes question your decision, after the event. But when things are going right you’re relaxed, you stand back, you see things a lot more clearly and with a lot more positivity. I think we have started to focus on trying to produce the better horses on those championship days. It’s only my fifth year and I’d like to think we’ve ticked a lot of boxes in a short space of time.” View the full article

LOUISVILLE, Ky – With the excitement and anticipation continuing to build by the day ahead of this weekend’s Breeders’ Cup, a plethora of racing’s biggest stars were out during training hours on a surprisingly warm fall Wednesday morning at Churchill Downs. Trainer John Gosden was on hand to watch his Classic contender Roaring Lion (Kitten’s Joy)’s morning trackwork, which included a trip to the starting gate with the legendary reinsman Frankie Dettori in the irons. Catholic Boy (More Than Ready) was on his toes and continues to give off good vibes as he prepares to take on his elders in the big one. The same could certainly be said about the 4-year-old Yoshida (Jpn) (Heart’s Cry {Jpn}), who has displayed very good energy in his mornings here, too. Mind Your Biscuits (Posse), sporting a black shadow roll, was another Classic contender out on the track during the special Breeders’ Cup training session conducted under cloudy skies and humid temperatures in the mid 60s at 7:30 a.m. Two of Hall of Famer Bob Baffert’s big guns in ‘TDN Rising Star’ McKinzie (Street Sense) (Classic) and Marley’s Freedom (Blame) (F/M Sprint) appear locked and loaded as do the John Sadler- trained duo of Accelerate (Lookin At Lucky) (Classic) and the stunning chestnut Catalina Cruiser (Union Rags) (Dirt Mile). Trainer Jason Servis ponied Firenze Fire (Poseidon’s Warrior) (Dirt Mile) to the track and the duo briefly took in the scene near the clubhouse turn. Uncle Benny (Declaration of War) (Juvenile Turf) has looked outstanding in the flesh for Servis here as well. The Iowa-bred Topper T (Bellamy Road), acquired privately by the very sharp duo of Gary Barber and Adam Wachtel, may not exactly get the most respect entering the Juvenile off a runner-up finish in Canterbury’s Shakopee Juvenile S. with a lifetime-best 70 Beyer, but the dark bay certainly looked like he belonged while strutting his stuff Wednesday morning. City of Light (Quality Road) (Dirt Mile) turned his head and seemed to enjoy all the attention from the photographers lined up while setting up shop by the rail. Trainer Chad Brown watched nearby as he sent out the powerhouse trio of unbeaten ‘TDN Rising Star’ Newspaperofrecord (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) (Juvenile Fillies Turf), Wow Cat (Chi) (Lookin At Lucky) (Distaff) and Fourstar Crook (Freud) (Filly & Mare Turf) later in the morning. Of all the Euros training on dirt this week, Polydream (Ire) (Oasis Dream {Ire}) may have looked the best, striding out wonderfully as she prepares to take on the boys in the Mile. Her trainer Freddie Head certainly knows what it takes to get it done in that one, that’s for sure. Thunder Snow (Ire) (Helmet {Aus}) (Classic) certainly caught many off guard, including this writer, motoring down the lane while completing a four-furlong bullet breeze in :47.40 (1/77). With the sun beginning to making its way through the clouds following the break, champion West Coast (Flatter) (Classic) put a big smile on exercise rider Dana Barnes’s face as he bounded onto the track. He was joined by ‘TDN Rising Star’ Game Winner (Candy Ride {Arg}), who will put his unbeaten record on the line for Baffert in the Juvenile. The brilliant two-time G1 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe heroine Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) (Turf), ‘TDN Rising Star’ Oscar Performance (Kitten’s Joy) (Mile) and Line of Duty (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) (Juvenile Turf) were among the headliners to go out for a spin over Churchill’s turf course as training hours began to wrap up just before 10 a.m. View the full article

Thunder Snow was fully in the bridle during his time on the track Oct. 31, turning a planned blowout down the lane turned into a bullet four-furlong move in :47 2/5 as he continues preparations for the Nov. 3 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1). View the full article

Sports fans love seeing the next big thing, and this year Breeders' Cup will provide that opportunity, as all five of its races for 2-year-olds will be contested on the first day of the two-day event, now packaged as "Future Stars Friday." View the full article