Wandering Eyes

It was a busy weekend with GI Kentucky Oaks preps being run at Santa Anita, Aqueduct and Gulfstream. None of the winners did enough to crack the top four, but they all have a license to improve. We've dropped the bottom three from last week's list–Running Away (Gun Runner), Runnin N Gunnin (Gun Runner) and White Rocks (Frosted)–and replaced them with horses who appear to have more potential. It will be a quiet week as there is not a single stakes race for 3-year-old fillies that will be run this week. Here's a look at the fifth installment of our Kentucky Oaks Top 10 for 2025: 1) GOOD CHEER (Medaglia d'Oro–Wedding Toast, by Street Sense) O/B-Godolphin (Ky); T-Brad Cox. Lifetime Record: MGSW, 5-5-0-0, $637,630. Last Start: Won Feb. 15 GII Fasig-Tipton Rachel Alexandra S. Kentucky Oaks Points 45. Next Start: GII Fair Grounds Oaks., FG, Mar. 15. Might this year's Kentucky Oaks turn into a two-horse race, East vs. West? Good Cheer began her 3-year-old season training in Florida at Payson Park, but has since moved to Brad Cox's division at the Fair Grounds. She's had five career starts and has looked nothing less than invincible in each. She made a successful 2025 debut when winning GII Fasig-Tipton Rachel Alexandra despite having to overcome traffic problems. This is a very good filly. Can anybody beat her? It would seem like the most likely candidate to do so would be the Bob Baffert-trained 2) TENMA (Nyquist–Amagansett, by Tapit) O-Baoma Corp.; B-B Flay Thoroughbreds (Ky); T-Bob Baffert. Sales history: $200,000 yrl '23 KEESEP; $850,000 2yo '24 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: GISW, 5-4-0-1, $429,000. Last Start: Won Feb. 2 GIII Fasig-Tipton Las Virgenes Stakes. Kentucky Oaks Points: 33. Next Start: GII Santa Anita Oaks, SA, Apr. 5. Simply put, another very good filly and the best in the West. She has been beaten once, in the GII Oak Leaf S., but has put together two very strong efforts since then. Her wins in the GII Starlet S. and the GIII Fasig-Tipton Las Virgenes S. were both very impressive. She is owned by the Baoma Corp. and was bred by Bobby Flay. She sold for $850,000 at last year's OBS April sale, which is starting to look like a bargain. She returned to the work tab Sunday, breezing five furlongs in 1:02.60. Baffert hasn't won the Oaks since 2017 with Abel Tasman (Quality Road), so you can make the case that he's overdue for another winner. Quietside | Renee Torbit/Coady Media 3) QUIETSIDE (Malibu Moon–Benner Island, by Speightstown) 'TDN Rising Star' O/B-Shortleaf Stable (Ky); T-John Ortiz. Lifetime Record: GSW & MGISP, 6-2-3-1, $552,200. Last Start: Won Feb. 23 GIII Honeybee S. Kentucky Oaks Points: 68. Next Start: GII Fantasy S., OP, Mar. 29. A consistent filly who never runs a bad race, her win in the GIII Honeybee S. at Oaklawn proved that she's in the upper tier of 3-year-old fillies. The Honeybee had, arguably, the deepest cast of 3-year-old fillies of any race run so far this year. She is a homebred from John Ed Anthony's Shortleaf Stable, which is making a comeback after being a powerhouse in years past, and was overlooked at 10-1 in the Honeybee. That won't happen again. 4) MUHIMMA (Munnings–Princesa Carolina, by Tapit) 'TDN Rising Star' O-Shadwell Stable; B-Three Chimneys Farm, LLC (Ky); T-Brad Cox. Sales history: $700,000 yrl '23 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GSW, 4-3-0-1, $319,460. Last Start: Third Feb. 23 GIII Honeybee S. Kentucky Oaks Points: 25. Next Start: GI Ashland S., Kee, Apr. 4. Hard to know what to make of her. She was our No. 1 until running third in the Honeybee. What was particularly worrisome was that she was right there with the leaders at the top of stretch, but tired in the final furlong to be a well beaten third. The distance shouldn't have been a problem since she won the mile-and-an-eighth GII Demoiselle at Aqueduct. Did she need the race? Has she not made that all important transition from two to three? We'll find out more in the GI Ashland. But as good as Cox is with 3-year-old fillies, don't be the least bit surprised if she bounces back with a huge race. 5) MAYSAM (Game Winner–Sefani, by American Pharoah) 'TDN Rising Star' O-Michael L Petersen; B-Seclusive Farm, Chester & Anne Prince (Ky); T-Bob Baffert. Sales history: $140,000 yrl '23 FTKJUL; $500,000 2yo '24 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: GSW, 3-2-0-0, $98,500. Last Start: WON Mar. 2 GIII Fasig-Tipton Santa Ysabel Stakes. Kentucky Oaks Points: 25. Next Start: TBD. What a strange year she's had so far. She looked terrific breaking her maiden, winning by six lengths on Jan. 24 at Santa Anita Trainer. Bob Baffert wasted little time getting her back on track and sent her to Sunland Park for the Sunland Park Oaks. At odds of 1-10, she was sixth, beaten 18 1/4 lengths. “She got very fractious in the gate before the start,” Baffert said. “That upset her and she missed the break. She lost interest after that.” But Baffert didn't give up on her. Coming back on two week's rest, she rebounded in a huge way to win Sunday's GIII Fasig-Tipton Santa Ysabel S. by a nose over Supa Speed (Justify). It was, however, a four-horse race. 6) FIVE G (Vekoma–Triumphant, by Quality Road) O/B-Gatsas Stables (NY); T-George Weaver. Lifetime Record: SW & GSP, 5-2-2-0, $240,290. Last Start: Second Feb. 23 GIII Honeybee S. Kentucky Oaks Points: 25. Next Start: TBD. This one is sneaky good. By the outstanding sire Vekoma, she looked like a grass horse after winning the Tepin Stakes at Aqueduct. But trainer George Weaver wanted to give her another try on the dirt and she responded with a nine-length win in the Cash Run Stakes at Gulfstream. Next up she ran second in the Honeybee, overcoming the 13 post. She fought hard in the stretch, but couldn't hold off Quietside. Weaver has yet to pick out her next start. Five G | Lauren King 7) BALLERINA D'ORO (Medaglia d'Oro–In the Moonlight, by Tapit) O-Rodeo Creek Racing, LLC; B-Rock Ridge Thoroughbreds, LLC (KY); T-Chad Brown. Sales history: $320,000 yrl '23 FTSAUG. Lifetime Record: MGSP, 5-1-1-1, $176,975. Last Start: Third Mar. 1 GII Davona Dale Stakes. Kentucky Oaks Points: 16.25. Next Start: TBD. The one-mile Fasig-Tipton Davona Dale S. was not a strong prep. The winner, The Queen's M G (Thousand Words), looks like a one-turn horse and the Beyer figure for the race was just an 80. But if there is a horse that can emerge from this race and make headway down the road it is the Chad Brown-trained Ballerina d'Oro. A horse with no early speed whose best race was a second-place finish in the GII Demoiselle at a mile-and-an-eighth, the one-turn, one-mile Davona Dale was not a good fit for her. She'll try two turns and nine furlongs in her next race and improvement can be expected. 8) LA CARA (Street Sense–Cara Caterina, by Bernardini) O/B-Tracy Farmer (Ky); T-Mark Casse. Lifetime Record: GSW, 8-3-2-0, $418,520. Last Start: Second Mar. 1 GII Davona Dale Stakes. Kentucky Oaks Points: 51. Next Start: GI Ashland S., Kee, April 4. She was second, beaten 2 3/4 lengths, in the Davona Dale, so she certainly didn't move forward. And it was no contest as the Queen's M G beat her handily. But I'm not ready to give up on this one just yet. She's had some very good races and some not so very good races and now it's trainer Mark Casse's job to get her back on track. Though she may not have beaten much, her race in the Suncoast S. was outstanding, as was her win last year in the GIII Pocahontas S. Tough horse to figure out but could be a live longshot in the Oaks. 9) SUPA SPEED (Justify–Elfin Queen, by American Pharoah) O-Flying Dutchmen Breeding and Racing LLC. B-Coteau Grove (La). T-John Sadler. Sales history: $460,000 yrl '23 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GSP, 6-2-2-1, $134,100. Last Start: Second Mar. 2 GIII Santa Ysabel Stakes. Kentucky Oaks Points: 12.5. Next Start: GII Santa Anita Oaks, SA, April 5 This daughter of Justify joins the Top 10 off a strong second-place finish behind Maysam in the Santa Ysabel S. She lost by just a nose, battling Maysam every step of the way in the stretch and just couldn't get by her. She started off her career with five turf starts, but has obviously now found a home on the dirt. She's trained by John Sadler, who's never in a hurry with his young horses, so improvement can be expected. Drexel Hill | Sarah Andrew 10) DREXEL HILL (Bolt d'Oro–Ascot Walk, by Daaher) O-Legion Racing. B-Tuscany Bloodstock. T-D Whitworth Beckman. Sales history: $20,000 wnlg '22 KEENOV; $50,000 yrl '23 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: SW, 7-2-2-1, $180,250. Last Start: WON Mar. 1 Busher Stakes. Kentucky Oaks Points: 57. Next Start: TBD. Up-and-coming trainer Whit Beckman has three Oaks candidates in Simply Joking (Practical Joke), Her Laugh (Practical Joke) and Drexel Hill (Bolt d'Oro), but of the three, Drexel Hill looks like the “now horse.” She picked up her first stakes win when capturing the one-mile Busher Invitational last Saturday at Aqueduct despite stumbling at the start. In third at the top of the stretch, she appeared to have no chance, but a strong stretch run got her to the wire first. “I was very pleased with her performance in the Busher,” Beckman said. “Although she was a bit flat out of the gate, she did enough in the last stages to get the win. I feel a return to two turns will benefit her greatly.” The post TDN Kentucky Oaks Top 10 for March 6: Good Cheer Gets the Nod in East-West Battle appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Multiple stakes winner Mi Bago could contest this year's Two Thousand Guineas (G1) with dual Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse labeling the 3-year-old "an exceptional horse."View the full article

Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from around the country. The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit's (HIWU) “pending” and “resolved” cases portals. RESOLVED ADMC VIOLATIONS Date: 03/03/2025 Licensee: Gustavo Delgado, trainer Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on March 4, 2025; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Capsaicin–Controlled Medication (Class B)–in a sample taken from Avant Glory, who won at Gulfstream Park on 11/26/24. Date: 03/03/2025 Licensee: Todd Pletcher, trainer Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on March 4, 2025; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Betamethasone–Controlled Medication (Class C)–in a sample taken from Vassimo, who won at Gulfstream Park on 12/14/24. Read more on the case here. Date: 02/25/2025 Licensee: Gary Jackson, trainer Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on March 1, 2025; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Ipratroprium–a controlled substance (Class B)–in a sample taken from Mywifeknowsitall, who won at Gulfstream Park on 10/13/24. PENDING ADMC VIOLATIONS 03/05/2025, Richard Sillaman, trainer: Pending medication violation for the use or attempted use of a Class C controlled medication on Poker Joker during the race period, for an event dated 2/2/25. 03/05/2025, Vance Childers, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Testosterone–a banned substance–in a sample taken from Tigger Attack, who finished fifth at Fanduel Sportsbook and Horse Racing on 10/29/24. 03/04/2025, Mario Lopez, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Dexamethasone–Controlled Medication (Class C)–in a sample taken from Sam Stormy, who finished second at Tampa Bay on 2/2/25. 02/28/2025, William Mott, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine–Controlled Medication (Class B)–in a sample taken from High Oak on 12/20/24. VIOLATIONS OF CROP RULE Santa Anita Park Adrian Castellanos – violation date Feb 28; $300 fine, no other information given The post Weekly National Regulatory Rulings For Feb. 27 – Mar. 5 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

7th-GP, $96K, OC 75k/N1X, 3yo, f, 1 1/16m, 4:00 p.m. ET. Michael Tabor's Blueberry Hill (Munnings), a sharp, wire-to-wire debut winner for Todd Pletcher going seven furlongs at Gulfstream Jan. 30, stretches to two turns for her second career start. The 3-year-old granddaughter of Marylebone (Unbridled's Song) will face six rivals, including morning-line favorite Justinqueso (Ghostzapper), who was unplaced in the GIII Forward Gal S. Feb. 1. TJCIS PPS #5 BLUEBERRY HILL ($8.80) ran away with the sixth race at @GulfstreamPark. The three-year-old filly by @CoolmoreAmerica's Munnings broke her maiden under Jockey @iradortiz for trainer @PletcherRacing. pic.twitter.com/F0PNLHERmm — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) January 30, 2025 The post Thursday’s Racing Insights: Blueberry Hill Stretches to Two Turns Following ‘Rising Star’ Debut Win appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A new service for breeders that provides a complimentary race record for Thoroughbreds foaled in 2025 and later that is updated after each domestic or international start will be offered by The Jockey Club, according to an organization release Wednesday. Breeders can subscribe to the daily service by providing their email address during the registration application process via Interactive Registration at www.registry.jockeyclub.com. Upon subscribing, breeders will receive an email with a link to all eligible horses, each linking to an Equineline.com Product 9 (Lifetime Starts in Past Performance Format) report. “We created this free service not only to provide a horse's record of achievement on the track, but also to enable breeders to maintain a convenient connection to horses throughout their racing careers,” said James L. Gagliano, president and chief operating officer, The Jockey Club. “We believe this will help foster aftercare and second career opportunities once a horse is retired from racing.” Although the service applies to the current foal crop, there are plans to expand the service to include older horses still on the racetrack. This service for breeders to receive free Lifetime Starts in Past Performance Format was developed by TJC Innovations in conjunction with The Jockey Club Registry. The post TJC Introduces Free Lifetime Starts for Thoroughbred Breeders appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

TDN Conversations is a new monthly podcast series and we are delighted to have been joined this month by Emma Balding, who discusses the history of her breeding operation with Emma Berry. “The whole place had been requisitioned by the Americans during the war, and the stud had been used for a dairy herd,” she says of Kingsclere Stud, which neighbours the historic Park House Stables, where her son Andrew now trains. “So there are remnants still of the fact that it was used for that. The house was taken over and the officers lived in the house.” Balding was a young child when she moved with her parents and brothers to Kingsclere in 1953 and, just as training racehorses has run through generations of her family, so has the breeding of them. This she has continued with skill, achieving notable success, often through utilising some fairly under-the-radar stallions. Plainly, she does not mind flying in the face of fashion. https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Emma-Balding-Conversations-Podcast-v3-1.mp3 Listen to the podcast here. “I don't mind breeding something that goes jumping. I really don't,” she says. “There's a very good market for the sort of horses we're breeding, if they're good enough. And Paul Mellon wasn't afraid of the jumping side of things. In fact, that's how he started in England, by having jumpers. “You do not want your families undermined by moderate jumpers, but I'm never afraid of a good jumper in the family, even when we're buying yearlings.' Both through her involvement with Andrew in selecting young horses such as star stayer Coltrane (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) – a 50,000gns Book 1 yearling with earnings just shy of £1 million – or her breeding of Group 1 winners Elm Park (GB) (Phoenix Reach {Ire}) and Side Glance (GB) (Passing Glance {GB}), Balding has become renowned for her good eye and sound judgement. We are grateful for the support of our podcast sponsor, Saracen Horse Feeds, and we hope you will enjoy listening. Click here to listen to the podcast. The post Emma Balding Joins the TDN Conversations Podcast appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Horantzau d'Airy (Fr) (Legolas {Jpn}) topped the Tattersalls Online March Sale when selling for 50,000gns to Jim Gill. Consigned by Willie Mullins's Closutton Stables, lot 25 has been Grade 1-placed over hurdles, and he was twice third at Grade 3 level in chases last season. He will move to the yard of Michael Keady. “I'm very excited to get him today and Michael is delighted to be training him,” said Gill of his new purchase, who holds an entry in the Grand National next month at Aintree. “Even if he doesn't get into the Grand National, there is a big three-mile chase option for him at the Aintree meeting which he could run in. “I played golf yesterday and had a few pints after, when I set the maximum bid for the horse. I've had plenty of winners on the Flat but I'm new to having National Hunt runners. I really liked the look of him and thought I'd give it a go for the craic.” Shirocco (Ger) mare Lily Du Berlais (GB) brought 42,000gns from Sean McElroy on Tuesday. Lot 35, consigned by Newlands Farm, has won four times for trainer Stuart Crawford in the colours of Simon Munir and Issac Souede. The multiple black-type-placed mare is from the same clan as Bonito Du Berlais (Fr) (Trempolino) and Nikita Du Berlais (Fr) (Poliglote {GB}). Overall, 52 lots sold of 95 offered (55%) for a gross of 435,100gns. The average was 8,367gns and the median was 3,700gns. The post Legolas Gelding Tops Tattersalls Online appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Tattersalls Cheltenham Festival Sale will be held after racing on Day 3 of the Cheltenham Festival, Mar. 13. There are a total of 12 initial entries in the catalogue that was released on Wednesday. Of the dozen lots so far, 11 are winners, 10 of them winning on debut and seven scoring on their first starts as 4-year-olds. Clondaw Park (Ire) (Walk In The Park {Ire}) is one of the highlights, as she ran out an eight-length debut winner at Lisronagh on Feb. 23. Trained by Mick Goff, she is out of a Teofilo (Ire) half-sister to the eight-time Grade 1 winner Nichols Canyon (GB) (Authorized {Ire}). Cristal d'Estruval (Ire) (Crystal Ocean {GB}) became the first point-to-point winner for his sire at Lisronagh on the same card that Clondaw Park triumphed. Point-to-Point winner Bally Free (Ire) (Flemensfirth), from the family of Grade 1-winning chaser Strong Promise (Ire) (Ire), will also be offered. Past sale graduates include the Grade 1 winner Romeo Coolio (GB) (Kayf Tara {GB}), who co-topped the sale in 2023. The post Tattersalls Cheltenham Festival Catalogue Features 10 Debut Winners appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Launching a $1.4 million project by Horseshoe Indianapolis, ground was officially broken Wednesday, Mar. 5 for the new Community Center at the venue. The structure will provide new work and gathering spaces for the individuals who live and work on the backstretch at the track. Halstrom was joined by Joe Davis, President of the Indiana Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA), Chaplains Micki Sajche and Otto Thorwarth, Tim Glyshaw, Executive Director of the HBPA, and Chris Duke, President of the Quarter Horse Racing Association of Indiana (QHRAI) as well as owner of Elite, the company handling the construction project for the groundbreaking. Also, former Executive Director of the Indiana HBPA, Brian Elmore, was on hand to officially kick off the development. The space will be utilized by both breeds represented at Horseshoe Indianapolis, including the Quarter Horse community which continues to grow. The facility will offer four offices, two meeting rooms, a recreation area, chapel, and kitchen in the approximately 7,000 square foot space. Offices will be provided for the HBPA and QHRAI as well as the chaplains, who are currently housed in a single wide trailer on the backstretch. “We plan to have language classes, English to Spanish, and Spanish to English, and hope to have events such as movie nights, game nights, and just give the people here some options,” said Thorwarth, who represents both HBPA and QHRAI as a Chaplain. For more information, visit www.caesars.com/horseshoe-indianapolis/racing. The post Groundbreaking Held for New Community Center at Horseshoe Indianapolis appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Multiple Grade I winner Locked (Gun Runner–Luna Rosa, by Malibu Moon) will stand at Gainesway upon his retirement from racing, according to a Gainesway release Wednesday. In his most recent start, the 4-year-old won the GI Santa Anita Handicap by a record 8 1/2 lengths. Owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Walmac Farm, the Todd Pletcher trained colt registered a 109 Beyer Speed Figure and a 3 1/2 Ragozin for his dominant Big 'Cap victory. In his second career start, the $425,000 KEESEP purchase broke his maiden going a mile at Saratoga by 7 1/4 lengths earning him TDN 'Rising Star' status. Locked followed up with a victory in the GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland, before closing out the year with a third in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile. “Locked displayed special talent from the onset,” stated Todd Pletcher. “His tactical ability, brilliant turn of foot and demeanor are rare.” Locked rounded out his sophomore campaign with a win over Grade I winner Mullikin in the GII Cigar Mile. “Locked is exactly what we are looking to capture in a stallion at Gainesway. He has shown brilliance in his maiden victory at Saratoga and G1 win at two. He has also shown versatility in his freaky performances ranging from seven furlongs to a 1 1/4 mile in graded events at three and four,” said Brian Graves, General Manager of Gainesway. “We are looking forward to what Locked can add to his resume as one of the top horses in training. He is a two-time Grade 1 winner by Gun Runner bred on a magic cross and in top form. The sky is the limit with Locked.” On the board in all eight career starts, Locked has registered five with earnings of $1,661,650. “To see him carry on his brilliance from his 2-year-old season to win the Cigar Mile at 3 at the stallion-making distance, to proving his elite stamina with a record-setting Big 'Cap triumph at the Classic distance, he's proven to be an extraordinary talent,” added Aron Wellman, President of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners. “While we are bullish on the remainder of his 4 year-old campaign, we're also so enthused for him to prove a potential generational stallion at Gainesway.” Bred in Kentucky by Rosa Colasanti, Locked is out of the winning Malibu Moon mare Luna Rosa, who is half-sister to MGISW Gabby's Golden Gal and multiple Grade II winner Always a Princess. The post Gainesway Secures Breeding Rights to MGISW Locked appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Adam Hamilton Master driver Anthony Butt thinks his only real hope of winning Saturday night’s stellar $1 million Miracle Mile (11.45pm) is to be aggressive and daring. It is something Butt is good at and ultimately, it is the only reason he qualified emerging Kiwi pacer Tact McLeod for a start in the strongest Miracle Mile this century. Butt blasted Tact McLeod out from a wide draw in the strongest of last Saturday night’s two qualifiers and miraculously found a spot behind the leader Merlin before being shuffled to three pegs when Swayzee took the lead midrace. He admits he may have to do the same from barrier six against an even stronger field this week. “The draw certainly isn’t ideal, but this horse is blazing off the gate … his first 100m is blisteringly fast while some others take a few strides to get going,” he said. “I can’t win if I go right back, so I think I’ve got to back his speed and see if we can cross them all this week. “Even if I get to one-off the pegs and into the running, others will come around and give me cover. “I’m sure he’s the fastest horse off the gate in the race, but whether he can cross them all is the question. “I’d love to find the pegs because he went great last week.” While Butt was thrilled with Tact McLeod’s close second to Swayzee in a best-of-the-night 1min48.6sec mile last week, he was left lamenting what might have been. “I know it’s Swayzee and he’s so hard to get past, but I think if I’d been behind the leader, instead of one spot further back and having to make up that extra ground to try and get to, I could’ve beaten him,” he said. “I thought I had him when I dashed up to him at the 150m, but then my guy just peaked a bit on his run and Swayzee did what he does.” Butt has been thrilled with Tact McLeod’s progress and improvement during his extended Aussie campaign. “Mark sent him for the experience and in the hope the hard racing would improve him and that’s exactly what it’s doing,” he said. “It’s always a bit of a gamble, some horses relish it and others struggle. He’s enjoying it and learning from it. “Go back to the Hunter Cup and he was absolutely bolting coming to the home bend while Swayzee and Leap To Fame were flat out, but then the run came and he couldn’t take it and challenge. “From there, you see how he has improved to really push Swayzee the other night.” For all his excitement and optimism, Butt concedes this week is a massive challenge. “I’d love to have drawn better, especially in a field like this,” he said. “It takes you back to Miracle Miles where Lazarus, Lennytheshark and others raced … but there’s probably even a bit more depth now. “It’s great to be part of it and, if we can get a spot early, especially on the pegs, I know this guy is going well enough to be there at the finish.” Butt said he still leaned slightly to Leap To Fame as the horse to beat despite his wide draw (he will start from seven). “He just seems to keep finding a way to win, doesn’t he?” he said. “Even though he got beaten in the Hunter Cup, his run was incredible. “Grant (Dixon) one focus will be to settle in front of Swayzee, who will need luck now he’s set to start from the pole.” Leap To Fame is a $2.15 favourite, ahead of Don Hugo at $3.20 and Swayzee at $5.50. Tact McLeod is at $18. View the full article

Multiple stakes winner Mi Bago could contest this year's Two Thousand Guineas (G1) with U.S. Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse labeling the 3-year-old "an exceptional horse".View the full article

A pair of Del Mar programs that its horsemen and horsewomen have found to be especially popular, "Ship & Win" and the Maiden Dirt Bonus, again will enhance Del Mar's summer meet purses when racing resumes July 18. View the full article

February 2025 had 219 race days compared to 252 from the same month a year ago (-13.10%) leading to decreases in most major economic fields. In the same month over month comparison, average field size was up (+3.63%) as was average wagering per race day (+5.85%) and average available purses per race day (+3.49%). Total wagering was down on U.S. races (-8.01%) along with available purses (-10.07%), purses paid (-11.26%), total races (-11.33%) and starts (-8.11%). The stats are similar year over year with minor decreases on wagering (-2.73%) and available purses (-1.62%) while the same positive stats mentioned above remain in the green YTD with field size up 3.7% along with average wagering per race day (+0.93%) and available purses per race day (+2.08%). The post Fewer February Race Days Leads To Decreases Across Economic Impact appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Formula Rossa (f, 3, Vekoma–Fay Na Na, by Majestic Warrior) put on a show while stopping the timer for six furlongs in 1:08.73 in her 'TDN Rising Star' unveiling at Santa Anita Feb. 21. Off as the 4-1 third choice for trainer Mark Glatt, Formula Rossa chased in second as the highly regarded, Bob Baffert-trained firster Brilliantly (Uncle Mo) zipped through sharp fractions of :21.89 and :44.41. Formula Rossa drew up alongside the 4-5 favorite at the top of the stretch and blasted off for home with powerful-looking strides to win going away by four lengths. She earned a 91 Beyer Speed Figure for the effort. “Certainly, it was an eye-popping performance,” Glatt said. “We were quite high on her going into the race and very confident. We had heard about the Baffert filly and how good she was going into the race, amongst others. Maiden allowances you never know what you're gonna get.” Glatt continued, “To say that we expected a performance like the one we got, I don't think we would be being honest if we thought she'd run that scintillating. But we were awfully high on her going into the race.” One of four 'Rising Stars' for last year's champion freshman sire Vekoma, Formula Rossa brought $270,000 from Muir Hut Stables out of the Hunter Valley Farm consignment at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Yearling Sale. She was previously a $130,000 short yearling at Keeneland January. Bred in Kentucky by Greathouse Equine, LLC and Glencrest Farm, LLC, Formula Rossa is out of the unraced Majestic Warrior mare Fay Na Na. The Vekoma x A.P. Indy cross is also responsible for G3 Saudi Derby winner Golden Vekoma (o/o a Stevie Wonderboy mare) and sensational maiden winner and 'Rising Star' Colloquial (o/o a Bernardini mare), who earned a gaudy 106 Beyer graduating at second asking at Aqueduct Feb. 7. “She's got a nice stride on her,” Glatt said. “I want to see it before I believe with a lot of these young horses, but I don't think there's really any doubt running further is gonna be a problem for her.” As for what's next for Formula Rossa, Glatt added, “She came back out of the race well. She ran so fast that I think we'll probably take our time. Try and stay disciplined and not do too much with her in start number two. She could show up in a first-level allowance condition either on the West Coast or perhaps Keeneland. I don't think we'll stretch her out yet. We'll sprint her at least her one more time before we think about stretching her out. Still gonna go over it with ownership and see what their thoughts are on how we move forward, too.” #7 FORMULA ROSSA ($10.00) debuts in style at @santaanitapark! The three-year-old filly by @SpendthriftFarm's Vekoma was ridden by @mikeesmith10 for trainer Mark Glatt. pic.twitter.com/lwmaMJMjdq — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) February 22, 2025 The post Glatt Not in Any Hurry With ‘Eye-Popping’ Maiden Winner Formula Rossa appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Another 'TDN Rising Star' was born across the Channel on Tuesday, as We'll Defend (Fr) followed in the footsteps of Mandanaba (Fr) (Ghaiyyath {Ire}) and Tito Mo Cen (Ire) (Uncle Mo) by producing a sparkling debut display on the Chantilly polytrack. All told, We'll Defend is the sixth now-three-year-old to have earned 'TDN Rising Star' status in Europe since Winter Watch came into being in November, with Falakeyah (GB) (New Bay {GB}), Bowmark (GB) (Kingman {GB}) and Opera Ballo (Ire) (Ghaiyyath {Ire}) also having impressed in Britain in that time. It was on cold Kempton evenings that both Bowmark and Opera Ballo first strutted their stuff, while a wintry Wolverhampton was the scene of Falakeyah's dazzling debut. However, if it's seeing exciting young talent that keeps you warm at this time of year, then Chantilly has been the place to be this winter above all others, with the added bonus of being in a rather more picturesque setting than Dunstall Park. Sorry, Wolves fans. Carlos and Yann Lerner will certainly have a soft spot for Chantilly after last year's Prix du Jockey Club success with Look De Vega (Fr). Now, the father-and-son training duo can be forgiven if they're dreaming of further Classic glory with We'll Defend, who is a half-sister to their 2022 Prix de Diane runner-up La Parisienne (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}). The reputation of this Zelzal (Fr) filly seemed to precede her as she arrived at Chantilly for this race run over an extended nine furlongs for unraced fillies. Fitted with a hood and a tongue tie, she was sent off the odds-on favourite and duly delivered by four lengths in effortless fashion, sprinting clear in the final furlong with jockey Christophe Soumillon barely having to break sweat. Bought by the Lerners for €150,000 at the Arqana August Yearling Sale, We'll Defend became the seventh winner from as many runners out of the Hurricane Run (Ire) mare Skysweeper (Fr), with the others including the Listed winner Newlook (Fr) (New Bay {GB}), also trained by the Lerners, and the G3 Prix des Reservoirs third Scripturale (Fr) (Makfi {GB}). A step up in class surely now beckons for Victorious Racing's We'll Defend, who holds Classic entries in both the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and Prix de Diane. Victory in the latter event would no doubt taste sweet for the Lerners, especially for Carlos, who also finished second in the race with Volvoreta (GB) (Suave Dancer) back in 2000. Très beau début de cette belle pouliche… Prix De La Serpentine @fgchantilly Chantilly – Inedites – Pouliches – 3 ans – 1900m – 7 Pts – 27 000 € We'Ll Defend (f) Christophe Soumillon @CSoumillon (Zelzal (Fr) @AlShaqabRacing – Skysweeper (Fr)… pic.twitter.com/UlnDEZDUBK — French and International Horse Racing (@Vincenzo0612) March 4, 2025 Le Havre Legacy Lives On The success of Look De Vega in last year's Prix du Jockey Club was a rare one for a stable other than that of Jean-Claude Rouget, who has won that Classic five times since 2016, most recently with the brilliant Ace Impact (Ire) in 2023. It remains to be seen which horse will lead Rouget's quest for a seventh Jockey Club triumph in 2025, but Leffard (Fr) must be in the picture now after back-to-back wins at Cagnes-Sur-Mer and Toulouse. Incidentally, the first of those victories came in the Prix Ace Impact, named after the Prix du Jockey Club and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner who had kicked off his career by winning the same contest two years earlier. After beating stable-mate and next-time-out winner Kalaoun (GB) (Kitten's Joy) by a short neck at Cagnes-Sur-Mer, Leffard then made the switch to turf at Toulouse on Monday for a conditions race run over an extended 10 furlongs. There was depth to that contest, with five other previous winners in the field, but Leffard ultimately put them all to the sword a shade cosily, showing a smart change of gear in the final furlong to win by three quarters of a length. A €150,000 purchase at the Arqana August Yearling Sale, Leffard is out of the unraced Montjeu (Ire) mare Let's Misbehave (Ire), whose siblings by Sadler's Wells include the multiple Group 1-winning sire High Chaparral (Ire) and the G2 Dante Stakes hero Black Bear Island (Ire), as well as Chenchikova (Ire), the dam of the Prix de Diane winner Fancy Blue (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}). Crucially, Leffard belongs to the final crop of Le Havre (Ire), Rouget's first winner of the Prix du Jockey Club in 2009, who died exactly three years ago yesterday (March 4). He also sports the same colours as his sire, those of Gerard Augustin-Normand, who owns this colt together with Antonio Caro, so it would be a poignant occasion all round should he make the necessary progress to line up at Chantilly as a leading contender for the Prix du Jockey Club. Prix Jean-Paul Bosc Toulouse – Classe 2 – 3 ans – 2100m – Bon Souple (3.4) – 8 Pts – 22 000 € Leffard (m) (Ire) Jean-Bernard.Eyquem @JeanEyquem (Le Havre (Ire) -Let'S Misbehave (Ire) par Montjeu (Ire)) Jean-Claude Rouget … pic.twitter.com/eFWHf7G0Fc — French and International Horse Racing (@Vincenzo0612) March 3, 2025 The Clement Connection A major development in French racing was announced on Monday, with Dutch-born Frauke Hermans joining Arc-winning trainer Nicolas Clement as joint-licence holder at their Chantilly yard. Hermans was preceded in her previous role as assistant to Clement by Irish-born Tim Donworth, a rising star of the training ranks in France, who was in the news himself on Thursday when Tigress Of Gaul (Fr) maintained her unbeaten record in the conditions event run over a mile at Chantilly. A decisive debut winner over the same course and distance back in December, Tigress Of Gaul justified prohibitive odds as she followed up last week with relative ease, just needing to be shaken up by Aurelien Lemaitre to beat another last-time-out winner, Poschiavo (Fr) (Mehmas {Ire}), by three quarters of a length. It was by no means the most prestigious win of Donworth's career to date, but the significance of it shouldn't be underestimated with a daughter of Siyouni (Fr) who fetched €700,000 at the Arqana August Yearling Sale, identifying her as the joint-second highest-priced filly. Bred by Ecurie des Monceaux, who have retained a share in her with owner Jose Aguirre-Moreno, she is out of the unraced Frankel (GB) mare Lucerne (GB) who, in turn, is out of a half-sister to the top-class miler and sire Charm Spirit (Ire). Entered in the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches, Tigress Of Gaul could be the breakout horse at the very top table for Donworth, who also spent a year as assistant to Rouget, before kicking off his own training career when he rented a portion of Clement's yard in September 2021. Smart performance to make it two from two! Entered in the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches, Tigress Of Gaul wins cosily at @fgchantilly | @TimDonworth94 pic.twitter.com/YF0k3D19Wp — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) February 27, 2025 More to Come from Almanzor Sibling Friday's action at Chantilly is also worth highlighting, including the maiden staged over an extended nine furlongs, which went the way of Kryon (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) for trainer Victoria Head and owner-breeder George Strawbridge. This colt doesn't hold any fancy entries, but he's bred to go to the top as a half-brother to Rouget's former stable star Almanzor (Fr), the European champion three-year-old of 2016 when his Group 1 wins included the Prix du Jockey Club, Irish Champion Stakes and Champion Stakes. Like Leffard, he was raced in partnership by Augustin-Normand and Caro. Almanzor was blessed with explosive acceleration and Kryon looked fairly fleet of foot himself in this display, quickly putting the race to bed after moving up to lead over a furlong out. He hit the line three lengths clear of his closest pursuer, in an overall time around 1.8 seconds faster than that of the fillies' equivalent won by Sitora (Ire). As well as giving a glimpse into his own bright future with this breakthrough win, Kryon also paid a compliment to Sumbe's Nizam (Fr) (Pinatubo {Ire}), who had him back in third when they made their respective debuts at Saint-Cloud back in October. Nizam has since won a Listed contest at Lyon Parilly and is entered in both the Poule d'Essai des Poulains and Prix du Jockey Club. As for Sitora, she was equally dominant as she outclassed her rivals by two and a half lengths, looking another useful filly in the making for Francis-Henri Graffard and the Aga Khan Studs. This homebred is the third winner from as many runners out of the Holy Roman Emperor (Ire) mare Simiyna (Ire) who, in turn, is out of a Listed-placed half-sister to the great Sinndar (Ire). Prix Du Four A Tuile @fgchantilly Chantilly – Maiden – Males – 3 ans -1900m – 12 Pts – 27 000 € Kryon (m) (Gb) Christophe Soumillon @CSoumillon (Sea The Stars (Ire) @AgaKhanStuds – Darkova (Usa) par Marias Mon (Usa)) Victoria Head M. George… pic.twitter.com/5Pas0V6m0B — French and International Horse Racing (@Vincenzo0612) February 28, 2025 Port Light the Best of Britain Kingman (GB), the sire of Sitora, was also among the winners at Newcastle on Thursday as we begin our round-up of what's been an uneventful few days in Britian, certainly compared to what we've seen in France. The seven-furlong novice won by Regalian (GB) was about as weak a race of its type as you'll find, but the William Haggas trainee got the job done in good style as the 2-5 favourite, drawing right away late on to win by three and a quarter lengths. Stiffer tasks lie ahead for Isa Salman Al Khalifa's homebred, but he's bred to be smart as a son of Missrock (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), a multiple Group 1-placed sprinter in Australia. Her first foal, Theory Of Tides (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), was a dual winner for the Gosdens last year. The Charlie Appleby-trained Tribal Act (Ire) also deserves a mention, having defied a penalty to double his career tally in the 11-furlong novice on Friday's card at Southwell. The son of Sea The Stars (Ire) still looked far from the finished article as he hung left through the final furlong, but at the line he was well on top, two and a half lengths clear of his closest pursuer. He's since been allotted an opening BHA mark of 92 and should be capable of winning handicaps with further progress expected. Meanwhile, it will be interesting to see which way Archie Watson goes with Port Light (Ire) after his pillar-to-post success in the one-mile novice at Chelmsford on Thursday. He now finds himself on a mark of 98, so handicaps will be an option, though he's not too far off the level required to make him competitive in minor stakes company. There was certainly plenty to like about his win at Chelmsford, by five lengths from Crack On Boys (GB) (Cracksman {GB}), who'd created a favourable impression when opening his account at Newcastle a few weeks earlier. Port Light himself was a debut winner at Southwell in November, before being beaten just a head by the subsequent Listed runner-up Rajeko (Ire) (Kameko) at Chelmsford the following month. Whatever the future has in store, the son of City Light (Fr) already looks a very shrewd purchase at the €41,000 it cost to secure him at the Tattersalls Ireland Breeze-up Sale, having first sold for 24,000gns at the Tattersalls Somerville Yearling Sale. Port Light justifies short odds to run out a comfortable winner in the @bet365 Restricted Novice Stakes opener at @ChelmsfordCRC@Archie_Watson | @HollieDoyle1 pic.twitter.com/w1YiFYyKir — Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 27, 2025 Dundalk Form Boosts for O'Brien Duo We'll sign off with a quick spin through Friday's action at Dundalk, where Joseph O'Brien had reason to smile despite drawing a blank on the card. The Michael O'Callaghan-trained Athlumney Warrior (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) ran out a comfortable winner of the one-mile maiden under Colin Keane, by two and a quarter lengths, having previously filled the runner-up spot behind O'Brien's Snapaurum (Ire) (Ten Sovereigns {Ire}) over the same course and distance. Keane later completed a double when winning the maiden over an extended 10 furlongs aboard Heather (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) who, again, had finished second to an O'Brien trainee, Sweet Illusions (Get Stormy), when making her debut there in December. Heather is trained by Ger Lyons, but she's from a family that O'Brien knows well, having won the Irish Derby with her full-brother, Latrobe (Ire). She's also a full-sister to the Oaks runner-up Pink Dogwood (Ire), which points to her finding more improvement when she steps up to a mile and a half. That was backed up by the manner of this victory, looking better the further she went as she hit the line two lengths clear of her closest pursuer. Elsewhere on the card, Sands Of Mali (Fr) filly Songhai (Ire) looked a bright prospect for Johnny Murtagh when making a winning debut in the six-furlong maiden, showing a good attitude to hold off a more-experienced rival by three quarters of a length. Bought for €40,000 at the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale, she seems sure to progress and win more races. She knew her job alright Songhai is a winning debutant for the @JohnnyMurtagh & @BenCoen2 team. Always well placed, the Sands Of Mali filly came home well to mark herself down as potentially useful.@DundalkStadium pic.twitter.com/1KnRBRv8pC — Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 28, 2025 Winners in Waiting Dancing Teapot (Ire), runner-up at Dundalk (November 22) since publication Padua (Ire), seventh at Kempton (December 4) since publication Marhaba Ghaiyyath (Ire), winner at Lingfield (December 3) since publication Safe Idea (GB), third at Wolverhampton (December 21) since publication Indian Springs (Ire) Spanish Voice (GB) Noble Horizon (GB) Dixieland Blues (GB) City Of God (Ire), winner at Southwell (January 17) and runner-up at Wolverhampton (February 18) and Southwell (February 28) since publication War And Love (GB), runner-up at Chelmsford (January 11) and fifth at Newcastle (February 4) since publication Cupola (GB), seventh at Wolverhampton (February 18) since publication Lady Lilac (Ire), third at Dundalk (February 28) since publication My Kinda Ghaiy (Ire) The post Winter Watch: Chantilly Polytrack Continues to Produce appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A pair of Del Mar programs, “Ship & Win” and the maiden dirt bonus, again will enhance the summer meet purses when racing resumes for the seaside track's season starting Friday, July 18. The unique “Ship & Win” plan, presented for the 15th consecutive year, serves as a strong incentive for horses from out of state to race locally and intensify the track's reputation as one of the country's top facilities for field size. Nearly 3,000 horses have used the program since its beginnings in 2011 with the vast majority of those horses staying on to additionally race at other California locations., The Maiden Dirt Bonus is entering its fourth season at the shore and has aided field size for the track's maiden special weight dirt races, a key element for many horses beginning their racing careers. The “Ship & Win” program provides a guaranteed $5,000 check for any qualified dirt runner in their first outing at Del Mar. Further, there is an additional 50% bonus applied to first through fifth earnings in that initial start and all subsequent starts at the meet. For turf runners, there is a $4,000 check guaranteed for that first start, as well as a 40% bonus on top of those first through fifth purses. Here again, that 40% bonus applies to all additional outings. The Maiden Dirt Bonus provides a 25% enhancement to horses of any age in most of the maiden races on the dirt. The purse bonus applies for maiden special weight races, maiden specials for Cal-breds and maiden claiming races at $62,500 and above. The supplement is available to any trainer who has fewer than 100 horses on the Southern California circuit. “These programs are extremely popular and boost field size,” said Del Mar vice president and racing secretary David Jerkens. “The inclusion of out-of-state runners has enhanced our racing product for many years now. In addition, the fact that most all of these horses stay on and race in the state is a big plus for the California circuit as well as our local owners and trainers.” “One of the many things that makes Del Mar so extraordinary is the wide participation of horses arriving from across the country and imports from overseas,” said Bill Nader, president and CEO of the Thoroughbred Owners of California. “These incentives are significant, providing big upside over and above the published purses. It adds greatly to the value proposition for all owners.” Del Mar's summer stand opens July 18 and races ahead to Sunday, September 7. After the opening three-day weekend, the sport will be conducted on a Thursday-through-Sunday basis for the majority of the session. First post on most afternoons will be at 2 p.m. The post Del Mar’s Ship And Win Program To Again Boost Summer Purses Along With Maiden Dirt Bonus appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The success of partnerships over the past few years hasn't escaped the notice of anyone in horse racing. Not only can people now invest hundreds of dollars and get a piece of a Derby winner, but the owners with the deepest pockets in the sport can get together and get shares of more high-priced horses than they could do alone. But while much has been made about the difficulties of retaining breeders in racing-be they breed-to-race or commercial breeders-other than the odd foal share, the partnership model hasn't really caught on in breeding. That is changing with the introduction of Taylor Made Premier Mare Packages (Taylor Made PMP), a way to replace what Mark Taylor calls “the legacy category of Taylor Made customers.” The PMP program is currently comprised of 18 mares owned by 40 breeders. Of those, Taylor estimates that 20 are brand-new to horse racing, 10 were previously in breeding and left it, and 10 also own mares on their own. Three decades ago, says Taylor, “There were a lot of car dealers, a lot of people that maybe owned banks or were in oil and gas. If you look back at the '90s and early 2000s, and said, `what's Taylor Made looking for in terms of a core customer?' We were looking for a car dealer that falls in love with this game and wants to allow us to build them a five-to-20 mare broodmare program.” Those people are becoming increasingly hard to find. “That generation of people is dying off,” he said. “The ones who remain are in their 90s, and in many cases selling out, and the new wealthy generation isn't as interested in horse racing as their predecessors. For whatever reason, we just haven't been able to find as many of those kind of people that want to go full out, who might invest somewhere between one to seven or eight million to breed horses in a big-time way.” But just like the Oakland As couldn't afford to replace Jason Giambi with one player in the famous scene in Moneyball, the Taylor Made crew has discovered that those breeders can be `recreated in the aggregate.' “There are 350 million people in America,” says Taylor. “We're having a harder time finding people who are willing to put in that one to 10 million dollars, but there are tons and tons of people who could put in a couple hundred thousand.” Brad McNulty is one of them. Brad McNulty (center) with King Charles, Tom Marquand and Donnacha O'Brien at Royal Ascot after Porta Fortuna's win | Horsephotos A commercial insurance broker in Indianapolis, McNulty and his wife, Lissa, follow horse racing all over the globe. They have spent wedding anniversaries at Longchamp and the Curragh, love to go to the Derby and Breeders' Cup, and build every vacation around racing. The one caveat they agreed upon was that they would never own a racehorse. But McNulty thought he just might be able to get around that rule by arguing to Lissa that owning a broodmare was different. Surprisingly, he said, she agreed, and so he invested in a couple on his own. He found it a discouraging experience. “You want to play at a high level,” he said, “but I didn't sell 10 McDonalds or two internet start-ups,” he said. “Most of the people in the horse business are people like me. I have a nice job, I'm a partner in a commercial insurance company in Indiana but I don't have the means to go play at a high level like I would enjoy. I found that out pretty quick when I was trying to find a nice broodmare, and couldn't afford to go to the best stallions, so you're playing at a level where you can't get ahead. Expenses just eat your lunch.” That could have been the end of his exercise in breeding-another person lost when the struggle of trying to profitably breed mares at a lower level is challenging, at best. But he came across Taylor Made when he was selling those broodmares and their offspring. “I'd walk around sales and there's a reason they're at the top of the list,” said McNulty. “Just like their motto says, `With us you're family.' They treat everybody with respect.” McNulty was so impressed with them, he argued for another exemption to the “no horses” rule with Lissa once they got out of breeding. Racing partnerships. “I started looking at different investments, and then I jumped into Medallion,” he said. They had immediate success, being one of the investors in Porta Fortuna and were on hand when she won races at Royal Ascot in 2023 and 2024. With his past interest in breeding, it was easy to slide over into Taylor Made PMP. In PMP, people buy into individual mares and sell their offspring. The power of the group allows them to buy more expensive mares and invest in more expensive stud fees to increase their chances of commercial success. That sounded like a pretty good deal to McNulty. Says Taylor, “(The partners) are going to be commercial breeders and they're going to get involved in the whole process–picking the mares and the stallions and trying to breed a great horse. It's a passionate pursuit. That was how we would've described our ideal customer 15 to 30 years ago.” Each mare is an individual unit that is syndicated. “Some people might say, `Hey, I've got a hundred thousand. Put me in one nice mare, and that's going to be my thing,'” said Taylor. “She's going to be my little business unit. I'm going to learn the whole process. We're going to play this mare out, see if we can breed a really nice horse and develop long-term value.” Mark Taylor | Keeneland As an added benefit, Taylor Made provides a concierge service and full access to the farm. “They've got open access to Taylor Made,” said Taylor. “They got friends coming in for Keeneland, they've got friends coming in for the bourbon tour. All they have to do is pick up the phone and say, `Hey, my buddies are coming in. Can you give them a farm tour? Can you set them up with hotel and dinner reservations? Can you put together an itinerary or some other stuff they might want to do?' We're seeing ourselves more as full-service experience curators with a horse farm at the core. And what we're finding is there are a lot of these people that think it's a great bang for their buck. This is really fun. Breeding horses is really cool. And yeah, it's got ups and downs and heartaches, but that's what makes the highs so high. It's not easy.” As for McNulty, he's a walking Taylor Made advertisement. “If you don't like having King Charles hand you a trophy at Royal Ascot?” he says. “Don't like winning at Keeneland or Belmont? Medallion isn't for you.” He's not only equally passionate about PMP…he's also off to a hot start. “Lissa and I loved being breeders, but you're going to the sale hoping to halfway to get out on a weanling or a yearling,” he said. “Because we were in Medallion, three or four years ago, Alex Payne said to me, `we're doing this premier mare program.' He said, `we have a Tapit mare, Diamond Ore. She's a half to Arrogate, and she's in foal to Charlatan.” That sounded pretty good to McNulty. The group paid $750,000 for her after she RNAd at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton November sale, and sold that Charlatan yearling for $550,000 at the 2024 Saratoga Sale, recouping a sizeable portion of their investment on her first foal. She's now in foal to Nyquist. “I couldn't afford to go to Nyquist on my own,” says McNulty. McNulty is also a partner in an American Pharoah mare, Space The Win, purchased for $115,000 at Keeneland January in foal to Maclean's Music. “We are bullish on American Pharoah mares,” said Taylor. “His daughters produced the top two finishers in the Grade III Santa Ysabel this week, of course he is the broodmare sire of Barnes. River Thames looks to be the next big-time horse for Maclean's Music. This is the type of mare that we felt was slightly undervalued at the time she went through the ring.” Also in the PMP program is Twinkling, the dam of the seven-time graded stakes winner Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator), purchased as he was emerging as a good horse. She sold an Authentic filly in Keeneland September Book 1 last year, and has a Not This Time yearling filly to sell in 2025. The program both buys horses privately, and raises money to target mares they feel are undervalued at sales. Their purchases have cost between $115,000 and $750,000. They own In A Jif, the dam of Cogburn, who is currently in foal to Into Mischief, with an Epicenter yearling on the ground who will be pointed towards Keeneland September. Taylor Made typically takes a share in every mare they syndicate. “We're losing one category of breeder, so we've got to come up with a new one,” said Taylor. “They're not quite as uber-wealthy, maybe, as some of the ones we had before, but they can still be part of something really special.” For McNulty, who now owns parts of three mares, it has been just that-special. “It has been great to be in the business, and Taylor Made helps you understand all of it. You just sit back and enjoy the fruits. They treat you like family. It's both tangible and intangible. You can go see the horse, touch the horse, see the farm. That's the tangible part. And the intangible is the investment side. Anybody I've taken down to Taylor Made, they want to be a part of it, too.” The post Racing Needs New Breeders. Taylor Made is Developing Them appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Junior Alvarado’s two graded stakes wins in the Canadian Turf (G3) and Fountain of Youth (G2) at Gulfstream Park March 1 earned the native of Venezuela Jockey of the Week by a vote of racing experts for the week of Feb. 24-March 2.View the full article

Multiple stakes winner Mi Bago could contest this year's Two Thousand Guineas (G1) with U.S. Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse labeling the 3-year-old "an exceptional horse".View the full article

Dual Grade I winner Bolshoi Ballet (Ire) has sired his first reported foals, a pair of fillies born at The Beeches Stud last week, Coolmore announced. One filly is out of Moon Over Thefirth (Ire) (Flemensfirth), a full-sister to 2024 star novice hurdler Ballyburn (Ire), who is favoured for the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at Cheltenham next week. A half-sister to graded-winning chaser Emily Gray (Ire) (Flemensfirth) and to the dam of Thyestes and Bobbyjoe Chase winner Nick Rockett (Ire) (Walk In The Park {Ire}), Roses Of Summer (Ire) (Gold Well {GB}) produced the other filly. “They're two outstanding fillies with plenty of size and strength,” said Robert McCarthy, who has nine more mares due to Bolshoi Ballet including a half-sister to the aforementioned Nick Rockett and a half-sister to Grade 1 winners Thisthatandtother (Ire) (Bob Back) and Carlingford Lough (Ire) (King's Theatre {Ire}) who has already produced black-type hurdler Miss Fairfax (Ire) (Imperial Monarch {Ire}). A winner of the GI Belmont Derby and the GI Sword Dancer Stakes in America, Bolshoi Ballet stands for €3,000 at The Beeches Stud this season. The post Bolshoi Ballet Sires First Reported Foals appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Veteran rider celebrates maiden success in the city on Danny Shum’s stayer.View the full article

Recently-pensioned stallion and G1 Dubai World Cup winner Roses In May (Devil His Due) died Tuesday at Japan's Big Red Farm according to a report by Japanese media Wednesday. An article linked on social media reads in part: “Roses in May died on the evening of the 4th due to inability to stand. During his active career, he won the GI Whitney Handicap in 2004 and the G1 Dubai World Cup in 2005, and became a breeding stallion at Big Red Farm, siring Dream Valentino, who won five major races including the JBC Sprint in 2014, and Cosmo Oozora , who won the Yayoi Sho in 2012. In addition, as a dam's sire, he has also produced successful horses such as Uberleben, who won the 2021 Oaks. He had been experiencing discomfort in his gait since the end of last year and it was discovered at the beginning of the year that he had atrophy of the lower back. On the 10th of last month, it was announced that he would retire as a breeding stallion without breeding this season due to his physical condition.” “Roses in May produced many successful horses and classic winners as a broodmare sire,” said an official statement by Big Red Farm. “We had hoped he would live longer, so it is a great pity. We pray that he rests in peace. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who supported him up until now.” 【R.I.P.】 昨年まで種牡馬として活躍のロージズインメイが死亡、25歳　ビッグレッドF「非常に残念。安らかな眠りをお祈り致します」 #ロージズインメイhttps://t.co/O1LYL4yuYN — netkeiba (@netkeiba) March 5, 2025 The post Dubai World Cup Winner Roses In May Passes Away In Japan At 25 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) is launching a brand new podcast on Thursday, March 6, featuring interviews with senior leaders within the organisation. It will be hosted by broadcaster Nick Lightfoot, who is reported to have total editorial independence. Each episode is designed to take listeners inside the BHA, providing in-depth discussion around the key issues facing the sport and leaving listeners better informed about the organisation's work and the people behind it. To ensure editorial integrity and credibility, Lightfoot's questions will not be shared with anybody at the BHA prior to interviews. Listeners will also be encouraged to submit questions to be put directly to relevant BHA figures in future episodes. The first episode of the podcast features interviews with Greg Swift (Director of Communications and Public Affairs) and Victoria Morgan (Head of Policy and Advocacy), as well as acting CEO Brant Dunshea. Topics covered include the sport's political engagement work, preservation of the social licence and reflections on the first year of Premier Racing. Robin Mounsey, BHA Head of Communications, said, “We're introducing the BHA Podcast at a time when there are many issues affecting the sport that people want to hear the BHA's views on. Racing has a large and highly-engaged fan base who rightly want to understand the work of the BHA. Our goal in starting this podcast is to increase the visibility and accountability of the BHA's leadership. This podcast just one step in doing this.” Lightfoot added, “This is an exciting project and one I'm very pleased to have been asked to be part of. I would not have taken on this position had I been left with any misgivings about the editorial integrity of the process and having worked with the BHA team for a few months to get to this position, I am completely satisfied that I will be able to genuinely challenge my interviewees and that this will be an engaging and informative listen for all who give it a chance.” The BHA Podcast is available to subscribe to now on Spotify, as well as Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music, Audible and Acast. Listeners can submit questions for future episodes by emailing podcast@britishhorseracing.com. The post First Episode of The BHA Podcast to be Released Thursday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The TDN staff is once again sitting down with leading breeders to find out what stallions they have chosen for their mares, and why. Today we caught up with Blue Heaven Farm. 2024 was Blue Heaven Farm's best year on record. In addition to several nice results at the Keeneland September sale, we were represented by five different stakes horses on the track, including two runners in the Breeders' Cup. We are hoping to keep the momentum going in 2025 and beyond. Below are the mating plans for a handful of our mares. VIRGINIA KEY, 10, Distorted Humor–Our Khrysty, by Newfoundland. In foal to Cody's Wish. Visits Gun Runner. Virginia Key is a graded stakes placed homebred, and has started her broodmare career tremendously. Her first foal, Distorted d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro), is a blacktype runner, and her second foal, Tappan Street (Into Mischief), is squarely on the Kentucky Derby trail after his game runner up finish in the GIII Holy Bull. Virginia Key has produced multiple seven-figure yearlings, including her current 2-year-old, Weekend Glory (Curlin). Gun Runner checks every box as one of the top stallions in the world and we feel that she suits him well physically. SURRENDER NOW, 10, Morning Line–Surrender, by Stormy Atlantic. In foal to Nyquist. Visits Not This Time. Surrender Now was our first acquisition from a digital sale and has been wonderful for us early in her broodmare career. Her first foal, Getaway Car (Curlin), was a 2-year-old graded stakes winner and ran a strong fourth in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile. He is on the Derby trail with Bob Baffert on the west coast. Surrender Now has an exciting 2-year-old colt by Charlatan and is carrying a foal by red-hot sire Nyquist. Not This Time is one of the best young sires in America and we think Surrender Now's speed and prettiness will be a good match for him. OUR KHRYSTY, 19, Newfoundland–The Hess Express, by Lord Carson. Visits Constitution. Despite being a bit long in the tooth, Our Khrysty is still the queen of our farm. She has done more for us than we could have possibly imagined. A graded stakes winner herself, she has produced GISW Grace Adler (Curlin) and MGISP Pyrenees (Into Mischief), as well as several strong sales horses. Constitution has developed into one of the top sires in America both on the track and in the sales ring and Our Khrysty's size and strength should suit him well. STARSHIP JUBILEE, 12, Indy Wind–Perfectly Wild, by Forest Wildcat. In foal to Gun Runner. Visits National Treasure. Starship Jubilee was a rags to riches story on the racetrack who took us to heights we had never dreamed possible. Canadian Horse of the Year and the only winner of the GI Woodbine Mile and the GI E.P. Taylor Stakes, we continue to have high hopes for her as a broodmare. We retained her 2-year-old filly by Quality Road and she has an outstanding yearling by Flightline. National Treasure was an elite race horse for three consecutive years and his first crop should be well received. ANGELOU, 7, Curlin–Roxy Gap, by Indian Charlie. In foal to Flightline. Visits Gun Runner. Another homebred, Angelo was four-times graded stakes placed for Kevin Attard at Woodbine. She is out of one of our best families and had plenty of talent. Gun Runner should give her a great chance at a runner early in her broodmare career. ROXY GAP, 17, Indian Charlie–Harts Gap, by Saint Ballado. In foal to Forte. Visits American Pharoah. Roxy Gap is another older mare who has been a tremendous stalwart for our farm over the last decade. In addition to being a Candian champion and a great sales mare, she has produced GSW Cafe Americano (Medaglia d'Oro) and GSP Angelou (Curlin). A star on the synthetic who has produced a graded stakes winner on turf, we think American Pharoah is an exciting match for her. CALLE OCHO, 7, Frosted–Mistical Plan, by Game Plan. In foal to Quality Road. Visits Dornoch. A daughter of our GISW Mistical Plan, Calle Ocho is a half-sister to 2024 Illinois Derby winner Patriot Spirit (Constitution). She is carrying her second foal by Quality Road. Dornoch is a knockout physically, was an outstanding racehorse and the Good Magic sire line looks promising. WESTERN GAILES, 4, Into Mischief–Maple Forest, by Forestry. In foal to Twirling Candy. Visits Seize the Grey. A daughter of our first homebred stakes winner Maple Forest, Western Gailes is a pretty daughter of leading broodmare sire Into Mischief. The family has a lot of speed and we are excited about breeding her to the talented and versatile Seize the Grey. The post 2025 Mating Plans, Presented By Spendthrift Farm: Blue Heaven Farm appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article