Wandering Eyes

Joseph V. Shields Jr., a longtime breeder/owner, died Oct. 10 in Thomasville, Ga. A member of The Jockey Club, Shields racing highlight came when his homebred Wagon Limit won the 1998 Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes (G1) over Skip Away. View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Today’s Observations features the progeny of three Group 1-winning mares. 1.50 Doncaster, Mdn, £5,800, 2yo, f, 8fT Derrick Smith and Michael Tabor’s GRACEFULLY DONE (IRE) (Australia {GB}) is a half-sister to Listed Prix Michel Houyvet winner Only A Pleasure (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) out of GI Matron S. victress Sense of Style (Thunder Gulch). Opposition to the Luca Cumani-trained debutante includes Waverley Racing’s €150,000 Goffs Orby yearling Dancing Vega (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), who is a half-sister to G3 Prix du Prince d’Orange victor Sky Kingdom (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) out of G1 Levin Classic and G1 Captain Cook S. heroine We Can Say It Now (Aus) (Starcraft {NZ}), from the Ralph Beckett barn. 2.25 Doncaster, Mdn, £5,800, 2yo, 7f 6yT Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum’s NABBEYL (IRE) (New Approach {Ire}) is a son of G1 Jebel Hatta and G1 Dubai Duty Free heroine Sajjhaa (GB) (King’s Best) and one of two hitherto unraced contenders representing the Roger Varian stable. Rivals include stablemate Emirates Knight (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), who kin to G1 Grosser Preis von Bayern victress Temida (Ire) (Oratorio {Ire}) produced by a stakes-winning half-sister to G1SW sire Midships (Mizzen Mast) and MSW G1 Nassau S. placegetter Principal Role (Empire Maker). View the full article

From a first taste of the stallion market through Aclaim (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) in 2018, the team at Avenue Bloodstock has increased its representation three-fold in recent weeks with the announcement that Lancaster Bomber (War Front) and Rajasinghe (Ire) (Choisir {Aus}) will also join the ranks at the National Stud for next year. While the operation is a relatively new name in the bloodstock world, the faces behind it are not. Former Godolphin chief executive John Ferguson teamed up with another long-term member of the Godolphin/Darley staff, Mark McStay, and Sam Haggas, son of leading Newmarket trainer William Haggas, last year. The company, which takes its name from the organisation’s Newmarket base in The Avenue, right outside Tattersalls, offers a range of bloodstock and sales-related services, with stallion management an area which is clearly a fast-growing concern. “I went out on my own last year and myself and John got working together pretty much from the start,” says McStay, whose personal achievements in the bloodstock world include being co-breeder with Hugo Merry of the G1 Irish Oaks winner Covert Love (Ire) (Azamour {Ire}). “We formalised the Avenue banner in the spring and it’s been going very well. We couldn’t have wished for a better or more productive year on the business front. And, obviously, we started off managing Aclaim this time last year.” Providing Martyn Meade with a first Group 1 victory when landing last season’s Qatar Prix de la Foret, Aclaim then moved across Newmarket to the National Stud and is managed by Avenue Bloodstock for his owners Dermot Farrington, Canning Downs and Phoenix Thoroughbreds, who bought into the 5-year-old ahead of the start of his stallion career. “Thankfully nomination sales and managing stallions are things I’ve had a lot of experience with,” McStay says. “We’re very grateful to the horses’ owners and of course the management team at the National Stud.” Thirty breeding rights were sold in Aclaim, who covered 160 mares this spring and has 135 in foal from his starting fee of £12,500. “He’s had the support of some very good breeders from both England and Ireland,” McStay continues, “and we’ve decided that for 2019 we’ll be lowering his fee to £9,500, which I think is going to be very competitive.” “The National Stud is an ideal location for us to standing stallions. It’s in Newmarket and it has a wonderful team, led by Tim Lane and James Berney, and they’ve recently added Joe Callan. They did a fantastic job with Aclaim for us last year, and with Rajasinghe and Lancaster Bomber they’re fully behind the project and trying to achieve a full book of mares.” Lancaster Bomber, a half-brother to fellow Group 1 winner and stallion Excelebration (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}), becomes only the second son of Claiborne Farm’s acclaimed War Front to stand in Britain and will cover his first season at a fee of £8,500. Runner-up in both the G1 Darley Dewhurst S. and GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at two, he returned at three to chase home his half-brother’s first Group 1 winner, Barney Roy (Ire), in the G1 St James’s Palace S. and notched two further runner-up finishes at the highest level at Woodbine and Del Mar, the latter back at the Breeders’ Cup in the Mile. The colt who had appeared to be the perennial bridesmaid was finally rewarded with his own Group 1 success earlier this year when beating Cliffs Of Moher (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) by two lengths in the Tattersalls Gold Cup. “John Ferguson met Aidan O’Brien last weekend at Newmarket and spent nearly 15 minutes just talking about the horse,” says McStay of Lancaster Bomber. “What Aidan conveyed to John was how talented the horse was and how tough he was. He was a horse that danced every dance, and thankfully he’s got the looks to boot. And of course the War Front line is one that’s proven itself to be very effective in Europe on the turf.” On the same day that Lancaster Bomber was placed at Royal Ascot, Rajasinghe burst onto the scene on only his second start to win the G2 Coventry S. for his young trainer Richard Spencer and Phil Cunningham’s Rebel Racing team. Rajasinghe failed to turn that good early 2-year-old form into Classic success this season, but Cunningham has already been involved with a dual Guineas winner, Cockney Rebel (Ire) (Val Royal), who also started his stallion career at the National Stud. “Rajasinghe was your real Royal Ascot 2-year-old and he’s from a sireline that is just pure speed, so he’s appealing to the broader base of breeders who want to breed for the speed-orientated market. He’s going to stud at £5,000 and will be supported by his owner, Phil Cunningham. I think he’s going to go down very well,” McStay says. As well as a burgeoning stallion roster, the two-legged team at Avenue Bloodstock has also increased with the recent appointment of Amy Lanigan as bloodstock manager. “We were absolutely thrilled the day Amy decided to join us full time,” McStay says of the graduate of the inaugural Darley Flying Start course who is married to trainer David Lanigan and is a talented equine photographer. “She’s been helping us all through the year and brings a lot to the team. She’s very, very good in dealing with people as well as marketing of the stallions and communications. Hopefully, as our roster of stallions continues to expand, Amy’s role is going to grow the same in strength. She’s somebody who is going to be very helpful in dealing with the breeders and trying to help them achieve their goals.” Breeders heading to the December Sales at Tattersalls will have ample opportunity to view both Lancaster Bomber and Rajasinghe in their new home. “The plan is for both horses to be on show during the December sales and we encourage people to get in touch with myself, Amy Lanigan, John Ferguson or the National Stud team to come to see the horses and speak to us about the opportunities available to get involved with the breeding rights. Breeding rights afford breeders the opportunities to get involved with a horse in the early days. If that horse suddenly goes up in value and the stud fee goes up, they’re able to be in from the get-go and have a good opportunity to make some money.” View the full article

4th-Deauville, €27,000, Mdn, 10-25, unraced 2yo, f, 8fT, 1:43.82, gd. TUNED (GB) (f, 2, Toronado {Ire}–Zagora {Fr} {Ch. Grass Mare, MGISW-US & MGSW-Fr, $2,368,589}, by Green Tune) skipped a proposed Aug. 21 engagement over this strip, which featured the ‘TDN Rising Star’ performance of stablemate Commes (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}), but dwelt at the break before recovering to sweep by a swathe of rivals and track the pace in fourth along the rail. Quickening when prompted with 300 metres remaining, the 31-5 chance was brave under a late drive and forced her way through an ever-narrowing gap along the fence to oust stablemate Sadiqa (Fr) (Poets’ Voice {GB}), herself an Aga Khan homebred half-sister to G1 Prix Saint-Alary heroine Sagawara (GB) (Shamardal), by a short head on the line. She becomes the 18th winner for her freshman sire (by High Chaparral {Ire}) and the second scorer from three runners produced by GI Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf and GI Diana S.-winning US champion Zagora (Fr) (Green Tune), herself a half-sister to stakes-winning G2 UAE Derby runner-up Asmar (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}) and Listed Prix Delahante third Zanet (Fr) (Enrique {GB}). Her stakes-placed third dam Party Zane (GB) (Zafonic) is a half-sister to MGSW sire Titus Livius (Fr) (Machiavellian) and the homebred chestnut is kin to a yearling colt by Dubawi (Ire). Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, €13,500. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. 1ST-TIME STARTER. O/B-Al Shaqab Racing (GB); T-Jean Claude Rouget. View the full article

G1 Prix de Ganay winner Cloth of Stars (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}-Strawberry Fledge, by Kingmambo), also placed behind Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) in the last two G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphes, has been retired from racing and will stand at Darley’s Haras du Logis in France. A 400,000gns yearling, Cloth of Stars was trained by Andre Fabre and won the G3 Prix de Chenes at two and was runner-up in the G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud. His four starts at three included wins in the G3 Prix La Force and the G2 Prix Greffulhe, and at four he was never worse than second, his three wins coming in the G3 Prix Exbury, the G2 Prix d’Harcourt and the Ganay. Cloth of Stars rounded out that season with a runner-up effort to Enable in the Arc, and after a pair of thirds in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic and the Ganay earlier this year, he filled third behind Enable at Longchamp three weeks ago. Cloth of Stars is out of Strawberry Fledge (Kingmambo), a full-sister to G1 Oaks winner Light Shift and also the dam of Ulysses (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Other top-class Niarchos representatives to appear under the second dam include Smoking Sun (Smart Strike) and Main Sequence (Aldebaran). Sam Bullard, Darley’s director of stallions, said, “Cloth of Stars has an awful lot going for him. He’s a Timeform champion and a Group 1 performer every season from two to five, who was absolutely top-class. He’s beautifully bred, and a quality individual. Cloth of Stars is in exalted company and we’re delighted to be offering him to breeders.” View the full article

This week is a stakes story covering Old Hat's victory in the 1965 Fayette Stakes Oct. 9 at Keeneland. The story ran in the Oct. 16, 1965 magazine. View the full article

Addressing your thoughts, questions and statements about Hong Kong racing. Have something to say? Send a tweet to @SCMPRacingPost Well done Matthew Poon and welcome to the senior ranks – @zpurton Life is about to change for the “Poon train” after collecting his 70th winner and graduating from the Apprentice Jockeys’ School on Wednesday night. Let’s start with the positives – he was able to do it in the second-quickest time of any of the other apprentices this... View the full article

Last season wasn’t plain sailing at Sandhill Stables, with health issues contributing to the lowest seasonal total in many years, but Philip Hobbs, as befits his many years of experience, remains unperturbed by the blip and quietly optimistic for the future. “We had 60-odd winners but for us it was a little bit slow, because a lot of our horses were affected by a bug that we couldn’t really get rid of,” he explains. “It’s frustrating because you never know quite what you’re dealing with. It’s the same as you or me having a cold – there are so many different viruses around that it’s impossible to say what it is you’ve got, so you just have to give them antibiotics and plenty of time. They’re good and healthy again now though, and we’re looking forward to a good season. “Defi Du Seuil was among those affected and obviously it was a big disappointment for him to be beaten on his only two starts, but he’s back in good nick again and we’re looking forward to an exciting novice chase campaign for him. “We’ve had a good summer with very few horses on the go. Leapaway and Imperial Presence both stepped up and won us plenty of races and plenty of prize-money to keep us ticking over, which is always a great help around the yard. “Apart from the obvious stars, we’ve got nothing that has proved themselves to be very good but plenty with the potential to be very good and lots of youngsters who’ll be capable of winning races. I’d like to think it’s in the younger division that our strengths lie because I can see plenty of untapped talent out there.” Stable profile Yard Sandhill Racing Stables Where Bilbrook, near Minehead, Somerset Started training August 1, 1985 Horses in yard 108 Members of staff 37 Assistant Johnson White Second assistants Darren O’Dwyer, Leighton McGuiness Head girls Liz Welsh, Carol Burnett Travelling head grooms Sean Mulcaire, Laura Parker, Izzy Stadden, Zoe Moore-Williams Jockeys Richard Johnson, Tom O’Brien, Micheal Nolan, James Best Conditional Sean Houlihan Amateurs Stefan Kirwan, Ben Jones, David Maxwell Secretary Jo Cody-Boutcher, Diana Hobbs Stable sponsor Amlin Plus Website pjhobbs.com WINNERS IN BRITAIN 2017-18 63 2016-17 111 2015-16 113 2014-15 102 2013-14 106 PROFIT/LOSS TO £1 STAKE 2017-18 -161.95 2016-17 -92.03 2015-16 -64.73 2014-15 -80.06 2013-14 +21.37 PRIZE-MONEY 2017-18 £709,992 Awake At Midnight Six-year-old gelding Midnight Legend (sire) – Wakeful (dam) Owner: Mrs Charles Lloyd-Baker Form figures: 23237-1 Racing Post Rating: 121 (hurdles); Official BHA rating: 121 Won well at Worcester last time after being placed several times last season. He’s the type to make a chaser sooner rather than later and I’d expect him to improve, although he wouldn’t want the ground too firm. Ballotin 7g Enrique – Orphee De Vonnas David Maxwell Racing 0/3152P- RPR 147c OR 141c Won last year’s Bobby Renton at Wetherby. He wouldn’t want very soft ground but 2m4f is his trip and he’ll go hunter chasing for his owner to ride as soon as the season starts. He may go up to 3m at some stage. BALLOTIN with Mr D Maxwell wins Bobby Renton Handicap chase at Wetherby 18-10-17.Ballygown Bay 5g Flemensfirth – Star Shuil Mrs Joanna Peppiatt 33/33P-4 RPR 112h OR 116h Ran some decent races last season, seems to be maturing now and I hope he’d improve this year over 2m4f in novice hurdles. Barbrook Star 6g Getaway – Fille de Robin Mrs B Hitchcock 0/3006-4 RPR 115h OR 114h Placed last season over hurdles and looks as though he should do better over fences, but he may run in a handicap hurdle first because I think he could win one over 2m4f. Beau Du Brizais 6g Kapgarde – Belle Du Brizais Mrs R J Skan F22P-63 RPR 127c OR 124c Ran a good race at Ludlow last time and has been coping with fast ground very well, although I don’t think he needs it. He’ll go to Exeter today and should give a good account. Bradford Bridge 6g Milan – Isis Du Berlais Brocade Racing 2PP-621 RPR 119h OR 112h Lost his confidence over fences when he slipped very badly going to the first in his novice chase debut at Fontwell. He was an eight-length winner of a handicap hurdle on good ground at Worcester this month, but chasing will be his job, he’s very well in himself and his confidence seems to have come back. He probably doesn’t want it very soft but is on the up. If I could sum up last season in one word . . . Frustrating Casterly Rock 6g King’s Theatre – Alderbrook Girl The Juwireya Partnership 4/523-82 RPR 119h OR 118h Pleased me on his reappearance in a handicap hurdle at Bangor but will go chasing very soon. I may give him one more run over hurdles and he’d go on any ground. Cedar Valley 4f Flemensfirth – Lunar Path Mrs Caren Walsh and Mrs Kathleen Quinn 19-3 RPR 106b OR – A nice mare who won well first time at Taunton, ran a good race in the Grade 2 bumper at Aintree, then showed up well on her seasonal reappearance at Carlisle, all with plenty of give in the ground. She ran extremely well the last day, going on strongly at the finish, and I’d say she’ll definitely want 2m4f when she goes over hurdles, but she may go for a Listed mares’ bumper at Cheltenham on November 17 in the meantime. She has a really good attitude and looks a progressive type for mares’ races. Chef D’Equipe 6g Presenting – Millesimee David Maxwell Racing 136517- RPR 137c OR 132c A handicap chaser who will go hunter chasing eventually. He copes well with soft ground but doesn’t have to have it. I’d say 2m4f is his trip at the moment. Come On Charlie 6g Anzillero – End Of Spring Martin St Quinton 903-P1 RPR 103h OR 106h Won well at Stratford over 2m2f last time and will run in another handicap hurdle before going chasing fairly soon. I’d think he’ll want 2m4f at least and will cope with soft ground as the winter goes on. Cotswold Way 5g Stowaway – Rosies All The Way Miss I D Du Pre 5372 -1 RPR 126h OR 123h Did it nicely last week at Huntingdon and looked to be an improved performer. He’s very much a potential chaser but will probably stay over hurdles for this campaign. He can be a bit keen and 2m4f is probably his trip for now. Cotswold Way (Micheal Nolan) jumps the final flight and wins the 2m 4f maiden hurdle Crooks Peak 5g Arcadio – Ballcrina Girl Andy Tilley 110-4 RPR 123b OR – Looked an exciting horse when scoring at Newton Abbot and Cheltenham on his first two runs but was disappointing in the Champion Bumper and again on his first hurdling effort, over 2m1f at Newton Abbot this month. He seemed fine afterwards and in his defence the ground was bad that day and he lost a lot of momentum at the second-last with a poor jump, so he deserves another chance. Dancingatdunraven 5g Mahler – My Kit Let’s Get Ready To Rumble Partnership 1- (point form) RPR 90 OR – Won his only point-to-point in Ireland, stays very well and may go straight over hurdles. He’s a 3m chasing type and will want at least 2m4f over hurdles. Dark Episode 4g Getaway – No Moore Bills Louisville Syndicate Elite 3 RPR 101b OR – Ran fine in his first bumper at Newton Abbot, even though the ground was awful and the pace wasn’t strong enough. Will improve for better conditions and a faster gallop in bumpers, but he’ll be a chaser in time. Star quality Defi Du Seuil 5g Voix Du Nord – Quarvine Du Seuil JP McManus 1111/47- RPR 150h OR 157h He’s in good nick, will go straight novice chasing this season and would be ready to go fairly soon, but we’ll need more rain for that to happen. Only ran twice last year, was disappointing when odds-on for the Coral Hurdle at Ascot, then again in the Irish Champion Hurdle, so it was sensible for him to go home and have the summer off. A lot of our horses were under a cloud last season and there are plenty of reasons why he should improve over fences, so we’re very hopeful. He’s bright and well. Deise Aba 5g Mahler – Kit Massini Trevor Hemmings 1 (point form) RPR 90 OR – Won a point in Ireland and looks a stayer who will probably start in a 2m4f novice hurdle. He’s a big, strong horse with a very good temperament. Demopolis 4g Poliglote – Princess Demut JP McManus 1- RPR 124h OR – Won his only race in France, a hurdle at Auteuil, and will go handicap hurdling to start with, although I have no idea what kind of mark he’ll get. We’ll file him under ‘could be anything’. Diplomate Sivola 5g Noroit – None De Sivola David Maxwell Racing 76F43-3 RPR 115c OR 117c Joined us from France in the spring and got off the mark at Fontwell this month over just short of 2m4f. He may improve for going a bit further. Dostal Phil 5g Coastal Path – Quiphile JP McManus 1/4-2 RPR 117h OR – Came from the Arqana Sale in November 2016, having won over 1m4f on the Flat at Deauville. We had high hopes of him and were a little disappointed when he finished only fourth at odds-on in his novice hurdle at Bangor on his first run for us, but we decided he may have found the track and trip a little on the sharp side. He wasn’t at his peak after that so we put him away for the year to retain his novice status for this season, and he pleased us on his reappearance when second over 2m at Uttoxeter. He ran too keen early on, something he hadn’t done last season, but he was probably just a little fresh and well and it was a performance that suggested he’ll be winning soon. Duke Des Champs 8g Robin Des Champs – Ballycowan Lady Diana Whateley and Tim Syder 2136/23- RPR 142h OR 139h Ran two good races in handicap chases at Newbury last year but is still a novice. He’ll want some rain before he runs but will be out in the autumn on soft going over 3m plus. Richard Johnson celebrates his 3000th winner in the UK and Ireland when steering Duke Des Champs to victory in the 2m 5f NH novice hurdleEarth Moor 4g Ask – Merrylas Mrs Catherine Penny 4-221 RPR 105b OR – Showed a lot of promise last season and won his bumper well at Fontwell this month. He’ll go to Exeter today over 2m2½f and I’d expect him to stay well. Ebony Gale 4g Shirocco – Glenora Gale Mrs Judith Luff 61- RPR 104b OR – A bumper winner at Wincanton last season, he’ll go straight over hurdles, either over 2m4f or 2m at a stiff track, but we’ll wait for a bit of rain first. Ecu De La Noverie 4g Linda’s Lad – Quat’Sous D’Or David Maxwell Racing 52F451- RPR – OR – A big, strong horse who won a 2m3f chase on soft ground in Pau and will run in a novice hurdle before going back chasing at some stage. We’ll start him at 2m and go from there. Dark horse Evidence De Thaix 4f Network – Nacre De Thaix JP McManus 211- RPR – OR – Twice a winner on the Flat in France up to 1m5f on good to soft, she’s a lovely strong filly who looks a good prospect for mares’ races. She has a good pedigree and lots of potential. Festival Dawn 6m Kayf Tara – Keel Road British Racing Club 2-2 RPR 117h OR – Ran well on her reappearance at Chepstow on good ground and you’d hope she was up to winning a mares’ novice hurdle fairly soon, although she has the scope to go chasing at some stage. Flinck 4g Fame And Glory – Princess Supreme Ronnie Bartlett 5- (point form) RPR 67 OR – Showed promise in an Irish point-to-point and looks a nice type who should do very well, either in a hurdle or a bumper, when he runs for the first time in two or three weeks. For Good Measure 7g King’s Theatre – Afdala JP McManus 5290/43- RPR 138h OR 137h A full-brother to Balthazar King, he showed up well over fences last season – finishing third in the Grade 2 Pendil Novices’ Chase over 2m 4½f at Kempton, after which we put him away to preserve his novice status – and should make an impression in long-distance chases this campaign. He’d want good ground and will be out in a fortnight or so. From The Heart 4g Jeremy – Zephyr Lilly Zoe Moore-Williams 80-3 RPR 86b OR – Third place in his first hurdle race at Market Rasen on Saturday – leading for a long way and only being run out of second late on after a mistake at the last – was a big step up on his bumper form and hopefully he’ll be winning before too long. Curragh Fri 11 May 2018 Picture: Caroline Norris Hand On Heart ridden by Chris Hayes winning The Irish Stallion Farms EBF Race from Bond Street ridden by Seamus Heffernan, far side, 2nd.Garde La Victoire 9g Kapgarde – Next Victory Diana Whateley 18/240-4 RPR 162c OR 149c Wasn’t a healthy horse in the second-half of last season and needed the run on his reappearance at Chepstow, so he’ll improve on that. He’s a high-class handicap chaser who could go 2m or 2m4f, so we have the option. The Haldon Gold Cup is a possibility after his fourth in the race last season and the handicapper seems to have given him a chance. Gosheven 5g Presenting – Fair Choice The Grocer Syndicate 535-3 RPR 128h OR – Ran well when third in the Persian War at Chepstow on his reappearance – an unusual race for us to run a horse in before he’s won a novice hurdle – and I’d like to win an ordinary novice with him before we up our sights again. One with lots of promise. Gumball 4g No Risk At All – Good Time Girl Terry Warner 122P21- RPR 139h OR 148h Won three times for us last season after arriving from France, his best effort coming when he finished second in the Grade 1 juvenile hurdle at Aintree over 2m1f. That sort of horse becomes more difficult to place as a four-year-old as he’s now high in the handicap, but he’ll start off at Cheltenham this weekend in a four-year-old conditions hurdle and he seems in good nick at home. He seems to be a horse that likes better ground, nothing too soft. I’m A Game Changer 6g Arcadio – Drinadaly Paul and Clare Rooney 6519-22 RPR 142h OR 138h Ran very well in a 2m hurdle at Chepstow after his break and may well go novice chasing before too long. He’s got a decent level of form but he’ll be better when he settles better – he can be a bit keen, but he seems to be learning. Jerrysback 6g Jeremy – Get A Few Bob Back JP McManus 11/- RPR 129h OR 139h Won his only two hurdle races for us very well after winning his fourth Irish point-to-point, but he was never sparkling in his work last season and although there was nothing wrong with him, I wasn’t happy and he didn’t run. He should do well as a novice chaser but could win a good handicap hurdle if we decided to go down that route. We’re looking forward to seeing him on the track again. Kayf Adventure 7g Kayf Tara – My Adventure Louisville Syndicate 312372- RPR 144c OR 137c Did very well in 2m4f chases last year and while his ideal conditions at the moment may be that trip on heavy ground, he’ll be wanting 3m at some stage. We’ll wait for buckets of rain before we start thinking about where to go first. Kensukes Kingdom 5g Stowaway – Hamalata Tim Syder and Martin St Quinton 41-1 (point form) RPR 94 OR – Won two Irish points, which is unusual, is going very well at this stage and will start in a bumper very soon. Larkbarrow Lad 5g Kayf Tara – Follow My Leader The Englands and Heywoods 332- RPR 107b OR – Placed in three bumpers and ought to win one before he goes novice hurdling. He’s ready to go but is a big, tall horse who will improve with time and will want 2m4f over hurdles. Leapaway 6g Stowaway – Gisela Dr V M G Ferguson 111113 RPR 134h OR 137h Had a fantastic summer, winning five hurdles and helping us get the season off to a flying start, but his effort at Kempton on Sunday showed he’s now in need of a break. He’ll have the winter off and be back in the spring. LEAPAWAY Ridden by Richard Johnson wins at Cartmel 1/7/18 Photograph by Grossick Racing Photography 0771 046 1723Little Miss Poet 6m Yeats – R De Rien Sivola Michael and Mrs Norma Tuckey 1/543-31 RPR 130h OR 130h Did well in handicap hurdles last season and may reappear in a valuable 2m5f open mares’ handicap hurdle at Wincanton on November 10. She’ll go novice chasing at some stage. Lord Duveen 5g Doyen – Afdala Field, Cognet, Sigler and Walsh 52-6 RPR 121h OR – Looked a very nice horse when second at Kempton on his final run last season but was a bit disappointing on his reappearance at Chepstow. I’m sure that was just a blip, though, and he’s one who should do well this year. Louis’ Vac Pouch 6g Oscar – Coming Home The Vacuum Pouch Company Ltd 1/6100-0 RPR 147h OR 141h Below par in the spring, he ran respectably last time in the Silver Trophy at Chepstow, which was just to get him to settle as he’s a bit keen at the best of times. With that under his belt he’ll very likely go novice chasing and looks promising. Majestic Touch 7g Kalanisi – Alexander Divine N Sutton 0/62/1-14 RPR 125h OR 123h Wasn’t a healthy horse last season and wasn’t seen on the racecourse. Won well in a handicap hurdle at Newton Abbot on his first run back but disappointed at Fontwell last time when there was no pace and he was extremely keen. He’ll probably go novice chasing and wouldn’t mind any ground apart from very soft. McNamaras Band 5g Getaway – Katies Pet Frank Jarvey 1- RPR 102 OR – Really nice young horse who won his only bumper for us a year ago. Back in training now, ready to run and for sale, he’ll go for a 2m4f novice hurdle to start with, on decent ground, but he’s very much a chaser and has plenty of potential. Melekhov 4g Sholokhov – Yorkshire Girl Owners For Owners 211-4 RPR 113b OR – Won two bumpers last season but disappointed when only fourth at Bangor last time. I’m sure that was only a blip and hopefully he’ll be back on track soon. Mendip Express 12g King’s Theatre – Mulberry David Maxwell 52/441-5 RPR 154c OR 127c A fantastic old horse with some very good form in big chases, he’s well capable of winning again for his owner/rider, hopefully starting next weekend at Cheltenham in the amateurs’ chase. Ninth Wave 4g September Storm – Royale Pearl Trevor Hemmings 1-4 RPR – OR – Easily won a point-to-point bumper at Bitterley in April and made a very pleasing debut at Ffos Las at the weekend, travelling well throughout and shaping very encouragingly for the future in fourth place. I’m not sure yet if he’ll run in another bumper or move straight to hurdles. No Comment 7g Kayf Tara – Dizzy Frizzy JP McManus 722/36-5 RPR 137c OR 139c Had some decent form over hurdles before transferring his ability to fences when third in the Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase. He didn’t enjoy the best of health last season and his only other run was when not staying the trip in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham, but he’s been dropped 6lb by the handicapper, is well treated over fences compared to his hurdling mark, and I think he’s one to follow in 3m novice chases. It was a very hot race he reappeared in at Ffos Las on Saturday and he was a little bit rusty, but after a few early mistakes he ran on well and it was a satisfactory first run back. No Comment (Barry Geraghty) runs on from the final flight and beats Minella Awards in the 2m 4.5f nh novices hurdle Oakley 5g Oscar – Tirolean Dance Tim Syder 35- RPR 112b OR – Showed up well in his bumpers without quite getting home, and will start over hurdles at 2m, as he has plenty of pace. I think he’ll improve. Ozzie The Oscar 7g Oscar – Private Official Bradley Partnership 1321-13 RPR 157c, 140h OR 151c, 145h A big improver last season, winning three from five over fences, he returned with an excellent effort when third in the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las on Saturday, looking as though he was going to win at one stage. I was delighted with that and it should set him up nicely for a tilt at the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter on November 6, as long as the ground’s not too firm. Pineapple Rush 5m Kayf Tara – Celtic Native Bradley Partnership 3211-50 RPR 111h OR 120h She disappointed us a little when unplaced in a 2m4f handicap hurdle at Carlisle last week, travelling very well until after the third last but not really getting home, so at this stage we’re a little bit stumped, but we’ll see how she is in the next week and plan from there. She may go over fences in time. Perform 9g King’s Theatre – Famous Lady Merry Old Souls 5/1/64/F4- RPR 136h OR 132h Has been in training for four years and won just the one race from six starts [at Aintree three years ago], but he’s had no end of minor hiccups and we’ve never had a clear run with him. He’s still with us because we think we can still win with him, probably in 3m handicap or novice handicap chases. Reikers Island 5g Yeats – Moricana James Drummond F15- RPR 123h OR 124h Did very well to win a 2m5f novice hurdle at Fontwell in March before disappointing slightly over 3m at Kempton, but I think he was just in need of a break. He’ll go novice chasing, starting fairly soon, and I think 3m will be no problem. Rock The Kasbah 8g Shirocco – Impudent Diana Whateley 26/1P2-6 RPR 155c OR 147c Ran well for a long way at Chepstow this month and remains a top-class 3m handicap chaser. It’s hard to start making plans until we get some rain, but we have plenty of options, with the Ladbrokes Trophy and the Grand National at the back of our minds. ROCK THE KASBAH with T O’Brien wins Handicap Hurdle at Haydock 21-11-15. Rolling Dylan 7g Indian River – Easter Saturday Mrs I D Du Pre 1P2312- RPR 149c OR 142c Did well novice chasing last season but will find things harder this term off a high mark. He’ll start wherever the ground’s safe – not necessarily soft, just decent – and I think 3m will be his trip. He can continue to progress. Roll The Dough 9g Definite Article – High Dough The Kingpins 63-2114 RPR 123c OR 117c Has won two handicap chases already this season and the first next option is on November 1 at Stratford in a 2m6f handicap chase. I don’t think he’d want it too soft but on decent ground he’d go there with a real chance. Royal Regatta 10g King’s Theatre – Friendly Craic Lesley Field and Eileen Murphy 1P3P/PP- RPR 161c OR 150c A Grade 2 winner in his pomp, he’s been a great servant to us for a long time and with the handicapper ready to drop him to 145, he’ll go to Ascot for a 0-145 at Ascot at the end of November. He was pulled up in both starts early last term but we identified a breathing problem that we hope we’ve sorted out. I’d love to see him win again. Samburu Shujaa 5g Poliglote – Girelle Robert and Janet Gibbs 02/3334- RPR 126h OR 125h In reasonable form over novice hurdles last season, he’s a lovely strong horse who’ll start in a 2m4f maiden hurdle, probably on a left-handed track, because he can hang a bit. He has the size to jump a fence in time. Show On The Road 7g Flemensfirth – Roses Of Picardy Roger and Catherine Penny 12318-4 RPR 128h OR 126h Twice a winner over hurdles at Exeter last season on heavy ground I thought he’d hate, he looks the type to go over fences before too long but stayed on well in fourth place over hurdles at Market Rasen on Saturday for what was a very respectable comeback. Springtown Lake 6g Gamut – Sprightly Girl Tim Syder 1F2310- RPR 138h OR 137h Very decent novice hurdler last season – twice a winner and runner-up in a Sandown Grade 2 – who we hope will do very well over fences this year, although he may run in a handicap hurdle first. He had a good summer, came back in looking very well and I’d see him as a decent novice chaser over 2m4f and beyond. Steely Addition 6g Craigsteel – Blond’s Addition Step By Step 34/F118- RPR 136h OR 137h A very thorough stayer who won a good handicap hurdle at Chepstow over just shy of 3m in soft ground last November. He’ll go novice chasing over 3m and will be suited by plenty of give. Sternrubin 7g Authorized – Sworn Mum Terry Warner 0/2203-0 RPR 148h OR 137h Won twice on the Flat last year and has the option to stay handicap hurdling after a good third at Aintree on Grand National day, but he’s quite high in the handicap and I could see him going back novice chasing after a couple of decent placed efforts last term. He needs to go right-handed over fences. Sternrubin – Tom O’Brien wins The William Hill Handicap Hurdle (Listed Race) Ascot 29/10/16That’s A Given 4g Great Pretender – Aulne River Andrew Cohen 10- RPR 104b OR – Won a bumper well at Huntingdon last season so we took him to Punchestown but the race didn’t go to suit and I’m sure he’s capable of more than he produced that day. He has plenty of speed and will go novice hurdling over 2m. Thyme Hill 4g Kayf Tara – Rosita Bay The Englands and Heywoods 1 RPR 110b OR – Won on debut at Worcester this month but we won’t be in any hurry to run him again. I think he’ll need a bit of time to get over that, maybe go for returned with an excellent effort when third in the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las on Saturday, looking as though he was going to win at one stage. I was delighted with that and it should set him up nicely for a tilt at the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter on November 6, as long as the ground’s not too firm. Tidal Flow 5g Black Sam Bellamy – Mrs Philip Brocade Racing 14- RPR 115b OR – Bred by Richard Johnson and my wife Sarah, he won his bumper well at Newbury but then disappointed under a penalty at Wincanton in the spring. I think he’s better than he showed there and he’ll start in 2m4f novice hurdles. Truckin Away 5g Getaway – Simons Girl Brocade Racing 3- (point form) RPR 87 OR – Ran well in his only Irish point-to-point and looks one to start in novice hurdles at 2m4f or upwards. Umndeni 4g Balko – Marie Royale St Quinton, D L Whateley and Syder 1-4 RPR 111h OR – A half-brother to Vision Des Flos, he’s always shown plenty at home and won his bumper last season at Warwick. A bit disappointing at Warwick on his reappearance but he hadn’t schooled on grass since the spring and he made mistakes, looking hesitant and jumping left. He should benefit for the experience and is a very nice prospect. Waiheke 5m Black Sam Bellamy – Its Meant To Be Mrs Sally White 51424- RPR 111h OR 117h Scored second time out last season at Exeter and ran some good races in defeat, despite showing a tendency to hang left, which we’ve tried to correct. She looks one to start in a handicap hurdle off a fair mark, but she’ll run in mares’ novice chases later on. War Sound 9g Kayf Tara – Come The Dawn The Englands and Heywoods 234222- RPR 140c OR 136c Won the Swinton Hurdle back in 2015 but has been placed eight times in chases without winning. You’d have thought he’ll be landing a handicap chase or novice chase before too long, because he has the ability. I think 2m4f is his trip. WAR SOUND ridden by Ciaran Gethings WINNER at HAYDOCK 9/5/15 Westend Story 7g Westerner – Sarahall Mick Fitzgerald Racing Club 2B/4121- RPR 138h OR 137h Has had his jumping issues but won well on his last two runs of last season, looks one to improve a fair bit and may go to Cheltenham at the weekend before beginning a novice chase career. He’d go on anything but quick ground. Who’s My Jockey 5g Yeats – Skandisk Paul and Clare Rooney 1231-43 RPR 134h OR 136h A good third at Stratford recently on a track that was probably too tight for him. I’d say he wants 3m on a more galloping track – we tried him over the trip at Aintree on his final start of last season but I think he was over the top by then, so I’d be happy to try again. He could go novice chasing before too long. Zanza 4g Arcadio – What A Bleu Louisville Syndicate Elite 6 RPR – OR – Ran a very respectable race on his debut in a Ffos Las bumper last Saturday, looking like he had a chance three furlongs out but just running a bit green in the closing stages. It was a run full of promise. The post Phillp Hobbs Stable Tour appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

Zac Purton will partner Juddmonte Farms’ Finche in next month’s Melbourne Cup after opting against riding on Hong Kong-owned Red Verdon. The champion Hong Kong jockey confirmed he is booked for the Chris Waller-trained four-year-old son of Frankel, who finished third in Wednesday’s Geelong Cup. Finche won at Group Two and Group Three level in France when trained by Andre Fabre before moving to Australia in August. Purton had been tentatively booked for Red Verdon, but after a... View the full article

Connections of Group One-winning colt Summer Passage will resist the temptation of a lucrative stud career and race on in Hong Kong this season. The well-bred son of Snitzel, who sold for A$800,000 (HK$4.4 million) as a yearling in Australia, struggled in his only two Hong Kong starts last season, running a combined 23 lengths off the pace at Sha Tin. Trainer Paul O’Sullivan admitted it was a challenge training the highly strung colt, but hoped a change of scenery could have the desired... View the full article

How much would you pay for a piece of Winx’s poo? View the full article

IRISH Derby winner Latrobe is out of the Melbourne Cup. View the full article

Calumet Farm's True Timber will return to stakes competition off back-to-back wins in optional-claiming allowance races when he competes against five others in the $200,000 Bold Ruler Handicap (G3) for 3-year-olds and older Oct. 27 at Belmont Park. View the full article

LEXINGTON, KY – The Fasig-Tipton October Fall Yearlings Sale continued to churn out steady results through its third session in Lexington Wednesday, with a filly by Uncle Mo bringing top price of $350,000 when selling to bloodstock agent Mike Ryan on behalf of Bob Edwards’s e Five Racing. During Wednesday’s session, 244 head sold for $7,990,900. The session average was $32,750 and the median was $12,000. Through three sessions, 723 yearlings have sold for $24,575,900. The cumulative average of $33,992 dipped 3.7% from the same point a year ago, while the median is up 25% at $15,000. The buy-back rate is 22.9%. Through three sessions in 2017, 728 yearlings had grossed $25,698,500. The average was $35,300 and the median was $12,000. The cumulative buy-back rate was 24.2%. “Day three of the October Yearling Sale here at Fasig-Tipton was very similar to the marketplace we’ve seen during the first two days,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning, Jr. “There were pretty consistent results, with the average in the $33,000 to $35,000 range for each of the three days. The median was a little bit lower today, but still consistent and, overall for the first three days, it is slightly higher than last year. The buy-back rate is in an acceptable range. I think we’ve seen the market is pretty consistent and similar to what it was last year. There was solid and fair trade and most of the horses are getting sold at reasonable levels. So we are fairly pleased overall.” Wednesday’s session-topping daughter of Uncle Mo was the first purchase of the October sale for Ryan, who continued to see steady demand for quality offerings even as the yearling sales season winds down. “For the good ones, it’s good,” Ryan said of the market. “It’s the same old story. We’re in oversupply. We have more horses than we have end-users and a lot of people have bought already. But they are selling pretty well here. The good ones have sold very well. There is still a demand for the right horse. It’s the same old story. If you’ve got what they want, you’ll get paid.” The final session of the October sale begins Thursday morning at 10 a.m. Uncle Mo Filly to E Five Bob Edwards’s e Five Racing, which just announced the retirement of its Breeders’ Cup-winning filly New Money Honey (Medaglia d’Oro), looked ahead to the next generation with the purchase of an Uncle Mo filly for $350,000 at Fasig-Tipton Wednesday. Bloodstock agent Mike Ryan made the winning bid on hip 933 from the Romans Racing & Sales consignment. Bob Edwards’s e Five Racing, which just announced the retirement of its Breeders’ Cup-winning filly New Money Honey (Medaglia d’Oro), looked ahead to the next generation with the purchase of an Uncle Mo filly for $350,000 at Fasig-Tipton Wednesday. Bloodstock agent Mike Ryan made the winning bid on hip 933 from the Romans Racing & Sales consignment. Ryan compared the yearling to another offspring of Coolmore’s Uncle Mo in GI Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist, whom he had purchased for $230,000 as a yearling at the 2014 Keeneland September sale. “She looked like a female Nyquist,” Ryan said. “She’s tall and elegant with a beautiful long neck and shoulder. The first time I saw her, I wrote Nyquist on the page. She’ll go to Stonestreet and hopefully we’ll see her on NBC a year from now.” The yearling is out of Miss Luann (Unbridled’s Song) and is a half-sister to G3 UAE Oaks winner Nomorerichblondes (Hard Spun) and to stakes winner Sharp Kitty (Kitten’s Joy). Dale Romans purchased Miss Luann for $375,000 on behalf of Marc Holliday’s Blue Devil Racing at the 2007 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale and was selling the Uncle Mo for Holliday Wednesday. “We thought she would sell well,” Romans said. “She’s a very nice filly out of a good mare. You just don’t know when you go out to the market. I’m happy with what we got for her. And she’s going to a good home. That’s the best thing. It will help the mare. Teresa [Little] and the team did a great job getting her ready. She looked good.” The filly was the only horse in the Romans Racing & Sales consignment. “It’s a little pressure,” Romans said of the one-horse consignment. “But the way we do this, we do it for fun. If we make money, we’ll sell them. If not, we’ll take them to the races. I try not to bring a horse over here that I wouldn’t race.” Bodemeister Colt Returning to Canada An Ontario-bred colt by Bodemeister will be returning to Canada after being purchased for $300,000 by trainer Catherine Day-Phillips Wednesday at Fasig-Tipton. The yearling is a half-brother to Canadian champion and Queen’s Plate winner Wonder Gadot (Medaglia d’Oro). He was bred and consigned by Anderson Farms. “He is a lovely colt, he’s well-balanced,” Day-Phillips said of hip 859. “I saw him as a foal and really liked him. He has a great hip on him and he is an athletic horse. He comes from a great family. I’m really looking forward to having him in the barn.” Day-Phillips, who purchased the youngster on behalf of a partnership, admitted she missed out on the opportunity to purchase the colt’s illustrious older sister. “Wonder Gadot is tremendous,” Day-Phillips said. “We missed her. We watched her sell. We didn’t want him to leave the country, too.” David Anderson’s Anderson Farms purchased Loving Vindication (Vindication) as 6-year-old for $180,000 at the 2011 Keeneland January sale. Her first foal was stakes winner and graded stakes placed Solemn Tribute (Medaglia d’Oro). Wonder Gadot, who was an $80,000 Keeneland September yearling, sold for $325,000 at last year’s OBS April sale. In addition to the Queen’s Plate, the sophomore filly was also second to Monomoy Girl (Tapizar) in the GI Kentucky Oaks. She was named Canada’s champion 2-year-old in 2017. “He was a tremendous-bodied colt who looks like he’s got a lot of speed,” Anderson said of the yearling. “We pointed him towards this sale because we felt a little bit of extra time would do him some good. He is a May foal and he’s still a big baby. Obviously, the mare has been a 100% producer and Wonder Gadot needs no explanation. We are thrilled he is going to a great home and he’ll be going back to Canada.” Loving Vindication’s 2-year-old filly by Hard Spun sold for $400,000 at last year’s Keeneland September sale and the mare produced a filly by Nyquist this year. She was bred back to Curlin. Goldencents Colt Shocks Roberts Oklahoma horseman Rusty Roberts readily admitted he was shocked when the Goldencents yearling (hip 974) he bred sold for $265,000 to SBM, agent during Wednesday’s third session of the Fasig-Tipton October sale. “The stars were aligned and we are beyond thrilled with the result,” Roberts said after watching the colt go through the ring at Newtown Paddocks. “If I sell a horse for $50,000, I think I’ve had a really good sale. Every few years, we get a six-figure horse, but it’s not very often.” He added, “I am a middle market, meat and potatoes kind of guy. I don’t pay very high stud fees; $15,000-$20,000 is a large stud fee for me. To get a good mare, I usually have to buy a mare with a little age on her and maybe get lucky every now and again and get a mare that is carrying a foal who is by a reputable sire.” Roberts purchased the then-15-year-old mare Ms North Carolina (Honour and Glory), in foal to Eskendereya, for $15,000 at the 2014 Keeneland November sale. The mare had already produced graded stakes winner Off Duty (Yes It’s True) and she was about to be represented by the promising Shaken Not Stirred (Eskendereya). “She is gorgeous and she had produced a graded stakes winner of almost a half-million dollars,” Roberts said of Ms North Carolina’s appeal. “And then Shaken Not Stirred came along and he broke his maiden so impressively. It looked like he was going to be a major stakes horse, but he got injured and unfortunately only had three races. But the mare has the potential to throw any of kind of a racehorse.” Of the mare’s 2014 price tag, Roberts admitted, “Absolutely, I was surprised to get her for that. I thought maybe somebody had made a mistake and left a zero off. But I find mares like that at almost every sale. Last year, I bought two graded stakes mares off of Claiborne, one in foal to Lea and one in foal to First Samurai and they were both $10,000 or $15,000 mares.” Hip 974 was consigned to Wednesday’s sale by Bill Murphy, who partnered with Roberts on the foal. “The mare was open, she had missed the year before, and Billy had a season himself to Goldencents,” Roberts said. “I just said, ‘Look, this mare is open, let’s partner on one.’ So Billy actually took the mare and bred her.” Ms North Carolina has a weanling by Mshawish who will go through the sales ring at the Keeneland November sales ring as hip 2169 and she was bred back to American Lion last spring. Roberts splits his broodmare band between Kentucky and Oklahoma. “I have about 15 mares right now,” he said. “I keep about 10 in Oklahoma and five here in Kentucky with Ralph Kinder at Alliance Bloodstock. He boards my mares out here and helps me with my yearlings and my matings and weanlings and things. Every horse I breed is with the intention of keeping and running, but I also have an option, if we get a fair price, to sell. If I don’t, I keep to race.” Doctors Seize the Day at Fasig-Tipton A group of New York medical doctors added a filly from the first crop of Grade I winner Carpe Diem to its fledgling racing stable when trainer Wesley Ward, bidding alongside bloodstock agent Ben McElroy, purchased hip 813 for $230,000 Wednesday at Fasig-Tipton. The yearling was consigned by Denali Stud on behalf of Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings. “She is a beautiful filly,” Ward said. “Ben McElroy took me over to see her. She’s a beautiful physical individual, so hopefully she can run as fast as she looks.” Hip 813 is out of Le Relais (Coronado’s Quest) and is a half-sister to multiple graded stakes winner Soldat (War Front). Stonestreet purchased the mare for $800,000 at the 2011 Keeneland November sale. “She was raised fantastically at Stonestreet by Robert Turner, who does a great job for Barbara [Banke],” Ward said of the yearling. “I’ve been really lucky with Barbara and the ones she raises, so hopefully the luck continues.” Ward trained multiple Group 1 winner Lady Aurelia (Scat Daddy), who was bred and co-owned by Banke’s Stonestreet Stables, and the conditioner said the operation may also be a part of this new acquisition. “She is for a group of doctors over in New York who bought into a purchase I had at Keeneland,” Ward said of his new clients. “I am going to try to get [Stonestreet’s] Lesley Howard and we’d hopefully have Barbara stay in as well, but if she doesn’t, we understand as well. They are brand new owners, fantastic people.” Affe A New Face at Fasig There’s a new face at Fasig-Tipton’s October Sales this year; successful Italian trainer Agostino Affe is making his first visit to Lexington to bring back horses to join his 35-strong string at Rome’s Capannelle Racecourse. Affe, who has bought six to eight horses per year in recent years at OBS to take home to Italy, is attending this year’s Fasig-Tipton sale with Florida-based bloodstock agent Paolo Romanelli. “I came to this sale for a new experience,” said Affe, who has so far picked up just one yearling, hip 706, a Data Link colt from the Denali Sales consignment on Tuesday. “This is my first time in Kentucky,” said Affe. “I’m looking for something a little different pedigree-wise to bring back to Rome. I like the quality of the horses here, and the prices are good. Some of the prices are too high for my budget, but I came here with the intention of buying three horses for around $20,000 each.” Affe said he’s looking for early, precocious types who could win early in the season in Rome. “I’m looking for a good athlete, not really tall or big, a medium-sized, robust horse to run soon, in May,” said the 41-year-old Sicilian native, who was one of the leading trainers in Italy last year. Affe said that about 80% of the American horses he had imported had gone on to be winners. “He is an up-and-coming trainer who has a very good eye for not-so-obvious yearlings that don’t cost a lot of money who go on to become good horses,” said Romanelli. View the full article

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SHE’S a living treasure, a sporting legend, the best thing since sliced bread and Black Caviar, and up there with our national pastime of “Flick the Prime Minister” as the most famous thing about Australia just now. View the full article

Should all the preferences hold as expected among the 19 runners pre-entered in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1), Collected—who ran second to eventual Horse of the Year Gun Runner in last year's edition of the test—would be excluded. View the full article

Funtastic (More Than Ready–Quiet Dance, by Quiet American), who became his sire’s first American Grade I-winning turf horse when wiring the field in this year’s GI United Nations S. at Monmouth Park, will enter stud at Three Chimneys for the 2019 breeding season. He will stand for a fee of $7,500 LFSN. One of 190 worldwide stakes winners and one of 23 top-level winners for his wildly successful dual-hemisphere stallion, Funtastic raced in the colors of Three Chimneys, winning four of his 11 trips to the post while earning $410,711. Funtastic is a son of SW & GSP Quiet Dance, the dam of Horse of the Year Saint Liam (Saint Ballado) and GSW Quiet Giant (Giant’s Causeway), whose son Gun Runner (Candy Ride {Arg}) was named 2017 Horse of the Year following a sensational all-the-way victory in the GI Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar last November. The further female family includes More Than Ready’s Grade I winner Buster’s Ready and GI/G1 winners Rolling Fog (Posse) and Minstrella (The Minstrel). “Ned Evans was an artist at breeding Grade I winners and developing female families,” said Chris Baker, Three Chimneys’ chief operating officer and former farm manager at Evans’s Virginia-based Spring Hill Farm. “This family was his masterpiece. Funtastic will get our full support as Three Chimneys looks to extend this legacy through his offspring. We encourage breeders to come see him.” Board Member Doug Cauthen added, “Funtastic is bred very similarly to Saint Liam (by Saint Ballado by Halo), being by More Than Ready (by Southern Halo, by Halo). When you look at him physically, he looks more like a sprinter/miler than a horse that can get a classic distance. When a breeder looks at the complete picture before them, I believe they will see good value in a horse like him at $7,500.” View the full article

Juddmonte Farms' Hofburg and West Coast invader Prime Attraction headline a field of seven entered for the $200,000 Hagyard Fayette Stakes (G2) Oct. 27, the closing-day feature of Keeneland's 17-day Fall Meet. View the full article

Should all the preferences hold as expected among the 19 runners pre-entered in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1), Collected—who ran second to eventual Horse of the Year Gun Runner in last year's edition of the test—would be excluded. View the full article

J.V. Shields, Jr. died peacefully in his sleep Oct. 10 in Thomasville, GA, at the age of 80 with his wife of 30 years, Maury, at his side. Shields had a Wall Street career spanning 56 years and with his brother, David, founded Shields & Company in 1982, which merged into Wellington Shields & Co. in 2009. He also served as Trustee of the Boys Club of New York (1990-2018), Director and Vice Chairman of the New York Racing Association (1993-2008), Breeders’ Cup Director (2001-2008), Trustee of the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation and Trustee of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. He was a founding member of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association and a member of The Jockey Club. Shields always had a passion for horses. He played polo as a teenager in Long Island, started the first polo team as an undergraduate of Georgetown University and continued to play at Meadowbrook in Long Island, where he met competitive and formidable player H. Allen Jerkens. In 1982, when his polo days concluded, Shields turned his interest to breeding and racing Thoroughbreds, primarily using his old friend, Allen Jerkens, and later his son, Jimmy Jerkens to train for him. In his 36-year racing career, he produced 14 stakes winners, but the one that continued to give him the greatest thrill was his homebred, Wagon Limit, who beat Skip Away to win the Jockey Club Gold Cup in 1998. He loved walking the backstretch scratching noses and always seemed to have a pocket full of carrots. Shields is survived by his beloved wife, Maury, his brother and business partner of 36 years, David, his sister, Helen Guest, as well as 12 nieces and nephews, and nine greatnieces and nephews. Memorials may be made to The Community Foundation of South Georgia Disaster Relief Fund. You may donate by mailing a check to Community Foundation of South Georgia, P.O. Box 2654, Thomasville, GA 31799 or make a donation online at https://www.cfsga.net/donations.htm. View the full article