Wandering Eyes

So much was against this season's rising star as he chased a fourth consecutive group 1 win in the Oct. 20 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (G1), but he showed great courage and roared to a tenacious win under a skilled Oisin Murphy ride. View the full article

Six-time Sovereign award-winning trainer Mark Casse has two chances to secure his fifth victory in Woodbine’s GIII Grey S. Sunday. Sir Winston (Awesome Again) was off the board in his first two starts–debuting in a dirt sprint at Churchill Downs June 14 and then running in a two-turn turf test at Saratoga July 21. However, the chestnut showed a liking for the Woodbine synthetic last time, breaking his maiden in a dead-heat going a mile and 70 yards here Sept. 12. Stablemate Chuck Willis (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) is new to North America, having made his first four starts in Europe for trainer Charlie Hills. Graduating at second asking at Ayr June 23, the bay was second in the Rose Bowl S. at Newbury July 20 and was off the board in the G2 Gimcrack S. at York Aug. 24. This will be his try on synthetic and around two turns as all of his previous races have been turf sprints and he receives Lasix for the first time. Augustin Stable’s Nashtrick (Hat Trick {Jpn}) also adds Lasix here, as well as blinkers, and is attempting synthetic for the first time in a race, but has worked on the local main several times. A debut winner on the Woodbine lawn Aug. 24, the Josie Carroll pupil was third last time in the GI Summer S. Sept. 16. Also of interest is Solidify (Tapizar), who graduated by a length at odds of 11-1 in his 6 1/2-panel debut over this strip Sept. 23 and enters off a five-panel bullet on the training track in 1:00 (1/13) Oct. 14. Fellow first-out victor Jammin Still (Take Charge Indy) overcame 18-1 odds to capture his one-mile turf unveiling here Sept. 28. View the full article

Champions Day demands a champion's performance. For the second consecutive year, it came in the QIPCO Champion Stakes (G1), as Cracksman bowed out in style with a performance that has surely not been bettered all year. View the full article

Cash Is King LLC & LC Racing’s MAXIMUS MISCHIEF (c, 2, Into Mischief–Reina Maria, by Songandaprayer) proved that his 8 3/4-length debut romp Sept. 29 was no fluke, breezing home to remain perfect in two career appearances while becoming a no-brainer ‘TDN Rising Star.’ Favored at a nickel on the dollar in a scratched-down field of three, the bay raced a bit awkwardly through the opening couple of furlongs, his head cocked to the right, but fleet enough to establish an early lead while chased along by Absentee (Fed Biz), himself a good-looking first-out winner at Parx Sept. 22. Bowling along well within himself around the turn, he was held together into the stretch, then widened at will while just being shown the whip by Frankie Pennington and scampered in by about 10 lengths. A $165,000 Keeneland November weanling purchase, Maximus Mischief was led out unsold on his next two trips through the ring, first when bidding stalled at $170,000 at Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale last year and again at $245,000 at this year’s Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream Sale. Entered back for the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training in May, he drilled an eighth of a mile in a very racy-looking :10 1/5 and was hammered down for $340,000. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0. O-Cash Is King LLC & LC Racing LLC; B-Martha Jane Mulholland (KY); T-Butch Reid. View the full article

Growing up the son of a successful racehorse owner has its perks. Days hanging around the backstretch, getting to know and experience the animals up close, seeing firsthand the fast-paced roller coaster that is a racing life. But also attached to the deal is the heft of living in your father’s shadow within the game, particularly if you happen to share his name. Jimmy Riccio, Jr., beginning with a push from dad, taking off from one chance encounter and soaring via a lot of elbow grease and teamwork, has achieved his own dream and established an independent legacy for himself and his client, a young man who has broken out of an elder’s shadow in his own right. “I actually loved racing pretty much my entire life,” Riccio said in between fielding calls while sitting on a bench at the east end of the Belmont grandstand. “My dad’s been an owner and I used to follow his horses and go to the track and root for them. One summer when I was still in college, my dad came up with a brainstorm, and he’s the reason I became an agent. It was his idea.” Riccio, Sr. had a string of runners at Monmouth Park and he approached Nick Santagata, a regular in New Jersey and the mid-Atlantic who racked up over 4,000 wins in his 30-year career, in that summer of 1997. “Nick needed an agent, so my dad said, ‘Why don’t you take my son? He has a huge passion for the game. I think he’d be good. I have a bunch of horses and you could ride those,'” Riccio recalled. “I started out doing it while I was still in college, but once I did it, I knew, this is what I wanted to do.” Riccio even threatened to quit college and become an agent full-time, but his parents insisted he finish his degree. Once that was done, he jumped in with both feet and picked up the book of emergent apprentice Julian Pimentel in 2001. It didn’t take long for Riccio to make a national impact alongside the young Colombian. The pair compiled 145 wins and over $4 million in earnings that year, which led to an Eclipse Award nomination for Outstanding Apprentice Jockey, with the top honor ultimately going to Jeremy Rose. {"id":3,"instanceName":"Articles No Playlist","videos":[{"videoType":"HTML5","title":"Jimmy Riccio, Agent to Jose Ortiz","description":"","info":"","thumbImg":"","mp4":"https://player.vimeo.com/external/295403096.sd.mp4?s=ffe6f5a1b1748dda86a6dacfbf1dad20d21e880d&profile_id=165","enable_mp4_download":"no","prerollAD":"yes","prerollGotoLink":"prerollGotoLink","preroll_mp4_title":"preroll_mp4_title","preroll_mp4":"https://player.vimeo.com/external/294971945.sd.mp4?s=a1501e22cc9a262a93db9fa62f6b10b401b6602a&profile_id=165","prerollSkipTimer":"5","midrollAD":"no","midrollAD_displayTime":"midrollAD_displayTime","midrollGotoLink":"midrollGotoLink","midroll_mp4":"midroll_mp4","midrollSkipTimer":"midrollSkipTimer","postrollAD":"no","postrollGotoLink":"postrollGotoLink","postroll_mp4":"postroll_mp4","postrollSkipTimer":"postrollSkipTimer","popupAdShow":"no","popupImg":"popupImg","popupAdStartTime":"popupAdStartTime","popupAdEndTime":"popupAdEndTime","popupAdGoToLink":"popupAdGoToLink"}],"instanceTheme":"light","playerLayout":"fitToContainer","videoPlayerWidth":720,"videoPlayerHeight":405,"videoRatio":1.7777777777778,"videoRatioStretch":true,"videoPlayerShadow":"effect1","colorAccent":"#000000","posterImg":"","posterImgOnVideoFinish":"","logoShow":"No","logoPath":"","logoPosition":"bottom-right","logoClickable":"No","logoGoToLink":"","allowSkipAd":true,"advertisementTitle":"Ad","skipAdvertisementText":"Skip Ad","skipAdText":"You can skip this ad in","playBtnTooltipTxt":"Play","pauseBtnTooltipTxt":"Pause","rewindBtnTooltipTxt":"Rewind","downloadVideoBtnTooltipTxt":"Download video","qualityBtnOpenedTooltipTxt":"Close settings","qualityBtnClosedTooltipTxt":"Settings","muteBtnTooltipTxt":"Mute","unmuteBtnTooltipTxt":"Unmute","fullscreenBtnTooltipTxt":"Fullscreen","exitFullscreenBtnTooltipTxt":"Exit fullscreen","infoBtnTooltipTxt":"Show info","embedBtnTooltipTxt":"Embed","shareBtnTooltipTxt":"Share","volumeTooltipTxt":"Volume","playlistBtnClosedTooltipTxt":"Show playlist","playlistBtnOpenedTooltipTxt":"Hide playlist","facebookBtnTooltipTxt":"Share on Facebook","twitterBtnTooltipTxt":"Share on Twitter","googlePlusBtnTooltipTxt":"Share on Google+","lastBtnTooltipTxt":"Go to last video","firstBtnTooltipTxt":"Go to first video","nextBtnTooltipTxt":"Play next video","previousBtnTooltipTxt":"Play previous video","shuffleBtnOnTooltipTxt":"Shuffle on","shuffleBtnOffTooltipTxt":"Shuffle off","nowPlayingTooltipTxt":"NOW PLAYING","embedWindowTitle1":"SHARE THIS PLAYER:","embedWindowTitle2":"EMBED THIS VIDEO IN YOUR SITE:","embedWindowTitle3":"SHARE LINK TO THIS PLAYER:","lightBox":false,"lightBoxAutoplay":false,"lightBoxThumbnail":"","lightBoxThumbnailWidth":400,"lightBoxThumbnailHeight":220,"lightBoxCloseOnOutsideClick":true,"onFinish":"Play next video","autoplay":false,"loadRandomVideoOnStart":"No","shuffle":"No","playlist":"Off","playlistBehaviourOnPageload":"opened (default)","playlistScrollType":"light","preloadSelfHosted":"none","hideVideoSource":true,"showAllControls":true,"rightClickMenu":true,"autohideControls":2,"hideControlsOnMouseOut":"No","nowPlayingText":"Yes","infoShow":"No","shareShow":"No","facebookShow":"No","twitterShow":"No","mailShow":"No","facebookShareName":"","facebookShareLink":"","facebookShareDescription":"","facebookSharePicture":"","twitterText":"","twitterLink":"","twitterHashtags":"","twitterVia":"","googlePlus":"","embedShow":"No","embedCodeSrc":"","embedCodeW":720,"embedCodeH":405,"embedShareLink":"","youtubeControls":"custom controls","youtubeSkin":"dark","youtubeColor":"red","youtubeQuality":"default","youtubeShowRelatedVideos":"Yes","vimeoColor":"00adef","showGlobalPrerollAds":false,"globalPrerollAds":"url1;url2;url3;url4;url5","globalPrerollAdsSkipTimer":5,"globalPrerollAdsGotoLink":"","videoType":"HTML5 (self-hosted)","submit":"Save Changes","rootFolder":"http:\/\/wp.tdn.pmadv.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/Elite-video-player\/"} Riccio established himself in the business thanks in large part to that whirlwind first-year of accomplishment. While doing well enough over the next decade, he saw nothing close to what he was about to embark on when sitting by the training track at Belmont one morning in the fall of 2012. Jose Ortiz, like Jimmy Riccio, grew up in a horse racing family. His grandfather and uncle were both jockeys in Puerto Rico, and he and his brother Irad’s most memorable Christmas gift was a pony from their father when Irad was five and Jose was four. They learned to care for the pony as kids, connecting them inextricably with horses and facilitating their dreams of becoming the family’s next generation of riders. After completing training at the Puerto Rico’s state-run Escuela Vocacional Hipica jockey school, Irad Ortiz, Jr. made the leap to America in 2011 and caught on almost immediately as a bug rider on the New York Racing Association circuit. Meanwhile, Jose continued his training and waited for his opportunity while keeping close watch on Irad’s early success. “It was great, I was very proud of him,” he said. “Not just that he left Puerto Rico, but that he came to New York, to the Mecca of racing and was doing okay, so I was a proud brother. I was in the jockey school and it was great to, at lunchtime, turn on the TV and watch him win a couple of races.” After honing his craft at Camarero in Puerto Rico, Jose Ortiz got on a plane to the United States in March of 2012 and rode a handful of winners at Parx before following in his brother’s footsteps to the NYRA circuit. Business was chugging along for the apprentice, but he had yet to truly break through in the ultra-competitive colony and was agent-less by that October. Sitting in his car, Jimmy Riccio saw Jose Ortiz pull up next to him. There was no one else around, so the two of them started talking. Riccio had heard Ortiz was looking for an agent and seized the opportunity. “I gave him a pitch as to why I thought me and him would be a great team,” Riccio recalled. “He listened to me and said he would run it by his brother, Irad. A little while later, they called me. We met, and they discussed what my plans would be, and would I stay with him after he lost his bug. And I told him, ‘Look, I think we’re going to do great,’ and told him what I thought we could do, and it’s worked.” That’s quite an understatement. After spending a few years as the lesser-known Ortiz brother, Jose broke out in 2016, earning his first Saratoga riding title and finishing third in the voting for Eclipse Champion Jockey. A year later, he reached the top of the mountain, ringing up over $27 million in earnings, capturing his first Classic aboard Tapwrit (Tapit) in the GI Belmont S. and taking home the top rider award at the Eclipses this January. In an emotional speech, he thanked both his brother and his agent for getting him to the pinnacle of racing. “I never thought it would be this fast and in our wildest dreams to do what we’ve done,” Riccio said. “He’s just a special person. When he gave that speech and thanked me at the Eclipses, it brought a tear to my eye. He’s someone who means a lot to me, more than just a business relationship. He’s become part of the family. We hang out a lot. He’s friends with my dad, they’re buddies. We love his daughter and his wife. And my family, my wife and kids, they all just click, and it’s a special thing.” Riccio points to one recent example to demonstrate the quality of person Ortiz is. Monmouth Park hosted a charity basketball game to raise money for children with special needs, and Riccio called to see if his client and friend would be interested. “I asked Jose to come on a Monday from [Belmont], which can take three hours in traffic,” he said. “He didn’t blink an eye, said, ‘I’ll be there.’ He showed up, he played, he had the time of his life.” That enthusiasm and positivity makes Riccio feel a more paternal joy for Ortiz’s success than he would for a regular client. “This isn’t like working,” Riccio said. “I feel like I just want the best for him, you know? And of course, we’re making money along the way, which is always good, but there’s more than that. I just enjoy seeing him succeed and that smile. You see it, when he smiles, when he wins and he’s petting that horse, that’s just Jose. It’s sincere.” Who knows what would have happened to each of their careers had Jimmy Riccio and Jose Ortiz not happened upon each other that fateful morning on the Belmont backstretch? Perhaps they would have found similar success elsewhere, but likely not. And Riccio thanks his lucky stars every day for that chance encounter, the one that’s taken the son of a successful owner and the 25-year-old from Puerto Rico to unimaginable heights. “It was just unbelievable that he pulled up right next to me when I was hoping to talk to him,” Riccio reflected. “I feel like someone helped me out, you know? Just, someone was looking out for me.” View the full article

Bet in half from a morning line of 4-1, Chiefswood Stable homebred WESTERN CURL (f, 2, Curlin-Quinte West, by First Samurai) took flight in the final eighth of a mile and pulled away to post an impressive debut victory in a seven-furlong turf maiden Saturday at Woodbine. The January foal landed close to the front from gate four as longshot Tallulah Darling (Atreides) went winging on the front end. Claiming that rival at will approaching the ultimate furlong, the chestnut filly lugged in towards the rail, but was full of run as she went on to post a three-length decision from market rival Art of Almost (Dansili {GB}). Tallulah Darling held well for third. The winner’s dam, a $525,000 Keeneland September yearling, is out of Aldebaran Light (Seattle Slew), making her a half-sister to GISW Eskendereya (Giant’s Causeway) and European Group 1-winning sprinter Balmont (Stravinsky). Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0. O/B-Chiefswood Stable (ON); T-Mark Casse. View the full article

Qatar Racing’s MG1SW Roaring Lion (Kitten’s Joy-Vionnet, by Street Sense), who won Saturday’s G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. at Ascot on British Champions Day, will stand at Tweenhills in 2019. The John Gosden trainee, who was winning his fourth Group 1 in a row after the Coral Eclipse, Juddmonte International S., and QIPCO Irish Champions S., will be joined by fellow Group 1 winner and Qatar Racing colorbearer Lightning Spear (GB) (Pivotal {GB}–Atlantic Destiny {Ire}, by Royal Academy) at Tweenhills next year. “Roaring Lion has been the horse of a lifetime for us; he has exceeded our expectations whilst cementing his status as the best 3-year-old colt in Europe after winning four Group 1s this season,” said Sheikh Fahad Al Thani, Chairman of Qatar Racing. “My brothers and I are incredibly passionate about horse racing and to have a horse like him has been a truly magnificent experience. His victories at Sandown and York were incredible and then to follow it up in Ireland was an amazing feeling. We always knew how good he could be, we just hoped he would prove it. He did that at York and has been incredible ever since.” Bred by Ranjan Racing, Inc. in Kentucky, the grey was famously purchased by Qatar Racing’s bloodstock and racing manager David Redvers for only $160,000 out of the 2016 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. Off the mark for Gosden at first asking last August, the colt made it two on the bounce trying Kempton’s all-weather and saluted in the G2 Juddmonte Royal Lodge S. last September. Facing off against Saxon Warrior (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in Doncaster’s G1 Racing Post Trophy S., he found that rival a neck too good that day and was sent to winter quarters. Third in the G3 Craven S. resuming this term and a close fifth to old rival Saxon Warrior in the G1 2000 Guineas in May, he rolled to a 4 1/2-length victory in the G2 Dante S. at York and was a solid third to his Craven conqueror Masar (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) in the G1 Epsom Derby upped to 1 1/2 miles. It was the last time Roaring Lion would taste defeat this season, as his four Group 1 victories followed. A Breeders’ Cup start will be decided later, depending on how the colt comes through Saturday’s effort and his record currently stands at 12-8-1-2 and $3,575,197 in earnings. “Roaring Lion has run his final race in Britain, but the Breeders’ Cup has always been an option and we are definitely not ruling it out just yet,” Sheikh Fahad added. Said Gosden, “He stands over a lot of ground, has a great head and outlook, great neck and shoulder, and wonderful depth. He has all the attributes of a top-class middle-distance horse but with this tremendous turn of foot. It is very important in a stallion that they can take their racing. We started in February, have been hard at it since then, and he is still showing all the right signs and credentials.” Out of the GI Rodeo Drive S. third Vionnet, Roaring Lion’s second dam is the two-time Grade III winner Cambiocorsa (Avenue of Flags), a full-sister to MGSW and Breeders’ Cup Sprint victor California Flag (Avenue of Flags). She in turn produced Grade II winners Moulin de Mougin (Curlin) and Schiaparelli (Ghostzapper), as well as SW & GSP Bronson (Medaglia d’Oro) and MSW Alexis Tangier (Tiznow). “We’ve loved Roaring Lion since we first set eyes on him back in September 2016,” said Redvers. “I’m a big fan of his sire Kitten’s Joy and Roaring Lion was easily the best looking and best moving colt we’d seen by him.” View the full article

While the proposed constitutional amendment in Florida appears to be the biggest issue on the upcoming November ballot that could impact racing, voters in Arkansas and Idaho also will consider gambling issues that could impact the sport. View the full article

Despite catching some unanticipated added company, Monomoy Girl executed her five-furlong breeze without any other adverse drama Oct. 20, covering the distance in a nifty 1:00 1/5 over the Churchill Downs oval under jockey Florent Geroux. View the full article

Putting all doubts aside, Anthony Oppenheimer’s Cracksman (GB) (Frankel {GB}) capped a memorable afternoon for John Gosden when powering to a six-length success in the feature G1 Qipco Champion S. Much more alert and on the ball in first-time blinkers than he had been on the last two occasions, the long-absent defending title-holder was restrained by Frankie Dettori to race in fourth after looking as if he could have led from the break. Set alight on the home turn, the 5-6 favourite responded with a surge his sire would have been proud of to instantly settle the issue. From the two-furlong pole, it was a victory lap and his rider had time to raise his whip in salute in the final yards as he slammed Crystal Ocean (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) by six lengths, with the 66-1 shot Subway Dancer (Ire) (Shamardal) 3/4 of a length away in third. “He’s a hugely talented horse who won the Ganay in explosive style and I don’t think he was quite the same after that–things were bothering him,” his trainer said after completing a trio of wins in four of the main races on the day. “He’s a mighty impressive horse and I’ve had a lot of luck using blinkers–the great Secretariat and Northern Dancer raced in them–and sometimes they are needed to focus their minds. When he’s in the zone, he’s a very good horse and he’s Frankel’s best son. He’s shown what he is–a high-class horse and full marks to the staff at home.” 1–CRACKSMAN (GB), 131, c, 4, by Frankel (GB) 1st Dam: Rhadegunda (GB) (SP-Fr), by Pivotal (GB) 2nd Dam: St Radegund (GB), by Green Desert 3rd Dam: On the House (GB), by Be My Guest O-A E Oppenheimer; B-Hascombe & Valiant Studs (GB); T-John Gosden; J-Lanfranco Dettori. £737,230. Lifetime Record: G1SW-Fr, 11-8-2-1, $2,793,064. *1/2 to Fantastic Moon (GB) (Dalakhani {Ire}), GSW-Eng. View the full article

Carrying all before him since early July, Qatar Racing’s redoubtable Roaring Lion (Kitten’s Joy) showed that dropping back to a mile held no fears on Saturday as he toughed it out to secure a fourth straight win in a prestige event in Ascot’s G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. Having to race without cover throughout, the grey was kept withing hailing distance of the leaders by Oisin Murphy and was ideally within range as Century Dream (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}) turned it into a stamina test from two out. Grinding his way past that rival with 150 yards remaining, the 2-1 favourite had Ballydoyle’s 3-year-old filly I Can Fly (GB) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) to contend with in the gruelling run to the line but held out to prevail by a neck, with a half length back to Century Dream. “His owners are very game and brave to come here, as they had everything to lose and nothing to gain,” trainer John Gosden said. “He’s proven his class and had the guts to get there, as I think he hated every second of running on that ground. He found that soft ground too deep, you could tell by his action, but he has a lot of heart and got the job done. He probably goes to stud now.” 1–ROARING LION, 127, c, 3, by Kitten’s Joy 1st Dam: Vionnet (GISP-US, $175,140), by Street Sense 2nd Dam: Cambiocorsa, by Avenue of Flags 3rd Dam: Ultrafleet, by Afleet ($160,000 Ylg ’16 KEESEP). O-Qatar Racing Ltd; B-Ran Jan Racing, Inc. (KY); T-John Gosden; J-Oisin Murphy. £655,709. Lifetime Record: G1SW-Ire, 12-8-1-2, £2,723,865. View the full article

Not disgraced when 10th in the Arc 13 days ago, Magical (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) got Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore off the mark on Ascot’s Champions Day with an impressive display in the G1 Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares S. Always travelling smoothly in mid-division, the 5-1 shot swooped on TDN Rising Star Lah Ti Dar (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) passing the two-furlong pole and readily asserted for a length success over Coronet (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), with the even-money favourite Lah Ti Dar 3/4 of a length away in third. “We really fancied her for the Oaks, but she had a little setback and Wayne [Lordan] rode her in the Arc and loved her,” the Ballydoyle trainer said. “She had been working lovely and Ryan was always going to take his time on her and she relaxed lovely. The lads will decide what’s next, but the Breeders’ Cup is a possibility.” Moore added, “The Arc showed she got this trip and gave us confidence–she did it smoothly all the way around.” 1–MAGICAL (IRE), 125, f, 3, by Galileo (Ire) 1st Dam: Halfway To Heaven (Ire) (MG1SW-Eng, G1SW-Ire & G1SP-Fr, $941,139), by Pivotal (GB) 2nd Dam: Cassandra Go (Ire), by Indian Ridge (Ire) 3rd Dam: Rahaam, by Secreto O-Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier & Michael Tabor; B-Orpendale, Chelston & Wynatt (IRE); T-Aidan O’Brien; J-Ryan Moore. £340,260. Lifetime Record: MGSW & G1SP-Ire, 11-4-2-0, £591,205. *Full to Rhododendron (Ire), Hwt. 2yo Filly-Ire, MG1SW-Eng, G1SW-Fr, GSW & G1SP-Ire, GISP-US, $1,741,071; and Flying The Flag (Ire), GSW-Ire & GSP-SAf, $195,702. View the full article

A fortnight of selling at Park Paddocks at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale came to a close on Saturday morning with an abbreviated Book 4 session that saw 179,100gns added to the October Sale kitty. That haul was accumulated by 46 yearlings sold from 103 offered (a clearance rate of just 55%). With the number of offerings well over double the equivalent session last year, the average and median both dropped steeply, respectively down 16% (3,142gns) and 38% (2,000gns). The top price on Saturday was the 16,000gns laid out by Howson and Houldsworth Bloodstock for a Mayson (GB) colt from Redgate Bloodstock (lot 2064). This was the tail end, however, of an overall strong two weeks of trade, which returned a record aggregate (162,731,400gns) for the seventh straight year. The clearance rate wound up at 82% for a total 1,552 yearlings sold, and the average and median both largely held steady: the former was 104,853gns, down 3%, and the latter was 48,000gns, up 7% Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony said, “More than 160- million guineas has been spent at this year’s Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, which is not only unprecedented, but also a record sum for the seventh consecutive year. The figures are mighty impressive, and the single most important contributory factor to this record-breaking sequence is the professionalism and dedication of the consignors, one and all, who bring yearlings of outstanding quality to the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale every year.” “The Tattersalls October Yearling Sale is Europe’s premier yearling sale because of the consignors. They bring the best yearlings from Britain, Ireland, France and further afield to the October Yearling Sale and year-after-year these yearlings go on to achieve great things on the racecourse. Books 1, 2 and 3 have all produced Group 1 and Royal Ascot winners in 2018, purchased for as little as 10,000gns and that is why buyers at all levels of the market and from all over the world hold the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale in such high esteem.” “There have been highlights and success stories at all levels of the market, from the 3.5-million guineas Book 1 headliner to the 135,000 guineas sale-topping pinhooking triumph in Book 3, but above all we should recognise and applaud the collective dedication and hard work of every individual who has contributed to a seventh consecutive record breaking Tattersalls October Yearling Sale.” View the full article

Off the board in three Group 1 outings since registering a half-length second in Royal Ascot’s June 22 G1 Commonwealth Cup, The Cool Silk Partnership’s Sands of Mali (Fr) (Panis) returned to the scene of that effort and caused a 28-1 shock in Saturday’s G1 Qipco British Champions Sprint. The bay was sharpest into stride and secured immediate control of the straight six-furlong dash. Nudged along passing the quarter-mile marker, he would not relent and kept on strongly under a final-furlong drive to withstand the persistent threat of Harry Angel (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) by a length. Donjuan Triumphant (Ire) (Dream Ahead) emerged from the pack to finish best of the rest, 1 1/4 lengths back in third. 1–SANDS OF MALI (FR), 127, c, 3, by Panis 1st Dam: Kadiania (Fr), by Indian Rocket (GB) 2nd Dam: Kapi Creek (Fr), by Sicyos 3rd Dam: Kirigane (Fr), by Vitiges (Fr) (€20,000 Ylg ’16 OSLATE; £75,000 2yo ’17 TATABR). O-The Cool Silk Partnership; B-Simon Urizzi (FR); T-Richard Fahey; J-Paul Hanagan. £358,691. Lifetime Record: GSW-Fr, 12-5-1-0, £692,208. View the full article

Having earned a £1-million bonanza for connections in York’s Aug. 24 G2 Lonsdale Cup, Bjorn Nielsen’s Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) was sent to the well once more and concluded a perfect 2018 with victory in Saturday’s G2 Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup at Ascot. Settled third along the fence for most of the stamina-sapping test, the even-money favourite benefitted from Frankie Dettori’s cheek when sneaking up the inside of the pacesetting Flag of Honour (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) off the home turn and kept on relentlessly under a drive once seizing control soon after to gamely deny Thomas Hobson (GB) (Halling) a passing opportunity. Officials did not call an enquiry, but gave a cursory glance to the end proceedings before confirming a 1 1/2-length verdict with Sir Erec (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) one length adrift in third. 1–STRADIVARIUS (IRE), 133, c, 4, by Sea the Stars (Ire) 1st Dam: Private Life (Fr) (MSP-Fr), by Bering (GB) 2nd Dam: Poughkeepsie (Ire), by Sadler’s Wells 3rd Dam: Pawneese (Ire), by Carvin II (330,000gns RNA Ylg ’15 TATOCT). O/B-Bjorn Nielsen (IRE); T-John Gosden; J-Lanfranco Dettori. £300,563. Lifetime Record: MG1SW-Eng, 14-9-1-2, £1,613,909. *1/2 to Persian Storm (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}), Hwt. 3yo-Ger at 9.5-11f & MGSW-Ger, $121,198; Rembrandt Van Rijn (Ire) (Peintre Celebre), GSP-Eng, $167,081; and Magical Eve (Ger) (Oratorio {Ire}), SP-SAf. View the full article

The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s multibillion-dollar Conghua Racecourse project in mainland China could be a victim of its own success with users still working their way through teething problems. Trainers have struggled at times getting their horses to and from the HK$3.7 billion project, such is the demand to use the world-class facilities on offer. While keen to get more trainers housing horses at the site, it will be a slow roll-out by phases to allow the Jockey Club to perfect the... View the full article

Sam Clipperton could have been excused for kicking the cat (metaphorically) after a tough Monday, but instead he is focused on making the most of his chance aboard boom sprinter Hot King Prawn in the Group Two Premier Bowl. The talented Australian jockey copped a double whammy earlier in the week when Derby hero Ping Hai Star suffered a season-ending injury, while the announcement of Joao Moreira’s imminent return to Hong Kong as John Size’s stable rider looks set to severely limit... View the full article

Tony Millard thinks it will be tough for anyone to beat Beauty Generation in the Group Two Oriental Watch Sha Tin Trophy (1,600m), but there is plenty of interest surrounding the seasonal returns of his stable stars Singapore Sling and Nassa. Singapore Sling won the Classic Cup in February before finishing second in the Derby while Nassa showed his class when taking out the Group Three Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse last November but is on the comeback from a tendon injury. The South African trainer... View the full article

BEST Solution has pipped Homesman at the line to win the 2018 Caulfield Cup. View the full article

BEST Solution has pipped Homesman at the line to win the 2018 Caulfield Cup. View the full article

The big day has finally arrived for Karis Teetan and the Mauritian says he simply cannot fault Pakistan Star as he prepares to ride him for the first time in the Group Two Oriental Watch Sha Tin Trophy on Sunday. Pakistan Star is well-known for his quirks, most infamously when he stopped in the Premier Plate last year, but he looks to have put any issues well behind him with two Group One victories. “I’m really excited to ride Pakistan Star on the weekend. The day I got told I was... View the full article

BEST Solution has pipped Homesman at the line to win the 2018 Caulfield Cup. View the full article

VELVET QUEEN (f, 2, Animal Kingdom–Tippy Tapit, by Tapit) outran her 6-1 odds with a stylish debut win in the Santa Anita nightcap Friday. Seizing the early advantage, the chestnut zipped through early splits of :21.56 and :43.87. Showing the way into the lane from the three-path, the $54,000 BARJAN buy skipped clear in the lane with ears pricked and still under a hand ride to win by 1 3/4 lengths. Out of Balance (Kitten’s Joy), whose dam Balance is a half-sister to Hall of Famer Zenyatta, came on late for second. The final time was 1:13.22. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0. O-B G Stables; B-Calumet Farm (KY); T-Richard Baltas. View the full article

IT’S time for one of the biggest days on the racing calendar. View the full article

W.S. Farish’s homebred Code of Honor (Noble Mission {GB}), a strong second after stumbling at the start in the GI Champagne S. Oct. 6, returned to the worktab Friday, breezing four furlongs in :48.90 seconds on Belmont Park’s main track as he prepares for the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Nov. 2 at Churchill Downs. “I thought he worked excellent. It was kind of more than I hoped for,” trainer Shug McGaughey said. “He ran off easy and finished up well, galloped out great and seemed to come back good. It verified his first two races, plus it looks like the Champagne didn’t take too much out of him. I think we’re in pretty good shape. Johnny [Velazquez] was impressed with the way he went, so everything was positive.” With owner Kaleem Shah on hand at Santa Anita, streaking GI Del Mar Debutante S. and GI Chandelier S. winner Bellafina (Quality Road) worked five furlongs Friday morning in a minute flat for her ultimate goal GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Churchill Downs on Nov. 2. “I’m really happy,” trainer Simon Callaghan said. “She’ll have one more breeze here before leaving for Kentucky.” Also working Friday at Santa Anita for their Breeders’ Cup engagements were champion Abel Tasman (Quality Road) (Distaff) and Vale Dori (Arg) (Asiatic Boy {Arg}) (Distaff), seven furlongs in company in the identical time of 1:26.40 for Hall of Famer Bob Baffert. “They went well,” said Baffert, who also sent unbeaten Dream Tree (Filly & Mare Sprint) five furlongs in a bullet :58.80 and likely Juvenile favorite and unbeaten ‘TDN Rising Star’ Game Winner (Candy Ride {Arg}) six furlongs in 1:13 flat. Merriebelle Stable’s Blue Prize (Arg) (Pure Prize), winner of the Oct. 7 GI Juddmonte Spinster S., returned to the worktab at Keeneland Friday morning with a four-furlong work in :47.20 in preparation for the GI Breeders’ Cup Distaff Nov. 3 at Churchill Downs. “It was a maintenance work, and it was a little bit faster than I would have liked, but she got that target about 10 lengths in front that we weren’t expecting,” trainer Ignacio Correas said. “Other than that, I wanted to see what she did with Joe [Bravo] coming home. I think she did everything right. We’re happy.” KRA Stud Farm’s runaway GI Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity winner Knicks Go (Paynter) completed his major training for the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Nov. 2 at Churchill Downs by working five furlongs in :59.20 over a fast Keeneland track Friday morning. “He worked well and that was the last work for him before the Breeders’ Cup,” trainer Ben Colebrook said. “It is the same thing I did with him before the Breeders’ Futurity, working two weeks before.” For trainer Kenny McPeek, GI Darley Alcibiades winner and ‘TDN Rising Star’ Restless Rider (Distorted Humor) (Juvenile Fillies) and Princesa Carolina (Tapit) (Juvenile Fillies Turf), fifth in the GII JPMorgan Chase Jessamine, breezed in tandem at Keeneland Friday morning in advance of their Nov. 2 engagements in the Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Churchill Downs. Working after the morning renovation break, the duo stopped the clock in 1:01.40 for five furlongs. “Restless Rider just needed a nice maintenance breeze,” McPeek said. “Next week they will work again together here, but it was a nice maintenance work. I’m happy enough.” Several expected Breeders’ Cup entrants currently based at Churchill worked Friday morning. One of the most anticipated runners was the versatile Mind Your Biscuits (Posse), who could go in the GI Classic, the GI Dirt Mile, or the GI Sprint. He worked six furlongs in company in 1:15. “We’re just keeping our options open as we have been all year,” trainer and co-owner Chad Summers said. “It was a really strong breeze and he’s doing great here at Churchill. The work itself may have started a bit too slow but I think visually it was good.” Other contenders logging breezes included Thunder Snow (Helmet {Aus}), who is pointing to the Classic and worked a mile in 1:42.20. Whitmore (Pleasantly Perfect) registered a half-mile in :47 in company. He could go in either the Dirt Mile or the Sprint. In addition, ‘TDN Rising Star’ Wonder Gadot (Medaglia d’Oro), a Distaff contender, worked five furlongs in company in 1:00. View the full article