Wandering Eyes

Racing Queensland (RQ) has announced adjustments to upcoming race meetings due to the anticipated impact of Tropical Cyclone Alfred, which is forecasted to make landfall between late Thursday and early Friday near Brisbane. ​ Thoroughbred Racing Sunshine Coast Turf Club: Wednesday’s meeting has been abandoned. RQ will assess opportunities to reschedule lost races in the coming days, depending on the cyclone’s effect on the overall racing calendar.​ Doomben Racecourse: The meeting scheduled for Friday is under review. Given the forecasted heavy rainfall and strong winds, there is a possibility of cancellation, although no official decision has been made yet. Gold Coast Turf Club: Saturday’s meeting is also at risk, with RQ closely monitoring weather developments to ensure the safety of participants and attendees. ​ Harness Racing Redcliffe Harness Racing Club: Wednesday’s meeting has been abandoned. Further updates on scheduled harness meetings will be provided on Wednesday morning.​ Greyhound Racing Albion Park: All meetings have been canceled until Sunday, March 9, to allow for necessary flood mitigation strategies. RQ will provide additional updates tomorrow regarding race meetings scheduled from Thursday, March 6, to Sunday, March 9, with an official advisory expected by early afternoon.​ RQ continues to monitor the situation and will provide further updates as necessary. Horse racing news View the full article

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Lexington, KY–The final day of the Organization of Racing Investigators (ORI) Training Conference at Keeneland escalated the focus on enforcement and how investigators can broaden their expertise. Though participants regularly receive training at home, the ORI sessions offer equine knowledge that is highly specialized which can be taken back to their own jurisdictions and applied. Mike Singletary, vice president of security for the Maryland Jockey Club, said when his team walks the shedrow at Pimlico or Laurel being cognizant of your surroundings takes time and effort to hone. “Information is power and there is a lot of experience that comes to the conference,” Singletary said. “So, as you sit and listen to these speakers there are stewards here, equine vets here, and that's a major resource not just for me, but it's essential for my team when they go to a barn or a tack room. It's about developing an eye, so the horses are safe.” Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC) investigator Lisa Vila said her horizons were broadened by returning to the event. “The ORI conference presenters have given me tools to feel more confident around horses and the industry,” she said. “As an FGCC investigator, I'll be better prepared to protect the needs of our equine athletes and help identify the use of illegal performance-enhancing substances.” On Tuesday, topics ranged from horse traceability tools offered by The Jockey Club of America to how investigators can protect their own professional reputations in a social media-driven world. An update from Dr. Michael Hardy, executive director of the Racing Medication & Testing Consortium, yielded a survey of how laboratories rely heavily on investigators who collect evidence in real time. “I consider from a drug testing and an investigation standpoint, that those two are cornerstones when it comes to integrity in this sport,” he said. “The intelligence and the evidence that the investigative body provides to our laboratories as information goes a long way when it comes to enforcement. Substances that we don't necessarily know about can be uncovered because of shared information and intelligence. What we receive helps us focus the efforts of science and there are benefits when investigators catch what the laboratory simply can't.” Dr. Alina Vale, a veterinary forensic consultant, presented an overview of why necropsy reports can offer clues to the investigator when they are building a case. Speaking of cases, Shaun Richards–the current Director of Intelligence & Strategy for the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit–gave a detailed appraisal of the FBI takedown of trainers Jorge Navarro and Jason Servis. Richards's own knowledge of horses while growing up on a farm in New Jersey was part of a full-circle moment for the seasoned agent. After a law enforcement roundtable with local Lexington police officers who took questions about how they interact with Keeneland's staff to keep everyone safe, the audience had the opportunity to hear about how the track manages protocols on race days. Attendees were given a behind-the-scenes look into Keeneland's barn surveillance system. With a proactive approach to monitoring what is an expansive set of grounds, the some 700 backside cameras provide a digital layer to equine security. The 30th ORI Training Conference is set for Mar. 1-4 at Tampa Bay Downs, a track that will be celebrating a century of racing. The post ORI Conference Enforcement-Focused On Final Day At Keeneland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The $300,000 Beholder Mile Stakes (G1) has drawn what looks like an evenly matched field of six fillies and mares, including shippers from Florida and Louisiana, for the one-mile dirt race that headlines an 11-race card March 8 at Santa Anita Park.View the full article

Maiden Watch: Week of Feb. 24-March 2View the full article

Coming off a weekend in which Laurel Park ran eight races on Sunday with 48 starters and nine races on Saturday with 55 starters (with three four-horse fields between the two days), the non-profit (TMJC), which took over the management of Laurel and Pimlico Race Course this year, is banking on a combination of better weather, an upcoming schedule break, and a new carryover structure for the Pick Five to boost field sizes and betting handle. In response to a query from a commissioner, Bill Knauf, the president and general manager of TMJC, told the board of the Maryland Racing Commission (MRC) during Tuesday's monthly meeting that entries have been difficult to fill of late. “We are down, compared to last year, about 250 horses,” Knauf said. “Now, obviously, Pimlico was open [for training] last year. I think that is the single biggest reason. It's just horses are not on the grounds, and we just have a lot less population to draw from. “But yes, [the races] have been harder to fill,” Knauf continued. “We've already drawn for this coming weekend, but the weekend after that we are taking a break [between Mar. 10 and 20 while Colonial Downs runs its Mar. 13-15 Virginia Derby festival]. So I just think that action will help us get a little bit of a break. “You know, turf racing is hopefully around the corner, and then we will start to see some of those horses coming in,” Knauf said. “In general, I think the horse population just increases as it gets warmer. We've seen spots of sunshine from the handle, but it's still a tough go.” During the Mar. 4 meeting, TMJC asked for and received commission approval to alter aspects of both the early and late Pick Five bets at Laurel. According to Christopher Merz, the MRC's executive director, the two wagers previously functioned differently with respect to carryovers. The early Pick Five got paid out in its entirety to tickets with the most number of races won, even if those winning tickets did not have all five winners. The late Pick Five, by contrast, had a carryover that went into the next racing date's late Pick Five if all five legs went unhit. Now, with the commission's approval, if no one selects all five winners, the early Pick Five will carry over to the next racing day's early Pick Five. And the late Pick Five will also carry over into the early Pick Five for the next day. In explaining the new rule before the vote, Merz underscored that the early Pick Five will not carry over into that same afternoon's late Pick Five. All carryovers will be directed to the next day's early Pick Five. “The reasoning for this is that their early Pick Five outhandles the late Pick Five by nearly half, if not more,” Merz said. “So the theory is if there's more money on the front end of their card, they will gain more attraction to their card. It's easier for them to market, and hopefully more eyes will come and bet on the card. “This rule is very similar to what has already been established in New Jersey and, I believe, Indiana also carries this rule as well,” Merz said. The post Down 250 Horses, New Laurel Management Searching for Short-Field Solutions appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Darby Dan Farm's first-year stallion Blazing Sevens (Good Magic–Trophy Girl, by Warrior's Reward), Classic placed and a Grade I winner at two, has had his first mares checked in foal. Blazing Sevens stands at Darby Dan for $12,500 S&N. Named a TDN Rising Star as a 2-year-old after a debut victory at Saratoga–winning at six furlongs by 6 1/4 lengths–Blazing Sevens won the GI Champagne Stakes for owner Rodeo Creek Racing and trainer Chad Brown in just his third career outing. At three, Blazing Sevens was beaten just a head by multiple GISW National Treasure in the GI Preakness S. at Pimlico. Blazing Sevens is out of the winning Warrior's Reward mare Trophy Girl, a half-sister to GISW King David and stakes winner Bertsgoldenmissile. Bred in Kentucky by Tracy Farmer, Blazing Sevens was a Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Sale graduate. For more information, contact Stuart Fitzgibbon at (859) 621-6763, or by email at Stuart@darbydan.com, or visit www.darbydan.com. The post First Mares In Foal to Darby Dan’s Blazing Sevens appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

As racing across the nation heats up with spring nearly upon us, we take a look at trends and notable items from the country's graded races in February. February featured 20 graded races from coast to coast. Five tracks hosted graded events during the month: Fair Grounds (4), Gulfstream Park (3), Oaklawn Park (4), Santa Anita Park (7), and Tampa Bay Downs (2). Four were Grade II events, while 16 were Grade III. Six were contested on turf, with 14 on dirt. Eight of the graded contests were for sophomores, split evenly with four each for fillies and colts. Trainers Bob Baffert and Brad Cox each won two, while the feel-good story was undoubtedly trainer Lonnie Briley, who won the first graded race of his career when Coal Battle (Coal Front) took the GII Rebel Stakes. It also marked the first graded win for Louisiana stallion Coal Front, who formerly stood at Spendthrift Farm. Magnitude (Not This Time) notched a 108 Beyer Speed Figure in the GII Risen Star Stakes, a number believed to equal the highest ever awarded to a sophomore at Fair Grounds. The Risen Star is also the first Kentucky Derby prep race of the year at nine furlongs. The 20 graded races were won by the progeny of 17 unique sires, with Into Mischief, Not This Time, and the late Malibu Moon all doubling up. Into Mischief got his pair of graded winners in about 90 minutes on Feb. 1 (Citizen Bull and Eclatant) and Not This Time got his in about two hours on Feb. 15 (Magnitude and Dazzling Move). A dozen of the month's 17 graded sires are active in Kentucky. Of the five remaining sires, three are deceased, one has moved to Japan, and the other to Louisiana. Only one held court outside of the Bluegrass state (Florida) when his February winner was conceived. Of the dozen Kentucky stallions, Omaha Beach has the fewest crops to race (2), while Medaglia d'Oro has the most (17). Into Mischief ($250,000, Spendthrift) and Gun Runner ($250,000, Three Chimneys) have the highest fees, while Midnight Lute ($10,000, Hill 'n' Dale) and Temple City ($5,000, Spendthrift) stand for the least. Each graded winner was represented by a different breeder. Six were homebreds. Two sides of the yearling sales spectrum were represented, with GIII Mineshaft Stakes winner Hall of Fame (Gun Runner) bringing $1.4 million as a Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling and GIII Tampa Bay Stakes winner Running Bee (English Channel) bringing $19,000 as a short yearling at Fasig-Tipton February. The 20 winners featured 18 unique broodmare sires, with Scat Daddy and Victory Gallop doubling up. Of the four living broodmare sires that are still active in the U.S., three stand at Darley: Medaglia d'Oro, Midshipman, and Street Sense. The other is Gainesway's Tapit. Although he's come close several times, Silver Charm–the oldest living GI Kentucky Derby winner at 31–had his first U.S. graded winner as a broodmare sire when El Potente (Temple City) won the GIII Thunder Road Stakes. GII Santa Monica Stakes winner Kopion (Omaha Beach) is out of Canada's 2016 Broodmare of the Year, Galloping Ami. The latter's sire, Victory Gallop, who was exported to Turkey in 2008, was also represented as a broodmare sire by GIII Palos Verdes Stakes winner Roll On Big Joe (Prospective) in February. The post TDN Takeaways: February’s Graded Races appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

NYRA's head starter Hector Soler's employment has been terminated as of Sunday, Mar. 2, according to a NYRA release Tuesday. Consistent with NYRA policies, Soler has been precluded from accessing NYRA properties for a period of 90 days. Soler had been in the head starter position since December, 2020, and had worked on the gate at NYRA for over two decades. According to the organization, Jeff LaRue will assume the head starter duties on an interim basis. LaRue is the head starter at Finger Lakes and has been a substitute at NYRA since November. Additionally, NYRA Clerk of Scales Jack Welsh resigned his position effective Saturday, Mar. 1. NYRA Assistant Clerk of Scales Brian Pochman will assume responsibilities on an interim basis. The post Hector Soler, Head Starter at NYRA, Terminated appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Jonny Turner Kentuckiana Lodge will begin chasing down spots in the best southern age-group features starting at Oamaru today. Trainers Cran and Chrissie Dalgety and driver Carter Dalgety will start the favourite for heat one of the Macca Lodge and Nevele R Stud Southern Oaks in Justyouwait. The three-year-old looks to get the perfect opportunity to qualify for the Group 2 final of the series when starting from barrier 2. “She should get her chance on Wednesday, there shouldn’t be too many excuses for her from that draw,” Carter Dalgety said. “She won her last trial and did it quite nicely.” “There are some handy fillies in the heat but she draws inside her main rivals so hopefully she can make use of that.” Justyouwait is currently a $2.50 favourite. Dalgety rates Grazie and Sophia Bromac among the best of his remaining drives at Oamaru. Grazie has placed in her two starts for the Dalgety stable and will try to chase down a maiden victory. “Drawing 12 probably isn’t ideal, but I still think she will be a good winning chance,” Dalgety said. “Her runs so far have been good and she only needs a little bit of luck to be a good hope.” The Mark Smolenski-trained Sophia Bromac heads to Oamaru in excellent form which can continue. “She’s been going great and it looks a suitable race for her.” “She loves the longer trips and hopefully she can have the last say at them.” Dalgety also links up with The Night Fox and Who’s Queen who look solid each way chances at Oamaru. The Southern Supremacy Stakes Series will also be on the radar for the Dalgety camp this week. Kentuckiana Lodge will take their impressive debut winner Captain Commodore to the second heat of the series at Ascot Park on Saturday. View the full article

The first mare believed in foal to GISW Casa Creed (Jimmy Creed–Achalaya, by Bellamy Road) was reported by Mill Ridge Farm Tuesday afternoon. Owned by Newtown Anner Stud Farm, Hokey Okey (Lonhro {Aus}) is also the dam of Manitoba Derby winner Red Knobs (Union Rags), an earner of $285,000, who also hit the board in the GIII Canadian Derby and GIII Iroquois Stakes An earner of over $2.6 million on the track, Casa Creed won eight black-type races–including six at the graded level. His wins were highlighted by consecutive renewals of the GI Fourstardave Handicap (2022-2023) and the GI Jaipur Stakes (2021-2022). The nine-year-old stallion stands the 2025 season for $10,000 LF. The post First Mare in Foal to MGISW Casa Creed appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The $300,000 Behold Mile Stakes (G1) has drawn what looks like an evenly matched field of six fillies and mares, including shippers from Florida and Louisiana, for the one-mile dirt race that headlines an 11-race card March 8 at Santa Anita Park.View the full article

In response to the proposed bill that would remove the requirement that Florida tracks run a minimum number of live Thoroughbred races in order to operate their casino and cardrooms gaming licenses, the Thoroughbred Owner and Breeders Association weighed in on what the action would mean to racing should if the bill was signed into law. The statement from TOBA read: “The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA) fully supports the Florida owners, breeders and horsemen's stand against the decoupling of live horseracing from the ability of a racetrack to conduct alternative gaming in Florida. Thoroughbred racing and breeding support a far-reaching agricultural ecosystem and preserve greenspace. Beyond the Thoroughbred farms and training centers are tack and feed suppliers and the farms that grow the feed, equine services and products, professional services, hospitality, construction and farm equipment, and transportation businesses all supported by Thoroughbred breeding and racing. This agricultural ecosystem needs racetracks and live racing to exist and vice versa. Decoupling incentivizes racetrack operators to end live racing and break the relationship between farm and track thereby causing great harm to the agricultural economy. A healthy Florida Thoroughbred breeding and racing industry is not only important to those owners, breeders and horsemen in Florida, but nationwide. Any harm to the Florida Thoroughbred industry brought about by decoupling will be acutely felt throughout the U.S. Thoroughbred industry and therefore TOBA is opposed to decoupling.” The post TOBA Weighs in With Opposition to Decoupling Legislation in Florida appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

2024 Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna is training like "the energizer bunny" according to trainer Kenny McPeek ahead of the $400,000 Azeri Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn Park March 8, her 4-year-old debut.View the full article

Byron King's Top 12 on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, presented by Spendthrift Farm.View the full article

The Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit posted March 3 that it had sanctioned Kentucky Derby (G1)-winning trainer Gustavo Delgado for a controlled medication finding.View the full article

Hospitality on-sale dates for the 2025 season at Saratoga Race Course, headed by the July 4 Festival followed by the traditional 40-day summer meet begin to be rolled out Mar. 5, according to the New York Racing Association Tuesday. The July 4th Racing Festival, typically held at Belmont Park, will take place from Thursday, July 3 through Sunday, July 6 at Saratoga while construction continues on a new Belmont. The 40-day summer meet will open Thursday, July 10 and continue through Monday, Sept. 1. All tickets and hospitality for the July 4th Racing Festival and 40-day Saratoga summer meet will be available according to the following timeline: March 5: Full-space private hospitality including luxury suites and the Rail at the 1863 Club; Spa Verandas, Surfside Party Deck, Big Red Spring and Festival Tent March 19: Full-season reserved seating plans for the Clubhouse, Grandstand and Michelob Ultra Stretch March 26: Partial-space group reservations for the Rail at the 1863 Club, Mionetto Easy Goer and individual tables within the Festival Tent April 9: Weekly and flex reserved seating plans for the Clubhouse, Grandstand, Michelob Ultra Stretch, Miller Time Fourstardave Sports Bar and Pick Six Vodka Picnic Paddock; single-day reservations for the Founders Room and Clubhouse Box Seats April 23: Dining reservations for the Turf Terrace, Porch and Club Terrace April 30: Single-day reserved seats for the Clubhouse, Grandstand and Michelob Ultra Stretch May 7: Single-day reservations for the Miller Time Fourstardave Sports Bar, Pick Six Vodka Picnic Paddock and Surfside Tailgate at the Turn May 14: Single-day general admission tickets Reservations may be made by phone at 844-NYRA-TIX, email at boxoffice@nyrainc.com or online at NYRA.com/Groups. Saratoga Season Passes are currently on-sale and include complimentary admission for the July 4th Racing Festival. Season Passes are available for $95, the same price as last year, and include general admission for the July 4th Festival, in addition to the 40-day summer meet. Season passes may be purchased at NYRA.com/saratoga. All tickets and hospitality for the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival are currently on sale at BelmontStakes.com/tickets. Highlighted by the 157th running of the GI Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets on Saturday, June 7, the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival will be conducted at Saratoga Race Course from Wednesday, June 4 through Sunday, June 8. For more information about Saratoga Race Course and its various amenities, visit www.NYRA.com/saratoga. The post On-Sale Dates for 2025 Saratoga Summer Meet and July 4 Racing Festival Begin Mar. 5 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With heavy rain and wind expected in the area Wednesday, the under-tack show for the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's March Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training has been condensed to three days and will commence Thursday morning at 8 .m. The show had originally been scheduled to begin Wednesday and was expected to be held over four days. Under the new schedule, hips one through 272 will breeze Thursday; hips 273 through 544 Friday; and hips 545 through 814 Saturday. Each session will begin at 8 a.m. The OBS March sale will be held next Tuesday through Thursday. Bidding begins each day at 11 a.m. The post OBS Delays Start of Under-Tack Show appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The entries for the first two British Classics of the season have been released, with 57 horses entered in the Betfred 2,000 Guineas and another 43 in the Betfred 1,000 Guineas. Aidan O'Brien is responsible for eight possible runners as he seeks a record-extending eleventh success in the 2,000 Guineas, which is scheduled to take place at Newmarket on Saturday, May 3. They include the ante-post favourite The Lion In Winter (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), who was unbeaten in two starts as a two-year-old, including the G3 Acomb Stakes at York. The Lion In Winter could be joined by a trio of Group 1-winning stable-mates in Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere scorer Camille Pissarro (Ire), Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf hero Henri Matisse (Ire) and Criterium International winner Twain (Ire), as well as the G1 Dewhurst Stakes runner-up Expanded (Ire). They are all from the first Irish-bred crop of Wootton Bassett (GB). The Dewhurst was won by the colt subsequently named European champion two-year-old in Shadow Of Light (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), who was beaten just once in five starts in 2024, when his other wins included the G1 Middle Park Stakes. Shadow Of Light is trained by Charlie Appleby, who could field up to six runners in the Godolphin blue. His other entries include the Dewhurst third Ancient Truth (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), all-weather sensation Opera Ballo (Ire) (Ghaiyyath {Ire}) and Ruling Court (Justify), who was a six-length winner on his return to action at Meydan on Saturday. Wimbledon Hawkeye (GB) (Kameko) is another key member of the home team as the winner of the G2 Royal Lodge Stakes over this course and distance, while the likes of Cosmic Year (GB) (Kingman {GB}) and Treble Tee (Ire) (Persian King {Ire}) showed plenty of potential when winning their sole two-year-old starts at Sandown and Newmarket, respectively. In Ireland, G1 Futurity Trophy winner Hotazhell (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) and G1 National Stakes scorer Scorthy Champ (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) are perhaps the pick of those trained outside of Ballydoyle, which leaves Mi Bago (Vekoma) as the sole entry not based in Britain or Ireland. Trained in the US by Mark Casse, he was last seen winning the Listed Colonel Liam Stakes at Gulfstream on Saturday. Lake Victoria (Ire), one of the leading contenders for the 1,000 Guineas on Sunday, May 4, will be a familiar name in the US following her victory in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Del Mar in November. That was her third consecutive win at the top level, having also won the Moyglare Stud Stakes and Cheveley Park Stakes. The daughter of Frankel (GB) is one of eight entries for O'Brien in the 1,000 Guineas, with the others including the G2 Rockfel Stakes heroine Bubbling (Ire) (No Nay Never), G3 Albany Stakes winner Fairy Godmother (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) and G1 Prix Marcel Boussac third Exactly (Ire) (Frankel {GB}). Appleby and Godolphin could again pose the stiffest opposition to the Ballydoyle team, chiefly with Desert Flower (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), who was unbeaten in four starts as a juvenile, culminating with a wide-margin victory in the G1 Fillies' Mile. Emphatic debut winner Verse Of Love (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}), who created an excellent impression on the Fillies' Mile undercard, could also feature for the same connections. Elsewhere, Prix Marcel Boussac winner Vertical Blue (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) is one of two entries from France, along with the G3 Prix de Cabourg scorer and Cheveley Park second Daylight (Fr) (Earthlight {Ire}), while US-based trainer Phil D'Amato could be represented by Grade III-placed filly Tigerish (Tiz The Law). Closer to home, Ger Lyons holds a strong hand with the high-class Juddmonte pair Babouche (GB) (Kodiac {GB}) and Red Letter (GB) (Frankel {GB}), as well as the Listed winner Chantez (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), while Donnacha O'Brien's Falling Snow (Ire) (Justify) looked potentially smart when making a successful debut at the Curragh in August. She is out of Winter (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who won the 2017 edition of the 1,000 Guineas. The post Coolmore and Godolphin Dominate as Guineas Entries are Released appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

An exciting day of racing March 1 caused significant stirs in the voting for the National Thoroughbred Racing Association's Top 3-Year-Old and Thoroughbred polls, released March 4.View the full article

The Lake District, one of England's most outstanding areas of natural beauty, is also home to a rare Thoroughbred breeding operation in Gary and Lesley Middlebook's Wood Farm Stud at Ecclerigg, which skirts the vast Lake Windermere. From their vantage point at the top of steep paddocks with some fine views across Cumbria, the husband-and-wife team has produced the likes of dual Group 1-winning sprinter Reverence (GB) (Mark Of Esteem {Ire}) and G1 Del Mar Oaks winner Singhalese (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}) as well as the group winners Love Everlasting (GB) (Pursuit Of Love {GB}) and Distinctive (GB) (Tobougg {Ire}). They are now reliant on another husband-and-wife team, their daughter and son-in-law Claire and Dan Kubler, to train a number of their retained homebreds, and the year has started well, with two wins for Elterwater (GB) (Camelot {GB}), following her first victory last November. A later bloomer at the age of five, Elterwater, a granddaughter of the aforementioned Love Everlasting, herself out of a half-sister to Shirley Heights (GB), will now remain in training this season instead of joining the Middlebrooks' broodmare band. “Fingers crossed, we might get some black type with her at some stage. She was going to go to Ace Impact (Ire) but now she keeps winning and has shown she's got some ability we'll keep going with her,” says Gary. Wood Farm Stud has a handful of foals on the ground already, with eight expected. Those mares will be staying in Britain while another has already left for France and one is off to Ireland. Gary and Lesley Middlebrook's homebred Elterwater | Racingfotos The Middlebrooks will have eight two-year-olds, seven three-year-olds and a couple of older horses in training in Lambourn at the Kublers' yard at Sarsen Farm, which they helped to build. “The lovely thing is, with having our horses in the family with Claire and Dan, we get so much information on them,” says Lesley. “They are doing a brilliant job of updating all the owners – not just us – with feedback and videos, which I think everybody has to do these days.” They have also been longstanding clients of Highclere Stud and sell their yearlings through the Warrens' operation. “They've done a great job for us. Carolyn Warren comes up here once a year and she is the best judge of our yearlings. She looks at them and she can tell [who they are] within a minute,” adds Lesley, who has taken a brief time out from a busy foaling season to join her husband and talk us through their mating plans for this year. Raimunda, by Blame ex Volver (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) A winner over a mile for the Kublers, the five-year-old is to be covered for the first time. “She's going to Dark Angel (Ire). We bought her dam from Tanya Gunther and bred her in America,” says Lesley. Gary adds, “We've invested in some breeding rights and stallion shares over the years. We've had Dark Angel, Invincible Spirit (Ire) and New Bay (GB), and now Ace Impact is one we've taken up recently.” Dream To Reality (GB), by Australia (GB) ex Mama Quilla (Smart Strike) The Middlebrooks' bought Myth To Reality at Keeneland in 2003 when her five-time Group/Grade 1-winning daughter Divine Proportions (Kingmambo) was just a yearling. Myth To Reality's daughter Mama Quilla was bred by them and won twice when trained by William Haggas. Lesley says, “Dream To Reality is a granddaughter of Myth To Reality. We sold a St Mark's Basilica (Fr) colt from her last year [now named Be Patient] and she lost her Zoustar foal. She is going to Ace Impact.” Aira Force (GB), by Oasis Dream (GB) ex Dubai Affair (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) Lesley says, “She's a half-sister to Raasel (GB) and she has had a Pinatubo (Ire) colt this year as her first foal and he's very well put together. She is going to Chaldean (GB).” Distinctive (GB), by Tobougg (Ire) ex Blue Azure (American Chance) An 18-year-old homebred mare, she won the G3 Laundry Cottage Stud Firth of Clyde Stakes in 2009. Gary says, “Distinctive is getting a bit older now but she has a Shaquille (GB) filly on the ground and she is going to Cracksman (GB), who we have a breeding right in. Her Shaquille filly is very attractive and quite leggy.” Exacting (GB), by Excelebration (Ire) ex Blue Azure (American Chance) “She's a half-sister to Distinctive, from a good family, but she got injured in training,” says Gary of the once-raced 11-year-old. “Her first foal by Ribchester [Doitforandrew] was rated over 90 and her half-sister has produced Mgheera (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}), who won a Listed race in France last year. “She now has a Dark Angel colt at home and is going to Isaac Shelby (GB). We saw him during the December Sales and really liked him.” Kevin Darley and dual Group 1 winner Reverence | Racingfotos Set To Music (Ire), by Danehill Dancer (Ire) ex Zarabaya (Ire) (Doyoun GB}). “We bought her from the King and we sold an Almanzor colt from her last year [now named Any Which Way],” says Lesley. “Michael Bell bought her – he's had some of the family and trained the mare.” Gary adds, “We've got a lovely Kingman (GB) yearling filly out of her and she has just had a Palace Pier (GB) colt at Bearstone Stud. She is now going to Gleneagles (Ire). We like the mating and we've used him a couple of times and have kept a filly by him to breed from. You can't not like his page really.” Ducissa (GB), by Exceed And Excel (Aus) ex Baize (GB) (Efisio {GB}) A half-sister to the aforementioned Grade I winner Singhalese, who was later the dam of GI Japanese Oaks winner Sinhalite (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}). “She has a lovely Modern Games filly foal and a Too Darn Hot (GB) yearling filly, and she's going to go to Bradsell (GB),” says Lesley. “She's a big girl and when she's in the stocks she can grow to 17 hands.” Gary adds, “He's a lovely mover, Bradsell, and you can't ignore his race performance and his toughness. It's rolling the dice but we like supporting the National Stud.” Reims (GB), by Invincible Spirit (Ire) ex Riberac (GB) (Efisio {GB}) “She's a daughter of Riberac, one of our first mares. She's got a New Bay foal coming and she's going to Ace Impact. I think he will be dead interesting because I really think Ace Impact has got potential, but then I always do when I buy a share in a stallion,” Gary says. “He's a huge optimist,” Lesley says of her husband. “We had shares in Efisio. He wasn't very big and not that fertile but he was a kind horse and quite a few of our mares have got Efisio in them.” Exclusively Yours (GB), by Gleneagles (Ire) ex Acquainted (GB) (Shamardal) The half-sister to Elterwater is in foal to Ace Impact. Penny Drops (GB), by Invincible Spirit (Ire) ex Penny Cross (GB) (Efisio {GB}) “She's probably our best mare and she has a Too Darn Hot two-year-old called Mint (GB). Her three-year-old by Zoustar (Aus) is called Grizedale (GB) and we haven't run him yet but he's not far off. Her son Outgate (GB) is now six and is still running in Hong Kong, while Badri (GB) was her first foal and he's now eight years old and won another nice sprint handicap recently. There's [Group 3 winner] Equality (GB), and Treasure Time (GB) as well with William Haggas, and they've all been 90-plus,” Lesley says. “She's the sweetest little thing and everybody wants to buy her stock. She's got a New Bay yearling and she's in foal to Too Darn Hot (GB) and will be going to Baaeed (GB). “She tends to let the stallion stamp them. Every horse she's had looks like Dad.” With Reason (GB), by Frankel (GB) ex Eminently (GB) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) “We have to mention our Frankel filly, who unfortunately got injured in training,” says Gary of the daughter of Eminently, a half-sister to Reverence. “She's in foal to Showcasing (GB) and is going back to Palace Pier. Sadly she lost her foal by him last year but we really like the Palace Pier foals we've had.” Lesley adds, “Acquainted's two-year-old by Palace Pier, Elterwater's half-brother, is a really nice horse who got the worst under-run abscess that we have ever seen so he missed the October sales. Hopefully he will be a nice racehorse for us now – you just have to look after them really and do the right thing.” The post Middlebrooks Putting The Lake District on the Thoroughbred Map appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The first foal by graded stakes winner Dennis' Moment (Tiznow–Transplendid, by Elusive Quality) arrived at the Jack Sims' Ranch near Evanston, Wyoming Tuesday. The Wyoming accredited colt is out of Half a Chance, a 2-year-old maiden special weight winner at Saratoga during her racing career. Dennis' Moment, winner of Churchill's GIII Iroquois Stakes at two, stands for $1,500, live foal, stands and nurses, or $3,000 for lifetime breeding rights. Dennis' Moment, who stands at the DeLancey's Rodeo Ranch in Cheyenne, was brought to Wyoming in 2024 to become an accredited stallion in that state. For information on booking a mare to Dennis' Moment in this 2025 breeding season, contact Dave and Cindy DeLancey at Rodeo Ranch in Cheyenne, (307) 331-3942. The post First Foal for GSW Dennis’ Moment appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Though one of his daughters lost the services of Magnitude (Not This Time) straight after his GII Risen Star romp, and another must send Chancer McPatrick (McKinzie) in from the cold this weekend, once again last Saturday the extraordinary distaff influence of Bernardini loomed behind the big Derby rehearsals on either coast. True, the winners of both the GII Coolmore Fountain of Youth Stakes and GII San Felipe Stakes were first and foremost repaying a seven-figure investment in their respective dams–each clearly having much else going for them. But the fact remains that Sovereignty (Into Mischief) was homebred by Godolphin from Bernardini's unraced daughter Crowned; while the granddam of Journalism (Curlin) similarly came good in her second career, after doing nothing for Bernardini's reputation in her first. Her name is Peppy Rafaela. A half-sister to triple graded stakes scorer Songster (Songandaprayer), she did manage three starts, but only one suggested she might aspire even to mediocrity. Her flowering as a broodmare, however, was immediate. Her first foal Mopotism (Uncle Mo) placed in four Grade I races and had her day in the sun when winning a three-way photo for the GII La Canada Stakes. On retirement Mopotism joined the Don Alberto broodmare band for $1.05 million at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale in 2019, and Journalism retrieved most of that outlay as her first yearling, raising $825,000 from Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners at Saratoga. Mopotism's next foal, a Tapit colt, did better still in the same ring last summer, selling to Flying Dutchmen for $1.5 million. Given that Journalism then featured on the page only as an unraced 2-year-old, you can imagine what kind of prince this mare must be throwing. In the meantime, however, her mother has not yet come up with another Mopotism, though full-sister Ruth made a sufficient impression on debut at Gulfstream in December to be tried in the Busanda Stakes next time (proved a non-event after stumbling early). Ruth races in the silks of her breeder Frank Batten, who had bought Peppy Rafaela with a maiden cover by Uncle Mo for $100,000 at the Keeneland January Sale in 2014. That cost was immediately retrieved by her weanling in the same ring that November, at $135,000. Yes, Mopotism would eventually turn out to be worth a lot more. But their breeder was able to show up at the September sale, 10 months after Mopotism realized seven figures at the end of her track career, with a full-brother who duly raised $775,000. And now, of course, he has Ruth eligible to profit from every step forward taken by Journalism. Journalism | Benoit Patience is also being rewarded by the dam of Sovereignty, Crowned having never made the starting gate after Sheikh Mohammed bought her for $1.2 million at the 2014 Keeneland September sale. That was some reward for breeder Brushwood Stable's decision to send Grade I winner Mushka (Empire Maker) to Bernardini, then at the peak of his reputation as a $150,000 cover. Mushka had herself cost Zayat Stable even more as a yearling, at $1.6 million, being out of a stakes-placed daughter of Seeking the Gold and four-time Grade I winner Lakeway (Seattle Slew). She was sold on to Brushwood for $2.4 million at the 2008 Keeneland November sale, after not really building on her GII Demoiselle Stakes success. Kept with Bill Mott by her new owners, she matured to be awarded the GI Spinster Stakes and also finished second in the GI Ladies' Classic. Muskha initially proved a lucrative producer. Her first yearling, a Distorted Humor colt, made $1.65 million from Shadwell and then came Crowned, another seven-figure sale to the Maktoums. But she evidently had her troubles, at one point producing just two registered foals across five seasons, neither of which ever made the track, and was duly culled at the 2016 November sale for $650,000 to SF Bloodstock & Newgate Farm. While a Tapit filly in utero cleared that investment as a $675,000 yearling, Mushka would produce only one more foal, a $370,000 Ghostzapper filly who went on to be stakes-placed at Canterbury Park. Mushka's granddam and fellow Grade I winner Lakeway stands directly opposite her own sire in the pedigree of Crowned, since Seattle Slew also gave us Bernardini's sire A.P. Indy. There's also a duplication of Fappiano: one son, Quiet American, is Bernardini's damsire; another, Unbridled, provides Mushka's sire Empire Maker. These Classic brands have obviously told in Sovereignty, potentially another case of Into Mischief speed being drawn out for the Derby by the kind of upgraded mares that have already given the Spendthrift champion Authentic and Mandaloun. Sentimental Reunion Unlocks Lucrative Yield Whatever Bernardini may have contributed to their blood, Sovereignty and Journalism have a far more blatant bond. Both, incredibly, received their education at Bridlewood–whose team saw enough in Journalism to buy into the partnership (along with breeders Don Alberto) after his sale to Eclipse Thoroughbreds. Congratulations to Bridlewood trainer Joan “Meda” Murphy, whose resume already features a horse called Gun Runner. The latter's 10th Grade I winner, Locked, was also bought as a yearling by Eclipse Thoroughbreds, in this case in partnership with Walmac Farm for $425,000 at the 2022 September sale. If the prize is no longer commensurate with its wonderful history, Locked's performance in the Big 'Cap certainly was. He is the second elite scorer from Gun Runner's third crop, alongside Sierra Leone, and similarly out of a Malibu Moon mare. This one, Luna Rosa, is half-sister to two very smart performers: dual Grade I winner Gabby's Golden Gal (Medaglia d'Oro) and triple Grade II winner Always a Princess (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}). But that pair had yet to make the track when their dam Gabriellina Giof (GB) (Ashkalani {Ire}), a stakes winner in both Italy and California, was bought by Rosa Colasanti for $75,000, through Federico Barberini, at the 2008 Keeneland January sale. Locked | Benoit This, touchingly, was actually a homecoming for the mare, who had raced for Colasanti in Italy (in partnership with breeder Antonio Gioffredi of Scuderia Super King) before being imported to the U.S. by Arnold Zetcher. Colasanti, whose family has run the iconic Rome restaurant Il Matriciano for over a century, was essentially pursuing a sentimental dream in retrieving her favorite horse. But her timing proved to be inspired. Gabriellina Giof resurfaced for sale just as Always a Princess and Gabby's Golden Gal had formally become yearling and 2-year-old, respectively. Locked's dam Luna Rosa, a turf maiden winner in a light career, was the last foal out of Gabriellina Giof. Mating her with a son of Candy Ride (Arg) complemented the long South American ancestry of her maternal family. Locked's fifth dam, who came to the U.S. from Peru, traces through 10 generations of Argentinian breeding to Delicia (GB), imported from Britain in 1889. Incidentally, Colasanti has again followed the career of a cherished female in Luna Rosa's half-sister Crossing the Tape (Johannesburg). Having made $245,000 as a yearling, she did win a maiden, but was eventually retrieved for just $8,000 through Swynford Management at the 2017 November sale. Owned in partnership by Signora Colasanti, Dr. Naoya Yoshida and Kara McDermott, she's now grazing alongside Luna Rosa (who's again due to Gun Runner) at Winchester Farm. Vintage Names All Round Liguria To those of us who fear that the commercial breeding industry has been relentlessly sowing the seeds of its own destruction, perhaps the most comforting pedigree of the weekend was that of GII Buena Vista Stakes winner Liguria (War Front). While her venerable sire is now in the evening of his career, at 23, by the same token he compresses our access to his own, breed-shaping sire Danzig, who was older yet when conceiving War Front. (Nor was Danzig done, of course, going on to cover the dam of Hard Spun at 26). But the glorious thing about Liguria is that much the same phenomenon can be observed in her maternal family. Her dam Lerici was foaled in 2004, when her sire Woodman was 21. Granddam Balinese arrived in 1987, when her sire Nijinsky was 20. Third dam Homespun was delivered when her sire Round Table was a relative adolescent at 15 in 1969. It was not until four years later, indeed, that Round Table also sired the third dam of War Front himself. Liguria | Benoit This wonderful genetic time capsule was well bought out of Book 1 at the 2021 September sale, where a $275,000 docket was signed by Steven W. Young for Alpha Delta Stables. With a page like hers, it barely mattered whether Liguria made the racetrack. Her three graded stakes siblings include dual GI Rodeo Drive Stakes winner Avenge, also by War Front; Lerici's half-sisters produced runners-up in the GI Travers and GI Santa Anita Derby; and Balinese is sister to two Grade I winners, not to mention half-sister to the third dam of Wonder Gadot (Medaglia d'Oro). Ultimately the line traces to the Belair foundation mare Flambette (Fr). As it is, Liguria has now won a second graded stakes. No doubt commercial breeders will someday hold her turf aptitude against her foals. In the end, however, the same abiding faith in quality that shaped her talent will survive all the witless fads today shifting mere quantity around from one new sire to the next. The post Breeding Digest: Sovereignty Extends Damsire’s Dominion appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A 206-strong catalogue for the Goffs Breeze-Up Sale at Doncaster on April 23 and 24 was revealed on Tuesday. Its graduates have supplied 10 wins at Royal Ascot in the last nine years, led by multiple Group 1 winner Bradsell (GB) (Tasleet {GB}), and other group winners to have emanated from the sale include G2 Flying Childers Stakes winner Aesterius (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), G2 Mill Reef Stakes hero Powerful Glory (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}), G2 Richmond Stakes scorer Black Forza (Complexity) and Electrolyte (Ire) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}), who landed the G3 Prix Eclipse. Mehmas has 22 progeny catalogued, including a half-sister to 1,000 Guineas winner Cachet (Ire) (Aclaim {Ire}) (lot 158); a half-brother to multiple group winner and G1 Phoenix Stakes second The Lir Jet (Ire) (Prince Of Lir {Ire}) (lot 150); and a half-brother to G3 Gladness Stakes winner Markaz Paname (Ire) (Markaz {Ire}) (lot 2). There are also 14 two-year-olds catalogued by Havana Grey, among them lot 23, a daughter of listed winner Anadolu (Ire) (Statue Of Liberty); and a son of Listed Prix Ceres heroine Blizzard (GB) (Medicean {GB}). A No Nay Never filly (lot 91), out of a half-sister to multiple Group 1 winner and producer Lillie Langtry (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), is set to sell and there is also a Wootton Bassett (GB) filly out of the listed winner Sarrocchi (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) (lot 181). Breezes will take place at Doncaster Racecourse beginning at 8.30am on Wednesday, April 23, with the sale beginning at 10am the following day. Goffs UK managing director Tim Kent said, “This sale is all about Royal Ascot so it's on everyone's minds, from vendors selecting horses to send, to buyers raising their hand in the ring. The sale's Royal record really is something special, and its ability to continue to produce winners at one of the world's most prestigious race meetings has driven it to new heights. “This sale is also about winners. Our two-year-olds had a very good year last year, headlined by the five individual group winners. Furthermore, of the first 50 two-year-old wins achieved by horses offered across all European breeze-up sales last year, Doncaster produced over 50% of them. Given the Donny Breeze lays claim to just over 20% of the total breezers offered last year, it graphically illustrates that if you are looking for precocious, quality horses that win, this is the sale in which to buy them. “This year we made the conscious decision to reduce the number catalogued, coming down from 234 to 206 to allow us to further focus on quality. Given demand for places was as high as it's ever been, it proved a difficult task, but we feel we have achieved a good balance. We have already begun canvassing buyers, having travelled to Bahrain, Dubai, Qatar and Saudi Arabia and had a very good response. We will continue our visits throughout the UK and Europe in the coming weeks and we look forward to welcoming an international audience to Doncaster in April.” The post ‘Outstanding’ Donny Breeze-Up Catalogue Released By Goffs appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

GI Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike (Keen Ice–Gold Strike, by Smart Strike) is being relocated to Irish Hill & Dutchess Views Stallions LLC in Stillwater, New York, to start the 2025 breeding season. The 6-year-old stallion, who had been expected to begin his stud career this year at Mountain Spring Farm in Pennsylvania, was recently purchased by a group that includes his former trainer, Eric Reed, longtime owner Ken Tyson, and Jamie LaMonica, head of the Kentucky-based The Stallion Company bloodstock agency. Rich Strike will stand his initial season at stud for an introductory fee of $6,500 S&N. “It was originally contemplated to start Rich Strike's stallion career at Irish Hill & Dutchess Views Stallions, however the deal fell through,” said LaMonica. “When Rich Strike moved to Mountain Spring Farm in Pennsylvania, our new ownership group circled back and made a pitch to get involved with the horse. Everyone at Mountain Spring Farm has been great to work with, but the new ownership group has a stronger relationship with New York than Pennsylvania and we felt that Rich Strike has a better opportunity in New York. With the reconstruction of Belmont Park, we thought it would be beneficial to a stallion that has the pedigree to thrive on all three surfaces–dirt, synthetic, and turf.” In addition to his 2022 Derby victory, Rich Strike was second in that year's GII Lukas Classic and third in the GII Jeff Ruby Steaks. On the board in six of 14 starts, he won twice and earned $2,526,809. “New York breeders are sophisticated and informed, so they understand Rich Strike is a grandson of Curlin and out of a champion mare,” said Irish Hill & Dutchess Views Stallions' Rick Burke. “He should fit a lot of the mare population, both genetically and physically. I was able to inspect Rich Strike when we were negotiating the first time around and was really impressed by his good looks and presence. I am looking forward to showing off the Kentucky Derby winner to New York breeders. I think they will really like him.” The post Rich Strike to Stand at Irish Hill and Dutchess Views Stallions in New York appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article