Wandering Eyes

Stakes-winning conditioner Kent Sweezey is stabled at Oaklawn Park for the first time since he started training. View the full article

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As the year winds down, now is a relatively quiet time for horse racing. But there was nothing quiet about 2024, another year when there was no shortage of bad news and plenty of controversy thanks to the nasty battle between pro and anti-HISA Forces. The TDN seeks to be fair in its news coverage and makes no attempt to accentuate the negative stories. The problem is that the numbers say the readers prefer to read the “bad stuff.” What stories resonated most with TDN readers? Here are the top 10 most widely read stories of 2024 and the number of views they received: 1) SCOTUS Grants Stay of Fifth Circuit Unconstitutionality Mandate, by T.D. Thornton (110,804 views) There were so many fights and so many lawsuits that it was easy to get lost when it came to trying to figure out what was happening with HISA. Would it survive or would the courts declare it to be unconstitutional? An important development covering that very issue occurred in late October. The Supreme Court granted a stay sought by HISA that prevented the U.S. District Court of Appeals for the Fifth circuit from issuing a mandate stemming from the Fifth Circuit opinion that HISA's enforcement mechanism is unconstitutional. The key was that by granting the stay, the Supreme Court signaled that it did not want the lower courts ruling on HISA until the Supreme Court has either taken on the case or decided not to accept it. 2) Still Sidelined After Run-In with Gulfstream Geese, Sutherland Fears She'll Never Ride Again , by Bill Finley (71,587 views) A freak accident that occurred on May 6, 2023 at Gulfstream left Chantal Sutherland with such serious injuries that she worried she would never ride again. After the race was over her mount was spooked by a flock of geese, and slingshotted her out of the saddle. The result was that she broke the humerus bone completely off from her shoulder. She has yet to return to riding but says she won't sidelined much longer. 3) The World's Oldest Thoroughbred? We Think We Have Found Him, by Bill Finley (53,403 views) In March, Bill Finley covered the story of New Years Eve (Night Conqueror) who was still health and spry despite big 38 years old. Owner Julie Izzo did a lot of research and could not find an older living Thoroughbred. We concluded that it was New Years Eve. 4) Blue-Collar Hero Tyler's Tribe Dies Following Workout Wednesday at Oaklawn; Trainer Temporarily Banned, by Bill Finley (48,957 views) It started out as a great story. Tyler's Tribe (Sharp Azteca) was an Iowa-bred 2-year-old who could fly. He won his first five starts by a combined 59 3/4 lengths and would go on to run in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, where he bled and was eased. Nothing went right ever again and in May he died following a four-furlong workout at Oaklawn Park. Tyler's Tribe's trainer Tim Martin was temporarily banned by Oaklawn. 5) Farewell to a Stallion Thoroughly Deserving of Acclaim, by Emma Berry (48,795 views) European editor Emma Berry tells the story of sire Acclamation (GB), who died late in the year at the age of 25. His death occurred just a few weeks after he had been officially retired. 6) Kentucky Trailer Accident Kills Three Thoroughbreds, by T.D. Thornton (42,450 views) An overnight trailer crash on the Bluegrass Parkway in Nelson County, Kentucky hospitalized the driver and killed three horses from the barn of trainer Eddie Kenneally who were being transported from Oaklawn Park to Keeneland. 7) Just Steel Exits Preakness with Injury, To Head to Rood and Riddle, by Christina Bossinakis (42,367 Views) Christina Bossinakes reported on the condition of GI Preakness S. starter Just Steel (Justify). He exited the race with a condylar fracture of the right front leg and had surgery performed by Dr. Larry Bramlage. Just Steel has since recovered and has rejoined the Wayne Lukas stable at Oaklawn Park. 8) White Abarrio Sent Back to Joseph, by Bill Finley (38,068 views) After a disappointing showing in the GI Metropolitan H. at Saratoga, the owners of White Abarrio (Race Day) decided to send last year's GI Breeders' Cup Classic winner back to trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. Joseph was his original trainer before the owners sent him to be trained by Rick Dutrow. Because Joseph had had two horse die (neither one from Musculoskeletal injuries) in the days leading up to the Derby it wasn't immediately clear whether or not Joseph would be allowed to run White Abarrio in the GI Metropolitan Handicap. So the owners gave the horse to Dutrow only go back to Joseph. 9) Owners of Horses Killed, Injured in Bluegrass Pkwy Accident Sue Van Company, Driver for $3 Million, by T.D. Thornton (36,019 views) The owners of seven Thoroughbreds killed or injured in a Mar. 25, 2024, accident on the Bluegrass Parkway when a trailer driver allegedly fell asleep at the wheel and careened off the road while en route from Fair Grounds to Keeneland are suing the equine transport company and the driver in federal court, seeking “not less than” $3 million in compensatory damages and a separate amount in punitive damages that the plaintiffs want decided at a trial. 10) Jayarebe Dies Following Breeders' Cup Turf, by Bill Finley (34,796 views) European shipper Jayarebe (Fr) (Zoffany {Ire}) died following the running of the GI Breeders' Cup Turf. The 3-year-old finished the race, but collapsed during the gallop out. According to a statement put out by the Breeders' Cup, Jayarebe suffered what appears to have been a cardiac event. The post The Most-Read TDN Stories of 2024 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Race 4 STRAIGHT FLUSH PLUMBING 1600m ZIGGY KHAN (L Allpress) – Stable representative Mr. S O’Malley advised Stewards, the stable was satisfied with the post-race condition of ZIGGY KHAN, and it is the stables intention to carry on with the mare’s current preparation. Race 8 WAIRARAPA MUSIC IN THE COUNTRY 10-12 JANUARY 2025 2200m SONGWRITER (M Hashizume) – Trainer Mr. F Auret reported to Stewards, he was satisfied with the post-race condition of the gelding, however, SONGWRITER has now been sent for a spell. The post Wairarapa Racing Club @ Tauherenikau, Wednesday 11 December 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

The TDN Writers' Room team was feeling festive as we closed out 2024 with a special year-end episode. Presented as always by Keeneland and hosted by Bill Finley, Zoe Cadman and Randy Moss, this week's show features a variety of write-in questions from viewers and some other questions for our hosts ranging from light-hearted topics that gave the trio the opportunity to reminisce on their many years in racing to a few more thought-provoking subjects regarding the current state of racing and what they are most looking forward to seeing on the racetrack in 2025. We kicked off the episode by asking each host to look back and tell us about the moment that got them hooked on the sport. Born and raised in Hot Springs, Arkansas, Moss had an easy answer. “When you drove past Oaklawn Park back in the day, and we're talking late '60s, I was a little kid sitting in the backseat of my parents' car and it used to be a little like Saratoga in that there were stables on the opposite side of Central Avenue and so the crossing guards would stop the traffic as horses crossed the street,” Moss recalled. “So I would sit there in the backseat and I would see these beautiful horses in front of me and the exercise riders on their backs. That's one of my earliest memories was watching that and it snowballed from there.” Cadman, who hails from Somerset, England, is a lifelong equestrian who happened upon the racing world almost by accident. “During schooltime, we got the chance to do a work experience,” she said on the show. “The closest racing yard to me was Philip Hobbs, so me and my friend Rosie both applied. I had a pony who was pretty quick so I thought, 'Oh, I'm going to go to a racing yard. This is going to be so cool.' I rode out for Philip Hobbs for a week and got run off with a couple of times. His gallops go uphill and they stop at a road that went downhill. I went all the way down the road on one of these jumper horses. And I got hooked.” As for Finley, his was a story that many people in our industry share where family members introduced him to the sport. “Both my father and my brother, who's 10 years older than me, were big racing fans,” Finley recalled. “When I was six, my brother had his driver's license. There are stories of him babysitting me where he didn't tell our parents what we were going to do and, living in Cleveland, we went to Northfield Park. He would babysit me at the trotter track there.” Later in the show, write-in questions from viewers ranged from topics like why final scratches and changes are not posted to online resources until a few hours before the first post, what more should major industry organizations be doing to move the sport forward, and why it seems that workouts in the East are labeled “B” for breezing when workouts in the West are labeled “H” for handily. The team wrapped up the episode by reflecting on 2024 and looking ahead to 2025. Which newly turned 3-year-olds are they most looking forward to watching develop next year? Answers ranged from Sovereignty (Into Mischief), who broke his maiden for Bill Mott in the GIII Street Sense Stakes on Oct. 27, and of course East Avenue (Medaglia d'Oro), the GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity winner who stumbled at the break in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile but should have a promising future ahead. The TDN Writers' Room is also presented by WinStar Farm, Pennsylvania Horse Breeders' Association, the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, West Point Thoroughbreds and XBTV.com. The Writers' Room team looks forward to returning in 2025. To listen to this week's show as an audio podcast, click here. The post TDN Writers’ Room: A Special Holiday Edition appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Racehorse owner John Dance has been charged with nine criminal offences in “one of the most serious and largest frauds ever investigated” by the UK's financial regulator. Dance is accused by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) of transferring more than £64 million from client accounts of a wealth management firm to fund his “lavish lifestyle” and business interests between 2014 and 2023. The 50-year-old was principal partner at WealthTek LLP, formerly known as Vertus Asset Management LLP, a prominent sponsor within racing. He also owned the multiple Group 1 winner Laurens (Fr) and previously co-owned Bravemansgame (Fr), the runner-up in the 2023 Cheltenham Gold Cup. Therese Chambers, joint executive director of enforcement and market oversight at the FCA, said, “This is one of the most serious and largest frauds we have ever investigated. “We allege that over a period of many years Mr Dance diverted millions of client funds for his own benefit, telling lies and forging documents to cover his tracks. “We know this has been a worrying time for people who had their investments caught up in WealthTek and we have tried to keep everyone updated as best we can, given the criminal nature of the offences under investigation. “We're pleased that clients are now seeing their assets returned.” Approximately 84% of affected clients are expected to be fully compensated, according to the FCA, while Dance has been released on bail to appear at North Tyneside Magistrates' Court on Friday, January 3. He faces three counts of fraud by abuse of position, three counts of fraud by false representation and three counts of converting or transferring criminal property. The post Laurens Owner John Dance Charged with Nine Criminal Offences appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Three stakes wins against fellow Oklahoma-breds and a second in her only open company attempt, earned Miss Code West (Code West) the Horse of the Meeting honor at Remington Park for a second consecutive season. The 3-year-old filly received the most votes in the contentious category following the 2024 race meeting. Miss Code West joins Remington Park's all-time winningest horse, Welder, as the only two horses to win Horse of the Meeting more than once here. Out of Inca Miss (Kipling), Miss Code West is owned by Jeffry and Julie Puryear of Denton, Texas, and is trained by Kevin Scholl, who had only six stalls at Remington Park this season. Floyd Wethey, Jr., is the pilot for Miss Code West. Miss Code West, a also won Champion status in two other categories–3-year-old Female and Oklahoma-bred. Miss Code West won three stakes races this meet, including the Oklahoma Stallion Fillies Handicap on Sept. 6, the Oklahoma Classics Distaff Handicap on Oct. 18 and the Useeit Stakes on Dec. 13. Her only loss this meet was in the $200,000 Remington Park Oaks, an open-company affair, when she finished second to Alpine Princess. Other 2024 divisional champions: – Coal Battle (Coal Front) – Champion 2-year-old Male – Glee (Honor A.P.) – Ch. 2-year-old Female – Most Wanted (Candy Ride {Arg}) – Ch. 3-year-old Male – CW Prize (Code West) – Ch. Older Male – Doudoudouwanadance (Magna Graduate) – Ch. Older Female and Ch. Turf Performer – Jaxon Traveler (Munnings) – Ch. Sprinter – Clay's Black Opal (Not This Time) – Ch. Claimer The post Miss Code West Earns Another Horse of the Meeting Award at Remington appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In honor of Laffit Pincay Jr.'s legacy, Santa Anita has renamed its long-standing San Antonio Stakes the Laffit Pincay Jr. Stakes. The Grade II test will be contested on Thursday, Dec. 26, opening day of Santa Anita' s 90th anniversary season. Pincay will join fellow Hall of Fame jockeys Bill Shoemaker and Eddie Delahoussaye with a Santa Anita stakes race named in their honor. “It really means a lot,” Pincay said. “I remember when Shoemaker and Delahoussaye had a stakes named for them and I thought that was very special. Now I get the chance to have one in my name.” Pincay won the San Antonio Stakes five times, including his first victory came in 1968 aboard Rising Market for trainer Ted Saladin. Pincay will be in attendance to witness the first-ever running of his namesake race on opening day. He will also present the winning trophy. In addition, Pincay will host an autograph session from 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. at the Kingsbury Fountain. The first 1,200 fans in will be able to meet the living legend and receive a free autographed Laffit Pincay Jr. print. “I'll be there with my family,” Pincay said. “I usually don't miss the first day of racing, it's very important for me to be there. It's going to be a great day. I'm anxious to be there.” The post New Laffit Pincay Jr. Stakes Kicks off Santa Anita Opening Day Card appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association presented its listing of United States Graded and Listed Stakes Races for calendar year 2025, the results of its annual grading session conducted Dec. 16-17.View the full article

Cindy McDonald, Senior Vice President at KeyBank, has been appointed to the Board of Directors of The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF). McDonald is armed with a background in finance, strategic planning, and community engagement. “I am honored to join the TRF Board of Directors. I look forward to leveraging my 30 years of nonprofit experience to help drive the mission forward and support the extraordinary work TRF does for retired ,” said McDonald. As Senior Vice President at KeyBank, McDonald has an background in developing innovative financial strategies and fostering community partnerships. Her commitment to equine welfare and philanthropy supports TRF's dedication to improving the lives of retired Thoroughbreds and the people who care for them. “We are thrilled to welcome Cindy McDonald to our board,” said Patrick Mackay, Chairman of the TRF Board of Directors. “Her expertise in finance and her deep commitment to giving back to the community will undoubtedly strengthen our efforts to provide a secure future for the horses in our care. We are excited to have her perspective and leadership as we move forward.” The post Cindy McDonald Joins TRF Board of Directors appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Ocala Breeders' Sales Company (OBS) has catalogued 316 horses for its January Winter Mixed Sale to be held Jan. 28 and the OBSOnline January 2025 Sale is scheduled to begin Jan. 23, according to the auction company's Wednesday press release. The mixed single-session auction will begin at 11:00 a.m. ET. and features newly turned yearlings, broodmares, and broodmare prospects. Among the first-crop stallions represented with yearlings in the catalogue are OBS graduates Colonel Liam and Corniche, Early Voting, Epicenter, Golden Pal, Greatest Honour, Magic On Tap, Mandaloun, Mind Control, Mystic Guide, Mo Donegal, Nashville, Olympiad, Pinehurst, Roadster, and Speaker's Corner. The catalogue also offers yearlings and mares in foal to first-crop sires. Supplemental entries are being accepted until Jan. 16. Click here for complete information on registration and internet bidding. The OBSOnline January 2025 Sale–a timed auction for horses of racing age and 2-year-olds in-training–will be held in conjunction with the live January Winter Mixed Sale. Click here for more information. OBSOnline January 2025 Sale Dates Entries close-Jan. 14. Optional Under Tack-Jan. 17. Bidding Begins-Jan. 23, noon ET. Bidding Closes-Jan. 30, noon ET. The post OBS Catalogues 316 For 2025 January Winter Mixed Sale, OBSOnline Sale Also Scheduled appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Looking for top picks for Group 1 Ascot Park Hotel Invercargill Cup Day? The Invercargill Harness Racing Club has you covered. Check out the comprehensive tipping guide for Southland’s biggest day of harness racing on Friday. Punters and harness racing fans will be spoilt for choice with 12 races, including the Group 3 Brendan Franks Farrier David Moss Stakes and the Group 1 Ascot Park Hotel Invercargill Cup. Race 1 – Mc Knight and Brown Mobile Pace (2.55pm) A small but select field to kick a big day off with a tactical battle sure to play out. Always Dreaming brings the best credentials to the race and he drops in class after chasing NZ’s best 2YO Marketplace at Addington last start. With little value in backing the favourite, It’s Electrifying looks a strong each way option. He’s improving with every run in the South Island and he’s got the best draw of the leading chances. La Concha built nicely to a handy last-start victory at Addington and is a logical include, as is Here’s Johnny who is a must in Trifecta or First4 bets. Selections: Always Dreaming (6), Its Electrifying (4), Here’s Johny (1), La Concha (5) Suggested bet: Its Electrifying (4) – Each Way Race 2 – Craig Heyrick at Harcourts Real Estate Mobile Pace (3.34pm) Today’s second event sees a big field full of legitimate winning chances do battle. Ebury Street is set to start a deserved favourite on the back of a strong Oamaru win and good overall form. With another short-priced favourite, punters might be tempted to take one of two each way options in Haley Robyn and Lily’s A Star. Only tough draws are against this in-form pair. Haley Robyn has run two excellent races but must contend with barrier 8. Lily’s A Star has barrier 16, which will be no easy task, but she’s as talented as any horse here. Airwaves is another facing a tough draw, but his last start was good and he’s good enough to win. Selections: Ebury Street (6), Haley Robyn (8), Lily’s A Star (16), Airwaves (12) Suggested bet: Haley Robyn (8) or Lily’s A Star (16) Race 3 – Shaw Building Ltd Mobile Pace (4.08pm) Punters looking for a safe option should look no further than the very consistent Durrant. The six-year-old keeps fronting up and running solid races and another is expected today. Magnetic Beckers has faced tougher races than this and barrier five looks a workable draw for a horse of his ability. Robyns Playboy looks a nice value option from a sweet draw in barrier 2, consider him each way. Netherton Franco disappointed in her last start at Ascot Park but expect more from her today. Tabasco is another genuine winning hope in a wide-open event. Selections: Durrant (10), Magnetic Beckers (5), Robyns Playboy (2), Tabasco (11), Suggested bet: Magnetic Beckers (5) or Durrant (10) – Each way Race 4 – Sheet Metalcraft Ltd Handicap Trot (4.40pm) Race 4 sees a big field of evenly matched trotters do battle. Master Class is a talented and very reliable type who should give his backers a good run for their money. His recent second placings at Addington have been good and this looks a suitable race for him. Mixed Faith is a gritty type who won’t shirk a stern task and can offer some nice value. Emily is in a great patch of form and looks another solid each way option for punters. Though she comes in off a disappointing last-start effort, her prior form was good in strong races. The Present Maker is a talented type who will get plenty of support and has to be considered, too. Selections: Master Class (9), Mixed Faith (13), Emily (11), KD Royalty (12) Suggested bet: Master Class (9) – Each way Race 5 – Quantum Print Mobile Pace (5.07pm) Tricky draws for many of the leading chances set up yet another even race. Jay Ar Mac has shown promise in his short career and he’s produced nice recent trials, suggesting he is ready to run a big race. His last start third at Ascot Park was great and he’s a winning threat even from barrier 12. Shuffle Up is another with a tricky draw, he just needs a few breaks from barrier 9 to threaten. Cracker Opie has a nightmare alley in barrier 15 but he’s well up to winning, even from that tricky alley. From barrier 13, It’s A Pleasure is another genuine hope. Of those well placed in nice barriers, Shergar looks to have winning claims following his handy recent trials. Selections: Jayar Mac (12), Shuffle Up (9), Cracker Opie (15), Shergar (2) Suggested bet: Jayar Mac (12) – Each way Race 6 – SBSR Sires’ Stakes Southern Solstice – 5.41pm The 1700m distance of today’s three-year-old colts and geldings feature looks a key ingredient. Being handy to the pace will be essential over the sprint trip and Secret Agent Man looks well poised from barrier 5. He’s produced nice trials building up for his return today and was a classy winner of his only start on this track. Magician has faced better fields but it is a big ask to win from barrier 8, still he can’t be dismissed. Sodoyahavtime produced an excellent recent trial ahead of his return and he’s drawn to be right in the mix. Always B Elvis can’t be knocked after winning two from two, but his draw in barrier 9 looks no picnic. Selections: Secret Agent Man (5), Sodoyahavtime (4), Magician (8), Always B Elvis (9) Suggested bet: Secret Agent Man (5) – Win Race 7 – Brendan Franks Farrier David Moss Stakes (Group 3) – 6.21pm Muscle Mountain is a certified star and he’s expected to show exactly that in the feature trot. Though 30m is a decent handicap to face around the tight Ascot Park circuit, he’s a clear top pick and his class should make him very hard to beat. The favourite’s stablemate Midnight Dash is very honest, he’s well handicapped and he should be suited to this track. Consider him each way. Mystic Max is a proven top-level performer who also looks to be starting from a workable handicap. He’s a major player. From the front line, Rata can give the backmarkers something to catch. Hidden Talent and Styrax are both very capable types, but they can make mistakes. If they can bring their manners, they can both feature. Selections: Muscle Mountain (12), Midnight Dash (10), Mystic Max (9), Rata (3) Suggested bet: Muscle Mountain (12) and Midnight Dash (10) Race 8 – Canada Stakes 3YO Fillies Mobile pace – 7.00pm Ruby Roe hasn’t had much go her way in the best company at Addington recently, but with any luck on her side today she should prove hard to beat. She just needs to be within striking distance, expect her to be storming home. Louies Girl is another who has taken on very strong company recently, despite drawing poorly she’s a genuine threat. Melody Banner gets the best draw among the leading chances and with her best effort, she can win. Molly Belwin is another who should be storming home late, if she’s close enough on the turn she’s a threat. Consider First Light next. Selections: Ruby Roe (7), Louies Girl (8), Melody Banner (4), Molly Belwin (12) Suggested bet: Ruby Roe (7) – Win Race 9 – Ascot Park Hotel Invercargill Cup (Group 1) – 7.25pm What a contest we have in the feature, you can back any of the top threats in the race knowing you’ll be on a very talented type. Mo’unga looked in the zone in his warm up win at Addington last week and prior to that he was huge in his sixth in the New Zealand Cup. If he steps away as quickly as he can, he should make up his handicap quickly and take plenty of stopping. Republican Party loves a staying test, as seen in his big third in the New Zealand Cup. He is the most proven horse at this level in this race. Up-and-comer Rakero Rocket has speed to burn and with a clean getaway he’s a strong winning threat. Mr consistent Charlie Brown is a must-have for any Trifecta, First4 and combo bets. Also consider Pinseeker who is sure to be running on late. Selections: Mo’unga (10), Republican Party (11), Rakero Rocket (5), Charlie Brown (9) Suggested bet: Republican Party (11) – Win Race 10 – Forklifts NZ Ltd 2YO Fillies Mobile pace – 7.57pm As a Group 1 winner and a seriously speedy filly, Captains Mistress is clearly the horse to beat. Barrier 8 looks the only negative factor for the favourite, but with her sizzling speed, she can overcome her wide draw and win. Joyride looks to be building nicely with every run in her short career, she has few draw favours either but she’s got strong claims. Selsey Anne has shown quality in her short career and gets the advantage of drawing inside the two favourites. Spicey Crunch is another classy type facing a tricky draw, but she’s right up to featuring with any luck. Chicago Sky and Just Like Jagger look value options for Trifectas and First4s. Selections: Captains Mistress (8), Joyride(AUS) (7), Selsey Anne (6), Spicey Crunch (12) Suggested bet: Captains Mistress (8) – Win Race 11 – Diamond Creek Farm/ SBSR Robin Dundeee Crown – 8.24pm Those looking for a good thing on Group 1 Invercargill Cup Day, won’t find much better than Lakelsa. After competing in strong company recently, the mare produced a stunning victory with a flat tyre in her last start victory at Addington. Punters biggest question looks to be who will fill the combo bets around the favourite. Snap Shot is drawn inside the Lakelsa and is sure to have her right within her sights. Seacracka is a big chance of filling a placing, her only query is her tricky second-row draw. Flying Bird can run a cheeky race while Insarchatwist can also be considered. Selections: Lakelsa (7), Snap Shot (6), Seacracka (9), Flying Bird (11) Suggested bet: Lakelsa (7), Snap Shot (6), Seacracka (9) – Trifecta Race 12 – Ron McEwan Memorial Mobile Pace – (8.51pm) Tough draws for the key contenders make today’s finale a wide-open affair. Miraculous is the best-credentialled horse but faces a big ask from barrier 14. With any luck, he still rates the horse to beat. Aint No Angel draws nicely in barrier 1 and looks capable of running a nice race at good odds. South Seas Rock loves this track and is sure to be put in the race and given his chance. Beach Day is a talented mare, fit and ready to win today even from her wide draw. Always B There and Judaque are both in great form and can also be considered. Selections: Miraculous (14), Aint No Angel (1), South Seas Rock (13), Beach Day (7) Suggested bet: Miraculous (14) – Each way McClymont’s dual hopes for Group victory at Ascot Park By Jonny Turner There’s more to Gay McClymont keeping her outstanding run of form going when Styrax and Rata head to Group 1 Ascot Park Invercargill Cup Day on Friday. With a wave of Canterbury raiders attacking the feature races on the south’s big day, McClymont holds some of the biggest hopes of a Southland victory. Rata and Styrax head to the Brendan Franks Farrier David Moss Trot with one mission in mind, taking advantage of their front-line draws and running their rivals ragged in from the front line. Styrax did exactly that in her outstanding win at Winton last weekend, never giving anything else a look in and never looking like getting run down. This time in, the mare has shown when she’s hot she’s hot. And she’s shown her trainer similar traits in her temperament around her barn. “I had a bit of a laugh when that other horse went up and tried to take the lead off her, she almost had a look of disdain on her face.” Styrax is on an eight-day backup following her Winton win, but it’s not something McClymont is worried about at all. “She ties up if she has days off, she is a funny old thing,” the trainer said. “She can have one day off but that is about it.” “I lost most of the season last season with it, we could never get the right pattern with her.” “And we could never really get to the bottom of exactly what the issue was.” “She seems to thrive on the racing, she is coming from her recent runs and she barely even blows.” “Even the swabbing stewards notice, she barely looks like she’s had a race.” “So backing up won’t worry her.” Both with big, powerful motors, so far Rata has the edge in being the more reliable of the two McClymont trained trotters. Styrax has galloped away in two of her three latest standing starts, but one of those errors came after a false start. Rata hasn’t missed a beat recently, stringing together outstanding form before brilliantly winning the Group Two Grand Duchess Mares Trot at Addington, last month. The big sister of the trotting duo comes into Ascot Park in a contrasting situation, being freshened since her last start win. McClymont just hopes Rata isn’t too fresh. “She has had a freshen up since Addington, they both worked at Gore today (Tuesday) and they worked quite well.” “They’ll have a couple of quieter days now.” “Rata is usually the sensible one, but because she is fresh she can throw her head about and you just hope she will be able to step away.” “But to be fair, she is generally reasonably safe.” If McClymont can do Southland proud on one of its biggest days, it will continue a run of form this spring the trainer is already describing as unbelievable. “It has been a wee bit unbelievable, you don’t get your hopes up because you win a few but you lose a lot.” “It has been pretty special.” “I have always loved both of them, though sometimes Styrax can be hard to love with her personality.” “But they have always shown a lot of ability and it has been good they have been able to show it.” Jonny Cox reunites with Styrax on Friday with Brad Williamson to continue his association with Styrax. View the full article

Mt. Brilliant Family Foundation has signed on for the third consecutive year as the presenting sponsor for the Thoroughbred Charities of America's (TCA) upcoming 35th Annual Stallion Season Auction to be held Wednesday, Jan. 8 through Sunday, Jan. 12, the organization said via a Wednesday press release. The largest fundraiser for the TCA opens with an online auction beginning at 9:00 a.m. ET. Jan. 8 and continues through 4:00 p.m. ET. on Friday, Jan. 10. The online auction will offer over 200 seasons to stallions standing in 13 states and Canada. The majority of the seasons will sell during the online auction however several seasons including Arabian Knight, Constitution, Not This Time, National Treasure, Cogburn, Timberlake, Vekoma, and more will be sold in the live auction on Sunday, Jan. 12 at Harper Hall in Lexington, Kentucky. Tickets are available here. Bidders or their authorized agents may bid on the select seasons by attending the live auction in-person, or they may email ehalliwell@tca.org to register to bid online or by telephone. A silent auction will also be offered. All non-season items will be available via online bidding. In addition to Mt. Brilliant, other TCA Stallion Season Auction sponsors include Equine Athlete Veterinary Services, Rocket Ship Racing, Peoples Bank, Coolmore America, Ocala Breeders' Sales, Equine Medical Associates, Bourbon Lane Stable Retirement Fund, Top Line Sales, Equine Medical of Ocala, Julie Davies, Pick View LLC, Paul Sharp Stables, Niall Brennan Stables, Brookdale Sales, Ocala Stud, Scanlon Training and Sales, Ballyrankin Stud, L.V. Harkness, Thoroughbred Daily News, Paulick Report, BloodHorse and Daily Racing Form. The post Mt. Brilliant To Return As Presenting Sponsor For TCA Stallion Season Auction Jan. 8-12 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Tim Layden, Ed Schuyler, Jr., and the late Edwin Pope have been selected to the National Museum of Racing's Joe Hirsch Media Roll of Honor, the repository for racing's history said in a press release on Wednesday morning. The honor roll was established in 2010 to recognize individuals whose careers have been dedicated to, or substantially involved in, writing about Thoroughbred racing (non-fiction), and who distinguished themselves as journalists. Layden is a four-time Eclipse Award winner and the 2015 recipient of the Walter Haight Award for career excellence in turf writing from the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters (NTWAB). He won his first Eclipse in 1987 in the newspaper writing category and has since won Eclipses for feature/commentary in 2018, 2022, and 2023. Schuyler covered primarily horse racing and boxing for The Associated Press from 1960 until his retirement in 2002. He was the NTWAB selection for the 1996 Walter Haight Award. Pope (1928-2017) won three Eclipse Awards for newspaper writing (1976, 1982, 1986) during his journalism career–each of those awards was earned while covering racing for the Miami Herald, where he began working in 1956. Recent selections to the Joe Hirsch Media Roll of Honor include: Walter Haight (2021), Jack Mann (2021), Jay Privman (2021), Heywood Hale Broun (2022), Bert Morgan (2022), Damon Runyon (2022), Dick Jerardi (2023), Paul Moran, and John L. Hervey. The post Layden, Schuyler, Pope Added To Joe Hirsch Media Roll Of Honor appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Veteran rider Stewart Elliott closed out the Remington Park Thoroughbred meet Dec. 13 on a high note with three stakes wins and a second consecutive leading rider title.View the full article

Dear Santa, As the clock ticks down on another year we can hopefully all agree that we have much to be grateful for. Racing in many ways seems to have recovered its footing from our headline fatality troubles and we just learned the fatality rate at HISA tracks continues to decline. Who can argue that we are not making progress and moving in the right and needed direction in making racing safer? I do have two requests for you, Santa. First, I would love to learn from the NHBPA an answer to this question: what is it you really want in your fight over HISA? I'd love to believe it's all about the constitutionality of it all. It sounds good (to them, I guess) but let's be serious. Few if any of us are Rhodes Scholars or constitutional experts. We just have a very hard time believing this is what it's all about for you. So please tell us what is it you want from the rest of us when it comes to HISA? Because most of us just don't know. Second, dear Santa, is please put the powers to be in a room and let them try to hammer out their differences. Stop the insanity. Do we really want to put our fate in the hands of the Supreme Court? Do we really want to turn the clock backwards and threaten our right to exist? I'm exaggerating, you say? If I want to take my grandchildren to the circus I'll have to go to Europe!. Let's do it as a gift to the industry that they claim to so dearly love. If you can please deliver this gift under the horse racing industry tree, well then maybe there really is a Santa Claus! Merry Christmas, A concerned elderly elf, Craig Bandoroff P.S. Okay, so while I'm at it here is one more. Let's let everyone realize the importance of supporting aftercare. Our opponents really do care what happens to our horses. Thanks, Santa. Now get back to work! The post Letter To The Editor: A Christmas Wish For Our Industry appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Young South African continues his strong season, while Vincent Ho is taken to hospital after a fall.View the full article

American owner Susan 'Pearly' Fallon, who lit up the Tattersalls December Foal Sale with a 700,000gns purchase of a Frankel (GB) filly out of Archangel Gabriel (Arch), is looking forward to seeing her colours graced on a British racecourse for the first time at Wolverhampton on Friday. Fallon, who is based in America and works in the private aviation business, will be represented by the Ed Bethell-trained A War Eagle (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) in an extended mile maiden with Aidan Keeley set to ride. Just like the 700,000gns Frankel filly, A War Eagle was purchased by bloodstock agent Amanda Skiffington. He was sourced at last year's Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale for €75,000 from Aughamore Stud and he forms part of a growing squad of exclusively British- or Irish-based horses for the owner. Fallon said, “I was a competitive equestrian growing up so I have been involved with horses all of my life. But I am relatively new to the racing world–a little over a year now. I've always loved racing. Every single one of our horses are based in Ireland and England. The reason for that is because I love the people over there and I love the style of racing in Europe as well. I also feel very strongly about the treatment of the horses and, as a whole, I really love the experiences I have had in Britain and Ireland.” She added, “We have A War Eagle making his debut on Friday with Ed Bethell and my Sioux Nation colt went to William Haggas on Tuesday. His name is King's English and I am absolutely in love with him. I have a Time Test (GB) filly that is also going to Ed, a Starman (GB), who we haven't decided where she will go, and an Australia (GB) colt who goes to Jessica Harrington. There is also a Zoustar (Aus) colt, whose name is Caviar Cowboy, and he will go to James Fanshawe. I have gotten to know all of my trainers personally and I cannot say enough nice things about them all. I feel very fortunate to be working with them all.” Fallon jokes that she's dealing with “jets in the air and jets on the racetrack.” However, with three broodmares on the farm at Felley Priory Stud, it's safe to say Fallon is adopting a patient approach to her endeavours in the sport. She explained, “I have been in private aviation for quite a while and I enjoy that very much. I have a very entrepreneurial spirit and had a dermatological skin care company for over 15 years. My father flew for fun and I started my pilot's licence years and years ago so aviation has been my career path more recently in life. We work with a lot of interesting people. I love people in general so it is a perfect fit for me. Racing has lots of colourful characters as well.” Fallon continued, “I'm interested in all aspects of the sport. We have three mares and are expecting our first foals in the spring. One of the mares is in foal to Chaldean (GB), who we are very excited about. But from the smell of the tack room to the lights of the race track, I love every single aspect of the sport. The mares are based at Felley Priory Stud, which is where Amanda Skiffington, who is our bloodstock agent, is based.” On linking up with Skiffington, she added, “Nicholas Varney is a long-time friend. Amanda had purchased A Lilac Rolla (Ire) (Harry Angel {Ire}) for Nicholas, so he decided to put me in connection with Amanda. It's just been a match made in heaven. We've had a lot of fun together and she is so talented. She has a true gift and I have learned so much from her already. It's been a quick year of getting started and we have about 12 horses now.” A hugely successful businesswoman, Fallon has some lofty ambitions for her growing string and has surrounded herself with the best in the business in order to inch herself ever closer to her dream of one day winning the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. She said, “We're being strategic. I have very big goals and I want to make sure we are doing things the right way. Malcolm Bastard does all of our pre-training and, as I said, we have some brilliant trainers working with us. Personally, I love a trip horse and we are very patient. I know that a lot of people love to see action at two but we are happy to wait. A lot of the horses we bought are mile-plus horses and we're prepared to wait for them.” Fallon added, “I'm going to be honest, I don't have any specific goals for the horses that we have at the moment. With A War Eagle, who is just about to make his first start, we will just see and let him tell us where he fits in. But I do have a big goal. And a lot of people laugh when I tell them this, but it is my dream to win the Arc. I get it, I would laugh, too, if somebody said it. However, if it can be done by somebody like me, I will do it. And if I don't, I will die trying.” The post Big-Spending American Owner Looks Forward To First Runner In Britain On Friday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sam Mynott woke up to a pleasing result from her hospital bed on Wednesday afternoon, with Electron(NZ) (Turn Me Loose) taking out the Stella Artois 1500 Qualifying Race (1600m) at Ruakaka. The Cambridge horsewoman was having thumb surgery whilst her Turn Me Loose mare travelled to the far north, aiming to bounce back into the winner’s circle after fading from a tough three-wide trip at Ellerslie last start. In a compact six-horse field, jockey Joe Doyle allowed Electron to stride forward on to the lead and the race was entirely in his control, stealing cheap sectionals down the back straight before kicking hard on the home corner. Race favourite Bella Luce had tracked the mare throughout and was on even terms temporarily, but Electron had plenty left to give in the finish and found the line strongly to score by 1-1/2 lengths, with Girls Light Up back in third. After watching the replay back, Mynott was delighted with the run, particularly after missing a number of starts in the Central Districts of late. “I missed the race as I was having thumb surgery, so I woke up to the result,” she said. “It’s the same thumb I’ve had a couple of surgeries on, they’ve fused it this time so hopefully that’s the end of it. “I’ve just watched the race back and Joe got away with it cheaply in front and she looked like she still had a bit left at the line. “At the end of the day, I just put a line through that run at Ellerslie, she had a little freshen-up and has been working really well. I’ve been nominating her for races and they haven’t really been suitable, she went down to Taranaki and it turned into a Heavy 10 so I late-scratched, then we scratched from the wide draw at Tauherenikau. “We’ve been waiting for the right race and circumstances, and it was worth the wait today.” Mynott purchased Electron for $1,000 via gavelhouse.com just over a year ago and had intended to get her in foal this season, but after being served, the scan came back negative. “She’s hasn’t got the best wind in the world, I think that may hinder her eventually when she steps up the levels a bit more,” Mynott said. “But the way she relaxed and ran on today, she might actually carry on, because she unfortunately scanned negative. “When I bought her, I loved her type, I had a horse that I pre-trained for another trainer that ended up winning a few races and I thought they were quite similar. She was quite tricky at the start, but she’s a really sweet and kind mare and she tries very hard, which I think goes a long way.” Bred by Ben Kwok, Electron is out of an unraced Shamardal mare Chemistry, and she has earned her trainer just shy of $30,000 in stakes with two victories and a placing from eight starts. View the full article

David and Emma-Lee Browne are hoping to continue to make their presence felt on Australian shores during autumn, as exciting three-year-olds Scary(NZ) (Shocking) and Statuario look to build on their spring momentum. The Browne stable has gone from strength to strength since relocating from New Zealand to Pakenham, with the husband-and-wife training team hoping that a run of second placings during the spring will graduate to winners in the coming months. “(I’m) incredibly proud of how the team is going, we just obviously like being bridesmaid quite a lot!” said Emma-Lee Browne. “But when you’re coming second during the carnival, for a very small team, we were super proud of them.” Group 1 Victoria Derby runner-up Scary is back in work following a spell at home since the Flemington contest. “We were incredibly proud of him. I think the whole family lost their voices!” she said. “He’s a lovely horse. He’s got an amazing nature, as a colt. “He was supposed to have about five or six weeks off, but probably like the lad he is, he went out and enjoyed his holiday immensely and we sort of looked at him one day and thought ‘Oh, you better come back in’! “He’s a lovely horse to work with because he’s easy to deal with, he enjoys the job.” Browne already has routes in mind for the son of Shocking. “His rating has gone up very highly … you want to make the most of the three-year-old year in that respect, also with him being a colt,” she said. “I think we’re sort of looking at probably starting him off in the C.S. Hayes, it’s probably going to be a bit sharp for him, first-up. But then we’re sort of going to have to go the three-year-old route and hopefully be up in Sydney.” The stable will look to plot a different path for son of D’argento Statuario as he heads towards his three-year-old autumn campaign. “It would be nice to split them up,” Browne said. “I think the Autumn Stakes is a week before. He’s probably a little sharper (than Scary), so we’ll probably be able to keep him a little shorter.” Like Scary, the grey gelding only made his racecourse debut in August, quickly building through the grades to a runner-up finish in the Listed Batman Stakes during the Melbourne Cup Carnival. “We kept saying to the owner, ‘We don’t think he’s quite ready yet’ and then he kept stepping up,” she said. “It’s been so nice watching him develop during the spell. “He’s back in now and he’s grown up a lot, I think he’s got a big future.” View the full article

Progressive staying mare Kattegat(NZ) (Redwood) is expected to return to top form at Otaki on Thursday. The daughter of Redwood has been patiently handled and another major reward beckons the Shaun Fannin and Hazel Schofer-trained six-year-old in the Wheelhouse Sports Bar Horowhenua Christmas Cup (2100m). Kattegat was an Ellerslie winner two runs back before she was a beaten favourite at Trentham, where she finished midfield from the ace draw, but there is confidence in the camp that she can turn her form around. “Barrier one doesn’t really work for her and tends to let herself down when she gets back on the rail among other horses,” Schofer said. “She’s a lot better on the outside and coming wide with a clear run, nothing went her way and we would expect her to bounce back on Thursday. “She came through Trentham really well and we think this is a winnable race for her.” Kattegat’s staying talent was to have been showcased on a bigger stage last month before an untimely mishap in the lead into the Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) “She got to Riccarton and unfortunately kicked the box the night she arrived so that was disappointing,” Schofer said. The stable has given thought to a start in the Gr.3 NZ Campus of Innovation & Sport Wellington Cup (3200m) but have had a rethink. “The idea was to go there, but she has been to Trentham three times and hasn’t really performed in any of them,” Schofer said. “We’ll probably look to get her back up to Ellerslie for a staying race at some stage, but there’s nothing really set in concrete. “There is a Rating 75 on Auckland Cup Day and that is something we might look at for her if she doesn’t get too high in the points.” A three-time winner from 14 starts, Kattegat will be partnered by Jonathan Riddell who will also be on stablemate Grahams Pride(NZ) (Savabeel) in the Riverside Construction Maiden (1600m) while Kate Hercock will ride Linara in the Paint It Couloursmart Maiden (1400m). “They have both got good draws so we would be expecting them to be putting on good shows,” Schofer said. Savabeel gelding Grahams Pride has placed twice in three outings and will be making a fresh start and Lonhro four-year-old Linara is also in good touch. “Grahams Pride trialled up really well, whether the mile finds him out first-up I don’t know but we still expect him to run really well,” Schofer said. “Linara was a really good second last time out at Otaki where he was probably run off his feet a little bit over 1200m so the 1400 looks ideal for him.” View the full article

Former New Zealand Horse of the Year Sharp ‘N’ Smart(NZ) (Redwood) is set to head to Trentham on Saturday to kick-off his summer campaign and ready for a Group One assignment at the Upper Hutt track next month. The son of Redwood was runner-up in the Gr.1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) as a three-year-old before going on to win the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) and Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m), and trainers Graeme and Debbie Rogerson are keen to go one better in the Harcourts-sponsored race next month. He will prepare for the feature mile this weekend when he lines-up at Trentham in the Gr.2 Bramco Granite & Marble Manawatu Challenge Stakes (1400m), where he will be ridden by Ryan Elliot from barrier three. His trainers are pleased with the five-year-old gelding ahead of Saturday, where he will be fresh off a mixed Melbourne Spring campaign, where his third placing in the Gr.2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m) was bookended by unplaced runs in the Gr.1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) and Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m). “The first run he struck a real bog track in the Turnbull,” Graeme Rogerson said. “He went super in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup where he had 59kg, he had to give a lot of weight away, and he came from last to run third. And things didn’t quite go right in the Cup for him. “He looks good, and he is back on track. He had a gallop between races at Te Rapa. “He is getting ready to go back down on January 11th for the Thorndon Mile and then he will go back to the Herbie Dyke.” Team Rogerson will also be represented at Trentham by Skymax(NZ) (Ferrando) in the Gr.3 Lawnmaster Eulogy Stakes (1600m). The daughter of Ferrando finished sixth in the Gr.2 Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) and Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) in her last two outings, and Rogerson believes she will be competitive in Saturday’s three-year-old fillies’ feature. “She went well (in the 1000 Guineas), she is probably just below the top three-year-olds,” Rogerson said. “She is going towards the Oaks (Gr.1, 2400m), so it is a nice race for her and young Bailey (Rogerson, apprentice jockey) will ride her. I think she is a chance.” Rounding out the stable’s representation at Trentham will be fellow three-year-old Elegant Jazz(NZ) (Russian Revolution) in the Vernon And Vazey Truck Parts 3YO 1200. The daughter of Russian Revolution won first-up at Rotorua earlier this month, and Rogerson is hoping for a repeat performance this weekend. “She seems to have come back well as a three-year-old, so we will give her a chance,” he said. “It is a nice race for her and we will go from there with her.” View the full article

Tony Pike is confident Golden Century(NZ) (Pierro) can realise his full potential over ground and his opinion has been endorsed by a major international player. The Cambridge trainer’s lightly raced son of Pierro has recently been purchased by OTI Racing, but for the foreseeable future will remain in his care. Golden Century has hit the line well to finish third in both of his starts up to 1400m and is expected to show his true worth once stepped up in trip. Pike had intended to give the three-year-old that opportunity in Friday’s Ancroft Stud Maiden (1600m) at Matamata, but plans have been dashed by a wide barrier (10). “OTI bought the horse in the last 10 days or so and he’s probably unlikely to run from that draw,” he said. “There’s a lot of racing to come and it’s an awkward gate around Matamata so we’re likely to wait a week or 10 days and run in a nice mile race somewhere and see where we can get to this preparation.” The dream outcome would be a crack at the Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie on March 8. “They are going to leave him here to see if he is mature enough to get to the Derby and he will head to Australia before or after that, depending how he goes in his next couple of runs,” Pike said. “He’s a lovely big, scopey type of horse and is still learning his trade, he’s one of those types that’s given us the feeling that once he gets to 2000m and possibly further, will come right into his own.” With Golden Century unlikely to start, Pike’s only runner on Friday will be Pax Mundi in the Noble & Lee Accountants (1400m). She was a resuming sixth after missing the jump at Ellerslie earlier this month. “She has improved off that first-up run, but it’s a pretty hot field to be fair and probably just a place chance,” he said. Meanwhile, untried and proven members of the stable were to the fore at Tuesday’s Pukekohe trials where juveniles Argo and Justice For All won their 800m trials, while Pink Gem finished runner-up. Stakes winners Poetic Champion, Acquarello and Churchillian also impressed ahead of opening their summer campaigns. “Some nice two-year-olds trialled well and two or three of them will head to the races in the short term,” Pike said. “Argo, Justice For All and Pink Gem will probably run sometime in the next two or three weeks, there’s plenty of races coming up.” Unraced Exceed And Excel three-year-old Vortex Bay also easily won his 800m heat to draw attention to the colt’s future prospects. “He’s a lovely horse and has come back in great order after a break and has really improved from two to three,” Pike said. “He couldn’t have been more impressive and looks a nice sprinting type for after Christmas and into the autumn.” Poetic Champion and Churchillian won their respective heats and Acquarello wasn’t pressured to finish fourth in her hit-out. “We’ll have a regroup in the next two or three days with Poetic Champion and make a decision whether he runs in the Telegraph (Gr.1, 1200m) or wait for the three-year-old 1200m race (Gr.3 Almanzor Trophy) on Karaka Millions night,” Pike said. “Churchillian and Acquarello will go to the Royal Descent Stakes (1400m) at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.” View the full article

What Newcastle Races Where Newcastle Racecourse – 100 Darling St, Broadmeadow NSW 2292 When Thursday, December 19, 2024 First Race 1:45pm AEDT Visit Dabble Provincial racing returns to Newcastle on Thursday afternoon, with a quickfire seven-part program awaits punters. The rail moves out +2m the entire circuit for the meeting, and although the surface is rated a Good 4 at the time of acceptances, scattered showers are likely to force a downgrade into the Soft range at some stage. The opening event is scheduled to get underway at 1:45pm local time. Best Bet at Newcastle: Manuscript Although Manuscript suffered a 4.7-length defeat at the hands of Private Harry at Rosehill on December 7, punters can expect the son of Written By to bounce back. The three-year-old gelding was outclassed on that occasion and simply didn’t handle the worsening Soft 7 conditions. He was a dominant winner the start prior to breaking his maiden at Wyong on November 9, and provided he can improve getting onto a firmer surface, watch for Manuscript to make every post a winner and justify favouritism with Neds. Best Bet Race 5 – #4 Manuscript (1) 3yo Gelding | T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | J: Winona Costin (58kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Newcastle: Cold Brew The Richard & Will Freedman-trained Cold Brew caught the eye in a recent barrier trial at Rosehill on November 14 and appears ready to strike first-up. The Pierro gelding was never fully extended, still powering along the inside running rail to score by a half-length. Rachel King takes the rein from stall six on debut, and she can lob somewhere mid-field with cover, expect Cold Brew to explode down the centre of the course when asked for the ultimate effort in the concluding stages. Next Best Race 3 – #3 Cold Brew (6) 3yo Gelding | T: Richard & Will Freedman | J: Rachel King (57.5kg) Bet with BlondeBet Best Value at Newcastle: Otono Otono represents terrific each-way value with Picklebet as she returns after a 161-day spell. The daughter of The Autumn Sun debuted on the Canberra Acton circuit on July 10 last preparation, managing to close into second after getting too far back in an on-speed dominated affair. She sneaks under the radar after finishing last in her latest barrier trials doing no work in behind, and although Reece Jones will have no choice but to drag back again from gate 10, Otono should be coming with a withering burst to break her maiden status. Best Value Race 7 – #1 Otono (10) 4yo Mare | T: Joseph Pride | J: Reece Jones (59.5kg) Bet with Picklebet Thursday quaddie tips for Newcastle Newcastle quadrella selections December 19, 2024 2-4-6 1-4-9 1-2-3-5-9 1-3-4-5-11 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Frocks at the Trots is back as part of the 2025 Team Teal campaign. The fashion in the fields competition ran for the first time in 2024 and was seen as a successful addition to the Team Teal Campaign. This year it will be run again with four heats and a final. The final winner will win a trip to Mooloolaba Peninsula Resort and be crowned the 2025 Frocks at the Trots Winner. The four “Frocks” heats will be : Heat 1 – Cambridge Raceway – January 27 Heat 2 – Amberley Trotting Club Meeting at Rangiora – February 6 Heat 3 – Gore Harness Racing Club – February 16 Heat 4 – Online – February 24 Final – Addington Raceway – March 14 Outfits must incorporate teal and all entries must be aged 18 plus and officially register prior to each of the heats. More information is available in the brochure here Since 2018 Harness Racing New Zealand has been involved in the annual Team Teal campaign to increase awareness of ovarian cancer, and raise funds for research. View the full article