Wandering Eyes

Undefeated ‘TDN Rising Star’ Siyarafina (Fr) (Pivotal {GB}) was surprisingly not supplemented to the G1 Emirates Poule d’Essai des Pouliches at ParisLongchamp on May 12 for which she would have been the likely favourite, Jour de Galop reported on Tuesday. Instead, 14 fillies stood their ground at the latest confirmation stage, with the His Highness the Aga Khan homebred, who won an Apr. 4 Saint-Cloud maiden in taking style before a ParisLongchamp conditions race Apr. 22, failing to please in a racecourse gallop. Trainer Alain de Royer Dupre has opted to skip the one-mile Classic with the daughter of the SW Siyenica (Fr) (Azamour {Ire}). The post Siyarafina Not Supplemented to French 1000 Guineas appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Pat Smullen, the nine-time Irish champion jockey, has announced his retirement from race riding. Smullen, 41, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in March 2018 and has subsequently been undergoing treatment. While his recovery from illness continues to be positive, he has decided, on medical advice, to call time on his career in the saddle. Writing in his weekly TDN column, he said, “I have had a frank discussion with my doctors and I gave them the full details of the way of life of a jockey, and what I’d have to go through to get back to full fitness, to get back to the weight that I need to be, and to compete at the level I want to compete at. They advised me that I should not compromise my immune system in any way. So, taking that into account, the right thing for me to do is to call it a day. “I’ve been very fortunate through my career to meet some great people and to ride some very good horses. I have a lot of cherished memories of a great career, and I’m very thankful for that. Now it’s the second chapter of my life. I think everyone has gathered by now that horses are everything in my life. I know nothing else and I’m determined that I’ll still work within the industry and, hopefully, I can be of some benefit.” Read Pat Smullen’s column here in full, in which he reflects on his successful career as a multiple Classic-winning jockey and acknowledges the people and horses who helped his rise to the top of the sport. The post Pat Smullen Retires appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

TDN’s weekly columnist, the nine-time Irish champion jockey Pat Smullen, reflects on his career in the saddle as he makes an important announcement. I am using this week’s column to let everyone know that I have made the decision to retire. I have had a frank discussion with my doctors and I gave them the full details of the way of life of a jockey, and what I’d have to go through to get back to full fitness, to get back to the weight that I need to be, and to compete at the level I want to compete at. They advised me that I should not compromise my immune system in any way. So, taking that into account, the right thing for me to do is to call it a day. I’m sure everyone will understand that while it’s sad and difficult for me, it’s not as difficult as I thought it might be because I see the bigger picture. My health has to come first now, and I can’t compromise that. It was always going to be a hard road to get back to race riding, and there was nobody more aware of that than myself. But, when you’re faced with what I was faced with over the last 14 months, you come to realise what’s most important in life, and I’m very fortunate that I’m in a position, hopefully, to live a full and healthy life from here onwards. I’m so grateful to be in that position now. Race riding was everything to me through my life and, obviously, it was always in the back of my mind that I’d make a return, but I made the promise to myself at the beginning that if everything went well health-wise, that if I wasn’t able to get back to the level that I was at when I stopped, I wouldn’t come back at all. I don’t want to make a huge deal of it but it’s been a tough year and it has taken its toll on my body. I had two surgeries and when I recovered from that I had to then face another round of chemotherapy treatment. It was tough going but it has all been worthwhile and thankfully it has gone very well. Whatever has gone in the past in my career, and I like to think I achieved a little bit, this was the biggest achievement of all, getting through this, and I definitely now see life from a different perspective. I can never be thankful enough to the medical people who have given me a second chance at life. I’ve been very fortunate through my career to meet some great people and to ride some very good horses. I have a lot of cherished memories of a great career, and I’m very thankful for that. Now it’s the second chapter of my life. I think everyone has gathered by now that horses are everything in my life. I know nothing else and I’m determined that I’ll still work within the industry and, hopefully, I can be of some benefit. So many people to thank I wouldn’t have got through this without my wife Frances being by my side. She’s an amazing woman and we’ve had great days together on the track as well. Our best day as a family was when she won the 1000 Guineas with Saoire (GB) and I won the Tattersalls Gold Cup on Grey Swallow (Ire) on the same day for Dermot Weld. She was a great rider herself and an exceptionally good trainer, and she gave it up to support me in my career and to raise our family. You can’t ask for more from one person than what she has given me. I have to thank my parents who allowed me to go on and pursue my dream by letting me leave school at 15, and my agent Kevin O’Ryan, who is also my brother-in-law. We’ve had a great relationship and he helped me to be champion jockey on nine occasions. I am also hugely appreciative of the sponsorship of Malih Al Basti through his Al Basti Equiworld. Along with my friends and my family, I also want to thank the people that I don’t even know who have got in touch with me over the last couple of months. The support I’ve had from the wider public has been overwhelming. I’d like to think that I treated people with respect throughout my career and I think that all came back to me in a time of need. I served my apprenticeship with Tom Lacy only two miles away from where I’m living now. His family were so supportive, they took me in and treated me like one of their own. They gave me an opportunity to ride and one of the achievements that I’m most proud of was being champion apprentice two years running while I with Tom. That was something very special. Joanna Morgan also gave me a great opportunity by introducing me to racehorses and she played a big part as well. As things were starting to go very well, I got the opportunity to ride as second jockey for John Oxx when Johnny Murtagh was there, and that just brought me to another level. He introduced me to big owners and better-class horses. As we all know, John Oxx is a gentleman of the sport and they were two very good years of my career working for him. While I was riding for John, I also got the opportunity to ride good horses for Tommy Stack, who was very supportive at that time as well. They were all influential people who gave me an opportunity which I’d like to think I took with both hands. When Michael Kinane moved to Ballydoyle, Dermot Weld was looking for a stable jockey and, thankfully, he took a chance on me. His main owner at the time, who is still there, was Moyglare Stud. I have to thank Stan Cosgrove, who was the manager of Moyglare at the time, for being supportive of taking on a young rider that was inexperienced and give him an opportunity and obviously that was backed up by Mr Haefner. Eva Bucher Haefner took over the running of Moyglare Stud from her father and both she and Fiona Craig have continued to be a great support, never more so than over the last 14 months, for which I am greatly appreciative. We all know that these jobs don’t come around too often and there was an element of being in the right place at the right time for me, but those people took a chance on me, and gave me that opportunity to ride at the highest level and I’ll never be able to thank them enough. I’m sure I frustrated Dermot for the first couple of years, trying to filly Mick Kinane’s boots was never going to be an easy task. I made mistakes but, thankfully, we got through that and we had a very fruitful partnership for the next 15 years after that. It’s the stuff of dreams to get the opportunity to ride for the likes of Dermot Weld and while I’ve had the last year out and have been thinking about things, I have realised how fortunate I was that those people let me live out my dream of being a top jockey. I feel my biggest achievement was the fact that I was able to hold down the job with Dermot for the amount of years that I did. That’s something I’m very proud of. I’d like to think I was consistent throughout my career. I might not have done anything brilliant, but I think I was consistent, the whole way through. I think that’s very important in a stable jockey’s job, and that’s what I loved being, the stable jockey. It’s All About The Horses I’m not prepared to stop riding horses, and I want to get my body back in shape to be able to ride out in the mornings, and hopefully that will happen in the very near future. As a rider I always loved the mornings. I loved getting the feel of a good horse and I think my feedback in the mornings was pretty good as well. I’m looking forward to getting back to riding work. It will give me that buzz that I need. That’s what strengthens me, the excitement of getting back on a horse and the sooner that happens, the better. I’ve been fortunate to have ridden so many good horses over the years. Vinne Roe (Ire) came along early in my career at a time when I needed a good horse. He just cemented the relationship with Dermot and allowed me to prove I was able to ride a horse at the highest level. He came back year after year in the St Leger and we ran second in the Melbourne Cup to Makybe Diva, and fourth in the Melbourne Cup as well. To win five Classics on one horse is just something quite special. He’s the one horse I have a real soft spot for and always will have. Dress to Thrill (Ire) is probably the most unfortunate horse that I’ve ever ridden in that she won the Matriarch and the Sun Chariot, and the following year those races were upgraded from Group 2 to Group 1, so she should have been a three-time Group 1 winner. She was an amazing filly and she showed that when she beat Golden Apples (Ire) and Banks Hill (GB) in the GI Matriarch in Hollywood Park. That was a great day. Another very important filly in my life was Covert Love (Ire). The first time I saw her was in the paddock before she won the Irish Oaks and I am very grateful to Mark McStay, her co-breeder, for asking me to ride her. I was very fortunate to ride a lot of good horses for Moyglare, such as Refuse To Bend (Ire), and also Sheikh Hamdan and Juddmonte, and then His Highness the Aga Khan came on board. The best day of my career was winning the Epsom Derby on Harzand (Ire). That was just a huge, huge day for me. I know it’s a bit of a cliche, but it is a childhood dream to win the Epsom Derby if you want to be a Flat jockey. To achieve that, and at a time in my career where I actually appreciated it and took it all in on the day, was fantastic. He was a great horse, and to end my career after winning an Epsom Derby, I think it’s a fulfilled career. While nothing will replace race riding for me, it’s time to move on. It’s the right thing for me, it’s the right thing for my family and, most importantly, it’s the right thing for my health. I’ve been very fortunate, I’m content with the decision and I’m looking forward to being able to contribute and give something back to the industry in some shape or form. The post The Pat Smullen Column: The Time Has Come To Retire appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission has denied a request from Maximum Security’s owner Gary West to appeal the stewards’ disqualification of his horse from the Kentucky Derby, according to the Louisville Courier-Journal and other published reports. On Monday, West said that he would appeal the dq, and his Lexington-based attorney Barry Stilz filed a letter with the KHRC later that day, citing `arbitrary and capricious acts’ by the stewards. John Forgy, general counsel for the KHRC, responded to Stilz Monday night rejecting that appeal, citing KHRC regulations which state that stewards’ findings are final and not subject to an appeal. “The stewards unanimously disqualified Maximum Security following two objections lodged immediately after the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby and after a thorough review of the race replay. That determination is not subject to an appeal,” read the letter. “As a condition of licensure and for the privilege of participating in horse racing, every licensee agrees to abide by the Commission’s rules and regulations, including the rules and regulations outlined above. Your clients agreed “to abide by all applicable rules and regulations.”” The post KHRC Denies West Appeal appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Star trainer Frankie Lor Fu-chuen says he does not want to put any “extra pressure” on his team to publicly chase his first trainers’ championship, saying it comes down to the horses.The second-year trainer sits just seven wins behind his former boss John Size with 53 victories but enjoys the same 15 per cent strike rate and very similar prize money earnings.Lor will get his chance to make significant inroads into Size’s title hopes on Wednesday night with a rare all-weather track meeting… View the full article

Resolute jockey Alberto Sanna has declared he will return from injury by the end of this month as he looks to finish a tough season on a high note.Sanna has been on the sidelines for five weeks with a fractured ankle after an innocuous incident while taking the David Ferraris-trained Young Glory to the starting gates which required surgery to pin the bones back together.“I was around the back taking the horse to the barrier and he saw the rowers in the river and just went the other way, so I… View the full article

Hunterville farmers Christopher and Susanna Grace have experienced plenty of success as owners in Australia, with Group One-winning mare Shillelagh leading the charge, and they are hoping Beefeater can carry their green and yellow colours to glory across the Tasman in the coming months. The ever-consistent six-year-old arrived in Queensland on Friday and trainer Roydon Bergerson said he has settled in well ahead of his first Australian assignment on Saturday, the Listed Members’ Handicap (1600... View the full article

Progressive Kiwi stayer Felaar is likely to back-up at Caulfield this week after a nightmare first taste of Australian racing when suffering severe interference on several occasions when trailing the field home in the Brew Handicap (2600m), won by Steel Prince, at Flemington last week. Ridden by Brett Prebble, Felaar finished 35-lengths behind the winner in a race marred by the breakdown of Belgravia at the top of the home straight. “He got into a nice spot but it got a little bit tight... View the full article

Clarton Super gears up for second shot at Kranji Mile View the full article

Multiple Group One-winning mare Melody Belle is back in work in preparation for a busy spring campaign. The four-year-old daughter of Commands is likely to be named New Zealand Horse of the Year after her five Group One victories this season and the darling of the New Zealand turf is being set to better that mark next season. The Jamie Richards-trained runner took out the first two legs of the Hawke’s Bay Spring Carnival last year and will target all three legs next season after proving she ca... View the full article

The morning after the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1), Bill Mott noted the high expectations to run the winner back in the Preakness Stakes (G1). View the full article

Richard Fahey has set The Everest in Australia as a potential long-range target for his smart sprinter Sands Of Mali (Fr) (Panis). The 4-year-old ended last season with victory in the G1 British Champions Sprint at Ascot in October, and reappeared with a sixth in the G1 Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan on World Cup night in March. He now looks likely to return in the G2 Duke of York S. next week, ground permitting, before heading to Royal Ascot. Fahey told attheraces.com, “I was a little disappointed with his reappearance effort in the Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan where he didn’t finish the race well, but he was taking on hardened professionals and it was a big ask. However, that should have put him right for the season and he has been going very well at home since. We will be looking at York for him and if he didn’t go there then we would go straight for the Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot. He wouldn’t want it too firm and long term we are talking about the possibility of him going to Australia in October for The Everest.” The post Sands Of Mali Camp Considering Everest, Duke of York appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Aidan O’Brien is targeting Guineas doubles for both Magna Grecia (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) and Hermosa (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) following their victories at Newmarket over the weekend. Magna Grecia ran out an impressive winner of the G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas on Saturday–providing his trainer with a 10th victory in the colts’ Classic. The following afternoon Hermosa played a starring role in the G1 QIPCO 1000 Guineas and while O’Brien initially suggested the G1 Investec Oaks at Epsom could be on her agenda, he is now leaning towards sticking at a mile in the Irish 1000 Guineas later this month. Speaking at The Curragh on Monday, O’Brien said, “I was delighted with Magna Grecia and the plan is to come back here [for the Irish 2000 Guineas]. I initially thought about the Oaks for Hermosa, but it’s possible that she could come back here too for the Irish 1000 Guineas.” A trip to Royal Ascot is on the cards for ‘TDN Rising Star’ and G1SW Ten Sovereigns (Ire) (No Nay Never) after his fifth-placed finish behind Magna Grecia over the Rowley Mile. O’Brien added, “Ten Sovereigns was on the side with no pace and Ryan [Moore] had to be more forward than he would have liked as he knew the other side was ahead of him. He still ran a very good race and the plan is to go back in trip with him, probably for the [G1] Commonwealth Cup [at Royal Ascot].” Also pointing to the Commonwealth is 1000 Guineas bridesmaid Lady Kaya (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}). “She ran an absolute cracker and I couldn’t be prouder of her,” said trainer Sheila Lavery, who trains for her niece Joanne, to Racing Post. “She travelled beautifully through the race and the plan now is to drop her back to six furlongs and have a go at the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot. She won’t run again before then I don’t think and we will go straight there. She has loads of speed, so a stiff six furlongs at Ascot should really suit her.” The post Guineas Winners Target Irish Counterparts appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

This week’s TDN Triple Crown feature examines the GI Kentucky Derby runners according to official finish position. The focus is on raw trip notes–not the merits of whether a disqualification should or should not have been called. Interesting bloodstock note: Homebreds crossed the wire 1-2-3-4. 1) COUNTRY HOUSE (c, Lookin At Lucky—Quake Lake, by War Chant) ‘TDN Rising Star’. O-Mrs. J. V. Shields, Jr., E. J. M. McFadden, Jr. & LNJ Foxwoods. B-J. V. Shields, Jr. (KY). T-William I. Mott. Lifetime Record: GISW, 7-2-2-1, $2,120,175. ‘TDN Rising Star’ Country House ran second and was elevated to the Derby win via DQ. This May 8 Lookin At Lucky foal impressed with his poise. He was seemingly unfazed by post 18, the crowd, the slop, and negotiating his way through the pack while largely avoiding early-race trouble. He broke alertly, and after brushing mildly with Code of Honor (Noble Mission {GB}) through the first furlong, Country House settled in about eighth for the backstretch run while four paths off the rail. He was not boxed in and had ample space on either side for most of the back straight, but jockey Flavien Prat made a crucial decision to dive between two rivals before a gap closed at the entry to the far bend. This deft move enabled Country House to get clear sailing while clicking into another gear, and he emerged onto the turn four wide and outside of the leaders while continuing to pick up steam. He was not significantly affected by Maximum Security (New Year’s Day)’s path-shifting turning for home, but Prat did have to rouse Country House to stay straight and focused while the colt wandered a bit through the lane with his head cocked outward. He was clearly the best of the main body of the field but was not striding clear with the same late-race purpose that Maximum Security delivered. 2) CODE OF HONOR (c, Noble Mission {GB}—Reunited, by Dixie Union) O/B-W. S. Farish (KY). T-Shug McGaughey. Sales History: $70,000 RNA Ylg ’17 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GSW & MGISP, 6-2-2-1, $1,078,820. Leading up to the Derby, I referenced that Code of Honor “needs to outrun his reputation of being an opportunist who capitalizes only under favorable circumstances.” In the Derby, this light-bodied Noble Mission (GB) homebred was presented with the absolute gift of a clear rail run when Maximum Security vacated his inside spot turning for home, and Code of Honor did fight through for a short lead just as the field crested the quarter pole. But the leaders almost immediately re-engaged him, and Code of Honor boxed on valiantly despite looking overmatched in the final run to the wire while crossing it third. I can’t say I truly believe Code of Honor would have blasted on through at the rail on his own power without that commodious opening, but he does deserve credit for sitting in the two path for most of the backstretch run, taking slop in the face and waiting patiently for jockey John Velazquez to give him his cue to quicken. “It was like ‘Open Sesame!’ Velazquez said after the Derby. “I was like ‘Wow, this never happens.’ I thought I was going to win it.” 3) TACITUS (c, Tapit—Close Hatches, by First Defence) O/B-Juddmonte Farms, Inc. (KY). T-Bill Mott. Lifetime Record: MGSW & GISP, 5-3-0-1, $953,000. The knock against Tacitus entering the Derby was that he was light on Grade I seasoning and had never faced A-list sophomores. His sustained run wasn’t good enough to win last Saturday, but don’t doubt for an instant that this large-framed Tapit homebred for Juddmonte didn’t get meaningful schooling out of his fourth-place try (elevated to third via DQ). Tacitus broke a stutter-step slow, was guided inward, had to be taken off heels when the pack tightened, carried his head high while getting pelted with slop, then settled by the time the field crossed the finish wire the first time. Reserved at the tail of the main pack in 16th, jockey Jose Ortiz commenced to picking off some of the stragglers but seemed choosy about committing to a decisive dash through closing gaps. He roused Tacitus three-eights out, and the colt responded despite cocking his head to the infield for a few strides. Ortiz again seemed to hesitate when debating and inside or an outside commitment at the top of the lane, then the straight was upon them with Tacitus spun out in the six path. He chugged on with determination and was able to grind down everyone but the top three while not minding the distance. “In the Belmont, he will be much better running 1 1/2 miles,” Ortiz said post-race. 4) IMPROBABLE (c, City Zip—Rare Event, by A.P. Indy) ‘TDN Rising Star’. O-WinStar Farm LLC, China Horse Club International Ltd. & Starlight Racing. B-St. George Farm LLC & G. Watts Humphrey Jr. (KY). T-Bob Baffert. Sales History: $110,000 Wlg ’16 KEENOV; $200,000 Ylg ’17 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GISW, 6-3-2-0, $769,520. ‘TDN Rising Star’ Improbable’s Derby was not a rousing success, nor was it a dud. He never truly looked comfortable, neither position-wise nor footing-wise, and Irad Ortiz Jr. said post-race “My horse didn’t really like the track. I asked him to keep up and he just could not.” Leaving the gate, this $200,000 KEESEP City Zip chestnut had the reins shaken at him for speed then was instead asked to settle; parked in fifth for most of the journey Improbable was hemmed in fairly solidly with few tactical options. He was in position to pounce through the opening created by Maximum Security’s veering out but just didn’t have the punch to commit to that move. “I knew the first quarter of a mile I was toast,” trainer Bob Baffert said of all three of his horses post-race. “The problem is [Improbable] couldn’t get out…I told my riders to stay clean [by leading the pack]. They don’t listen to me.” 5) GAME WINNER (c, Candy Ride {Arg}—Indyan Giving, by A.P. Indy) ‘TDN Rising Star’. O-Gary & Mary West. B-Summer Wind Equine (KY). T-Bob Baffert. Sales History: $110,000 Ylg ’17 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: MGISW, 7-4-2-0, $1,936,000. The juvenile champ found himself 20 lengths adrift by the time the field splashed through the first turn and he was never truly in it to win it. But ‘TDN Rising Star’ Game Winner was so up against the grain of adversity that you have to discount his Derby performance as an indicator of his true ability. He hesitated at the start and veered inward to that gap between gates, then tried (unsuccessfully) to get settled in next-to-last position. Considering Game Winner had never been farther off the pace than five lengths in his entire career, that gulf must have seemed like a massive chasm to him. Joel Rosario floated the colt seven wide down the back straight—either in search of firmer footing, to avoid kickback, or both—and that wide path still wasn’t enough to avoid trouble, because By My Standards (Goldencents) edged out and bumped him about a half mile from home. Game Winner was 11 wide for the drive and brushed mildly with Tacitus late. I expect him to put in a more solid effort whenever he next resurfaces. 6) MASTER FENCER (c, Just a Way {Jpn}–Sexy Zamurai, by Deputy Minister) O/B-Katsumi Yoshizawa (JPN). T-Koichi Tsunoda. Lifetime Record: SP-Jpn, 7-2-2-0, $234,392. Pretty nice run for a colt who was in way over his head on paper and looked a touch lost at the break before settling in on the rail far behind the field. This son of Just A Way {Jpn) was still last at the quarter pole and didn’t choose the easiest route through traffic near the rail to unwind late, but once he found a seam Master Fencer gave the positive impression that he was really figuring things out. After the wire he galloped out past everyone but Maximum Security. He is reportedly being aimed for the GI Belmont S. 7) WAR OF WILL (c, War Front—Visions of Clarity {Ire}, by Sadler’s Wells) O-Gary Barber. B-Flaxman Holdings Limited (KY). T-Mark Casse. Sales History: $175,000 RNA Ylg ’17 KEESEP; €250,000 2yo ’18 ARQMAY. Lifetime Record: MGSW, 9-3-1-1, $501,569. War of Will had the most momentum to win, but he endured the most brutal Derby trip of all, and was lucky not to clip heels and go down in that chaotic run through the far turn. At the start, the dreaded one hole proved to be no problem for this pro breaker, and Tyler Gaffalione nudged War of Will to a contending inside stalking spot by the time the field banked into the first turn. War of Will was a tourqued-up fourth while resisting his rider’s snug hold down the backstretch, but a patient Gaffalione waited until just before the five-sixteenths pole to unleash him for an attack. This move happened almost simultaneously with Maximum Security’s outward drifting, and Gaffalione had to snatch back on War of Will, checking sharply, stopping a potential winning move cold. War of Will persisted with a second bid, endured more tightening between Maximum Security and Country House at the quarter pole, then had most of the starch sapped from him at the eighth pole when Maximum Security again shifted outward to assert his space. This talented colt figures to remain a divisional force, and if the remaining Classics don’t pan out, he always has that stellar turf pedigree to fall back on. 8) PLUS QUE PARFAIT (r, Point of Entry—Belvedera, by Awesome Again) O-Imperial Racing LLC. B-Calloway Racing LLC (KY). T-Brendan Walsh. Sales History: $24,000 RNA Wlg KEENOV ’16; $135,000 Ylg KEESEP ’17. Lifetime Record: GSW-UAE, 8-2-1-2, $1,590,400. This $135,000 KEESEP Point of Entry ridgling had an unhurried and largely uneventful inside midpack trip. For a while on the backstretch, he seemed to be following Country House, but couldn’t match strides with that winner’s early move. Ricardo Santana Jr. then dropped Plus Que Parfait onto the rail for a possible attempt to follow Code of Honor, but that avenue too was quickly sealed off before they could grab it. Shifting out several paths in the home straight, Plus Que Parfait found himself fighting on with the top five approaching the final furlong, but he had no true oomph to propel a winning bid. Now from 11 attempts, the G2 UAE Derby winner has still never finished better than sixth in the Kentucky Derby. 9) WIN WIN WIN (c, Hat Trick {Jpn}-Miss Smarty Pants, by Smarty Jones) O-Live Oak Plantation. B-Live Oak Stud (FL). T-Michael Trombetta. Lifetime Record: SW & MGSP, 7-3-2-1, $367,300. Win Win Win was parked third-last for most of his journey, but when it came time to fire at the top of the lane he had neither the spark nor the room to do it, with a solid line of going-nowhere horses in front of him. This Hat Trick (Jpn)-sired homebred did get clear to launch a mild bid between the quarter and eighth poles, but that brief turn of foot through the upper stretch wasn’t enough to vault him into serious contention. Jockey Julien Pimentel offered a “didn’t handle the track” assessment. 10) CUTTING HUMOR (c, First Samurai—Pun, by Pulpit) O-Starlight Racing. B-Dell Hancock & Bernie Sams (KY). T-Todd Pletcher. Sales History: $135,000 Ylg ’17 KEESEP; $400,000 Ylg ’17 FTSAUG. Lifetime Record: GSW, 7-2-2-1, $516,967. Cutting Humor tracked the action midpack and toward the outside, and this $400,000 FTSAUG First Samurai colt looked like he might make things interesting with a six-wide move into the far turn. He chipped away at the leaders’ margins and was 10 wide into the lane but couldn’t sustain his bid. 11) BY MY STANDARDS (c, Goldencents—A Jealous Woman, by Muqtarib) O-Allied Racing Stable, LLC. B-Don Ladd (KY). T-William Bret Calhoun. Lifetime Record: GSW, 6-2-2-1, $653,710. By My Standards was squeezed back leaving post three and spent the first furlong of the Derby trying to pick a spot to settle. He ranged up three wide into the turn while well back then accepted an outer slot for his backstretch trek. About a half mile out he bumped with Game Winner, but when that rival and nearby Tacitus both shot off, By My Standards was left in their wake while being scrubbed on by his rider. 12) VEKOMA (c, Candy Ride {Arg}—Mona de Momma, by Speightstown) O-R. A. Hill Stable & Gatsas Stables. B-Alpha Delta Stables, LLC (KY). T-George Weaver. Sales History: $135,000 Ylg ’17 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: MGSW, 5-3-0-1, $788,850. This compact $135,000 KEESEP Candy Ride (Arg) colt broke alertly (true to form), then opted for a four-wide outer position through the turn and onto the backstretch. But he seemed intimidated when Country House bulled on by for his winning run and as other closers started to kick into high gear Vekoma didn’t have it in him to take up the chase. “At least he came back in one piece,” trainer George Weaver said post-race. “He might have gotten into a little trouble on the turn, but he was starting to back up anyway at that point.” 13) BODEXPRESS (c, Bodemeister–Pied a Terre, by City Zip) O-Top Racing, LLC, Global Thoroughbred & GDS Racing Stable. B-Martha Jane Mulholland (KY). T-Gustavo Delgado. Sales History: $45,000 RNA Ylg ’17 KEESEP; $37,000 RNA 2yo ’18 EASMAY. Lifetime Record: 6-0-3-0, $208,700. Considering he was a maiden in against winners breaking from the outermost post, this Bodemeister colt showed some grit by pressing the pace and holding a good close-up position against far more seasoned horses. His dramatic checking out of the far-turn scrum happened while he was already on the backpedal though, so it’s not like the actions of the disqualified leader cost him a placing. Don’t know if he’ll win his next start against maidens, but I guarantee he’ll be overbet in such a spot with the Derby running line leaping out of his past performances. 14) TAX (g, Arch–Toll, by Giant’s Causeway) O-R. A. Hill Stable, Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Hugh Lynch & Corms Racing Stable. B-Claiborne Farm and Adele Dilschneider (KY). T-Danny Gargan. Lifetime Record: GSW, 6-2-2-1, $326,300. Tax broke alertly and claimed a near-front rail position, but by the first turn he was steadily passed by nearly half the pack. He held his inside spot well though, and as the field tightened up he was only about five lengths off the lead. When roused for run 3 1/2 furlongs out, this Arch gelding had no go to give. “My horse was bothered by the splash in his face,” said jockey Junior Alvarado. “He was not happy about that. He kept trying but he was focused on the mud being kicked in his face.” 15) ROADSTER (c, Quality Road—Ghost Dancing, by Silver Ghost) ‘TDN Rising Star’. O-Speedway Stable LLC. B-Stone Farm (KY). T-Bob Baffert. Sales History: $525,000 Ylg ’17 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GISW, 5-3-0-1, $706,200. This $525,000 KEESEP Quality Road ‘TDN Rising Star’ never mounted a stout challenge while well behind the field. “I am disappointed to be honest,” said jockey Florent Geroux. “He broke all right but never traveled down the stretch the first time. He started picking up horses down the backside, but when I hit the half-mile pole, I was just out of horse. I am not sure if he didn’t like the track but it felt like he never ran.” 16) LONG RANGE TODDY (c, Take Charge Indy–Pleasant Song, by Unbridled’s Song) O/B-Willis Horton Racing, LLC (KY). T-Steve Asmussen. Lifetime Record: GSW, 9-4-1-1, $854,459. Long Range Toddy was in the hunt for the lead early on in the Derby, which is not a shocker given that he has consistently been a good gate-breaker, but it did go against jockey Jon Court’s stated pre-race strategy of wanting to back off the pace. This Take Charge Indy homebred forced the fractions while sitting just off the flank of leader Maximum Security, and while he did take back sharply as part of the ripple-effect crowding just prior to the five-sixteenths pole, it’s debatable whether the incident was a true momentum-stopper or if Long Range Toddy had already given all he could by the time that incident occurred. This figures to be a very useful colt with a little class relief. 17) MAXIMUM SECURITY (c, New Year’s Day–Lil Indy, by Anasheed) O/B-Gary & Mary West (KY). T-Jason Servis. Lifetime Record: GISW, 5-4-0-0, $649,400. Obscured by the controversial DQ debate is the fact that this previously undefeated overachiever ran a very admirable wire-to-wire winning race. This son of New Year’s Day gamely established himself at the head of affairs, led under legit pressure, and swatted away challengers off the turn despite (or you might argue “because of”) his shifting outward two or three paths while at the 2 1/2 furlong pole. Jockey Luis Saez said the crowd noise spooked “Max” but that the colt responded when refocused, digging in to put away not just one, but three separate stretch bids from onrushing rivals. He first clawed back the lead from Code of Honor, then shifted out slightly to impose himself on War of Will at the eighth pole, and still had enough left in reserve over 10 furlongs to repulse the stamina-centric Country House, all the while extending his winning margin to 1 3/4 lengths. The stewards relegated Maximum Security to 17th, placing him behind Long Range Toddy, for causing chain-reaction interference on the turn. 18) SPINOFF (c, Hard Spun–Zaftig, by Gone West) O/B-Wertheimer et Frere (KY). T-Todd Pletcher. Lifetime Record: MGSP, 5-2-0-0. Spinoff was a pace presence while five wide into the first turn and down the backstretch run, but he never flashed signs of wanting to be more aggressively involved. “Spinoff just hated the track,” said trainer Todd Pletcher. “He didn’t really want any part of it. I had a hint about that earlier in the week when he galloped on the ‘off’ and showed us he didn’t care for it. When Manny [Franco] went to riding him, he just backed right out of there.” 19) GRAY MAGICIAN (c, Graydar–Burg Berg, by Johannesburg) O-Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Gary Barber & Wachtel Stable. B-Twin Creeks Farm (KY). T-Peter Miller. Lifetime Record: GSP-UAE, 9-1-3-2, $584,140. “He seemed to handle the track well but I just ran out of horse,” said jockey Drayden Van Dyke. Added trainer Peter Miller: “The horse bled a two out of five and we are going to give him a little break and bring him back in 30 or 45 days.” The post The TDN Derby Wrap appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Tuesday’s Insights features a granddaughter of G1SW Playful Act (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells). 8.30 Wolverhampton, Mdn, £5,800, 3yo/up, 8f 142y (AWT) TEMPUS (GB) (Kingman {GB}) makes his seasonal bow for Khalid Abdullah and Roger Charlton with one promising debut run behind him having been second in a decent Nottingham maiden in October. A son of the G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud winner Passage of Time (GB) (Dansili {GB}) and therefore a half-brother to the stable’s classy Time Test (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) who was later runner-up in the GI Manhattan S. and GI Fourstardave H. Under Chad Brown, he meets some notably-bred newcomers. They include Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum’s Abr Al Hudood (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), a Hugo Palmer-trained daughter of the South African Classic winner Amanee (Aus) (Pivotal {GB}) and Sheikha Al Jalila Racing’s Nonchalance (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), a John Gosden-trained granddaughter of the stable’s G1 Fillies’ Mile winner Playful Act (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells) and therefore connected to Nathaniel (Ire). The post Observations for May 7 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Department of Homeland Security will begin accepting petitions for 30,000 additional H-2B visas restricted to returning workers for Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 on May 8, according to a release from the National Thoroughbred Racing Association. The supplemental H-2B visas are available only to returning workers who received an H-2B visa, or were otherwise granted H-2B status, during one of the last three fiscal years (FY 2016, 2017, or 2018), and availability is restricted by prioritizing only those businesses who would suffer irreparable harm without the additional workers. “We applaud the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Labor for this joint rule making available an additional 30,000 H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visas for Fiscal Year 2019,” said NTRA President and CEO Alex Waldrop. “Even though these supplemental H-2B visas are available only to returning workers and there is an irreparable harm limitation, many Thoroughbred trainers will no doubt qualify for these visas because of the labor shortage that is now the norm on racetrack backstretches.” Waldrop further added, “We urge Congress to pass legislation to permanently and significantly expand the number of H-2B visas made available on an annual basis.” Details on eligibility and filing requirements are available at www.USCIS.gov. The post DHS to Accept Visa Petitions Beginning May 8 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

For the third straight year, the Maryland Jockey Club is offering a total of $150,000 in bonus money to trainers that accumulate the most points during stakes and non-stakes races over Preakness weekend at legendary Pimlico Race Course. View the full article

Maximum Security led every step of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) May 4 but was placed 17th by the stewards due to interference. Despite the disqualification, the performance placed him atop the NTRA Top 3-Year-Old Poll. View the full article

In an exclusive May 6 interview with NBC's Today Show, Gary West announced that Maximum Security, who was disqualified from first in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1), will not run in the May 18 Preakness Stakes (G1). View the full article

Bourbon Lane Stable and Lake Star Stable’s Bourbon War (Tapit), fourth in the Mar. 30 GI Florida Derby and second in the Mar. 2 GII Fountain of Youth S., has joined the list of likely contenders for the May 18 GI Preakness S. “He’s doing excellent. Right now, he’s probable for the Preakness,” trainer Mark Hennig confirmed Monday. “We had a conference call yesterday and, speaking with the owners, we felt like after watching the events of the weekend, the Florida horses gave a good account of themselves and we felt we were competitive with them. So, why not take a shot in the Preakness rather than the more conservative route we were thinking in the [May 11 GIII] Peter Pan?” Bourbon War closed from far back to finish fourth behind GI Kentucky Derby runners Maximum Security (New Year’s Day), Bodexpress (Bodemeister) and Code of Honor (Noble Mission {GB}) in the Florida Derby and he was second behind Code of Honor in the Fountain of Youth. “He and Code of Honor have been pretty close together in their races. Maximum Security certainly showed up and held up that form from Florida, so I think it seems like a smart move to try the Preakness,” Hennig said. Trainer Bill Mott said Monday he was “leaning toward” running GI Kentucky Derby winner Country House (Lookin at Lucky) in the Preakness. “We’re leaning toward the Preakness, since he is the Derby winner and we don’t want to pooh-pooh the Triple Crown,” Mott said. “We want to support that. If he’s real good and continues to do well with no issues, not worn out, all those good things, we’ll keep pecking away and going in that direction. If there’s anything we don’t like as we get into the weekend or early next week, we won’t feel–I don’t feel–a lot of pressure to run him, and talking to the ownership group, I don’t think they’ll put on a lot of pressure, if I’m not happy with him for some reason.” The post Bourbon War Joins Preakness Cast appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Maryland Jockey Club will once again offer a total of $150,000 in bonus money to trainers who accumulate points in races at Pimlico during Preakness weekend. Trainers who run a minimum of five horses in the 16 stakes races during Preakness weekend will be eligible for $100,000 in bonus money, with $50,000 going to the trainer with the most points, $25,000 for second, $12,000 for third, $7,000 for fourth, $4,000 for fifth and $2,000 for sixth. Points are accumulated for finishing first (10 points), second (seven), third (five) and fourth (three) and by having a starter (one) in each of Pimlico’s stakes races. This will be the third year that the Maryland Jockey Club has offered the bonuses. Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen captured the $50,000 prize in both 2017 and 2018. He was tops with 38 points in 2017, including wins in the GIII Allaire duPont and GIII Miss Preakness S., while his 82 points from 2018 included wins in the GIII Chick Lang S., GIII Maryland Sprint, James Murphy S. and Skipat S. and a third with Tenfold in the 143rd Preakness. There will also be bonus money totaling $50,000 for trainers with the most points in non-stakes races during Preakness weekend. The points are accumulated in similar fashion, with $25,000 going to the leader, $10,000 to second, $7,500 to third, $4,000 to fourth, $2,500 to fifth and $1,000 to sixth. Linda Rice edged Pimlico-based trainer Mary Eppler, 22-19, to earn the top non-stakes bonus in 2018. The post MJC to Offer Trainer Bonuses Preakness Weekend appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Both Guineas were accompanied by a fierce north wind at the runners’ backs in Newmarket but it was an ill wind of a different kind that dampened some of this correspondent’s enthusiasm in anticipation of what is usually one of the most exciting weekends of the season. It is perhaps now an old-fashioned view, but part of the excitement of the first Classics of the British season has always been derived from potentially witnessing the horses who will go on to define their generation by progressing through the Classic distances. The St Leger has long since fallen by the wayside as a long-term aim for the best 3-year-olds of the season and, with a more commercial hat on, it is easy to understand the reasons behind that. However, it is regretful that, while the Triple Crown is almost always a natural aim for the colts who lined up at Churchill Downs on Saturday, it is very rarely so for their European counterparts. There are of course major differences between the British and American Triple Crowns in both race distances and the timing of the races through the season. In America it’s all over in five weeks while here we have from early May to mid-September for things to go awry, with all manner of alternative options to tempt a potential challenger. America had a long enough wait of its own before American Pharoah and Justify came along in quick succession, but in Britain, we’re closing in on 50 years since the Triple Crown was last won in 1970 by Nijinsky. Despite it being so nearly achieved by Camelot (GB) in 2012, this time-honoured challenge is being failed not just by a reluctance of horses’ connections to aim for the St Leger, but to a degree by breeders. More than ever, a notable number of this year’s Guineas runners had question marks on pedigree as to whether they would properly see out a mile, let alone progress beyond that. Now that doesn’t of course mean that many of them haven’t already proved themselves to be classy individuals and/or will go on to do so, but it’s swiftly becoming apparent that the old maxim of the Guineas being the best Derby trial may not be used much longer. Headline Act A Standing Dish The potential for great stories to have come from this year’s Guineas weekend was enormous. The 86-year-old Kevin Prendergast saddled Madhmoon (Ire) (Dawn Approach {Ire}) to be fourth on Saturday, while his young colleague David Elsworth, 79, has the talented Dandhu (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) in his stable. She failed to fire on Sunday but has already landed a Group 3 win this season and there’s certain to be more to come from her. Then there’s the admirably frank Sheila Lavery, whose Lady Kaya (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) ran a barnstormer of a race to be second in the 1000 Guineas. There will be many outside her County Meath stable will be hoping that the filly bought for €15,000 as a foal by the trainer’s niece Joanne, and subsequently unsold as a yearling, will go one better in the Irish equivalent. Nineteen-year-old David Egan rode in his first Classic on Saturday and his second just 24 hours later when keeping his trademark cool to guide the favourite Qabala (Distorted Humor) to a third-place finish for his boss Roger Varian, having won the previous day’s listed Newmarket S. aboard the highly promising UAE Jewel (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). To make his appearance in the 1000 Guineas even more memorable, Egan rode against his father John, who was twelfth on Garrel Glen (GB) (Mount Nelson {GB}). But, as we have come to expect, the headlines were dominated by Aidan O’Brien and his ever-dependable ally Galileo (Ire). The champion sire may have had no representative in the colts’ Classic but he featured as damsire of Magna Grecia (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), just as he has done with previous winners Night Of Thunder (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), Galileo Gold (GB) (Paco Boy {Ire}) and Saxon Warrior (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}). Then on Sunday, his daughter Hermosa (Ire), though apparently only the Ballydoyle third string, was not just the standout in the paddock but also on the racecourse when making all the running and kicking clear out of the dip just when it looked as if her chance might be thwarted. Two years on from Winter (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) beating her favoured stablemate Rhododendron (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), this was another well deserved Classic victory for the understated Wayne Lordan. Incidentally, Hermosa’s sister Hydrangea (Ire) was down the field in tenth that day, ridden by Padraig Beggy, who would go on to enjoy the biggest day of his career a month later when winning the Derby on Wings Of Eagles (Fr) (Pour Moi {Ire}). Coolmore has long given the Derby vital support but it seems unlikely that Magna Grecia will head to Epsom, despite his juvenile Group 1 triumph in the Vertem Futurity being a tried and trusted route to being a major player on the first Saturday of June. Hermosa, however, the daughter of the Pivotal (GB) mare Beauty Is Truth, whose tally of Group 1 winners now stands at three, has rocketed into second place in the betting for the Oaks behind stablemate Pink Dogwood (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), despite O’Brien’s warning on Monday that she is likely to be aimed at the Irish 1000 Guineas and not the Oaks. Her name is the Spanish word for beautiful and Hermosa’s progression through the Classic tests would be just that. Leger Legends For all that the St Leger’s dwindling appeal gives scant hope of another Triple Crown winner, its influence is perhaps now felt in other ways. With a stud berth as a National Hunt stallion often the best that colts who run well in the race can hope for, maybe we will start to see more of them remaining in training to challenge for an increasingly lucrative programme of longer-distance races, not least the Weatherbys Hamilton Stayers’ Million. The 2017 St Leger certainly gives cause for hope in this regard. Nine of the 11 runners in that year, led by Capri (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), can still be seen in action. Runner-up Crystal Ocean has not been out of the first two in seven subsequent group races and looks a formidable flagbearer this year for Sir Michael Stoute, who excels with older middle-distance campaigners. In a stellar line-up, Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) was third in the St Leger and sailed unbeaten through last season as champion stayer, while Rekindling (GB) (High Chaparral {Ire}) won the Melbourne Cup and Coronet (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Defoe (Ire) (Dalakhani {Ire}) have been admirably consistent. Europeans Prevail In The U.S. While American racing was dominated by one controversial story which moved even the President to air his views on Twitter, away from the Kentucky Derby there were good results for European-bred runners in the U.S. over the weekend. At Churchill Downs, Digital Age (Ire), winner of the GII American Turf S., brought up an across-the-pond stakes double for Invincible Spirit (Ire), who had struck earlier in the day with his first British Classic winner Magna Grecia (Ire). Not only another triumph from Klaravich Stables and Chad Brown’s shopping spree at Tattersalls, Digital Age brought further success for his breeder Craig Bennett’s Merry Fox Stud, whose major winners include Cursory Glance (Distorted Humor) and Charming Thought (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}). Brown’s winning run wasn’t restricted to Kentucky. At Belmont Park, he saddled two of the day’s four stakes winners. Santa Monica (GB) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) won the GII Sheepshead Bay S., her third graded stakes victory since being bought for 375,000gns by Stephen Hillen at Tattersalls’ December Sale in 2017, and 4-year-old Olympico (Fr), became the first major American winner for his French-based sire Rajsaman (Fr) when taking the GIII Fort Macy S. by three lengths. Another ex-pat winner in Kentucky on Saturday was Beau Recall (Ire) (Sir Prancealot {Ire}), who claimed her second Grade II strike in the Longines Churchill Distaff Turf Mile S. Marvellous Marnanes The Marnane family has enjoyed terrific success in France in recent years and Theresa Marnane is currently lying fifth in the French owners’ table behind Godolphin, Wertheimer & Frere, Gerard Augustin-Normand and Al Shaqab Racing. On Saturday, the Marnane runners, trained by Matthieu Palussiere, pulled off a clean sweep of the three juvenile contests in the country that day, following on from the success of Brand New Day (Ire), a homebred daughter of Epaulette (Aus), who won her second race of the season at Chantilly on May 2. It was another former shuttler, Sidestep (Aus), who provided two of the four winners of the week for the team. The son of Exceed And Excel (Aus) spent three seasons at Haras du Logis in Normandy but did not return this year. He made headlines in March when his daughter Kiamichi (Aus) won the G1 Golden Slipper for Godolphin. At Bordeaux Le Bouscat, a double was completed by his son Wheels On Fire (Fr) after the Con Marnane-bred Fan Club Rules (Ire) became the second winner for fellow freshman sire Gutaifan (Ire). Another Sidestep colt, Real Appeal (Ger), notched the second victory of his fledgling career by following his debut success at Chantilly on April 24 with victory at Marseille Borely. The Marnanes’ Bansha House Stables will offer ten juveniles for sale at Arqana’s Breeze-up Sale in Deauville on Saturday, including a son of Kingman (GB) out of a Pivotal (GB) half-sister to crack sprinter Signs Of Blessing (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) (lot 124). Wertheimers On A Roll While Con and Theresa Marnane are farming the French juvenile contests, Alain and Gerard Wertheimer have been fielding a formidable team of 3-year-olds so far this season, the latest success coming via yesterday’s G3 Prix de Guiche winner Flop Shot (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}), who joins Slalom (Fr) (Intello {Ger}), Shaman (Ire) (Shamardal), Platane (GB) (Le Havre {Ire}) and Starmaniac (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) on the brothers’ list of Classic hopefuls. Meanwhile, Saturday’s listed winner Bartaba (Fr) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and G2 Prix du Muguet winner Plumatic (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) have flown the flag for the older division and have ensured the Wertheimer team has made a flamboyant start to what could be a memorable season. Adieu, Dunaden The final nod this week must go to Dunaden (Fr) (Nicobar {GB}). While it gives no pleasure whatsoever to record his death at the age of 13, amid the ongoing welfare arguments that appear to threaten horseracing, it’s worth noting that so tough a horse, who raced 46 times around the world, was claimed by an accident in his paddock. Bad luck can befall even the best of them. His story was one to keep many of the sport’s smaller players hoping and believing. Yes, when he won his three Group 1 races in Australia and Hong Kong he was owned by a sheikh—and in fact he played a significant part in ensuring that the young Sheikh Fahad Al Thani would make a major investment in the sport. But this was a horse who passed from his breeder’s hands at the foal sales for a mere €1,500. That breeder was Comte Edouard Decazes, who boarded Dunaden’s dam La Marlia (Fr) at Haras de Maulepaire, right next to where her sire Kaldounevees (Fr) stood at Haras du Mesnil. Dunaden, who earned more than £5 million when campaigned so admirably by Mikel Delzangles to win 10 races, was by a very wide margin the best offspring of Nicobar, a Group 2-winning miler and son of Indian Ridge (Ire). The Byerley Turk sireline hangs by a thread, with another fine stayer Vinnie Roe (Ire) (Definite Article {GB}) being one of a handful of sires left at stud to represent this foundation stallion. Dunaden had 87 mares in his first book before his partners dropped away to 36, 56 and 17 in ensuing seasons. He had covered 10 mares this season before his death last week. Though he has such scant representation to come, he had made a promising start with his runners. Days before he died, his son Ranch Hand (GB), bred by Emma Balding and trained by her son Andrew, was the impressive 12-length winner of a Southwell novice race in the famous ‘Mill Reef colours’ bequeathed to the Baldings by Paul Mellon and now carried by the horses of the Kingsclere Racing Club. Perhaps there’s a chapter or two still to be written. The post The Weekly Wrap: Crown A Thorny Topic appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Chester racecourse is one of the more unique tracks around the country and unveiled a fancy new weighroom this week. The track is often used by Aidan O’Brien to test the balance of his Oaks & Derby hopefuls. If it’s good enough for Aidan, it’s good enough for me. The meeting kicks off on Wednesday […] The post Chester Preview – Wednesday appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

The Retirement Assistance and Care for Equines Fund will launch its 2019 fund drive with an online auction on eBay which opens May 24 at 8 p.m. ET. and ends May 31. Featured items include tne halters of: champion Songbird, 2012 GI Belmont S. winner Union Rags, 2004 GI Kentucky Derby and GI Preakness S. winner Smarty Jones, 2017 G1 Dubai and GI Pegasus World Cup winner Arrogate, 2007 GI King’s Bishop S. winner Hard Spun, and Littleprincessemma, dam of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah. “We have some very exciting auction items again this year. We would like to especially thank volunteer Roxanne Campbell for her tireless efforts, as well as Airdrie Stud, Inc., Mrs. Pat Chapman and Equistar Farm, Castleton Lyons, Claiborne, Darley-Godolphin, Denali Stud, Gainesway, Juddmonte Farms, Lane’s End, Shadwell, Secretariat.com, Stonestreet, Summer Wind Farm, Three Chimneys and Timber Town Stables for their generous support by donating such valuable items of racing champions to help us raise funds,” said Marlene Murray, President of the R.A.C.E. Fund. R.A.C.E. Fund was established in 2004 and is TAA accredited. More information about the organization can be obtained at www.racefund.org. The post R.A.C.E Fund Auction Kicks off May 24 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Online voting for the 2019 Mike Venezia Memorial Award began May 6, with racing fans given the option of choosing from finalists Javier Castellano, Irad Ortiz, Jr., Jose Ortiz, Florent Geroux and Ricardo Santana, Jr. Fans can make their selection at NYRA.com/Venezia with the online voting period to conclude May 20. The winner will be announced May 23 and the award will be presented in a special ceremony at Belmont Park May 27. Created in 1989, the Mike Venezia Memorial Award is given to a jockey who displays the extraordinary sportsmanship and citizenship that defined Venezia, who died as the result of injuries suffered in a spill in 1988. Venezia, a native of Brooklyn, N.Y., won more than 2,300 races during his 25-year career. The post Venezia Award Voting Open to Public appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article