Wandering Eyes

Andrew Campbell has had plenty of success in Australia, highlighted by his former Group One-winning stars Tavistock (NZ) (Montjeu) and Werther (NZ) (Tavistock), and this month he is hoping Croupier (NZ) (Ace High) can add his name to that honour roll. The Otaki trainer has struck gold with his first horse to the races since deciding to return to the training ranks earlier this season, and he thought enough of the son of Ace High to test his talent across the Tasman. Croupier has won two of his three career starts to date, with his ticket across the Tasman secured with a smart victory over a mile at Ellerslie last start. It’s been a long journey to Queensland, with no direct flights from Auckland, and Campbell has broken up the trip with a week-long stay in Sydney. “We flew to Sydney and stayed at Craig Ritchie’s and he has done super, he has probably done too well,” Campbell said. “He has been at Craig Ritchie’s for a week and he is just a different horse. They always say the trip away makes a horse, and I certainly think it has made him. “We are at Paul Shailer’s (Gold Coast), he has got a great set-up, it’s very nice.” Croupier was a dual acceptor at Eagle Farm’s meeting on Saturday, and Campbell has strategically opted to contest the BRC Members Class 3 Plate (1600m) over the Gr.2 Queensland Guineas (1600m). “It was a hard call because we made both races, but we were thinking if he goes a good race in the Guineas but doesn’t get any points, we are going to miss out on the next two races, the Rough Habit Plate (Gr.3, 2000m) and Derby (Gr.1, 2400m),” Campbell said. “We thought we would play it safe and hopefully he can win that race, and he will be up to going for the next two races. It is still good money, it is worth A$75,000, so that can’t be sneezed at.” Campbell was pleased with Croupier’s final piece of work on Thursday and expects a bold showing on Saturday, where he will be ridden by former New Zealand jockey Mark Du Plessis. “We gave him a good, hard gallop (on Thursday morning), and he probably needed it. He looks amazing, I couldn’t be happier,” Campbell said. “He (Du Plessis) rode for us back when he was riding in New Zealand, he rode Werther in the early days,” Campbell said. “It is always good to have that Kiwi connection.” Campbell is enjoying his time campaigning in Australia once more, and he is looking forward to spending plenty of time in Queensland over the next month. “I love it, it’s what you get up in the morning for,” he said. “It’s exciting times.” View the full article

Classy, tenacious and mega-durable mare Bonny Lass (NZ) (Super Easy) is set to be offered in a special sale launching next week on Gavelhouse Plus. The daughter of Super Easy was raced by her breeder Sandy Moore in partnership with Brent and Wendy Cooper and their Social Racing Starting Gates Syndicate. She was trained by Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall through a 26-race career that produced eight wins, eight placings and $774,950 in stakes. Bonny Lass was a five-time Group winner, headed by the Group One BCD Group Sprint (1400m). She backed that up with another four placings at Group One level. “She was an absolutely amazing horse for her big group of owners,” Brent Cooper said. “Mark Baker at Hallmark Stud researched it and found that only two mares in New Zealand history won Group races at every age from two to six – Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) and Bonny Lass. “The great Sunline (NZ) (Desert Sun) was a Listed winner as a two-year-old from only a handful of starts, so we might be splitting hairs a little bit there. But even so, winning Group races in four consecutive seasons puts Bonny Lass in an incredibly exclusive club.” Bonny Lass burst on the scene as a two-year-old with wins in her first two starts including the Group Two Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m), followed by placings in the Group One Sistema Stakes (1200m) and Group One Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m). In her three-year-old season, Bonny Lass won three races including the Group Three Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m), along with a third behind Group One winners On The Bubbles (Brazen Beau) and I Wish I Win (NZ) (Savabeel) in the Listed Mufhasa Stakes (1400m), plus a fourth in the Group Three Gold Trail Stakes (1200m). Bonny Lass won the Group Three Sweynesse Stakes (1215m) as a four-year-old, then returned at five for luckless placings in the Group One Sistema Railway (1200m) and Telegraph (1200m). She had her deserved moment in the sun in the BCD Group Sprint at Te Rapa in February, where she edged out the previously unbeaten three-year-old Crocetti (NZ) (Zacinto) by a long head. A six-start campaign as a six-year-old was headed by a superb first-up win in the Group Two Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa last August, beating the likes of Skew Wiff (NZ) (Savabeel), Waitak (NZ) (Proisir), Mustang Valley (NZ) (Vanbrugh), Puntura (NZ) (Vespa) and Sacred Satono (NZ) (Satono Aladdin). But out of all of those outstanding performances against top-flight opposition, Cooper has no doubt which performance sits at the top of the pile. “Her Group One win at Te Rapa was such a special day for all of us,” he said. “I’m good friends with Daniel Nakhle, whose horse Crocetti was defeated for the first time in his career when he ran second that day. He gave all of us his congratulations and said he was delighted for Bonny, and that if anyone had to beat Crocetti in that race, he was glad it was her. “He said no horse in New Zealand deserved to win a Group One race more than Bonny Lass, and we heard those sentiments from quite a few people that day. It was an outstanding win and an obvious career highlight.” Bonny Lass is one of three winners from five foals to race out of Posh Bec (NZ) (Le Bec Fin), who herself won three races and placed in the Listed Soliloquy Stakes (1400m). Posh Bec is also the dam of Clark Kent (NZ) (Super Easy), who placed in the Listed Welcome Stakes (1000m), while her half-brother Time To Celebrate (NZ) (Per Incanto) placed at Group Two level in Hong Kong. Cooper believes Bonny Lass has the attributes to be a quality broodmare. “Another of her most memorable performances was in the Railway, where she was almost knocked over in the straight but somehow managed to pick herself up and finish second,” he said. “If she can pass any of that bravery and tenacity on to her progeny, she’ll be an outstanding broodmare.” The sale of Bonny Lass will run on Gavelhouse Plus from 10am (NZT) on Wednesday 7th May to 7pm (NZT) Thursday 15th May. View the full article

The six-furlong race over Woodbine's all-weather track will put the value of experience to the test. All but one of the five fillies and mares have raced at least 14 times. The other just three.View the full article

The undefeated Nysos, a colt dubbed trainer Bob Baffert's next big star after his scintillating three-race win streak, returns to action for the first time in 15 months in the $1 million Churchill Downs Stakes (G1) May 3.View the full article

As you review the entries for the marquee races this weekend at Churchill Downs, namely the GI Longines Kentucky Oaks on Friday and the GI Kentucky Derby on Saturday, you'll notice a common name listed among the connections: Brereton C. Jones. Though many outside of the Thoroughbred industry will recognize the name as that of the former governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, for those within it, it's one that evokes immense pride and gratitude for a man who was a true stalwart of the sport. Sadly, Brereton–the founder and master of Airdrie Stud alongside his wife, Libby–passed away Sept. 18, 2023 at the age of 84 following a lengthy illness. But his legacy, one he curated through years of intuitive breeding decisions amongst a standout broodmare band, lives on through his son, Bret Jones, and his family. This weekend, Airdrie Stud is proudly represented by three Classic contenders in the form of Kentucky Derby entrants Publisher (American Pharoah), bred and co-owned by the Estate of Brereton C. Jones, and Chunk of Gold (Preservationist), bred by Brereton C. Jones; and Kentucky Oaks contender Fondly (Upstart), also bred by Brereton C. Jones. Publisher (right) stretches his legs at Churchill | Sara Gordon All raised together on the farm in Midway, Ky., as part of the same foal crop in 2022, each Airdrie-bred was sold as a yearling: Publisher for $600,000 at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Yearling Sale, Fondly for $50,000 at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Yearling Sale, and Chunk of Gold for $2,500, also at the Kentucky Fall Sale. When it comes to the colts, Bret acknowledges the two opposite ends of the spectrum they represent. “Publisher was a very obvious horse from the day he was born. Just a beautiful foal. We really thought, honestly, he was as good a yearling as we had ever raised, or certainly as long as [General Manager] Ben [Hanley] and I have been around. That's why we took him to Saratoga, which we hadn't done in about 50 years, because we just thought he was deserving of that sort of marketing and thought it would be a way to show the farm was trying a few different things,” said Jones. “Ron Moquett loved the colt and bought him on behalf of Gus King, and we pretty much begged to stay in for a piece because we really thought he had a chance to be very special. Gus was very kind and let us partner with him. “At the other end of the spectrum is Chunk of Gold, who literally spent two days trying to climb out of his stall at the Fasig-Tipton October Sale. He was tough. I feel like with horses like that, it can go one of two ways: they won't be able to handle training at all or they'll be such tough, competitive horses that they'll want to go out there and beat your backside. And I'm thankful [the latter] that seems to be the horse that he is.” Though Bret is immensely proud of all of Airdrie's connections amongst the Kentucky Derby weekend entries, there is a special place in his heart for Publisher as he is the first foal out of the farm's star mare, Indian Pride (Proud Citizen). Earning a 'TDN Rising Star' on debut for trainer Chad Brown in the summer of 2019 as a 3-year-old, she went on to finish third in the GII Raven Run Stakes at Keeneland that fall, before returning as a 4-year-old to dominate an allowance at Belmont Park and later securing her first stakes victory in Saratoga's Shine Again Stakes. Despite her career being cut short due to a bout of colic while training up to the 2020 GI Ballerina Handicap at Saratoga, which led to her retirement after four starts, Indian Pride had more than proven the high caliber of racehorse that she was. “I really do think that Indian Pride was as talented as any horse that we ever put in training. She didn't get to fully show it because she got very sick as a 2-year-old and then got sick again as a 3-year-old. At the time, you're devastated when you can't make a race like [the Ballerina] because I really think she was deserving to be a Grade I winner,” said Jones. Chunk of Gold with Ethan West | Sara Gordon “Her dam, Ms. Cornstalk, got us two champions in Canada in Biofuel and Tu Endie Wei. That family goes way back with dad. When I was just a kid, I can remember Dansil running in the [1989] Kentucky Derby and he was a horse that dad had bred from that family. Hopefully we continue to add to what's already a pretty special page for us.” When it comes to Publisher, the colt actually represents Airdrie on both sides of the pedigree as a son of American Pharoah, whose dam Littleprincessemma (Yankee Gentleman) was bred and sold by Airdrie. For Bret, the pairing of Indian Pride with the 2015 Triple Crown winner and Horse of the Year was a no-brainer. “We are a very simple people. The thinking [behind that] was breed the most talented horse that we've ever raced to the most talented horse we've ever seen. We thought she was the right type to take to Pharoah. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, but it sure worked with him because he's an absolutely beautiful colt.” Publisher has yet to break his maiden in seven tries, but has certainly shown the wherewithal to do so at the highest level. He's shown improvement in each start this season, most recently finishing a valiant second-place finish to Sandman (Tapit) in the March 29 GI Arkansas Derby. “[Steve] told us early on, 'Look, this is a very talented horse but he's really got to strengthen up right now. He's just a little bit physically immature, so we're not going to push him too hard,' with the thought we could have a very good 3-year-old. Obviously, that progression has worked out just as Steve thought that it could. His last race was his best race and hopefully his next race is even better,” said Jones. Indian Pride, the dam of Publisher; Play for Gold (Cairo Prince), the dam of Chunk of Gold; and Lifetime Memory (Istan), the dam of Fondly, all represent generations upon generations of families handcrafted by Bret's father. Though all three of their Classic contenders sold for a range of prices as yearlings, Bret sees those sale results serve as a testament to what Airdrie does best: breeding a quality horse for clients at every level to find and enjoy success with on the track. “[Multiple graded stakes winner] My Boy Jack is from Chunk of Gold's family. We sold him to Keith Desormeaux, who always does great buying inexpensive horses from us and doing exceptional things with them. I think he was a $20,000 yearling, and Chunk of Gold was a $2,500 yearling, so cumulatively $22,500 will get you two spots in the starting gate at the Kentucky Derby,” said Jones. Fondly works for her big day in the Oaks | Sara Gordon And when it comes to the Kentucky Derby, there's something to be said for the smile that alights Bret's face when he talks about Mage (Good Magic), winner of the 2023 Kentucky Derby, who joined Airdrie's stallion roster last season and has first foals on the ground this year. “That was a big deal for the farm. We had never stood a Kentucky Derby winner and we signed the deal for Mage the day after dad passed, so there was pretty amazing timing involved in all of that. The hope is that he can be an important one around here for a long time,” said Jones. Riding alongside Bret as he drives through Airdrie's main farm and the sister properties throughout Versailles while visiting the horses that graze upon the storied pastures, it's as if you're physically thumbing through each chapter of the poignant story that Brereton authored himself over the decades. And when it comes to the continuation of Airdrie's story, it's clear that there's no one more fitting than Brereton's son to hold that pen and put it to paper. “I think about dad every day and I will be thinking about him even more on that first Saturday in May. Watching his grandkids that the walk over will be very emotional, but that's the amazing thing about horse racing. Horse racing in itself is incredible, but when you can share it with the people you love, that is what makes it the greatest in the world.” When the connections make the walk over to the Churchill Downs paddock ahead of Saturday's featured race, as the Jones family accompanies their contender Publisher, there is no doubt that Brereton will be there with them too. The post The Jones Legacy Lives On Beneath The Twin Spires appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Rodriguez, winner of the Wood Memorial Stakes (G2), has scratched from the May 3 Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs. Co-owner Tom Ryan reports Rodriguez has a foot bruise and will be pointed to the May 17 Preakness Stakes (G1).View the full article

After winning the Columbia Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs in which he pressed the pace before holding on for the neck win, Zulu Kingdom will try to add a grade 1 victory to his résumé in the $1 million American Turf Stakes (G1T) at Churchill Downs May 3.View the full article

LOUISVILE, Ky. – After last year's Breeders' Cup, it wouldn't have come as much of a surprise to see an unbeaten, Godolphin homebred trained by Brad Cox bringing a perfect record into the GI Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs. But with last year's champion 2-year-old filly Immersive (Nyquist) unraced since capping her brilliant four-for-four season in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies–she's recently returned to training–it will instead be her unbeaten stablemate Good Cheer (Medaglia d'Oro) that will be in the spotlight for those same connections on the first Friday in May. Good Cheer has raced twice so far this year, easily winning both of her preps in New Orleans–the GII Fasig-Tipton Rachel Alexandra S. Feb. 15 and GII Fasig-Tipton Fair Grounds Oaks Mar. 22. The latter was good for a career-best 91 Beyer Speed Figure. The striking, blaze-faced bay went four-for-four as a 2-year-old, including wins in the Rags to Riches S. Oct. 27 and GII Golden Rod S. Nov. 30, both beneath the Twin Spires. “Look, I would love to sit here and tell you that I thought Good Cheer was gonna be the one,” Cox said with a laugh. “I've always felt Good Cheer would handle the 1 1/8 miles and beyond. When she won the allowance race (by 17 lengths) at Churchill in the fall in September, I thought, 'Man, this could be our Alabama filly.' That would probably be as much dreaming as I did last fall with her. We were obviously gonna try to separate them. If they were gonna meet up, it would've been in the Kentucky Oaks.” Cox added, “Once Good Cheer won the Golden Rod, we knew that she was the real deal. She's definitely filled the gap short term–they're two great fillies. Looking forward to getting Immersive back later in the season, too.” Cox has won the Kentucky Oaks twice–with Monomoy Girl in 2018 and with Shedaresthedevil two years later. Godolphin captured the 2023 renewal with the Brendan Walsh-trained Pretty Mischievous (Into Mischief). “Obviously, if Good Cheer can win this race, she puts her name right there with those fillies,” Cox said. After winning last year's Kentucky Oaks with subsequent Horse of the Year and 'TDN Rising Star' Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna)–she'll be in action in the GI Fasig-Tipton La Troienne on the sensational Oaks undercard–trainer Kenny McPeek and jockey Brian Hernandez, Jr. will look for a repeat with Take Charge Milady (Take Charge Indy). Her foot issue seems to behind her–McPeek announced on Twitter earlier this week that her foot abscess has healed–and she enters off a very good rallying second behind the speedy La Cara (Street Sense) in the GI Central Bank Ashland S. at Keeneland Apr. 7. 'TDN Rising Star' Quietside (Malibu Moon) (how cool has it been seeing Kentucky Derby alumni turned John Ortiz stable pony Barber Road accompanying her to the track this week!), winner of Oaklawn's GIII Honeybee S. Feb. 23 and GII Fantasy S. Mar. 29 and drawn widest of all in post 14, figures to go off as the second choice, while the Bob Baffert-trained GII Fasig-Tipton Santa Anita Oaks winner Tenma (Nyquist) will also be well-supported at the windows. With plenty of speed still signed on despite the defection of Five G (Vekoma), stretch-running GIII Gazelle S. winner Ballerina d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro) is an interesting longshot to consider. The 13-race Kentucky Oaks program also features a heavyweight showdown between Todd Pletcher-trained 'TDN Rising Stars' Fierceness (City of Light) and Locked (Gun Runner) in the GII Alysheba S.; the GII Edgewood S., headed by the talented Nitrogen (Medaglia d'Oro); the GIII Modesty S., topped by MGISW She Feels Pretty (Karakontie {Jpn}); the GII Eight Belles S.; and the GIII Unbridled Sidney S. The weather forecast for Louisville continues to be fluid for the next few days with rain expected around noon Friday and continuing into Saturday. The post Good Cheer Brings Perfect Record into Kentucky Oaks appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The demand for American Pharoah in Japan might explode if his son, Luxor Cafe, follows in his sire's hoofprints and wins the May 3 Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill DownsView the full article

While there are thousands of partnerships formed each year in Thoroughbred racing, only a handful, if any, experience the euphoric thrill of Triple Crown success.View the full article

The day after the Kentucky Derby (G1) is typically a time to relax, but there will be no rest for the weary May 4 at Aqueduct Racetrack.View the full article

The GII Wood Memorial Stakes winner and Bob Baffert trainee Rodriguez (Authentic) has been scratched with a sensitive foot bruise from the Saturday's GI Kentucky Derby, according a tweet from SF Racing's Tom Ryan. “Out of an abundance of caution, we have made a very tough decision to scratch our Derby horse, Rodriguez,” the post by Ryan said. “He has a small but slightly sensitive foot bruise that will need a few more days. Therefore, we are resetting our plans and will target him for the Preakness.” The 'TDN Rising Star' will now be replaced by Baeza (McKinzie), who waited in the wings for trainer John Shirreffs and at 12-1 on the morning-line will be ridden by Flavien Prat. Per DRF, jockey Luis Saez will now ride Neoequos (Neolithic). Out of an abundance of caution, we have made a very tough decision to scratch our Derby horse, Rodriguez. He has a small but slightly sensitive foot bruise that will need a few more days. Therefore, we are resetting our plans and will target him for the Preakness. — Tom Ryan (@TomRyanKY) May 1, 2025 The post Rodriguez Scratches From Kentucky Derby With Foot Bruise, Baeza Up Next appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

9th-Churchill Downs, $134,460, Alw (NW3$X)/Opt. Clm ($100,000), 5-1, 3yo/up, 6f, 1:07.84, ft, 2 1/2 lengths. WORLD RECORD (c, 4, Gun Runner–Marwa {GB}, by Exceed And Excel {Aus}), last year's GII Amsterdam Stakes winner who was unraced since a third in the Steel Valley Sprint Stakes at Mahoning Valley in late November, returned to the races with a winning effort Thursday. The 'TDN Rising Star' faced a salty allowance field led by GSW Track Phantom (Quality Road) and fellow 'Rising Star' MGSP Nash (Medaglia d'Oro) but was made the even-money favorite drawn inside of that pair. Clear from drama shortly after the break as Petcoff (Munnings) stumbled badly and Caramel Chip (Midshipman) dropped jockey Junior Alvarado, World Record was intent on the lead and pressed all the way into the far turn by both of his main rivals through testy fractions of :21.30 and :43.91. Still on the lead and not conceding any ground down the lane, the favorite kept the late-running Nash, who had to stay outside to avoid the loose Caramel Chip, at bay to win his come-back effort by 2 1/2 lengths. Alvarado was quickly on his feet after the incident at the start while Caramel Chip was pulled up by the outriders after the finish and walked off. Marwa has 2-year-old Maxfield filly and produced another filly by Tacitus this year. Sales History: $410,000 Wlg '21 KEENOV. Lifetime Record: GSW, 8-4-0-3, $390,140. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-WinStar Farm LLC and BBN Racing LLC; B-Runnymede Farm LLC, Falguieres Bloodstock, Gestut Zur Kuste AG, et (KY); T-Rodolphe Brisset. Flavien Prat and WORLD RECORD ($4.30) looked like they were going for a world record in the 9th at @ChurchillDowns. The colt by @Three_Chimneys' Gun Runner is trained by @BrissetRodolphe. Note: Caramel Chip and rider @JuniorandKellyA are both okay after the start. pic.twitter.com/rEYZgtPCev — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) May 1, 2025 The post ‘Rising Star’ World Record Returns A Winner At Churchill appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

7th-Belmont The Big A, $85,360, Alw (NW1$X)/Opt. Clm ($100,000), 5-1, 3yo, f, 1m, 1:35.89, ft, 1 1/4 lengths. CASSIAR (f, 3, City of Light–Nellie Cashman {GSW, $349,839}, by Mineshaft), runner-up in the GII Gulfstream Park Oaks behind recently-scratched Kentucky Oaks entrant Five G (Vekoma), cut back to the mile but faced several salty fillies including the come-backing GI Frizette Stakes winner Scottish Lassie (McKinzie). That 2-5 favorite made much of the running, setting a pressured pace just ahead of Dry Powder (Gun Runner) through fractions of :23.78 and :46.57. Cassiar sat third off that pair into the turn, really picked up the bridle with an outside bid at the quarter pole and came home nicely as the heavy favorite began to fade to win by 1 1/4 lengths. Dry Powder stayed on for second while Scottish Lassie was third. The top three were well clear of the final two runners in the field on the line. Out of GIII Virginia Oaks winner Nellie Cashman, also the dam of Bendoog (Gun Runner), G1SP-UAE, GSP-USA, $817,116, Cassiar has a yearling Mitole half-sister and a foal half-sister by Mandaloun. Sales History: $400,000 Ylg '23 FTSAUG. Lifetime Record: GSP, 3-2-0-1, $91,710. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-W.S. Farish; B-Calumet Farm (KY); T-Claude R. McGaughey III. The post City Of Light’s Cassiar Denies Scottish Lassie In Aqueduct Allowance appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A field of 11 will line up in the first British classic of the season with leading contenders Field of Gold, Ruling Court, and Expanded among the runners for the Two Thousand Guineas (G1) at Newmarket Racecourse May 3.View the full article

Willie Mullins's Closutton Stables consigned Aurora Vega (Ire) (Walk In The Park {Ire}) (lot 6) to the Goffs Punchestown Sale on Thursday, and was duly rewarded when the 7-year-old mare topped proceedings at €450,000 on the bid of Gerry Aherne. The full-sister to four-time Grade 1 winner Facile Vega (Ire) is out of the G1 Tipperkevin Hurdle heroine Quevega (Fr) (Robin Des Champs {Fr}). She is a listed bumper winner and won the G1 Honeysuckle Mares Novice Hurdle. Minella Machine (Ire) (Blue Bresil {Fr}) (lot 9) was the other horse to clear the €300,000 marker when selling to Mags O'Toole for €350,000. Consigned by Minella Racing, the 4-year-old gelding is a winner of a Curraghmore point-to-point and is a half-brother to listed hurdle winner Jubilee Alpha (Ire) (Flemensfirth). In 2025, all 24 horses offered sold for a gross of €4,095,000. The average rose 5% to €170,625 and the median rose 16% to €162,500. A quintet of lots made €200,000 or more. “Goffs Punchestown Sale was the first festival sale and delivers year after year, but never more so than 2025,” said Goffs Group chief executive Henry Beeby. “We were delighted to return a stunning 100% clearance rate with a top price of €450,000 for the impeccably bred Grade 1 winner Aurora Vega. “Once again, our vendors provided a highly desirable group of current high-class performers and have been duly rewarded. We thank them and wish every purchaser huge success at the same time.” The post Walk In The Park Mare Makes €450k To Top Punchestown Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

LOUISVILLE, KY– Two months ago, trainer Dale Romans and California Horse Racing Board vice president Oscar Gonzalez traveled to Washington, D.C. with the American Business Immigration Coalition (ABIC) to join more than 150 business leaders in a push for bipartisan immigration reform. On Thursday, May 1 after training hours concluded at Churchill Downs, the pair participated in a media briefing to share their insights from the trip and explain why the group believes that now is the time to reform U.S. laws and regulations affecting legal immigrant workers. Around 20 media outlets from both within the industry and beyond attended the briefing, which was hosted by the ABIC and the Kentucky Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association. Gonzalez, who served as senior advisor on immigration to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack for 10 years at the U.S. Department of Agriculture prior to joining the CHRB, said that he has witnessed the highs and lows of the immigration conversation. “I think we're at a critical point now with market access challenges, labor shortages and with prices getting higher,” he explained. “We think that the American public is ready for a conversation.” Gonzalez said ABIC's March campaign to 121 congressional offices was just the start of a broader push for immigration reform—one that will require active involvement from leaders within the racing industry, which relies on immigrants for roughly 78% of its workforce. “We laid out the conversation about the economic impact that the equine industry has on the country and in urban areas like [Louisville],” he said. “What you can be expecting in the next couple months is really just engaging horse racing people in particular– going to racetracks, letting their members of congress and governors know about the importance of them being at the table. This will also involve getting sign-on letters and additional trips to Washington.” In an article from the TDN's Dan Ross earlier this week, Ross discussed how President Donald Trump broached the topic of reform at an April 10 cabinet meeting. “At that gathering, Trump intimated of a new program to help farm, hotel and other workers leave the country and then return legally with the support of their U.S. employer,” Ross penned. “While Trump's wording at the meeting was vague, the pathways available to bring such concepts to life appear largely two-fold: Through executive order or through legislation.” In Thursday's meeting, Dale Romans, who is also the President of the Kentucky HBPA, offered his opinion on the most effective methods for enacting change. “Everything starts with the White House,” Romans said. “If [Trump] came up with an amnesty program, we just want to be in on the conversation when he decides to do something. I think he's a businessman at the end of the day and that's a positive for us. I don't think there's as much of a concern about the welfare of Central and South Americans, but I think he understands business and the business cannot operate in this country without a labor force.” The racing industry currently relies on the H-2B visa program to meet its demand for backstretch workers, but the system has shortcomings. Visas are capped annually and typically last only 10 months, though they can be extended for up to three years. “It's a cumbersome system,” said Romans. “It has to find people in Central and South America that want to come here and work on a visa and then you have to get visas allotted to you every year, so you don't know for sure if you're going to get them in the next year and then you only get them for 10 months once they get here. There has to be a simpler system.” He continued, “In a perfect world, I would love to see the government almost running a temp service where someone in Central or South America applies to the temp service, then I call them and say I need 20 workers to come work on the backside and they come to me. It would turn the system upside down. Right now, it's difficult to stay legal and it's hard to plan for the future. Every 10 months you're reapplying for new visas and there is no guarantee you're going to get them. There's a cap on them but there is not a cap on need.” President Trump's recent comments on immigration reform suggest a potential broadening of the administration's approach, which has so far emphasized strong border enforcement. While the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) apparently has not yet set its sights on racing, reports from other industries have created uncertainty within the backside community. Dale Romans | Lauren King “I've worked with immigrant workers my whole life and I've never seen people under the stress they've gone through the last six months,” said Romans. “Everybody is worried. I've never had so many people come to me asking questions.” Romans said that earlier this spring when his stable was relocating from Florida to Kentucky, members of his staff traveling with the horses expressed concerns about stopping at state agricultural inspection stations. “They asked, 'Are we going to be swept away when we cross the border? Is there going to be ICE sitting there waiting?'” shared Romans. “These are legal people that have work visas but have concerns. It's a very important issue.” Romans said he is optimistic about seeing change under the current administration. “Trump is saying all the right things,” he noted. “He wants to separate the good from the bad. He understands the workforce issue we have in this country. We're at 4% unemployment. These are people that pay their taxes. They'll never see the benefit of social security, but they're paying into it every year. We might as well make it legal. We can't operate without them.” Also during Thursday's meeting, National HBPA CEO Eric Hamelback and ABIC CEO Rebecca Shi offered their insight on the need for immigration reform. Joe Stave of Monterey Mushrooms, one of America's largest mushroom producers, shared how his company relies on the soiled straw from racetracks for compost to grow their product and discussed how his industry relies on the same labor force as the equine industry. Will Velie, an immigration attorney specializing in the racing industry, pointed out how future reform could take a shape similar to the 2022 Affordable and Secure Food Act.” “[The bill] came six votes short and lost in the filibuster, but it said if you worked in agriculture for a previous period of time and you agreed to work in agriculture for a number of years after that, you would become legal and have a pathway to a long-term, permanent presence,” Velie explained. “I think right now with the border being secure, this is a bipartisan issue and I think we have the space where we can get something done to take care of the people who take care of us.” The post Critical Point: Industry Works Toward Immigration Reform 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-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Friday's Observations features a half-sister to a Group 1 winner. 1.10 Newmarket, Mdn, £40,000, 3yo/up, f/m, 10fT PEARLA (IRE) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) makes her debut for Wathnan Racing and William Haggas, having cost 425,000gns at Tattersalls October Book 1. A half-sister to the G1 Prix de l'Opera winner Place Du Carrousel (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), the Irish Oaks entry is joined by the expected clutch of bluebloods including John and Thady Gosden's Meon Valley homebred Zaltana (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), the second foal out of their Oaks heroine Anapurna (GB) (Frankel {GB}). 1.43 Chantilly, Debutantes, €27,000, 3yo, f, 10fT AZZURA (FR) (Siyouni {Fr}) is a full-sister to the 2020 G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches heroine Dream And Do (Ire) who starts her career for her owner-breeders Haras du Logis Saint Germain and the Jerome Reynier stable. Among her rivals is Juddmonte's Golden Splendour (GB) (Golden Horn {GB}), a Francis-Henri Graffard-trained daughter of the G1 Nassau Stakes winner Winsili (GB) (Dansili {GB}) related to the recent G3 Nell Gwyn Stakes scorer Zanzoun (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). 5.13 Chantilly, Listed, €70,000, 4yo/up, 6fT LAZZAT (FR) (Territories {Ire}) bids to build on his comeback fourth in the Listed Prix Altipan and resume the winning thread in this Listed Prix Servanne. Nurlan Bizakov's G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest, G3 Prix Paul de Moussac and G3 Prix Djebel winner had a hard winter, going down narrowly in the Golden Eagle before trying the G1 Hong Kong Mile so it is a case of going gently at present. The post Wathnan’s Sea The Stars Half To Place Du Carrousel Debuts At Newmarket appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – With the legendary D. Wayne Lukas, white cowboy hat, shades and all, leading the charge aboard his stable pony, Thursday's exclusive 15-minute training session for GI Kentucky Derby and GI Kentucky Oaks entrants was off and running on another partly cloudy and warm, humid morning at Churchill Downs. The 89-year-old, four-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainer was accompanying Virginia Derby hero American Promise (Justify), who will become his 51st starter in Saturday's Run for the Roses. Doesn't get much better than that. Flying Mohawk (Karakontie {Jpn}), an enticing 30-1 on the morning line, was the first to catch the eye. The GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks runner-up has been getting over the surface quite nicely ahead of his first career attempt on dirt. Between the rail draw and visual impression that he's made all week, last year's champion 2-year-old Citizen Bull (Into Mischief) may be the fastest of them all heading into the clubhouse turn for the 1 1/4-mile Classic. Burnham Square (Liam's Map) has been giving off plenty of good vibes this week, galloping once again with his neck arched while passing the big crowd in attendance lined up along the rail on the backstretch. His affable jockey Brian Hernandez, Jr., prominently featured on the front page of our special, Kentucky Derby preview edition, will look to put them back to back after masterfully guiding Mystik Dan (Goldencents) home to an 18-1 upset last year. You would never guess that Publisher (American Pharoah), a striking $600,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga baby, would still be a maiden just by watching him train. Publisher | Sherackatthetrack It's been nothing but good news to report for Journalism (Curlin) as well as Sovereignty (Into Mischief), who have owned the mornings this Kentucky Derby week. Journalism's long list of admirers while getting cleaned up back at Michael McCarthy's barn included co-owners Eclipse Thoroughbred Partner's Aron Wellman and Bridlewood Farm's George Isaacs. “We have the utmost respect for every runner and their connections and we're taking nothing for granted, but Journalism instills a lot of confidence in everyone around him,” Wellman said. The post Thursday’s Kentucky Derby Report: Legendary D. Wayne Lukas Leads Cavalry Charge appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

One of two fillies in a field of six for Thursday's $250,000 Kentucky Juvenile Stakes at Churchill Downs, Wesley Ward's PINKY FINGER (f, 2, Army Mule–Bird Map, by Liam's Map) made those that swallowed the 1-2 starting price sweat it out in the waning strides, but was home narrowly best to run her record to two wins from as many appearances. A 7 1/2-length debut winner at even-money at Keeneland while also facing the boys Apr. 7, the $90,000 Keeneland November weanling hit the ground running and dueled through the early stages with Monster (Leinster) before opening up some daylight on the turn. Clear of her rivals as they hit the stretch, she was put to a more vigorous drive inside the final furlong and scraped home a narrow winner as Maximus Prime (Maximus Mischief) took ground off her with every stride, but was too late. The winner's stablemate Double Talker (Hootenanny), himself a first-out winner in Lexington Apr. 10, looked dangerous for a stride or two with less than an eighth of a mile to travel, but could do no better than third. Pinky Finger is one of 108 individual winners for her sire, who has now been represented by an incredible 16 stakes winners from roughly 160 starters. Ward told Churchill's Joe Kristufek that Pinky Finger has worked on the grass and handled it well and could be under consideration for a trip to Royal Ascot in about six weeks' time. Sales history: $90,000 Wlg '23 KEENOV. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0. O/T-Wesley Ward; B-SpearmaCo (KY). PINKY FINGER ($3.02) does it again! The filly beat the boys and gets her first stakes win in the $250,000 Kentucky Juvenile Stakes at @ChurchillDowns. The 2YO daughter of Army Mule is trained by Wesley Ward, @JRosarioJockey was up. pic.twitter.com/hLUiEJ4csZ — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) May 1, 2025 The post Pinky Finger Another Stakes Winner For Army Mule in Kentucky Juvenile appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Friday, Newmarket, Britain, post time: 16:05, BETFRED JOCKEY CLUB STAKES-G2, £125,000, 4yo/up, 12f 0y Field: Ambiente Friendly (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}), Bellum Justum (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Silver Knott (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Divina Grace (Ire) (Golden Horn {GB}). TDN Verdict: One of Europe's most dubious Group 2s, but this year it holds up well with the accomplished Silver Knott racing in his home town for the first time since the 2023 2,000 Guineas. Ambiente Friendly looks like a horse that needs a confidence boost and with Godolphin's stalwart in here that's not on the cards, so this is as much a test of his character as his ability which we saw in full in last year's Derby. [Tom Frary]. Friday, Newmarket, Britain, post time: 13:45, TRUSTATRADER NEWMARKET STAKES-Listed, £55,000, 3yo, c/g, 10f 0y Field: Alpine Trail (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}), Aurel (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}), Devil's Advocate (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), Ernst Blofeld (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), Harvey (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}), Nebras (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). TDN Verdict: Before the Guineas on Saturday, we'll be focusing on the Derby with this sporadically meaningful trial and the customary Godolphin lurker this time is Alpine Trail, a relative of Solemia who has the pedigree credentials to enter the “when will Dubawi's first Derby winner come” debate. Charlie Appleby might already have a fairly good idea of where he stands with regards to Aurel after that colt beat one of his other nice prospects at Kempton in November. [Tom Frary]. Friday, Newmarket, Britain, post time: 14:20, NYETIMBER KING CHARLES II STAKES-Listed, £55,000, 3yo, 7f 0y Field: The Waco Kid (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), Big Cyril (Ire) (No Nay Never), Chancellor (GB) (Kingman {GB}), Cosmic Year (GB) (Kingman {GB}), Diego Ventura (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), La Botte (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), Marvelman (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), Pellitory (GB) (Sergei Prokofiev, Port Light (Ire) (City Light {Fr}), Symbol Of Honour (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}). TDN Verdict: What is really a St James's Palace/Jersey trial is easily the card's most interesting race, with TDN Rising Star Cosmic Year taking the sensible route away from the Guineas but unfortunately still ending up presented with a true test. He may have won his two starts by wide margins so far, but he'll need to show another side to his make-up here. With the ground lively, this will be an examination of speed which will suit Godolphin's Symbol Of Honour and Wathnan's Diego Ventura while the impressive Craven meeting winner Pellitory and TDN Rising Star Chancellor rate as significant threats. [Tom Frary]. Friday, Chantilly, France, post time: 16:03, PRIX DE SURESNES-Listed, €55,000, 3yo, 10fT Field: Azimpour (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), Nizam (Fr) (Pinatubo {Ire}), Leffard (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}), New Ground (GB) (New Bay {GB}), Juwelier (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Chaumiere De Pre (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}), Nitoi (Siyouni {Fr}). TDN Verdict: If it's Rouget and unbeaten, it matters until proven otherwise and Leffard is the chosen one in a race he likes. After all, this is the race that launched Sottsass (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) in 2019 and Ace Impact (Ire) (Cracksman {GB}) in 2023, so although we learned little about this relative of High Chaparral (Ire) at either Cagnes-sur-Mer or Toulouse we must pay close attention now. Nitoi probably sets the standard on his G3 Prix Noailles second, while the G3 Prix la Force runner-up Azimpour adds spice. [Tom Frary]. Saturday, Newmarket, Britain, post time: 15:35, BETFRED 2000 GUINEAS STAKES-G1, £525,000, 3yo, c/f, 8f 0y Field: Benevento (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Expanded (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Field Of Gold (Ire) (Kingman {GB}), Green Impact (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Ruling Court (Justify), Scorthy Champ (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), Seagulls Eleven (Ire) (Galileo Gold {GB}), Shadow Of Light (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Tornado Alert (Ire) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), Wimbledon Hawkeye (GB) (Kameko), Yah Mo Be There (GB) (Mohaather {GB}). Click here for the complete fields. The post Black-Type Analysis: Can Alpine Trail Punch His Derby Ticket At HQ? appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) winner Five G saw her path to the Kentucky Oaks (G1) come up a day short May 1 when she was scratched from the May 2 1 1/8-mile test for 3-year-old fillies at Churchill Downs.View the full article

Journalism's trainer Michael McCarthy has pledged to donate a portion of any Derby winnings to Win Place Home, a 501(c)(3) aftercare organization based in Southern California that retrains and rehomes off-track Thoroughbreds.View the full article

Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from around the country. The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit's (HIWU) “pending” and “resolved” cases portals. Resolved ADMC Violations Date: 04/30/2025 Licensee: Candalario Villamar, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision of HIWU. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Sky Cloud, who won at Turf Paradise on 3/20/25. Date: 04/29/2025 Licensee: Juan Arriagada, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Zatip, who finished last at Tampa Bay on 3/22/25. Date: 04/29/2025 Licensee: Jorge Farias, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Trichlormethiazide–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Modera, who finished fifth at Los Alamitos on 3/16/25. Date: 04/25/2025 Licensee: Colleen O'Hagan, trainer Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision by HIWU. Explainer: Vets' list medication violation for the presence of Triamcinolone–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Isle of Skye on 3/19/25. Date: 04/24/2025 Licensee: Darien Rodriguez, trainer Penalty: 15-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on Apr. 25; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $2,500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Methocarbamol–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Everdoit, who won at Tampa Bay on 3/19/25. Date: 04/24/2025 Licensee: Jose Salinas, trainer Penalty: 60-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on Apr. 25; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $5,000. Final decision by HIWU. Explainer: Medication violations for an Intra-Articular Injection Within Fourteen (14) days of a Post-Time on Zoomster on 6/9/23. Date: 04/24/2025 Licensee: Benjamin Bealmear, veterinarian Penalty: 4-month period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on Apr. 25; a fine of $4,165. Admission. Explainer: For the possession of Adenosine Triphosphate (“ATP”) for an event dated 10/3/24. This is a possible violation of Rule 3214(a)–Possession of Banned Substances. The case resolution can be read here. Date: 04/24/2025 Licensee: Christophe Clement, trainer Penalty: None. Charges dismissed. Explainer: Clement's legal team “identified sufficient possible problems and deficiencies in the testing that cast some doubt about the scientific reliability of the testing that resulted in the [adverse analytical finding].” This case relates to what had been an alleged Flunixin overage–a controlled substance (Class C)–in in a sample taken from Gal in a Rush, who finished third in the G2 Presque Isle Downs Masters S. on 9/20/24. The lab in question is the Pennsylvania Equine Toxicology Research Laboratory. More specifically, the case arbitrator found problems with the lab's “lack of an independent quality control sample,” as well as an “internal standard recovery” procedure that was “inconsistent.” A more detailed account of the case resolution can be read here. Pending ADMC Violations 04/30/2025, Steve Manley, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine–a controlled substance (Class B)–in a sample taken from Thirsty Natalie on 4/1/25. 04/30/2025, John Alan Williams, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine–a controlled substance (Class B)–in a sample taken from Hopkinsville on 4/1/25. 04/30/2025, Christopher Keller, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine–a controlled substance (Class B)–in a sample taken from Gold Dart, who finished fifth at Colonial Downs on 3/15/25. 04/29/2025, Fausto Gutierez, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Quatrocento, who won at Tampa Bay on 3/28/25. 04/28/2025, Nicholas Vaccarezza, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Omeprazole–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Military Cruiser on 3/28/25. 04/28/2025, Ramon Aguayo, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Lidocaine–a controlled substance (Class B)–in a sample taken from Salagadoola, who finished second at Tampa Bay on 3/26/25. 04/28/2025, Patrick Ashton, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Methamphetamine–a banned substance–in a sample taken from Max Forward Speed, who finished second at Parx Racing on 3/4/25. 04/28/2025, Shannon Simpson, trainer: Pending violation for the possession of Pitcher Plant Extract–Adenosine Triphosphate (“ATP”), metabolase, Pengamine 250, Aminotonic, Solucion CS Pisa–for an event dated 2/5/25. This is a possible violation of Rule 3214(a)–Possession of Banned Substances. 04/25/2025, Kelli Martinez, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Charter Oak, who won at Will Rogers on 4/1/25. 04/25/2025, Shane Meyers, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Methocarbamol–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Holidays Army Brat, who won at Mahoning Valley on 3/24/25. 04/25/2025, Royce Pulliam, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine–a controlled substance (Class B)–in a sample taken from Johanny on 3/23/25. 04/25/2025, Megan Fadlovich, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Methocarbamol–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Ivory Sky, who won at Mahoning Valley on 3/19/25. 04/24/2025, Tareq Moubarak, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Betamethasone–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Rocky Seas, who finished second at Gulfstream Park on 2/16/25. Violations of Crop Rule Fanduel Sportsbook and Horse Racing Scott Bethke–violation date Apr. 26; $250 fine, one-day suspension The post Weekly National Regulatory Rulings, Apr. 24-30 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

NEWMARKET, UK — It felt more like the July Sale at Park Paddocks as May got off to a blistering start with record-breaking temperatures. The trade was warm enough in the ring, too. Though the figures for the Guineas Breeze-up Sale didn't rise quite as swiftly as the mercury, the returns were decent, with the 79% clearance rate being up three points on last year, while the median of 30,000gns represented a rise of 11%. The 5% dip in average was the one negative marker, with the turnover lifting slightly, to 5,045,500gns for 126 juveniles sold. Now, it is widely known that figures on any sales company's website don't always give a fully accurate picture of the market, with various deals struck with trainers or private transactions taking place after the close of play. Generally, though, the breeze-up sector appears to have held up well so far this year against a backdrop of global financial uncertainty, with demand for relatively precocious two-year-olds remaining undimmed. The Middleham Park Racing team stated their intended participation at this sale in yesterday's TDN, and they were true to their word, with the operation's Tim and Tom Palin and Mike Prince having a notably productive five minutes when signing up lots 250 and 252 – daughters of Calyx (GB) and Havana Grey (GB) respectively. The Havana Grey half-sister to the dual Australian Group 3 winner Future History (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) from Jerry Horan's Ballynure Park Stud had clocked the fastest time during the previous day's breeze on lively ground at the Rowley Mile, and it took a bid of 100,000gns from Prince to secure her. She will be trained in Yorkshire by Mick and David Easterby. The Calyx filly had also been among the five fastest breezers, and she will also head north, to Richard Fahey's stable, after being bought from her breeder Albany Stud for 155,000gns. She is out of Lamsa (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), who is already the dam of four winners from five runners. It was a result which brought Albany's Paul Commins to tears. “We never entered her in a foal or a yearling sale,” he said. “Everything has always been so easy for her, she has never come off the bridle at home. “After her breeze we were quietly confident and knew that we had done okay. We were hopeful of a good time and it was better than expected.” The Commins family bought the filly's dam for just 3,200gns at the July Sale back in 2016. Paul, 2o, who runs the farm with his father Don, added, “The second she was born my father said she was fast. He fell in love with her and almost lived in her stable. “I really do think she is good and I have been saying all week she is an Ascot filly.” Tom Palin did not disagree with the assessment and immediately nominated a Royal Ascot target. “We bought her from Albany Stud, so let's hope she wins the race of the same name in six weeks,” he said. “She was an obvious one really, she has a lot of size and substance, timed well and ticked all the boxes. We had to stretch a bit more than we wanted, but this sales season has been very hard to get stuck in, so you have to be a bit punchy on the ones you want.” Jerry Horan was thrilled that the Middleham Park team kept punching when his Havana Grey filly took to the ring two lots later. An 18,000gns purchase at October Book 2, she brought just over five times that amount just over six months later. Horan said, “She's a very fast filly, straightforward, and she's going to a top-class home. When I bought her she had a haematoma but once that opened and cleared out she just turned inside out. I'd like to thank the team – Jack, Stephen, Sinead and Jody – at Capital Stud for preparing her.” Knockgraffon Leads the Way Stevie Byrne of Knockgraffon Stables was responsible for two of the early leading lots, with Jono Mills of Rabbah Bloodstock going to 150,000gns for a colt by Ten Sovereigns (Ire), and Tessa Greatrex signing for a first-crop daughter of Lope Y Fernandez (Ire) at 92,000gns. The Ten Sovereigns colt (lot 237), whose granddam Long Lashes (Rock Hard Ten) won the G3 Sweet Solera Stakes, was bred by Michael Downey. “Michael has been a great client for us over the years,” Byrne said. “The horse has taken everything here like a champ and did a savage breeze. “We don't clock them at home, but his work at home has always been very good and it was a pleasant surprise to see him go so well. We are just delighted that it all fell into place for Michael.” With four lots sold for a total of 362,000gns, Knockgraffon Stables ended the day on a high as leading vendor. GS Bloodstock On Song for Breeder Noel O'Callaghan The trainer/jockey team of Sean Davis and Gary Halpin, whose ventures in the breeze-up sphere are made under the name of GS Bloodstock, had a result to remember on Thursday when selling a Mehmas (Ire) colt on behalf of breeder Noel O'Callaghan for 145,000gns. The son of Orange Blossom (GB) (Showcasing {GB}), from the family of G3 Cornwallis Stakes winner Good Vibes (GB), was bought online by Adam Driver on behalf of Omar Esmil Ghrghar. “Noel O'Callaghan has breeze-up horses with us every year. He's a massive supporter, Davis said. “This is a very nice horse and I am delighted that he has rewarded his breeder. He was a brilliant horse to do all winter and he clocked a very good time. We were kind of excited about him and I just hope he goes on and is lucky for his new owner. “The Mehmas [horses], they have great minds and they are athletes. He was very easy to train all winter, a professional, he made our job easy.” GS Bloodstock has sold six two-year-olds so far this season and the duo has another 15 to sell. As well as preparing horses to breeze, Davis also celebrated his first winner as a trainer in March, with his second winner coming along very quickly that same night. “I've eight horses in training and hopefully we'll have a few more once the summer gets going,” he added. Japan Pinhook Blows Hot for Tradewinds Lot 294, a colt from the first crop of the Gestut Etzean resident Japan (GB), became one of eight six-figure lots of the session when sold to KGS for 110,000gns. A €32,000 purchase by Tradewinds Stud and Paragon Bloodstock at the BBAG Yearling Sale, the colt, named Protagonist (Ger), is out of the Camacho (GB) mare Passcode (GB), a half-sister to German champion two-year-old Pomellato (Ger) (Big Shuffle) and Italian St Leger winner Parivash (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}). Shane and Alex Power of Tradewinds may well be making a return trip to Baden-Baden come September as the other member of their Guineas consignment, a filly by Sottsass (Fr), also came from the BBAG sale. Sold as lot 182 for 75,000gns to Megan Nicholls, the daughter of Amerique (Ger) (American Post {GB}) was a €22,500 yearling. Coulsty Cracker for Correa Brothers Ilson and Anderson Correa, who trade under the name of Anderson Bloodstock, have been in the breeze-up business for just two seasons but experienced the kind of result all pinhookers dream of when turning a €3,000, s yearling into a 115,000gns breezer. “I'm very happy, what more can I say?” Said Anderson Correa, who moved from his native Brazil to Mullingar three years ago. “We will be reinvesting – each year we try and improve.” It is a second six-figure lot for the brothers, who sold a colt by King Of Change (Ire) at last year's sale for 120,000gns. The Coulsty filly, out of the five-time winner Pacolita (GB) (Paco Boy {Ire}) was bought by Stroud Coleman Bloodstock. Golden Touch It was another good breeze-up sale for Eddie Linehan of Lackendarra Stables on the whole but his exploits with lot 185, a gorgeous filly by first-season sire Nando Parrado (GB), was deserving of high praise. Bought at the Goffs Premier Yearling Sale for just £16,000, the Nando Parrado filly turned a tidy profit for the Cork-based handler when selling to Ross Doyle for 75,000gns. Linehan said, “Very happy with that. She's gone to a really good home in Richard Hannon and hopefully she can do very well for her new connections. She's as nice a filly as we've had in a while so hopefully she can show it on the track. It's a brilliant result.” From the same draft, Doyle and Hannon also bought lot 266. The first foal of the unraced Mandaza (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) had been picked up by Linehan at the Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale for £40,000. The family has received a boost of late as his third dam, the treble Group 1 winner Mandesha (Ire) (Desert Style {Ire}), has an exciting Classic prospect in her final foal, Mandanaba (Fr) (Ghaiyyath {Ire}), one of the favourites for the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches on May 11. Talking Points By Brian Sheerin If you are not first, you're last, or so it can seem sometimes in this breeze-up game. Regardless of what people say, the clock does dictate plenty. However, there are lots of examples of horses who are not bred to blow up the clock and finish down the time sheet but still turn out to be pretty darn good on the racetrack, with Derby runner-up Ambiente Friendly (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) being the most obvious recent example. Perhaps lot 228 could be something similar. A Dark Angel (Ire) colt out of an unraced Golden Horn (GB) mare from a good Ballymacoll Stud family, he posted one of the slowest breezes on Wednesday, but bloodstock agent Richard Ryan knows the time of day and clearly spotted the potential in the fine, big colt who is surely going to benefit for time and a trip. He is understood to be going into training with George Boughey and will be given every chance to fulfil his potential in that stable. Sire-power has undoubtedly become an increasingly important factor for vendors to get paid, as we saw at the Craven and in Doncaster, where the majority of the big-ticket lots were dominated by the progeny of either Mehmas (Ire) or Havana Grey (GB). The results were more evenly spread here with nine different stallions featuring within the top ten lots sold. Shirley Anderson-Jolag made history in November by becoming the first female auctioneer at Tattersalls and her burgeoning career on the rostrum reached a new high on Thursday when she sold a Saxon Warrior (Jpn) filly for 80,000gns to Guillermo Arizkorreta, the Spanish champion trainer who enjoyed another Classic victory in Madrid on Sunday with Octans (Spa) (The Grey Gatsby {Ire}). Anderson-Jolag has gone from strength-to-strength in a short space of time and it should only be a matter of time before she is selling horses north of six figures. The big question coming into this sale was just how well the middle market was going to hold up. The fact that 42 horses sold for 50,000gns or more, which is three more than went through the ring at this sale last year, would suggest that things are holding up at pretty much every level on the breeze-up circuit this season. This was another encouraging sale. Royal Ascot Contender Headlines HIT Session The horses-in-training section was headed by the 90-rated Veblen Good (Ire) (Starspangledbanner (Aus)}), who returned home to his own stable on Thursday evening after his trainer Karl Burke struck the winning bid at 110,000gns. Veblen Good carried Noel O'Callaghan's silks to victory at Wolverhampton back in October and chased home the highly-regarded Strong Warrior (GB) (Mehmas {Ire}) last month. From a deep Mountarmstrong Stud family that goes back to Commonwealth Cup winner Anthem Alexander (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), Veblen Good might well chart a similar path towards that Group 1 at the royal meeting. He was the only six-figure lot to go through the ring during the horses-in-training section, where many of the key figures dropped when set against last year's catalogue, which included a dispersal of John Dance's horses. The 1,442,700gns turnover was down 30% on last year's trade despite 24 more horses being offered while the median was down 60% to 8,750gns and the average by 46% to 16,776gns. The clearance rate was 91%, which was down by 3% on last year. The Chairman Reflects Commenting on the day's trade at the close of play, Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony said, “The momentum from the recent, record-breaking Craven Breeze-up Sale has been well and truly carried into the Guineas Breeze-up and Horses-in-Training Sale, which has seen a record number of 50,000-guinea lots and a record-equalling median for the breeze-up section. Buyers continue to be drawn to a sale whose recent results include three individual Group/Grade 1 winners and 42 Group or Listed performers since 2022 – arguably making it the best value breeze-up sale in Europe. “We have welcomed a diverse and international group of buyers to Tattersalls – a hallmark of our sales at Park Paddocks. This follows promotional visits in recent months to America, Australia, Bahrain, Dubai, France, Hong Kong, Italy, Malaysia, Norway, the Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Spain, and Sweden in conjunction with our extensive network of overseas representatives.” He added, “We now look forward to the Tattersalls July Sale, Europe's leading midsummer sale, which offers buyers an enticing mix of top-class horses in training and high-quality breeding stock on the eve of the July Festival at Newmarket Racecourse.” The post ‘Breeze-up Momentum’ Carried Through to Tattersalls Guineas Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article