Wandering Eyes

Editor’s note: Today, August 16, marks the running of the twice-annual Palio, the oldest horse race on record, which takes place around the central piazza, or town square, in Siena, Italy. A group of TDN staffers covered the July 2 Palio for the September edition of the TDN Weekend. They included our videographer, Patty Wolfe. Nothing could have prepared me for shooting the Palio in Siena, Tuscany last month–literally nothing. That my photographer position was on the track in front of the starting gate (read: rope that drops sluggishly after a deafening cannon fires) was, as young people say, “next level.” Most of us have heard the legends of the Palio: passions flaring like fireworks, villagers beating their own jockeys after losing, bribery, theft, kidnapping, horses throwing jockeys, and jockeys whipping other horses and one another. From a distance, it’s (almost) funny. Nine years ago, I visited Siena for the first time. Our tour guide described the race while pointing at the Piazza del Campo, a modest-size medieval cobblestone village square peppered with café tables and a smattering of tourists. She told us that 17 neighborhoods, or contrade, each put a horse in one of the two bi-annual races to compete for bragging rights. Standing in Siena, I took the legends a little more seriously, but a part of me entertained the possibility that some of the hype was for the benefit of tourism. I was wrong. The Palio is a serious, tribal institution as old as Siena itself with all manners of respect and dignity on the line, and not an iota for the benefit of tourists. It runs only twice a year, but lords its legend over the city every day. We arrived in Siena the day before the July 2nd race. Celebrations and preparations filled streets. Dirt had been laid down over the cobblestone–to my relief. We trotted around to secure credentials and prove my insurance coverage for the seventh time (which finally sparked the notion that covering the Palio from the track may involve some measure of risk). The trial race that evening confirmed my new fear. The trials are run for the horses to get accustomed to the track, the enormous crowd, and a cannon that makes every heart skip two beats within a kilometer. {"id":3,"instanceName":"Articles No Playlist","videos":[{"videoType":"HTML5","title":"Scenes from the Palio","description":"","info":"","thumbImg":"","mp4":"https://player.vimeo.com/external/284024608.sd.mp4?s=4ce963964044354cc80ba754bc7463a1b0b431ed&profile_id=165","enable_mp4_download":"no","prerollAD":"yes","prerollGotoLink":"prerollGotoLink","preroll_mp4_title":"preroll_mp4_title","preroll_mp4":"https://player.vimeo.com/external/281449967.sd.mp4?s=b7485f32ab2c8512189fee9b10e4f87b059d2ea3&profile_id=165","prerollSkipTimer":"5","midrollAD":"no","midrollAD_displayTime":"midrollAD_displayTime","midrollGotoLink":"midrollGotoLink","midroll_mp4":"midroll_mp4","midrollSkipTimer":"midrollSkipTimer","postrollAD":"no","postrollGotoLink":"postrollGotoLink","postroll_mp4":"postroll_mp4","postrollSkipTimer":"postrollSkipTimer","popupAdShow":"no","popupImg":"popupImg","popupAdStartTime":"popupAdStartTime","popupAdEndTime":"popupAdEndTime","popupAdGoToLink":"popupAdGoToLink"}],"instanceTheme":"light","playerLayout":"fitToContainer","videoPlayerWidth":720,"videoPlayerHeight":405,"videoRatio":1.7777777777778,"videoRatioStretch":true,"videoPlayerShadow":"effect1","colorAccent":"#000000","posterImg":"","posterImgOnVideoFinish":"","logoShow":"No","logoPath":"","logoPosition":"bottom-right","logoClickable":"No","logoGoToLink":"","allowSkipAd":true,"advertisementTitle":"Ad","skipAdvertisementText":"Skip Ad","skipAdText":"You can skip this ad in","playBtnTooltipTxt":"Play","pauseBtnTooltipTxt":"Pause","rewindBtnTooltipTxt":"Rewind","downloadVideoBtnTooltipTxt":"Download video","qualityBtnOpenedTooltipTxt":"Close settings","qualityBtnClosedTooltipTxt":"Settings","muteBtnTooltipTxt":"Mute","unmuteBtnTooltipTxt":"Unmute","fullscreenBtnTooltipTxt":"Fullscreen","exitFullscreenBtnTooltipTxt":"Exit fullscreen","infoBtnTooltipTxt":"Show info","embedBtnTooltipTxt":"Embed","shareBtnTooltipTxt":"Share","volumeTooltipTxt":"Volume","playlistBtnClosedTooltipTxt":"Show playlist","playlistBtnOpenedTooltipTxt":"Hide playlist","facebookBtnTooltipTxt":"Share on Facebook","twitterBtnTooltipTxt":"Share on Twitter","googlePlusBtnTooltipTxt":"Share on Google+","lastBtnTooltipTxt":"Go to last video","firstBtnTooltipTxt":"Go to first video","nextBtnTooltipTxt":"Play next video","previousBtnTooltipTxt":"Play previous video","shuffleBtnOnTooltipTxt":"Shuffle on","shuffleBtnOffTooltipTxt":"Shuffle off","nowPlayingTooltipTxt":"NOW PLAYING","embedWindowTitle1":"SHARE THIS PLAYER:","embedWindowTitle2":"EMBED THIS VIDEO IN YOUR SITE:","embedWindowTitle3":"SHARE LINK TO THIS PLAYER:","lightBox":false,"lightBoxAutoplay":false,"lightBoxThumbnail":"","lightBoxThumbnailWidth":400,"lightBoxThumbnailHeight":220,"lightBoxCloseOnOutsideClick":true,"onFinish":"Play next video","autoplay":false,"loadRandomVideoOnStart":"No","shuffle":"No","playlist":"Off","playlistBehaviourOnPageload":"opened (default)","playlistScrollType":"light","preloadSelfHosted":"none","hideVideoSource":true,"showAllControls":true,"rightClickMenu":true,"autohideControls":2,"hideControlsOnMouseOut":"No","nowPlayingText":"Yes","infoShow":"No","shareShow":"No","facebookShow":"No","twitterShow":"No","mailShow":"No","facebookShareName":"","facebookShareLink":"","facebookShareDescription":"","facebookSharePicture":"","twitterText":"","twitterLink":"","twitterHashtags":"","twitterVia":"","googlePlus":"","embedShow":"No","embedCodeSrc":"","embedCodeW":720,"embedCodeH":405,"embedShareLink":"","youtubeControls":"custom controls","youtubeSkin":"dark","youtubeColor":"red","youtubeQuality":"default","youtubeShowRelatedVideos":"Yes","vimeoColor":"00adef","showGlobalPrerollAds":false,"globalPrerollAds":"url1;url2;url3;url4;url5","globalPrerollAdsSkipTimer":5,"globalPrerollAdsGotoLink":"","videoType":"HTML5 (self-hosted)","submit":"Save Changes","rootFolder":"http:\/\/wp.tdn.pmadv.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/Elite-video-player\/"} Before the first trial run, I was carried off the track several times by police who could not see my temporary paper credential safety pinned to my shirt. They lifted me like a chess piece back over the guard wall. I finally connected with the officer in charge of the photographers who placed me on the track about 15 yards in front of the start rope. The officer said, “You are Patty? The American? Here.” I stood, then crouched, in the very spot he left me, motionless like a bunny in a snake’s cage, for the next several hours. I decided the telephoto lens was much too scary for me to use as I glared up and into the nostrils of the anxious horses at the starting rope appearing just several feet in front of me. My six fellow photogs were Sienese and my language barrier kept me from gleaning key safety tips and practices. I imagined that’s what they were talking about. I started counting the ways I could die, when–BOOM–the ground shook. The start cannon fired with the volume of a fighter jet breaking the sound barrier, the large rope dropped, and they were off! Well, after a few false starts, they were off. I wondered aloud if we could do the subsequent starts without the cannon. The rope drop would suffice, no? Nobody understood my helpful suggestion, or they pretended not to. The horses and jockeys took the practice at a slower-than-race pace and with less whipping of everyone and everything, but the fan excitement was full throttle. As the horses passed us a second time the crowd emptied the stands like thin cake batter pouring from a bowl. Crouching against the wall, I did not expect the bodies that came cascading over (and on) me to chase the horses. The track was wall-to-wall people in a matter of seconds. Race day, I would be better prepared for this moment, I told myself. TDN Publisher Sue Finley offered me the chance to beg off the on-track position on the day of the race. I considered it, being a lifelong chicken. Ultimately, I thought of my two children, as any mother would. Though I was confident I would be missed if something horrible befell me, how could I deprive them of the tale of losing their mom in an incident at the Palio? The story itself was too good to pass up. (They confirmed I made the right choice later when I discussed it with them. Cherubs.) Emma Berry and I arrived in Siena a little before 7 a.m. the morning of the race. The tone of Siena had become a lot more serious and a little less celebratory than the day before. A crowd gathered at 7:30 a.m. in the piazza while a full Catholic mass was performed by the local clergy. The jockeys were present and blessed while everyone prayed for their safety and for the safety of the horses. My Latin is not good, but I didn’t hear my safety mentioned. I received my official credential after that. This one had a picture. The whites of my eyes could be seen around the circumference of my irises. I’m pretty sure that is a medical symptom of fear. Or is it insanity? No matter. There was one more trial run after the mass and then we bopped around town for the remainder of the morning following horses to various churches for their blessings. There was an awful lot of praying going on. The streets were so crowded by late morning that you could keep pace moving through streets without your feet touching the ground. We never really got to select our direction; we were just carried along in people-rivers until we were let out somewhere wide enough. One time we got log-jammed under some bleachers. We saw only slivers of daylight for the next 45 minutes. For a second, I forgot I did not know the man standing behind me during this pile up, for our bodies had been pressed together for quite a while. Every contrada has unique jockey silks, of course, which resemble loose cozy pajamas. It might be a good time to mention that the jockeys ride bareback in these silky pjs, (which explains to me how half of them slip off before the end of the race). Flags fly in the contrade year-long, waving their colors proudly. Sienese fans and tourists wear representing silk scarves around their necks. I tried shopping for a scarf to wear, but then thought better than to side with one contrada and have 16 others mad at me. I was already courting enough risk at this point. I was late to my track position on race day. The track was already closed. I needed a police escort to walk me around the empty track in front of the massive crowds. This time my fellow shooters were waiting for me with great big smiles, like maybe they had just finished laughing or trying to suppress laughter in that moment. One of them, Giancarlo, asked me to speak on his Facebook Live and tell his followers how I came to be on the track at the Palio. This seemed to be as big a mystery to them as it was to me. I was speaking in English and Giancarlo was clearly not understanding me. I brought up a picture on my phone I had taken of Justify crossing the finish line at the Belmont Stakes just weeks before. I told them I covered racing in the U.S. They had not heard of Justify or the Triple Crown, but they clung to the topic of needing to win three races before you are crowned and discussed it at length. Next, the longest parade in world history commenced. (I don’t feel the need to fact check this proclamation. It has to be true.) The costumes, the flags, the horses were medieval and spectacular! I considered for a moment that there were as many people in the parade as there were watching. And then, where did the parade people go to watch? There isn’t a square inch left. I asked Giancarlo if people were being repeated in the parade just playing different characters. That question drew more laughs. I wasn’t trying to be funny. Finally, the race was set to begin. Giancarlo gave me a serious look and warned, “After the horses pass a second time, run to the center of track as fast as you can. Then try to stay safe.” “You mean from the jockey-less horses?” I asked. “No, the humans! It’s very dangerous. Be safe,” he warned, no longer seeing the humor in my presence on the track. More false starts and strategic maneuvers (covert whippings of another’s horse, etc) ensued at the starting rope. Post time was 7:15 p.m. The race ran at 8:40 p.m. You can imagine how many times that cannon blasted in the interim. I looked for the closest defibrillator but could see none hanging up anywhere. Bodies were carried on stretchers from the “infield” throughout the long wait, but I think they were just overheated. All hearts appeared to be beating. When the rope dropped for the last time the horses and jockeys fought hard for inside position with almost constant turning around the small piazza. Four jockeys were thrown in the process, but their horses stayed in the hunt as they would be considered the winner with or without a jockey. As the horses came toward us a second time, I saw my fellow photographers running directly towards them. Yikes. I ran, too, reassuring myself that I would not intersect with the pack at their speed. The stands emptied faster than the night before. Suddenly I was in the middle of a melee with no idea of who won the race. A young man decided my arm looked ripe for punching so I acquired a war bruise to show off later. I’m told by my colleagues in the stands that the track looked like a sea of elbows pumping up and down while fists pummeled unknown things. Looking up, I saw celebratory flags for one contrada hoisted in the air and surmised the winners would be a happier (safer) group. I was able to snake my way to the victorious pile of people hugging and crying. I told myself, this is the story, and stayed there a long time. Ironically, the winner was a horse whose blessing I had attended earlier in the day. And I had a quiet moment with him outside his stall, which was decorated like a church. The Palio is not for the faint of heart, nor is the start cannon, but it is the most extraordinary scene you could imagine for the oldest horse race on record. I highly recommend visiting Siena and watching the Palio for yourself…from a balcony. Intelligent, extensive and colorful coverage of the Palio can be found in the September TDN Weekend by Emma Berry. I hope you enjoy the images. View the full article

Just as Eminent (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) did 12 months ago, Neil Jones’s Knight To Behold (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) came from Britain as the underdog for Wednesday’s G2 Prix Guillaume d’Ornano and led all the way to run away with the prize under a masterful ride. Well beaten in both the G1 English and Irish Derbys, the 23-1 shot was always happy bowling along in isolation under Oisin Murphy and as he had in the May 12 Listed Lingfield Derby Trial kicked off the front to dominate. At the line, there was four lengths to spare over Patascoy (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), with the returning G1 Prix du Jockey Club hero Study of Man (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) only third as the 4-5 favourite, two lengths further behind. Wednesday, Deauville, France PRIX GUILLAUME D’ORNANO HARAS DU LOGIS SAINT-GERMAIN-G2, €400,000, Deauville, 8-15, 3yo, 10fT, 2:06.10, g/s. 1–KNIGHT TO BEHOLD (IRE), 128, c, 3, by Sea the Stars (Ire) 1st Dam: Angel of the Gwaun (Ire), by Sadler’s Wells 2nd Dam: Ballerina (Ire), by Dancing Brave 3rd Dam: Dancing Shadow (Ire), by Dancer’s Image 1ST GROUP WIN. O-Neil Jones; B-Abergwaun Farms (IRE); T-Harry Dunlop; J-Oisin Murphy. €228,000. Lifetime Record: SW-Eng, 6-3-1-0, €277,390. *1/2 to Cosmo Meadow (Ire) (King’s Best), GSW-Jpn, $1,569,342; Beauty O’ Gwaun (Ire) (Rainbow Quest), GSW-Ire, $108,525; and Angelonmyshoulder (GB) (King’s Best), MSP-US, $272,206. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. 2–Patascoy (Fr), 128, c, 3, Wootton Bassett (GB)–Noble World (Ger), by Winged Love (Ire). (€40,000 Ylg ’16 ARAU2). O-Roberto Cocheteux Tierno; B-Mme Barbara Moser (FR); T-Xavier Thomas-Demeaulte. €88,000. 3–Study of Man (Ire), 128, c, 3, Deep Impact (Jpn)–Second Happiness, by Storm Cat. O/B-Flaxman Stables Ireland Ltd (IRE); T-Pascal Bary. €42,000. Margins: 4, 2, 1 3/4. Odds: 23.30, 4.50, 0.80. Also Ran: Gyllen, Louis d’Or (Ire), Crossed Baton (GB), Pharrell (Fr). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. View the full article

Third as the favourite in Chantilly’s G3 Prix Paul de Moussac when last seen June 17, Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier and Michael Tabor’s May 13 G1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches third Wind Chimes (GB) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) came back strong from a break to stamp her authority on Wednesday’s G3 Prix de Lieurey at Deauville. Slowly away and settled with one behind early by Pierre-Charles Boudot, the 6-5 favourite was always travelling with purpose and swept to the front 1 1/2 furlongs down en route to a 3 1/2-length defeat of Poetic Charm (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), with the long-time leader Adorable (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) a short head away in third. “She had run such a good race in the Pouliches and had always shown a lot of talent,” Mathieu Legars, representing Coolmore, said. “Things did not go too well last time, but she had too much to do and it was a good effort plus she is more relaxed than she used to be and is easier to ride. Pierre rode her perfectly and we’ll leave it to Monsieur Fabre as to where she runs next. There are races like the Matron, the Moulin or the Sun Chariot so there are plenty of possibilities.” Wednesday, Deauville, France PRIX DE LIEUREY-G3, €80,000, Deauville, 8-15, 3yo, f, 8fT, 1:42.17, g/s. 1–WIND CHIMES (GB), 123, f, 3, by Mastercraftsman (Ire) 1st Dam: Militante (Ire) (SP-Fr), by Johannesburg 2nd Dam: Maggie Jordan, by Fusaichi Pegasus 3rd Dam: Pharapache, by Lyphard 1ST GROUP WIN. (€130,000 Ylg ’16 ARAUG). O-Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier & Michael Tabor; B-Ecurie des Monceaux (GB); T-Andre Fabre; J-Pierre-Charles Boudot; €40,000. Lifetime Record: G1SP-Fr, 6-3-0-2, €156,650. *1/2 to Golden Fastnet (Fr) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), SP-Fr. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. 2–Poetic Charm (GB), 123, f, 3, Dubawi (Ire)–Speirbhean (Ire), by Danehill. O/B-Godolphin (GB); T-Charlie Appleby. €16,000. 3–Adorable (Ire), 123, f, 3, Kodiac (GB)–Caffe Latte (Ire), by Seattle Dancer. (€100,000 Ylg ’16 GOFORB). O-M Alqatami & K M Al-Mudhaf; B-Tally-Ho Stud (IRE); T-Mick Channon. €12,000. Margins: 3HF, SHD, 3/4. Odds: 1.40, 4.40, 11.00. Also Ran: Zonza (Fr), Flowrider, Frankel Light (Ire), Environs (GB), Leytana (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. View the full article

The highlight of Salisbury Racecourse’s season takes place on August 16th as the Group 3 Sovereign Stakes and features a six-runner field at 4.10pm. This year marks a new sponsorship deal as the feature race will be sponsored for the first time by the sales company, Tattersalls. The inaugural running of the Sovereign Stakes took place in the year 2000 as a Listed contest and the £76,500 one mile race was then upgraded to a Group 3 in 2004 and is open to colts and geldings three years or older. It seems fitting that last year’s winner of the Group 3, Ballet Concerto, trained by Sir Michael Stoute, was a graduate of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale. Other names to have taken the title in recent years include Zonderland (winner in 2016) steered by Oisin Murphy and Kodi Bear (2015) ridden by Géarld Mossé. Mark Johnson-trained Elarqam will certainly be one to watch in the race. The three-year-old had a promising run to finish third in the York Stakes at the end of last month at York. The drop back in trip to one mile may just suit the son of superstar Frankel and allow him to do all the running. Richard Hannon-trained Oh This Is Us is set to be steered by Ryan Moore in the Group 3, one-mile contest. Hannon will be all systems go to regain the Sovereign Stakes as he has previously won the race on three occasions with Umistim (2001), Priors Lodge (2002) and Ordnance (2008). The son of Acclamation is the Herridge trainer’s only runner of the six competitors and may just be one to watch in the betting ranks as an always consistent runner. Another trainer who will be eager to regain the title is Andrew Balding and he runs South Seas in the one-mile contest who Oisin Murphy will be aboard. Balding has taken the trainers title in the Group 3 challenge on three occasions to include Passing Glance (2003), Side Glance (2011), Tullius (2012). The four-year-old and son of Lope De Vega may be one to struggle however as his recent form may suggest as he only finished down the line on his last two outings due to a step up in trip from seven furlongs to one mile. The Andre Fabre-trained Plumatic will return to the track for only the ninth time and will be ridden by Maxime Guyon. The four-year-old colt won on his last outing at Chantilly, when landing the one mile Prix du Champ d’Alouettes at the end of last month. On form, he may be one to keep on side in an open-looking race. Selection: Elarqam The post The Sovereign Stakes: Elarqam set to put on a show appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

All eyes will be on Deauville this weekend. The G1 Darley Prix Morny will be the feature of a terrific afternoon of racing on Sunday; while Arqana’s August Sale, which is held over three days from Saturday, raises the curtain on Europe’s season of high-class yearling auctions. Arqana graduates have been enjoying yet another successful season on the world’s racecourses, so the young horses on offer will be keenly scrutinised by owners or trainers serious about competing at the highest level. Included amongst their tour of inspections will be the first yearlings offered by many of the new bunch of first-season sires, and it is always exciting to see which of these young stallions seem to be throwing quality stock. An extremely strong intake to the stallion ranks wordwide in 2016 means that yearlings buyers will be spoilt for choice when it comes to the offspring of Classic winners. The Ashford Stud-based 2015 US Triple Crown hero American Pharoah (Pioneer Ofthenile) and Golden Horn (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}), the 2015 Investec G1 Derby, G1 Coral-Eclipse S., G1 QIPCO Irish Champion S. and G1 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe hero who stands at Dalham Hall Stud, are arguably the two biggest names among the group. American Pharoah, whose stock sold eye-catchingly well in Saratoga last week, is discussed elsewhere in this issue; while we are sure to hear plenty of Golden Horn around the Arqana sale-grounds, where he has six fillies and two colts in the August Sale. Golden Horn is not the only British Classic winner to have first-crop yearlings in the August Sale. His fellow Darley sire Night Of Thunder (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) has two colts and three fillies in the sale, conceived at Kildangan Stud in 2016 after a racing career which had yielded victories in the 2014 QIPCO G1 2,000 Guineas and 2015 G1 Al Shaqab Lockinge S. The year after Night Of Thunder lowered the colours of Kingman and Australia in the 2,000 Guineas, Gleneagles (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) landed a similarly thrilling victory in the same race. The beautifully-bred colt then followed up in the G1 Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas and the G1 St. James’s Palace S. (having previously taken the G1 Goffs Vincent O’Brien National S. as a two-year-old) and is clearly a very exciting young sire. He has eight yearlings in the August Sale including two whose pedigrees have recently had notable updates. Lot 8 is a filly out of Nuit Polaire (Ire) (Kheleyf) whose current three-year-old Intellogent (Ire) (Intello {Ger}) took the G1 Qatar Prix Jean Prat last month. Lot 298 is a filly out of Elitiste (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) whose half-sister Alpha Centauri (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) has landed a stellar four-timer in the G1 Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas, G1 Coronation S., G1 Tattersalls Falmouth S. and G1 Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard Jacques le Marois during the summer. Two other ‘Guineas’ winners also have an interesting first-crop representation in the August Sale. Karakontie (JPN) (Bernstein) took the G1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains in 2014 before ending that year in a blaze of glory by landing the G1 Breeders’ Cup Mile at Santa Anita. He retired to Gainesway in Kentucky in 2016 and has one son in the sale. Make Believe (GB) (Makfi {GB), winner of the G1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains in 2015 before taking the G1 Qatar Prix de la Foret in the autumn and then retiring to Ballylinch Stud, is represented by one sons and two daughters. Another young Irish-based sire with top-class form linked in with the cream of the European Classic crop is Free Eagle (Ire) (High Chaparal {Ire}) who has two fillies catalogued. The former Moyglare Stud colour-bearer has minor placings behind two Derby winners on his CV: second to Australia (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G3 ICON Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Trial S. as a juvenile and third behind Golden Horn in the G1 QIPCO Irish Champion S. as a four-year-old. He had preceded that latter performance by taking the G1 Prince of Wales’s S. at Royal Ascot. Another Royal Ascot winner to have first-crop yearlings on offer in the August Sale is Muhaarar (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), the brilliant sprinter who began a sensational run of success in the summer of 2015 by taking the G1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot. He subsequently followed up by taking the G1 Darley July Cup at Newmarket, the G1 Larc Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville and the G1 QIPCO British Champions’ Sprint S. at Ascot. If his six Arqana yearlings are any guide, Muhaarar has been given every chance to succeed at stud. All seven of them have top-drawer pedigrees, including a half-sister to the 2013 G1 Irish Oaks heroine Chicquita (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) and to recent G2 Ribblesdale S. winner Magic Wand (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). While one could call Muhaarar the best sprinter to have first-crop yearlings in the August Sale, fans of Brazen Beau (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}) might dispute that assertion. Brazen Beau was brilliant during the 2014/’15 season in Australia, most notably landing impressive victories at Flemington in the G1 Coolmore Stud S. and the G1 Lexus Newmarket H. In between those triumphs he registered an excellent second place behind the mighty Chautauqua (who then chased him home in the Newmarket Handicap) in the G1 Lightning S. Brazen Beau probably didn’t show his best form when, having come to Europe, he could only finish seventh behind Muhaarar in the July Cup, and he is better judged on his second place behind Undrafted in the G1 Diamond Jubilee S. at Royal Ascot. He has one yearling in the August Sale, lot 231, a half-brother to Charm Appeal (Fr) who won three races last year including the Prix Volterra at Maisons-Laffitte. Another very fast young stallion represented at Arqana is Gutaifan (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) who retired to Yeomanstown Stud in 2016 at the age of three, having won four of his seven starts including two Group Two sprints: the G2 Prix Robert Papin at Maisons-Laffitte and the G2 Flying Childers S. at Doncaster. He has one colt and one filly to be sold this weekend. A stablemate of Gutaifan in Richard Hannon’s stable during 2015 was Ivawood (Ire) (Zebedee {GB}) who notched three excellent minor placings that year: third behind Muhaarar in the G3 Greenham S. at Newbury and then third to Gleneagles in both the G1 2,000 Guineas and the G1 Irish 2,000 Guineas. He had won three races the previous season including the G2 July S. at Newmarket and the G2 Qatar Bloodstock Richmond S. at Goodwood. Now based at Coolmore, he has two colts in the August Sale. Two other former high-class juveniles represented in the August Sale are the young Darley sires Outstrip (GB) and Sidestep (Aus). Both are sons of Exceed And Excel (Aus), with the former standing at Dalham Hall Stud and the latter at Haras du Logis. Outstrip enjoyed his finest hour when taking the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf in 2013, having previously beaten The Grey Gatsby by three lengths in the G2 Champagne S. at Doncaster. Sidestep is best remembered for this two Group victories at Rosehill: the G2 Pago Pago S. over 1200m as a two-year-old and the G2 Royal Sovereign Stakes over the same distance at three. Among the young sires represented in the August Sale is one who has already been a star of this special weekend but whose stud career was a short one as he died earlier this year. Having previously won a maiden race at Ayr and the G2 Coventry S. at Royal Ascot, The Wow Signal (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) extended his unbeaten record by taking the G1 Darley Prix Morny in 2014. The Wow Signal sadly never raced after his rewarding juvenile season. Poor fertility meant that his crops were small but lot 35, his daughter of Sister Golightly (GB) (Mtoto {GB}), will be sure to attract plenty of attention. Of the French-based freshmen represented in the August Sale is Galiway (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) who stands alongside Kendargent (Fr) (Kendor {Fr}) at Haras de Colleville. Galiway won two races including the Prix Le Fabuleux at Maisons-Laffitte and is one of four stakes performers produced by his Group Three-winning dam Danzigaway (Danehill) who herself is a half-sister to the former Haras du Quesnay stalwart Gold Away (Ire) (Goldneyev). Galiway’s only yearling in the August Sale is Lot 320 Kenway, a son of the Group Three-winning Kendargent mare Kendam (Fr). There is also a strong representation of first-season sires in Arqana’s V2 Sale, five of whom do not have yearlings in the August Sale. One of them stands in France: the three-time Group 1 winner Hunter’s Light (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) who stands under the Darley banner at Haras du Logis. Also representing Darley is the eight-time stakes winner French Navy (GB) (Shamardal) who stands at Kildangan Stud. Also Irish-based is the G3 Round Tower S. winner Cappella Sansevero (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) who stands at Bridge House Stud. Young British-based stallions represented in the sale are G2 Temple S. winner Hot Streak (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}) and Lacken S. winner Due Diligence (War Front) who are based at Tweenhills Farm & Stud and at Whitsbury Manor Stud respectively. View the full article

Race not best fit but Tan still hopeful for duo View the full article

Maxiums gets Tan Seoul-bound again View the full article

Curatolo's one-month suspension in Macau is halved on appeal View the full article

Curatolo suspended three days View the full article

With both Stormy Liberal and Richard's Boy entered in its field of eight, the $75,000 Green Flash Handicap at Del Mar Aug. 17 figures to do a grade 1-level impersonation. View the full article

C. Steven Duncker has been elected to the Board of Stewards of The Jockey Club, filling the position left vacant by the late Ogden Mills (Dinny) Phipps. Stuart S. Janney III was reelected to the board. A retired partner of Goldman Sachs, Duncker is the founder of an eponymous foundation, which is dedicated to providing educational opportunities for disadvantaged children. He also serves on the board of directors of the New York Racing Association, The Jockey Club Information Systems and the Equibase Management Committee. Duncker is also an owner racing under the Jump Sucker Stable banner. In addition to Duncker, the board of stewards includes Barbara Banke, Everett R. Dobson, William S. Farish Jr., Ian D. Highet, William M. Lear Jr., J. Michael O’Farrell Jr., and John W. Phillips. 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. Wednesday’s Insights features a half-brother to GI Joe Hirsch Turf Classic and G1 Criterium International hero Ectot (GB) (Hurricane Run {Ire}). 4.35 Gowran Park, Mdn, €16,500, 2yo, 7fT SOUTH PACIFIC (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) is the €1-million Arqana Deauville August graduate who debuted at Tipperary when fourth in July. Ballydoyle’s half-brother to the GI Joe Hirsch Turf Classic and G1 Criterium International hero Ectot (GB) (Hurricane Run {Ire}) and G1 St James’s Palace S.-winning sire Most Improved (Ire) (Lawman {Fr}) meets the unraced Jessie Harrington-trained filly Trethias (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), Stonethorn Stud Farms Limited’s 400,000gns TATOCT purchase whose dam is a half-sister to Rewilding (GB) (Tiger Hill {Ire}) and Dar Re Mi (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}) et al. Also in the line-up is His Highness The Aga Khan’s unraced Edessann (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), a Dermot Weld-trained son of the G3 Give Thanks S. winner Edelmira (Ire) (Peintre Celebre). View the full article

Lisa and Kenny Troutt, owners of WinStar Farm, will be honored by the New York division of the Race Track Chaplaincy of America Wednesday in Saratoga for their dedication and commitment to backstretch workers on the New York Racing Association circuit. Brunch will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Saratoga National Golf Club. “Kenny Troutt has been a generous supporter of the Race Track Chaplaincy of America for the past 17 years,” said Humberto Chavez, the chaplain of the New York division. “He continues to work behind the scenes to help programs across the country and he’s been tremendously supportive of the New York chaplaincy and our backstretch community.” Brunch attendees will have the chance to take a picture with the Triple Crown trophy, won by the WinStar part-owned Justify (Scat Daddy). Longtime Albany TV anchorwoman Liz Bishop will act as Master of Ceremonies. For additional information, contact Barbara Stevenson at (305) 467-3092 or Chavez at (516) 967-6037. View the full article

Suffolk Downs in East Boston, MA, will conduct a fourth weekend of live racing after being granted permission from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. Funding for the races will come from the Racehorse Development Fund. The final live racing and food truck festival weekend will take place Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 15 and 16. “These festival weekends have proven to be successful in attracting fans and wagering and for giving local horsemen a chance to compete for purse money,” said Chip Tuttle, Chief Operating Officer at Suffolk Downs. “We’re looking forward to 2019 and to continuing to work with the MGC and the Legislature on a longer-term commitment to racing that will provide more certainty and, in turn, investment in the state.” Suffolk has hosted three weekends of live racing this year, with an average attendance of 6,800 fans, field sizes averaging 11 horses per race and $1 million in purse money each weekend. View the full article

Sports wagering also has helped fuel a bump in on-track pari-mutuel wagering at Monmouth Park, although Delaware Park has not seen a similar increase. View the full article

Following a review by the American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, last Sunday’s GIII Fasig-Tipton Waya S., rained onto the main track and therefore automatically downgraded, will not have its Grade III status reinstated. The victorious Tricky Escape (Hat Trick {Jpn}) is credited with a listed success, while placegetters Mom’s On Strike (First Dude) and Lottie (Arch) each receives listed black-type. View the full article

With both Stormy Liberal and Richard's Boy entered in its field of eight, the $75,000 Green Flash Handicap at Del Mar Aug. 17 figures to do a grade 1-level impersonation of a graded stakes. View the full article

Jessica Harrington has confirmed that Alpha Centauri (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) is highly likely to stay in training as a 4-year-old. The ‘TDN Rising Star’ is the undoubted star of the 2018 Flat season following breathtaking wins in four Group 1 races, the most recent of which came in the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville on Sunday. Alpha Centuari’s next port of call is the Coolmore Fastnet Rock Matron S. at Leopardstown on Sept. 15, the first day of the Longines Irish Champions Weekend. Speaking ahead of the launch of Irish Champions Weekend, Harrington said, “It looks like she is going to stay in training next season, which is great, but there’s a lot of water to pass under the bridge before then, starting with the Matron S. at Leopardstown next month. The last three times she’s run she’s gone twice to England and once to France so it’s much easier to go 40 minutes up the road to Leopardstown, and I think that’s what will fit into her program.” View the full article

It’s easy to get overlooked in the Saratoga jockeys’ room. Between Hall of Famers like John Velazquez and Javier Castellano, superstars like the Ortiz brothers and up-and-comers like Manny Franco and Ricardo Santana, Jr., one could be a successful rider, indeed one of the most successful in the country, and fly under the radar. That’s been the case with Luis Saez, the 26-year-old Panamanian who perennially finishes in the top 10 in earnings despite not receiving first or second-call mounts for any powerhouse barns. This meet, however, Saez turned heads with a huge opening week at the Spa and has stayed hot to rack up 23 wins, good for third in the standings, heading into the season’s second half. He also is, barring injury, a cinch to shatter his previous personal earnings best of $13,403,109, set in 2017, currently sitting sixth in the nationwide standings with over $11 million banked and several months to go. Saez was born and raised in a small town in the province of Darien, into a horse racing culture and to a father who had a farm with horses he could ride, but who wasn’t involved in the sport itself. He caught the bug at a young age and was encouraged by his father to pursue that passion. “I really liked racing,” the fresh-faced jockey said while sitting in the backyard at Saratoga. “I used to hear it on the radio, because we didn’t have TV in our town, but it sounded pretty exciting and I wanted to try it. So my dad took me to the racetrack in Panama when I was nine years old, and I went to jockey school when I was 14. I started learning the sport, and now I’m here.” Saez’s formal horseman training came right around the time when Angel Arroyo, who happens to be his cousin, made the jump to the United States. Arroyo settled in New York and became a quality journeyman, but just as importantly, he blazed the trail for young Luis to follow. Saez made the leap in 2008, and he in turn made it a reality for his two younger brothers, Sebastian and ill-fated Juan, to go after their dreams too. “It took a little while to feel comfortable, but back in those days, you could ride young,” Saez recalled of his early days Stateside as a 16-year-old apprentice. Settling in South Florida, Saez won 105 races in 2009 and finished second in the voting for that year’s Outstanding Apprentice Jockey Eclipse Award. Gradually growing to dominate the Gulfstream Park jockey standings, he moved his tack to New York in 2013 and that summer, earned a signature win at this historic oval, getting Will Take Charge (Unbridled’s Song) up to win the GI Travers S. for D. Wayne Lukas. “I really wanted to get to that next level,” Saez said of moving to the country’s most challenging jockey colony. “New York was the biggest thing and I wanted to try to make it here. I was nervous when I first came, because this is the top, but I just tried to do my best and thank God, we did pretty good. I won a couple other big races at Saratoga in my first year, but the Travers was something else.” The atmosphere at the Spa has agreed with Saez, who enjoys the elite level of competition as well as the pseudo-celebrity treatment riders get when walking the unique jockey path from the dirt oval back to the jockeys’ quarters after each race. “Saratoga is the biggest deal in racing,” he said. “Everybody wants to be here, and it’s not easy. It’s a tough meet with a lot of different, really good jockeys. I like every track, but this place is special. Walking through the crowd, it’s pretty nice. When you win a race, everyone wants you to sign [autographs], take pictures. Every day I come here, I feel comfortable.” Unlike just about every other jockey near the top of the standings, both in New York and across the country, Saez doesn’t have a go-to barn that consistently supplies him with likely winners. He generally gets what’s left over in Todd Pletcher’s stable after John Velazquez and Javier Castellano have had their picks, and he rarely, if ever, rides for Chad Brown. Of the current top 25 in the Saratoga trainer standings, only Jeremiah Englehart (seven wins) and Phil Serpe (three) look to Saez as a high-priority jockey. Without that steady stream of mounts from the training juggernauts, it’s up to the old-school hustle of Saez and agent Richard DePass to produce the kind of results they’ve seen this year, and this summer in particular. “We’re working pretty hard, man,” Saez said. “Every day, we’re out here, all morning. I never get a day off. Even on Tuesday, with no racing, I work four, five, six horses. But we jumped and we came here to work, so I don’t have a problem with it.” Living in Long Island when he’s not up at Saratoga, Saez and brother Sebastian are the only members of his family in the U.S., with his parents and three sisters still back home in Panama. With his schedule, Luis doesn’t get to go home as much as he would like, so when he does take the trip, he tries to make it count. And with the level of success he’s attained at this meet, he admits wistfully that it might be time to reward himself with an actual vacation after the track closes. “I go back to Panama for three or four days when I go, because we don’t have that much free time,” he said. “But when I’m done here, I think I’m going to go there for a week. To spend time with my mom, and my dad, and my town. Everybody’s there.” View the full article

Poet’s Word (Ire) (Poet’s Voice {GB}) pleased in his latest gallop on Sunday and is firmly on course for the G1 Juddmonte International S. at York on Wednesday week. The G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S. hero will step back in trip to an extended mile and a quarter on the Knavesmire, but connections of Sir Michael Stoute’s 5-year-old are adamant that is not an issue. Poet’s Word did, after all, win the G1 Prince of Wales’s S. at Royal Ascot over that distance and is reported in fine fettle for his next big-race assignment. Bruce Raymond, racing manager to owner Saeed Suhail, said, “Poet’s Word worked very well on Sunday morning. He worked on the all-weather, which he has done most of his work on. He just had a nice breeze and that was good. Michael was very happy with him and he is on schedule to run at York. A mile and a quarter, a mile and a half–it’s the same for him.” Stoute won the Juddmonte International with Ulysses (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) last season and also claimed the race with Notnowcato (GB) (Inchinor {GB}) (2006), Singspiel (Ire) (In the Wings {GB}) (1997), Ezzoud (Ire) (Last Tycoon {Ire}) (1993 and 1994) and Shardari (Ire) (Top Ville {Ire}) (1986). View the full article

The Magnier family and trainer Aidan O’Brien received the 2018 Longines and IFHA International Award of Merit in Dubin on Tuesday. Representing Coolmore and Ballydoyle, respectively, the honourees were presented with the award for their outstanding contribution to the world of horse racing. “Today, we rewarded the lifetime dedication to horseracing of an illustrious family and a trainer, the Magnier Family and Aidan O’Brien,” said Vice President of Longines and Head of International Marketing Juan-Carlos Capelli. “Our brand, and myself personally, have had the pleasure to witness a great number of their exceptional performances and to reward them very often with Longines timepieces. It is an honour to host this ceremony in a country where horse is king and where the horseracing industry has such an important impact on its economy, culture and history.” Added Louis Romanet, IFHA Chairman, “The Magnier family and trainer Aidan O’Brien have built a stunningly powerful partnership on a truly global scale. The success of the Coolmore and Ballydoyle team is so ubiquitous in both Ireland and abroad that it would be impossible to list all of their accomplishments here today. It has been a privilege to have both the Magnier and O’Brien families here as we celebrate their contributions to horse racing.” The award ceremony coincided with the launch of the 2018 Longines Irish Champions Weekend, scheduled for Leopardstown Racecourse on Sept. 15-16. View the full article

The Niarchos Family are riding high again and their G1 Prix du Jockey Club hero Study of Man (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) is a welcome visitor to Deauville for Wednesday’s G2 Prix Guillaume d’Ornano. Having enjoyed a break since his defeat of Patascoy (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) in the June 3 Chantilly Classic, the homebred treads the same path as the 2016 winner Almanzor (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) who went on to glory in the Irish and English Champion S. The operation’s racing manager Alan Cooper has nothing but positives to share. “It’s a comeback race and hopefully he will acquit himself very well,” he said. “The Irish Champion S. is the plan after this. This is the program [trainer] Pascal [Bary] has mapped out for a long time. He handles most ground, so I don’t think the ground will be an issue. There was rain on Sunday after racing, but it has been dry since. It is a very strong race, it is very valuable and I understand France Galop are hoping in time that maybe it can even be more important. Not having a penalty for his Group 1 win makes it a unique race.” Third in the Jockey Club, Louis D’Or (Ire) (Intello {Ger}) has since finished in the same spot behind the re-opposing Gyllen (Medaglia d’Oro) and Crossed Baton (GB) (Dansili {GB}) in the G2 Prix Eugene Adam over 10 1/2 furlongs at Maisons-Laffitte a month ago. Gyllen’s trainer Andre Fabre said, “He’s a lovely, honest colt, who tries his hardest. He ran a very game race last time and he’ll need to have shown some improvement if he is to win again here.” Fabre also has a very strong hand in the supporting G3 Prix Gontaut-Biron and G3 Prix de Lieurey, with the reigning GI Breeders’ Cup Turf hero Talismanic (GB) (Medaglia d’Oro) making his European comeback in the former contest having been off since finishing ninth in the Mar. 31 G1 Dubai World Cup. “He has his first start after a short holiday following the trip to Dubai. He’s well and happy in himself but he can be a bit lazy at home, so we’ll know a bit more after the race,” commented Fabre, who also saddles Wren’s Day (Medaglia d’Oro) who surprised many when second to Cracksman (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in the G1 Prix Ganay at ParisLongchamp last time Apr. 29. “He had a hard race in the Ganay and he really needed time to recover,” Fabre explained. “But he appears to be in good form and hopefully he’ll run well here. In the Lieurey, Godolphin and Fabre combine with the May 27 G1 Prix Saint-Alary fourth and July 9 G3 Prix Chloe third Flowrider (Street Cry {Ire}). “Flowrider is in good form. She is still lightly-raced but has shown some excellent form so far and is progressing all the time,” Godolphin’s Lisa-Jane Graffard said. “At Deauville, she will be dropping back to a mile for the first time since she won her maiden and hopefully she should appreciate this.” Fabre looks to have stronger claims with Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier and Michael Tabor’s May 13 G1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches third Wind Chimes (GB) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) and Juddmonte’s up-and-comer Environs (GB) (Dansili {GB}), who booked this rise in class after winning Maisons-Laffitte’s Listed Prix de Bagatelle July 22. View the full article

7th-SAR, $85K, Msw, 3yo/up, f/m, 1 1/16mT, 4:24 p.m. ET Joe Allen homebred CIVIL UNION (War Front) makes her career bow in this spot for trainer Chad Brown. A full-sister to GSW & G1SP War Dispatch, the sophomore is out of the unraced Photograph (Unbridled’s Song), who is a half-sister to GISW War Flag (War Front), Hong Kong champion Lines of Battle (War Front) and Group 1 winners Homebound (Dixie Union) and Blue Exit (Pulpit). This is also the family of leading sire Dynaformer, Grade I-winning sire Offlee Wild, Irish Highweight U S Ranger (Danzig), GSW Sangrita (Mr. Greeley) and her MGSW & GISP daughter Tequilita (Union Rags). TJCIS PPs. —@CDeBernardisTDN View the full article

Godolphin has few more popular horses worldwide than Talismanic (GB), who resumes racing following a short break in the Aug. 15 Prix Gontaut-Biron (G3) over 2,000 meters (approximately 10 furlongs) at Deauville. View the full article

Former trainer Robin Bastiman has been disqualified from racing for three years after administering a horse with a prohibited substance which contained elevated levels of cobalt. Bastiman’s daughter, Rebecca, was not in breach of the same offence, but the Wetherby trainer was fined £5,000 after she accepted three other charges linked with the case. A sample taken from John Caesar (Ire) (Bushranger {Ire}) after he won at Wolverhampton in April 2016 was tested retrospectively and was found to have contained cobalt, a “prohibited substance when above the permitted level on raceday”. British Horseracing Authority Chief Regulatory Officer Brant Dunshea said, “This case illustrates how the use of storing and retrospectively testing samples is an effective method for detecting and deterring the use of prohibited substances in British horseracing, as has been seen in other sports. It sends a clear message for anyone who believes they can evade detection by using substances or methods which they believe are currently not detectable or tested for. We are storing significant numbers of samples every year and we are committed to returning to those samples and testing them as new testing methods and techniques are developed. We are also significantly increasing our testing regime, in particular the number of samples we are taking out-of-competition and pre-race. This all contributes towards an anti-doping system which is robust in terms of its volume of testing, but also varied and unpredictable for participants.” Robin Bastiman, who trained dual G1 Nunthorpe S. winner Borderlescott (GB) (Compton Place {GB}), retired in 2015 when his daughter assumed control of the family’s Cowthorpe stables. Last September, County Armagh trainer Stephen McConville and his son, Michael, were banned from racing for three years after they injected Anseanachai Cliste (Ire) (Bach {Ire}) with a tonic that contained cobalt before a race at the Cheltenham Festival in March 2017. View the full article