Wandering Eyes

RUSHING FALL (f, 4, More Than Ready-Autumnal, by Forestry) showed the crowd at Keeneland she still had it with a front-running success in the GI Coolmore Jenny Wiley S. Saturday. Favored at 4-5 in this seasonal bow, the bay went straight to the lead, cruising through opening splits of :23.81 and :48.41. Confronted by Got Stormy (Get Stormy) to her outside and Rymska (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) to her inside in the lane, the $320,000 FTSAUG buy showed just how classy she was, finding more in late stretch to deny those foes in a final time of 1:42.77. Winner of the GIII Jessamine S. and GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf in 2017, Rushing Fall won the GII Appalachian S. here last term and suffered her first defeat in Churchill’s GIII Edgewood S. last term. Winning the GII Lake Placid S. at Saratoga in August, she closed out 2018 with a victory in this venue’s GI QEII Cup Oct. 13. Lifetime Record: 8-7-1-0. O-e Five Racing Thoroughbreds; B-Fred Hertrich & John Fielding (KY); T-Chad Brown. View the full article

Gary Barber's War of Will breezed five furlongs from the starting gate at Keeneland April 13, firing a :59 bullet over a fast track in preparation for the May 4 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1). View the full article

Lady Sheila Stable’s Sheila Rosenblum announced the 2015 Eclipse Champion Female Sprinter La Verdad (Yes It’s True) foaled a Curlin filly at Darley in Lexington Apr. 5. The winner of 11 stakes and an earner of over $1.5 million on the racetrack, La Verdad has also proven her worth in the sale’s ring, producing last year’s top priced filly–consigned by Eaton Sales–at Keeneland November. A daughter by Tapit brought $800,000 from a partnership of Mandy Pope’s Whisper Hill Farm and Three Chimneys. Added Rosenblum, “We are extremely pleased with the foal and the care she is receiving at Darley. Several prominent horsemen have told me that she is a standout. La Verdad holds a special place in my heart. I am looking to provide every opportunity to have her become as influential a producer as she was a racemare, having bred her to Medaglia d’Oro, Tapit, and Curlin.” The 9-year-old mare is currently booked to be bred back to Into Mischief. For video of La Verdad’s Curlin filly, click here View the full article

OWENDALE (c, 3, Into Mischief–Aspen Light, by Bernardini) sprung a 12-1 upset in the GIII Stonestreet Lexington S. at Keeneland Saturday to earn his black-type badge. Well back off the early pace, the bay ran two wide as a pair of rivals battled through early fractions of :24.33 and :48.23. Making eye-catching progress on the backstretch, Owendale hit the front in early stretch and charged clear to score. Favored Anothertwistafate (Scat Daddy) was second. A neck second in a Fair Grounds optional claimer Dec. 22, Owendale won in that same condition next out in NOLA Jan. 17 and was eighth when last seen in the GII Risen Star S. Feb. 16. Lifetime Record: 8-3-1-1. O-Rupp Racing; B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings (KY); T-Brad Cox. View the full article

The graded stakes debut of William and Corrine Heiligbrodt's Mitole was a splashing success as he fended off a challenge from the grade 1-winning Whitmore and drew clear to win the $500,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap (G3) at Oaklawn Park April 13. View the full article

PYRON (c, 3, Candy Ride {Arg}–Tapatia, by Tapit) took his record to two-for-two with a first-level allowance score in the slop at Oaklawn Saturday. Breaking on top, the chestnut settled in a close-up third, just a neck off the dueling leaders through a first quarter in :22.07. Sticking his nose in front as the half went up in :45.31, the homebred was three wide turning for home and kept on finding to score. Stablemate You’vesaiditall (Lookin at Lucky) rallied for second. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0. O/B-Winchell Thoroughbreds (KY); T-Steve Asmussen. View the full article

After the excitement of Newbury on Saturday, the latest Classic trials of note take place just 24 hours later at ParisLongchamp, with the highlight undoubtedly the G3 Prix de Fontainebleau. Surprisingly, Andre Fabre runs TDN Rising Stars Persian King (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) and Epic Hero (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) who despite sharing that distinction are countries apart at present with regards to their respective form. Persian King, who is part-owned by Godolphin and Ballymore Thoroughbreds, is as exciting a prospect that France has this season and his relaunch is eagerly anticipated. Last seen beating the subsequent G1 Racing Post Trophy hero Magna Grecia (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) in the G3 Autumn S. at Newmarket in October, he is on another level to fellow Godolphin colour-bearer Epic Hero as things stand. Persian King’s immediate Classic target is as-yet unknown, but his trainer is keen to glean evidence here. “Looking at his breeding, I’d think 10 furlongs is possible this year,” he explained. “We are still learning about Kingman as a sire. His dam is by Dylan Thomas, so there is stamina there. His form last year is solid. I’d say it’s a level below Too Darn Hot and Ten Sovereigns, but not too far.” Fabre is well aware of the changing nature of Classic contenders in springtime and it is significant that he tries Epic Hero in this company. He faces a stiff examination of the obvious talent he flaunted when an eight-length winner over a mile on Chantilly’s Polytrack Mar. 19. “This is the best time of year–there are lots of questions to answer,” he added. “Some will disappoint you and some will surprise you. I doubt he [Epic Hero] will stay any further than a mile this season–he has lots of pace.” One bred for Classic duty is Khalid Abdullah’s Price Range (First Defence), a son of Price Tag (GB) (Dansili {GB}), who was demoted from first to third in the 2006 G1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches. What the form of his two Polytrack wins in the space of a fortnight over a mile and 7 1/2 furlongs at Chantilly and Deauville in November is worth is a mystery, but it should be clearer by Sunday evening. In the fillies’ trial, the G3 Prix de la Grotte, Freddy Head unleashes last year’s G1 Prix Marcel Boussac heroine Lily’s Candle (Fr) (Style Vendome {Fr}), who is now in the ownership of Katsumi Yoshida after she was bought from Martin Schwartz for €1.1-million at Arqana December. She is re-opposed by Rocques (Fr) (Lawman {Fr}) in the Gerard Augustin-Normand’s silks after that G3 Prix d’Aumale winner was sixth but beaten only two lengths in the Marcel Boussac. Also running for Augustin-Normand is the Jean-Claude Rouget-trained Montviette (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}), but she has a half length to make up on her G3 Prix des Reservoirs conqueror Cala Tarida (GB) (Garswood {GB}) with no obvious reason to do so. The card also sees the Prix du Jockey-Club hopefuls test their mettle in the G3 Prix Noailles, where George Strawbridge’s ‘TDN Rising Star’ Lone Peak (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) takes on two Fabre representatives in Godolphin’s G3 Prix de Conde runner-up Syrtis (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and the Wertheimers’ unbeaten Slalom (Fr) (Intello {Ger}). View the full article

A little over a month removed from the 144th GI Preakness S., the Maryland Jockey Club announced that, for the safety and security of all guests and employees at Pimlico, the northern section of the grandstand will be closed. The closure is in effect for the full Pimlico meet, including the Preakness and May 17 GII Black Eyed Susan Day. The decision was made following the recent Maryland Stadium Authority study that concluded that after over 100 years, Pimlico Race Course had “reached the end of its useful life.” The Maryland Jockey Club engaged a Baltimore based independent engineering firm, Faisant Associates, to assess the facility and the firm concluded that there has been significant deterioration to the northern part of the grandstand, the exterior portion of the facility adjacent to the Clubhouse. The northern grandstand is the oldest portion of the structure dating back more than a century, with seating capacity for 6,670 guests, and is no longer suitable to sustain that level of load bearing weight. “It is deeply disappointing for us and the affected ticket-holders that at a peak moment in time when we generate the most amount of income for the industry, for our company and for all stakeholders, and when we are poised to welcome racing fans to Preakness, we have to de-commission 6,670 seats,” said Bill Hecht, CEO, U.S. Real Estate for The Stronach Group, owners of the Maryland Jockey Club. “As the safety and security is paramount to our guests and employees, this position to forego income should in no way be interpreted as anything other than that.” Ticket-holders who have purchased tickets for that section of the grandstand for this year’s Preakness will be able to trade in their tickets at face value for similar seating. Ticket-holders may exchange their tickets between now and May 1st. View the full article

Va Bank (Ire) (Archipenko–Vinales {Ire}, by Dilshaan {GB}), the 2015 Polish Triple Crown winner who raced successfully in Western Europe later in his career, has been retired with a tendon injury, according to a release from trainer Andreas Woehler earlier this week. Bred by Airlie Stud, Va Bank was purchased by bloodstock agent Bobby O’Ryan for €4,500 at the 2013 Tattersalls Ireland Yearling Sale and won his first 11 starts in Poland, including the Triple Crown and that nation’s most prestigious weight-for-age event, the Wielka Warszawska (video). Barry Irwin’s Team Valor bought into the colt following an initial overseas success in the G3 Preis der Sparkassen Finanzgruppe in August 2016. After two unplaced efforts in 2017, Va Bank was spelled at Gestut Faehrhof and he returned to the races, now under the care of Woehler, nearly a year later to place in four consecutive group races in Germany, including a strong third to reigning G1 Dubai Turf hero Benbatl (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the G1 Bayrisches Zuchtrennen. He hit his straps really and truly in what would be the final two starts of his career, first defeating German highweight Iquitos (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}) by five lengths in the G3 Preis der Deutschen Einheit (see below) at Berlin’s Hoppegarten track last October before overcoming heavy ground he clearly disliked to gut out the victory in the G2 Premio Roma the following month (video). A champion in Germany at four and in Italy last year at age six in addition to his Polish accolades, Va Bank retires with a record of 21-14-4-1 for earnings of $436,543. According to a tweet from Team Valor, Va Bank is “likely to stand” in Germany in 2020. WATCH: Va Bank streets his rivals in the Preis der Deutschen Einheit View the full article

MITOLE (c, 4, Eskendereya–Indian Miss, by Indian Charlie) ran to the money with another good-looking victory in Oaklawn’s GIII Count Fleet Sprint H. Saturday. Away alertly from his rail draw, the 2-5 chalk took up his preferred position at the head of affairs and was pressed along by Whitmore through a half in :45.54 over the sloppy going. That rival bore out several paths in the lane as Mitole kept on charging clear to score his first graded victory. Mitole took three tries to earn his diploma, but did so in style with a 10-length score last February and was second next out in the Gazebo three weeks later. He won his next three starts last term by open lengths, including dominant scores in the Bachelor S. and Chick Lang S. last spring. Shelved after that May 19 event, the $140,000 OBSAPR buy kicked off 2019 the same way he ended 2018 with a decisive optional claimer score over this track and trip Mar. 2. Lifetime Record: 9-6-2-1. O-William & Corinne Heiligbrodt; B-Edward Cox, Jr. (KY); T-Steve Asmussen. View the full article

Gary Barber’s War of Will (War Front), slated to contest the May 4 GI Kentucky Derby, breezed five furlongs from the gate in :59 over a fast track at Keeneland Saturday. The time was the fastest of 44 works at the distance. With jockey Tyler Gaffalione aboard, War of Will carved out splits of :22.80, :34.60 and :46.20 and galloped out six furlongs in 1:11.60. (Video) “He broke sharp and had running on his mind,” Gaffalione explained. “He did everything very easy. Mark said he wanted a good five-eighths, so I just let him do his thing. He cruised along and pulled up great and came back happy. He is really proud of himself.” Trained by Mark Casse, the colt has 60 qualifying points and a guaranteed place in the first leg of the Triple Crown. “Horses sometimes get more (conditioning) from working from the gate,” Casse’s Keeneland assistant, David Carroll, said. “He broke very sharp, worked beautifully and the gallop out was tremendous. He cooled out really well, and we are very happy.” At Fair Grounds earlier this year, War of Will won the GII Risen Star S. and the GIII Lecomte S. Most recently, he was ninth in the Mar. 23 GII Louisiana Derby after losing his footing at the start. “He is a kind horse to be around, and in the past week he has really been on his toes and is very sharp,” Carroll said. “He told us coming into (today) that he is ready for a good workout. In the Paddock on his way to the track, he was very playful.” Carroll indicated War of Will likely will have another work next week at Keeneland and a final tune-up at Churchill Downs in the days leading up to the Derby. View the full article

Monarch of Egypt, the first runner for U.S. Triple Crown hero and freshman sire American Pharoah, made a winning debut in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Race at Naas April 13, dispelling any doubts that the sire's progeny would not act on turf. View the full article

Monarch of Egypt, the first runner for U.S. Triple Crown hero and freshman sire American Pharoah, made a winning debut in the 5f Irish Stallion Farms EBF Race at Naas April 13, dispelling any doubts that the sire's progeny would not act on turf. View the full article

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After mixing it with Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}), Saturday’s G3 Alleged S. at Naas represented far easier pickings for Magical (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) but for the fact that she had a five-pound penalty, was meeting two domestic Classic winners and several other classy rivals. Added to that the fact that Ballydoyle often leave plenty to work on with their older horses on their seasonal returns and what resulted was affirmation that she is a quality performer who will be a force to be reckoned with in 2019. Always travelling well within her comfort zone off the strong pace in a share of third, the even-money favourite cruised by the G1 Irish St Leger hero Flag of Honour (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) with 1 1/2 furlongs remaining and drew away to win by 4 1/2 lengths. The same margin separated her stablemate and last year’s G1 Irish Derby hero Latrobe (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) in what could only be described as a strong piece of form. “We are delighted with her–she did lovely into the autumn and had really turned into a four-year-old,” Aidan O’Brien said of the G1 Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares S. heroine and GI Breeders’ Cup Turf runner-up. “She has a lot of choices. There is the [G2] Mooresbridge [S. at The Curragh May 6] or the [G1 Prix] Ganay [at ParisLongchamp Apr. 28], then the [G1] Tattersalls Gold Cup [at The Curragh May 26]. Hopefully, she’ll come out of this well and the lads will have a chat. The feeling is that she has done very well over the winter and there was not a lot between her and Enable in the Breeders’ Cup last year. There is plenty of condition on her for improvement. We felt that we didn’t really need to go the kind of distances we were running over last year with Flag of Honour and he could go up to a mile and a half or go to Navan for the [Apr. 28 G3] Vintage Crop if some of the other stayers aren’t ready in time. If she wasn’t there, he’d have been a very smooth winner.” MAGICAL (IRE), f, 4, Galileo (Ire)–Halfway To Heaven (Ire) (MG1SW-Eng, G1SW-Ire & G1SP-Fr, $941,139), by Pivotal (GB). O-Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier & Michael Tabor; B-Orpendale, Chelston & Wynatt (IRE); T-Aidan O’Brien; J-Ryan Moore. €38,350. Lifetime Record: 13-5-3-0. *Full to Rhododendron (Ire), Hwt. 2yo Filly-Ire, MG1SW-Eng, G1SW-Fr, GSW & G1SP-Ire, GISP-US, $1,741,071; and Flying The Flag (Ire), GSW-Ire & GSP-SAf, $195,702. View the full article

Big Brothers Pride (Fr) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) was an easy two-length winner in her Oct. 16 unveiling tackling six furlongs at Chantilly, but slipped to eighth when upped in trip on seasonal return for the Mar. 14 Listed Prix Montenica atop the synthetic surface at the same venue last time. Making her third straight start there for Saturday’s G3 Prix Sigy, she relished the drop down to 5 1/2 furlongs and blitzed her opponents with a pillar-to-post triumph. Breaking sharply to lead from flagfall, the 21-2 chance was safely clear under minimal urging entering the final eighth and kept on strongly in the closing stages to secure a career high by four lengths from Happy Odyssey (Ire) (Camacho {GB}). “She won very well first time out, but the trip was a bit too much for her in the Montenica last time,” explained connections’ representative Ghislain Bozo. “We were considering a possible attempt at the [G1 Poule d’Essai des] Pouliches before her last run, but that is not in our thoughts now. We brought her back in trip for this race, it proved to be the correct move and speed is obviously her game. [Trainer] Francois [Rohaut] is not available today so we’ll have to see how she comes out of the race before making any decisions. Royal Ascot’s [G1] Commonwealth Cup could be a target.” Big Brothers Pride is one of five winners and fourth black-type performer for Listed Prix d’Angerville victress and GIII Monrovia H. runner-up Polygreen (Fr) (Green Tune). The bay is kin to last term’s G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest heroine Polydream (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}), MGSP Listed Prix Amandine and Listed Prix Isola Bella victress Evaporation (Fr) (Red Ransom) and Listed Grand Criterium de Bordeaux third Ankle (Fr) (Shamardal). Her dual stakes-winning second dam Yxenery (Ire) (Sillery) is out of a MSW half-sister to G1 Grand Criterium runner-up and MGSW sire Truculent (Val de l’Orne {Fr}). Saturday, Chantilly, France PRIX SIGY-G3, €80,000, Chantilly, 4-13, 3yo, 5 1/2fT, 1:04.51, sf. 1–BIG BROTHERS PRIDE (FR), 122, f, 3, by Invincible Spirit (Ire) 1st Dam: Polygreen (Fr) (SW-Fr & GSP-US, $173,671), by Green Tune 2nd Dam: Yxenery (Ire), by Sillery 3rd Dam: Polyxena, by Lyphard 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (€400,000 Ylg ’17 ARAUG). O-Kin Hung Kei & Qatar Racing Ltd; B-Ecurie des Monceaux, Framont Ltd & Beauregard Bloodstock (FR); T-Francois Rohaut; J-Pierre-Charles Boudot. €40,000. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-0, €53,500. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. 2–Happy Odyssey (Ire), 122, f, 3, Camacho (GB)–Casual Remark (Ire), by Trans Island (GB). (€5,000 RNA Wlg ’16 TATFBR; €6,000 RNA Ylg ’17 GOFFEB; €13,500 Ylg ’17 GOYRL; £14,000 2yo ’18 GOFBRE; €300,000 2yo ’18 ARQAEC). O-Yuesheng Zhang; B-Ciara Doyle (IRE); T-Nicolas Clement. €16,000. 3–Kenbaio (Fr), 126, c, 3, Kendargent (Fr)–Baia Chope (Fr), by Deportivo (GB). O-Guy Pariente; B-Guy Pariente Holding (FR); T-Pascal Bary. €12,000. Margins: 4, 1 1/4, SHD. Odds: 10.50, 5.70, 24.00. Also Ran: True Mason (GB), Ilanga (Fr), Barbill (Ire), Vintage Brut (GB), Bravo Sierra (GB). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. View the full article

Signing off at two with a win in the G3 Horris Hill S. over seven furlongs at Newbury in October, Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Mohaather (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) returned to the same track and trip on Saturday to stamp his class on the G3 Watership Down Stud Greenham S. Always travelling with ease in behind the leader Boitron (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}), the 9-2 shot was committed by Jim Crowley approaching the final furlong and quickly took command. Despite drifting right, the bay held a relatively comfortable 3/4-of-a-length margin over Great Scot (GB) (Requinto {Ire}) at the line, with Urban Icon (GB) (Cityscape {GB}) 2 1/4 lengths back in third. MOHAATHER (GB), c, 3, Showcasing (GB)–Roodeye (GB) (SP-Fr), by Inchinor (GB). (110,000gns Ylg ’17 TAOCT). O-Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum; B-Mrs R F Johnson Houghton (GB); T-Marcus Tregoning; J-Jim Crowley. £39,697. Lifetime Record: 4-3-1-0, £68,187. View the full article

by Paul Vettise, courtesy TDNAus/NZ The last act has been played out to rapturous applause as the curtain came down on the glittering career of a superstar of the turf. Wonderful Winx (Aus) (Street Cry {Ire}) bowed out to a rousing reception and one that shook Randwick to its foundations. Winx has held the racing world in awe for the last four years, undefeated in her last 33 appearances and a collection of records that have put together a play list that will be heard long and loud for years to come. And yes, she provided everybody with the send-off they clamoured for by demolishing her G1 Longines Queen Elizabeth II S. rivals. The old maxim that there are no certainties in racing simply didn’t apply to her. A sell-out crowd of 42,000 fanatical supporters had their dreams fulfilled when Winx waved goodbye with the panache only she could have showcased. On a wildly emotional afternoon at Randwick, the mare of the world did what she does best – win for fun. Winx was settled back of midfield and one off the fence by Bowman before he urged her around the field from the 700 metre mark and they swung widest into the straight. Winx was clear with 200 metres to run and coasted home clear of the gallant pair of Kluger (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) and Hartnell (GB) (Authorized {Ire}) with Happy Clapper (Aus) (Teofilo {Ire}) home for fourth. “This is a fairy-tale ending. We weren’t sure we would get that, but how wonderful with that girl,” part-owner Debbie Kepitis said. “She is the most amazing, supreme athlete that I think I’ve ever seen and handled by the most supreme coach. It’s very exciting to have this come to fruition. Congratulations to everybody who has ever been involved with this wonderful mare. The farriers, the dentists and the chiropractors, every person – they all deserve accolades as well. Co-owner Peter Tighe also paid a special tribute to the conditioning skills of trainer Chris Waller, who celebrated his 100th Group 1 success in the Queen Elizabeth. “He’s the captain of the team. It’s been really exciting and it’s amazing what it’s all done for racing,” he said. Winx’s career was one littered with firsts. She owns a world record 25 Group 1 titles and her credits include a surely never to be beaten four consecutive G1 Cox Plate victories as well as quartets of wins in the G1 George Ryder S. and the Chipping Norton S. She has also won the last three Australian Horse of the Year titles. WATCH: Winx makes it 33 in a row in the Queen Elizabeth View the full article

Last seen finishing second to TDN Rising Star Just Wonderful (Dansili {GB}) in Newmarket’s G2 Rockfel S. over seven furlongs in September, Dandhu (GB) (Dandy Man {Ire}) gave that peer a boost on Saturday when prevailing in a thriller for the G3 Dubai Duty Free S., registered as the Fred Darling. Held up in rear of the main group early by Gerald Mosse, the 8-1 shot who was a touch keen initially was brought to bear on Star Terms (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) and TDN Rising Star So Perfect (Scat Daddy) approaching the final furlong. Getting her head marginally in front soon after, the chestnut managed to find the line first as Iconic Choice (GB) (Sixties Icon {GB}) ground her way into her advantage with every lunge. In the photo, a short head was deciphered to be the margin between them, with the same distance back to So Perfect and 3/4 of a length to Star Terms as the quartet pulled away from the rest. DANDHU (GB), f, 3, Dandy Man (Ire)–Poldhu (GB), by Cape Cross (Ire). O-The Dandhu Partnership; B-Barton Bloodstock (GB); T-David Elsworth; J-Gerald Mosse. £34,026. Lifetime Record: 5-2-1-0, £67,738. View the full article

Naas’s opener on Saturday saw Ballydoyle and American Pharoah off the mark at the first attempt in the 2019 Irish flat turf season as Peter Brant and Coolmore’s 2-year-old colt Monarch of Egypt made virtually all to win in convincing style over five furlongs. Roused from the break by Ryan Moore to sit in the firing line, the $750,000 KEESEP graduate who was sent off the 9-10 favourite extended approaching the furlong pole and hit the line strong with 2 3/4 lengths to spare over Ming Warrior (Ire) (No Nay Never), with In the Present (Karakontie {Jpn}) 1 1/2 lengths behind in third. Aidan O’Brien was emitting notable enthusiasm for the landmark winner. “You’d have to be excited about what we see at the moment,” he said. “Everything looks really right, but he was our first runner of the year so we didn’t really know what to expect. We’d be thinking of [Royal] Ascot, but he’ll have to run before then for experience. That’s what we always thought he was, an Ascot horse.” View the full article

He’s made it clear how much he loves the horse and jockey Grant van Niekerk hopes Big Party’s return to the racetrack coincides with a return to top form for the South African.After hitting the ground running in his first season in Hong Kong, things have slowed down for Van Niekerk and he has only ridden two winners since January 27 after notching 17 to that point.Two of his 19 winners have come aboard the Frankie Lor Fu-chuen-trained Big Party and he is itching to climb back aboard the three… View the full article

Champion Australian mare Winx bid farewell Saturday by winning her 33rd race in a row, ending her glittering career on a high with an amazing four-year unbeaten streak.The world’s top-rated turf horse sprinted home to claim her third consecutive Queen Elizabeth Stakes over 2,000m, in front of 50,000 boisterous fans at Royal Randwick in Sydney.The win stretched to 25 her unsurpassed number of Group One victories – the highest class of thoroughbred racing which attracts the best horses and… View the full article

Chris Waller believes the best is still to come for Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed) after she stamped her class on the Group One Australian Oaks with another dominant win. The filly hasn't been straightforward to train and at times has struggled to settle in her races but the time and effort invested by the Waller team and jockey James McDonald has been rewarded with her racing manners finally complementing her ability. Despite a wide draw, McDonald was cool under pressure, easing Verry Elleegant bac... View the full article

Trainer John Moore says he still gets just as excited about taking young horses to the track for the first time despite knowing he’ll eventually lose them when the Jockey Club forces him to retire at the end of next season.Moore saddles up two-year-olds Aethero and Gala Night and the three-year-old Rewarding Shine in Sunday’s griffin race, the Amber Plate (1,000m), and says he will continue to target griffin races like he always has.“They are very nice yearlings, they are pretty well bred,”… View the full article

An inch-perfect ride by Leith Innes saw him guide race-favourite Felaar to a brave victory in Saturday’s Listed Royston Hospital Hawke’s Bay Cup (2200m) at Hastings. Touted as a stayer of real potential, Felaar had finished runner-up in the Bay Of Plenty Cup at his last start after defeating Gr.3 Manawatu Cup (2200m) winner Rock On at Otaki prior to that. On the strength of those performances, Punters installed the Ekraar gelding as favourite for Saturday’s contest, slightly ahead of Gr.3 ... View the full article