Wandering Eyes

Valene Farms' Smoken Wicked became the first stakes winner for first-crop stallion Bobby's Wicked One in scoring a two-length victory over Hay Jude in the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile Stakes Dec. 14 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.View the full article

Set-Hut's Touchuponastar became a millionaire and a consecutive three-time Louisiana Champions Day Classic Stakes winner with an effortless front-running victory in the $150,000 state-bred race Dec. 14 at Fair Grounds. View the full article

Vassimo (c, 2, Nyquist–Bsharpsonata, by Pulpit) worked four furlongs in :49 3/5 (12/25) out of the gate at Palm Beach Downs Dec. 6 and was off at odds of 2-1 in his debut run for Todd Pletcher at Gulfstream Park Saturday. Drawn widest of all in post nine going a one-turn mile, he stalked the leaders in a three-wide third through an opening quarter in :24.11. The bay hit the gas to take a narrow advantage on the far turn and was quickly joined by the slightly favored fellow firster Rapture (Uncle Mo) as they approached the top of the stretch. Rapture made a bold bid nearing the eighth pole, but Vassimo was still going strong, and turned that foe back to win by a length. Bsharpsonata, also responsible for a yearling colt by Silver State, was bred to Epicenter for 2025. The half-sister to GII Sanford Stakes winner and Bashford Manor Stakes winner Backtalk (Smarty Jones) brought $375,000 from Sierra Farm in foal to American Pharoah at the 2016 KEENOV sale. Sales history: $120,000 yrl '23 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0. O-Team Penney Racing; B-Sierra Farm (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher. Vassimo scores his first career win in the 9th race, @iradortiz gets his third victory today! #GulfstreamPark #ChampionshipMeet pic.twitter.com/EdinZlkvO4 — Gulfstream Park (@GulfstreamPark) December 14, 2024 The post Nyquist Juvenile Vassimo Digs Down Gamely on Debut at Gulfstream appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sacrosanct (Honest Mischief) maintained his flawless record by the closest margin of his career when winning the New York Stallion Series Great White Way Stakes. A winner at first-asking Aug. 21 at Saratoga, he parlayed that unveiling into a 12-length tour-de-force in the Sept. 22 New York-bred restricted Bertram F. Bongard Stakes and secured his third victory in a row last out Oct. 27 at this venue in the Sleepy Hollow Stakes. Stalking the early pace and pressing from the outside behind :22.30 and :45.01 early splits, he made his move on the turn to take a narrow advantage nearing the quarter pole as that frontrunner threw out a white flag. Bracing for the oncoming challenge of National Identity (Solomini), the pair locked horns to the wire where Sacrosanct got the best of the photo. Smilensaycheese (Solomini) held on to third. “They set an honest pace. He broke maybe a step slow–waiting down there [inside] for everyone to load–but Manny [Franco] gave him a really good head's up ride to tip him to the outside of the pacesetter,” said Dustin Dugas, Brad Cox's assistant trainer. “They were setting an honest pace and when the runner-up came up to him, he really dug in. I was really happy with the horse.” Manny Franco, who rode the horse since his debut at Saratoga, was thrilled with the progression he's seen since then, adding, “This is a nice horse, since the beginning when I got on him in Saratoga. We knew we had a great New York-bred, so he didn't disappoint.” Sacrosanct is the most recent to the races for Vibrato, whose second foal Navit (Lord Nelson) earned black-type in Puerto Rico, and her first North American Listed winner. Their dam has two colts in the wings–a yearling Instagrand and a 2024 Honest Mischief. She was bred back to the latter for 2025. Vibrato is a daughter of multiple Listed winner Cuff Me (Officer), who earned both of her stakes win on the New York circuit. The heavy favorite #2 SACROSANCT ($3.10) is now a perfect 4 for 4 in his career as he dug in and showed all heart fighting back on the inside to win the $500,000 NYSS Great White Way at Aqueduct. @jockeyfranco was in the irons for @bradcoxracing. Watch more on @FanDuelTV. pic.twitter.com/xHLwZMME5f — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) December 14, 2024 NEW YORK STALLION SERIES S., $500,000, Aqueduct, 12-14, (C), 2yo, 7f, 1:24.10, ft. 1–SACROSANCT, 122, c, 2, by Honest Mischief 1st Dam: Vibrato, by Unbridled's Song 2nd Dam: Cuff Me, by Officer 3rd Dam: She'sgotgoldfever, by Gold Fever ($260,000 2yo '24 EASMAY). O-Lady Sheila Stable, Net Birdie, LLC and Schwing Thoroughbreds; B-Burleson Farms, Mckenzie Bloodstock, & Sequel Thoroughbreds (NY); T-Brad H. Cox; J-Manuel Franco. $275,000. Lifetime Record: 4-4-0-0, $503,250. 2–National Identity, 120, c, 2, Solomini–Cheyenne Autumn, by Indian Charlie. ($150,000 Ylg '23 SARAUG). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Reeves Thoroughbred Racing; B-Hunter Valley Farm (NY); T-Danny Gargan. $100,000. 3–Smilensaycheese, 120, c, 2, Solomini–Picture Day, by Include. ($50,000 Ylg '23 SARAUG). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Paradise Farms Corp., David Staudacher, Carlesimo, Angelo and JP Racing Stable; B-McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds, LLC & Greenleaf Farm, LLC (NY); T-Michael J. Maker. $60,000. Margins: HD, 2 3/4, 5. Odds: 0.55, 17.10, 28.25. Also Ran: Soontobeking, Twohonestmischief, Buttah, Bold Fortune, Missing Rocks. Scratched: Friend Ofthe Devil, Man in Finance. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post Honest Mischief’s Sacrosanct Still Perfect After Game NYSS Great White Way Effort appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Kiwi driver Sam Thornley had the perfect finale in clinching the Australasian Young Drivers’ Championships (AYDC) in Sydney last night. Driving in the first race on Inter Dominion Finals night at Menangle, Thornley teamed up with top Kiwi pacer Tact McLeod in the ninth and final heat of the championships and they left nothing to chance by leading throughout to win easily. It is Thornley’s first win in the championships, though he had finished second previously, and he became the sixth Kiwi to win the championships in the last 12 years. It means a lot,” said Thornley post race, “a lot of it came down to the horses and the draws.” “It was all good.” Thornley went to the top of the New South Wales-based championships with a win and a second placing at Bathurst on night two, and he was never headed. He ended up with 93 points, 27 clear of his nearest rival. Final standings (after 9 heats) : Sam Thornley (New Zealand) 93 Will Rixon (New South Wales) 66 Ewa Justice (Victoria) 63 Jacob Duggan (Tasmania) 62 Taleah McMullen (Queensland) 56 Kerryn Tomlinson (New Zealand) 55 Josh Gallagher (New South Wales) 53 Corey Johnson (South Australia) 49 Kyle Symington (Western Australia) 47 Crystal Hackett (New Zealand) 42 “It was great to share a win like that with Sam,” Tact McLeod’s trainer Mark Jones said. “What a way for him to finish the series and a great way for us to get this Aussie campaign underway with the horse.” Tact McLeod was a late entry for the Inter Dominion itself, but an untimely hoof abscess forced him out just days before it started. “He was pretty close tonight, but will definitely benefit from it because he hadn’t trialled,” Jones said. “He’ll go straight down to Anthony (Butt) and Sonya (Smith) for three or four races in Victoria. “The Bendigo Cup is on January 4 and then there’s Shepparton, Ballarat and Hunter Cups after that. I’ll let them decide. “He’s shown he’s got the makings of a nice horse and now he just needs experience in these better races, which he’ll get in Victoria.” Tact McLeod blasted straight to the front and rolled along for a 1min50.4sec mile, winning by 7.9m. Thornley meanwhile heads home with the junior drivers’ premiership set for a thrilling finish. He leads with 60 wins in 2024, with Carter Dalgety on 58 and Wilson House on 57. While he’s away both his rivals will be in action on the grass at Rangiora today. View the full article

By Mike Love Harness racing returns to the grass at Rangiora today with an entertaining 10-race programme set to get underway at 12:32pm. Headlining the card is the $25,000 New World Rangiora Summer Cup. Favourite for the race Audacity will look to keep his perfect Rangiora grass track record as he aims for more country cups glory. He’s won two from two on the grass at Rangiora and three from seven overall in 2024. McQueens Valley trainer Steve Harding is confident of a forward showing by his upcoming stable star. “He likes the track so hopefully he can keep that record intact,” said trainer Steve Harding. Having just his 13th career start today, Audacity is looking to back up his dominant Akaroa Cup win on November 30. “He’s come through that run really well. He had the toughest run and was too good.” Ross Cameron will pilot the five-year-old gelding by Sir Lincoln whose main job will be getting him away. “As long as he steps. That’s been his problem at the moment but he’s stepped alright the last couple of starts, so fingers crossed.” “Ross has done a really good job with him. Teaching him how to race, he’s really starting to come to it.” Audacity is the current favourite ($2.45FF) and will need to come off a 10 metre unruly handicap. Xlendi ($3.50FF) looks a big danger starting off the front for trainer Bob Butt and may look to dominate early with manners. Arguably the value will come with last week’s Geraldine Cup winner Bryce’s Meddle ($14.00FF) starting off 20 metres, while the Laurence Hanrahan pair Tanzania ($13.00FF) and Woodbine Rocks ($11.00FF) look value each way. Cameron trains and drives Lonnekers ($7.50FF) in Race 3, the Peter Bagrie Memorial who will be having his third race day start, and he will also drive Jose Quivera in Race 10, the Balcairn Stockfoods mobile pace. Another feature event on the programme is Race 9, the $20,000 North Canterbury Trotting Handicap over the 2600m which the current favourite is Masterly at $3.70FF for trainer Paul Nairn with Bob Butt to drive. View the full article

If it's Louisiana Champions Day, that means it's Touchuponastar (Star Guitar) day and the 5-year-old did not disappoint in winning the Champions Day Classic for the third consecutive season. Drawn widest while facing four others, the gelding poked his head in front with a circuit to travel and lobbed them along through a half-mile in :49.48 while tracked along by Benoit (Closing Argument). Held together on the turn by Tim Thornton, he remained under a double hammerlock while opening at will into the final furlong and cruised home untouched. The paid workout–his 10th added-money success–took his career earnings past the $1-million threshold. After making this contest his sixth victory from seven outings last season, Touchuponastar had added another pair of restricted stakes wins this season while finishing runner-up in the local GII New Orleans Classic in March and was just touched off in the GIII Steve Sexton Mile in May. In his lone try since, Touchuponastar was third in defense of his title in the Nov. 8 Delta Mile Stakes. From the family of sires Sky Mesa and Bernstein, Touchuponastar has a yearling full-brother, a weanling half-sister by Maxfield–both foaled in Louisiana–and his dam was most recently covered by Flightline. Click for the Equibase.com chart. LOUISIANA CHAMPIONS DAY CLASSIC S., $150,000, Fair Grounds, 12-14, (S), 3yo/up, 1 1/8m, 1:50.93, ft. 1–TOUCHUPONASTAR, 124, g, 5, Star Guitar–Touch Magic (SW & GSP, $243,871), by Lion Heart. ($15,000 Ylg '20 TTAYHR). O-Set-Hut LLC; B-Coteau Grove Farms LLC (LA); T-Jeff Delhomme; J-Timothy Thornton. $90,000. Lifetime Record: MGSP, 19-13-4-2, $1,022,900. 2–Benoit, 120, g, 4, Closing Argument–Katiebarthedoor, by English Channel. O-Stacey Moak; B-Joseph Tosterud (LA); T-Joe O Duhon. $30,000. 3–Cosmic Train, 124, g, 5, Klimt–Cosmic Emergency, by Any Given Saturday. ($55,000 Ylg '20 KEESEP; $19,000 RNA 2yo '21 OBSAPR). O-Delanie J Calais Jr; B-Coteau Grove Farms LLC (LA); T-Jerry Delhomme. $16,500. Margins: 5 1/4, 8HF, 1. Odds: 0.20, 19.50, 4.10. Also Ran: Tdzshininluckystar, Allnight Moonlight. Congrats to @CoteauGrove the Delhommes and Timmy T on this amazing horse! 3 Champions Day Classics in a row!! @louisianabred @StarGuitarLA @LAHorseReporter https://t.co/yJfQzwLEXs — Andrew Cary (@CaryBloodstock) December 14, 2024 The post Touchuponastar Wins Third Straight LA Champions Day Classic, Now a Millionaire appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The final legal case arising out of Medina Spirit's disqualification from the 2021 Kentucky Derby (G1) likely has finished out of the money with the dismissal of a damages lawsuit brought by a group of bettors.View the full article

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6th-OP, $110K, Msw, 2yo, f, 6f, 3:50 p.m. ET. AVERY'S MISCHIEF (Curlin) makes the races for Stonestreet and trainer Steve Asmussen. The homebred is the first foal for GI Humana Distaff Stakes heroine Mia Mischief (Into Mischief), who the farm made the fourth highest return–at $2.4 million–when they bid successfully during the 2019 Fasig-Tipton November Sale. Earning over $1.2 million on the racetrack, this dam certainly took to Oaklawn's course, as she netted a pair of black-types there and never finished worse than second over six attempts. Also set for her first start is Barbie's Dream (Authentic), who was bred by H. Allen Poindexter and will carry his colors. The John Ortiz trainee is out of SP Kid Majic (Lemon Drop Kid), who is responsible for 10 foals, seven to race and four winners. Among them is dual Canadian champion Miss Mischief (Into Mischief), SP Mind Out (Tapit) and the unraced dam of MGISP Rowayton (Into Mischief). Kid Majic's half-siblings include GISW J P's Gusto (Successful Appeal) and the dam of champion older dirt female Letruska (Super Saver). Barbie's Dream claims among her extended female family members champion 3-year-old filly Proud Spell (Proud Citizen). TJCIS PPS The post Sunday Insight: GISW Mia Mischief’s First Foal Warmed Up For Unveiling In Hot Springs appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Oscar Performance (Kitten's Joy) was an outstanding turf horse, winning four Grade I's on the grass. And he's been a quality stallion, with his progeny headlined by the likes of Grade I winner Trikari and four other graded winners. Like most horses labeled `turf sires,' Oscar Performance, who stands at Mill Ridge Farm, was always going to be up against it in a country where breeders and buyers aren't necessarily looking for grass horses. European buyers don't need to buy horses by American turf stallions when they have so many top sires of their own. Oscar Performance has done well enough that his stud fee has been raised to $45,000, but it was always going to take something special to happen for him to get into the upper tier of the stallion ranks. Maybe that is going to happen after all. When Erika Endive won a Dec. 8 maiden race at Kyoto in Japan, she became the fourth Oscar Performance to win over there and kept her stallion's record perfect. Only four Oscar Performances have run in Japan and all four have won. “To have Oscar Performances at 4-for-4 in a country that has some of the best turf racing in the world is beyond any sort of dream,” said Mill Ridge's general manager Price Bell. That doesn't mean that Japanese buyers are going to converge in large number at 2025 sales to buy sons or daughters of Oscar Performance, but it probably means they will at least take a second look at the catalogue page when coming across and Oscar Performance. That can only help. “The game has become so international,” Bell said. “Especially in the stallion game that we're trying to play we need as many markets as possible ready to buy up these horses. The Japanese have had tremendous success with American horses. If Oscar Performance can get known there and prosper there our commercial breeders will have a significant opportunity. We need to have as many markets and outlets as possible for them.” The other winners by Oscar Performance in in Japan are Your Destiny, a winner of five races, Oscar Brave, who also broke his maiden at Kyoyo, and Meiner Vision (JPN), a two-time winner from 15 starts. It's likely that Erika Endive will be the best of the bunch. Bell's father Headley bought her dam, Going Day (Daylami (Ire}) in 2004 for client George Strawbridge. Initially, she didn't have a lot of success as a broodmare and Strawbridge was ready to move on. He placed her in the 2014 Keeneland November sale and Headley Bell bought her for himself for $85,000. “Dad knew the mare, loved her as a foal and always loved the family,” Bell said. “When she became available, he wanted to take a shot. The family just blossomed but until Erika Endive came along you can't say that Going Day was a very good investment.” The Bell family, Headley, Price and Price's mother Nancy, bred the horse and sold her at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale for $235,000 . The buyer was George T. Racing. According to Equibase, the filly is now owned by Masashiro Miki. “We had another filly ready to go to Saratoga but she needed a little bit more time,” Bell said. “At the last minute we switched that filly with this filly and took her to Saratoga. We hoped to get $70,000 or $80,000 for her. People might ask why would you take a horse to Saratoga and just get $70,000 or $80,000?” They got quite a bit more, but the bigger surprise was that she was bought by Japanese interests. “The Japanese are huge supporters of Keeneland and huge supporters of OBS, but hadn't really participated in the Saratoga sale,” Bell said. “Fasig-Tipton did a really big push to get a lot of Japanese to come. At this sale there were Japanese everywhere. Yet, this was the only horse they bought. It seems they like to experience something first and then participate more in follow-up years. I believe that will be the case.” None of which means that the Mill Ridge team is content with Oscar Performance being labeled a turf sire. Red Carpet Ready (Oscar Performance) won three graded stakes on the dirt. Tumbarumba (Oscar Performance) was fourth in the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile and won the GIII Fred Hooper S. this year on the dirt for Wathnan Racing. “I thought Tumbarumba's run in the Dirt Mile was out of sight,” Bell said. “He was fourth in the Dirt Mile and not by a lot. He ran really well from an outside draw. He was bought by Wathnan Racing to win big races and I thought he justified that acquisition. If he goes on to win a big race that could be really interesting.” They'd like nothing more than for an Oscar Performance to win a Grade I race on the dirt. In the meantime, it's encouraging to see his horses do well on the turf. And the success in Japan has certainly raised his profile internationally. “The American turf sire is still an underdog,” Bell said. “It's not like Oscar Performance monopolizes the turf sire rankings because U.S. buyers have the opportunity to go buy European sired horses and win turf races over here. But to have Oscar Performance punching in at the global turf sire level, that's a whole new opportunity and a new market for commercial breeders breeding to Oscar Performance. To be 4-for-4 in Japan is incredible.” The post Another Winner in Japan for Oscar Performance appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Coal Battle won the war against 2-1 wagering favorite Speed King down the stretch, defeating him by a half-length to win the $300,000 Remington Springboard Mile Stakes Dec. 13.View the full article

The final legal case arising out of Medina Spirit's disqualification from the 2021 Kentucky Derby (G1) likely has finished out of the money with the dismissal of a damages lawsuit brought by a group of bettors.View the full article

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Sam Agars CIRCUIT JOLLY - R4 (6) Had trouble with a mark on the track but the switch to 1,000m should do the trick Jay Rooney FLYING LUCK - R5 (4) Looks well placed to continue top form since going into blinkers Jack Dawling MICKLEY - R10 (3) Caught the eye on his local debut and looks suited up to the mile Phillip Woo YODA'S CHOICE - R2 (3) Racing well at this level and can deliver a belated win with Purton on board Shannon (Vincent Wong) CAP FERRAT - R10 (1) Australian import has trialled well and should go close on his debut Racing Post Online CIRCUIT JOLLY - R4 (6) Knocking on the door and should get all the favours under Zac Purton Tom Wood CIRCUIT JOLLY - R4 (6) Should have one if not two wins on the board, can break through hereView the full article

Within The Law (Aus) (Lucky Vega {Ire}) gained her second stakes victory in the 1000-metre R. Listed Inglis Nursery at Randwick on Saturday. Trained by Bjorn Baker, the daughter of Contract Signed (Aus) (Dundeel {NZ}) quickened up nicely in the final stages and held off Cobra Club (Aus) (Cool Aza Beel {NZ}) by just under a half-length (video). “It has been a good week, and a great job by Bjorn and Darby [Racing] and the team to find these races,” Baker's racing manager Luke Hilton said. Owner Darby Racing Syndications also own runner-up Cobra Club, who is trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott. Former Darby Racing runner She Will Reign (Aus) (Manhattan Ran {Aus}) used the Inglis Nursery as a springboard to win the G1 Golden Slipper in 2017. “We sent her to Melbourne the first time and had to travel, and she got away with it down there and did a really good job. She has done nothing but improve since she has come home. That was a really tough win today because she is not very big, but she showed a lot of heart.” “We'll have to have a good think about it [the Golden Slipper],” Hilton said of the filly, who won the Listed Inglis Banner on debut at Flemington Nov. 9. “The world is her oyster at the moment. She is still improving all the time and she is such an honest filly. She handles everything and has been so professional. “She is not one who stands out at home, but she has taken everything we have thrown at her.” Bred by Yulong Investments, who offered her at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, the bay was purchased by Darby Racing for A$30,000. The placed Contract Signed has a yearling colt by Tagaloa (Aus), and was bred back to Lucky Vega. Third dam So Gorgeous (Aus) (Brief Truce) was a four-time group winner in Australia, and foaled Group 1 winner Sterling City (Aus) (Nadeem {Aus}) and G2 Tulloch Stakes hero Tipungwuti (Aus) (Fusaichi Pegasus). Yulong's Lucky Vega, who stands at the Irish National Stud in the Northern Hemisphere and shuttles to Yulong in Australia, has his first Southern Hemisphere runners this year. The G1 Phoenix Stakes hero has been represented by two winners from three to race, with Vega For Luck (NZ) already listed-placed in New Zealand. The post Lucky Vega’s Within The Law Moves Into Golden Slipper Contention appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

If you don't know the name, chances are that you will recognise the face. And if all else fails, you'll definitely spot the jackets. There is no mistaking those jackets. Through his association with marketing maestro Jack Cantillon, John Bourke has become one of the most recognisable faces on the sales circuit, be it in the illuminous yellow for Far Above (Ire) or the fluorescent green of Bouttemont (Ire). But there's more strings to Bourke's bow than dealing with cheaper stallions, as he proved at Goffs when selling Stakes-producing mare Ambiguous (GB) in foal to Mehmas (Ire) for a cool €230,000. That transaction, which was carried out under the banner of his family's Lackagh Spring Stud, represented a €222,000 jump from the €8,000 that the Godolphin Flying Start graduate parted with to secure Ambiguous from Godolphin at the same November Breeding Stock Sale at Goffs just three years previously. Unsurprisingly, a certain Mr Cantillon had a role to play in Bourke bagging what was then a barren mare with no major upside. However, the emergence of Marine Wave (Ire) (Harry Angel {Ire}) as a bona fide Listed performer in the pedigree led to Amo Racing swooping for the 12-year-old mare through Alex Elliott at Goffs last month. Bourke, 30, reflected, “It's actually only now that, when I click on the sales result that it hits home what actually happened. Those results don't come along too often so it hasn't really sunk in. It's actually a funny story as to how I got her in the first place. I left the Flying Start in 2020 and went gung-ho buying mares with a couple of good friends but we didn't have any great luck. So the following year, I was adamant that I wouldn't buy a barren mare. I wanted a nice mare with a good cover that could help get the farm at home off the ground.” Jack Cantillon and John Bourke | ITM He continued, “I remember underbidding One Spirit (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) at €20,000. Her Earthlight (Ire) foal went on to make a lot of money the following year and her daughter One For Bobby (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) won a Group 3 race as well. So that was one that got away. Then we underbid another mare in foal to Blue Point (Ire) and that foal made a lot of money as well. “It looked like we weren't going to get anything at that stage. But I can remember being familiar with Ambiguous because she was actually booked to visit Far Above. That was when she was under the Rabbah banner but, needless to say, she didn't end up going to Far Above and ended up being in the sale. I can remember Jack coming to me and telling me that I simply had to buy Ambiguous.” Cantillon is nothing if not persuasive. But there was another larger-than-life stallion man involved in providing Bourke with the courage to abandon his one simple criteria when it came to sourcing a mare. “I can remember Bernard Condron was auctioneering and, because she was a barren mare, I was getting watery at around seven grand. Micheál Orlandi was sitting in front of us and Jack grabbed my iPad, ran down to him, and asked for a free nomination to Kuroshio (Aus) if I bought the mare. In fairness to Micheál, he took the iPad and wrote, 'one free nom to Kuroshio' on it so I went once more and got her bought at eight grand. “A good friend of mine, bloodstock agent Nico Archdale, was standing beside me at the time. He'd never been involved in a mare before but, I turned to him and said, 'you're the luckiest man in the world, you may take a leg,' and he did. Meanwhile, Eoin Fives [Ballylinch Stud] came sprinting over to us from the other side of the sales complex asking could he take a leg as well so it was divided up there and then.” Contrary to how the story goes, this wasn't a case of a few guys standing at the roulette wheel hoping that lady luck would look favourably on them. There was a certain level of calculated risk involved here. Ambiguous may have been barren but she had produced foals previously and boasted a strong pedigree being a sister to five 100-plus rated runners, including Group 1 winners Alpha Delphini (GB) (Captain Gerrard {Ire}) and Tangerine Trees (GB) (Mind Games {GB}). On top of that, her Kuroshio half-sister Jurius (GB) was not too bad, either, given she scored at Group 2 level, making that mating with the Starfield Stud resident a no-brainer at the time. But it was the little known Harry Angel filly, that would later be known as the Listed-winning Marine Wave, who would do the most for the pedigree. And, in many ways, the Richard Fahey-trained four-year-old put Bourke and his partners in Ambiguous in a position where there was little choice but to sell. He explained, “On the Darley notes, you could see that her Harry Angel was coming along and all of the gradings were good. That gave me a little bit more confidence. Meta Osborne was very good as well. We had a 20-minute conversation about getting the mare in foal on the day that I bought her and she gave me some brilliant advice. “But we could never have expected Marine Wave to come out and do what she did. I actually went up to Richard Fahey at the Premier Yearling Sale at Goffs this year to track how she was getting on and he turned to me and said, 'I think you know more about this filly than I do!' I've been following Marine Wave from the very start and remember thinking that it could be potentially life-changing if she could pick up black-type.” Marine Wave did exactly that by placing in four Listed contests for Fahey. But it was at Pontefract in August, when she ran out a cosy winner of the Flying Fillies' Stakes over 6f, where she notched that all-important black-type success. “The big day came at Pontefract,” Bourke remembers. “That was wild. I was actually going to the day two session of a friend's wedding and we were sitting down having a warm-up pint watching the race on my phone. My whole body started shaking when she crossed the line! A few of the lads that were there didn't quite understand what was going on. I had to explain to them how big it was. Not even 30 seconds after she crossed the line, we had an offer in for Ambiguous. It really was a dream result.” He added, “I've always been told that the first money you're offered is the best money. I actually learned the hard way to always accept the first offer you get. We had a horse in training a few years ago and she finished fourth behind Love (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in a fillies' maiden at the Curragh. The offers started to come in but we got a bit cocky and thought we could double our money if she won a maiden. What happened? We ended up getting her claimed for eight grand at Fairyhouse two years later. “So that was always in the back of my mind but I knew how important that Listed race was in the pedigree. I also knew how hard it would be for me to find a mare like Ambiguous again. I spoke to Roger O'Callaghan one day and, for any young person in the industry, he's just a brilliant person to give advice. He actually told me not to sell the mare, that I would find it very difficult to replace her. “But he told me that, if I really did want to sell her, I should sell her off the back of people seeing the Minzaal (Ire) colt foal out of her because he was so nice. Unfortunately, the Minzaal had a drop in his foot just a few days before the sale, but I have to say, Goffs did a wonderful job with the mare. She had 50-plus shows and all the right people looked at her. Not in our wildest dreams did we think we'd get €230,000 for her.” The sale of Ambiguous provided Bourke with something of a tonic after what he openly admits to being one of the most difficult years of his life following the death of close friends Ed Prendergast and Michael Byrne. Both men, who were deeply involved in racing and bloodstock, died separately in tragic circumstances. Bourke said, “They were very close friends of mine so Ambiguous selling provided us all with a bit of a lift at the end of what was a very tough 2024. I had been trading away in mares with Ed since the early days and he had a big part to play in the whole thing.” Bourke is a man who wears many hats [or even jackets!]. Along with dabbling in breeze-up horses, foal pinhooks, working part-time with Syndicates.Racing and breeding from his own mares, he is studying for his Masters in Sports Management at the University College Dublin. He keeps an open mind with regards to the future but safe to say that his family-run Lackagh Spring Stud is gaining as much recognition as he is. “After I came off the Flying Start, Covid hit. I had a few jobs lined up abroad at the time but obviously they didn't happen,” he explains. “I remember saying at the time, 'do you know what, let's try and get our home place up and running.' We've gradually improved the facilities at home. My Dad has been talking about retiring for a while now but I don't think he ever truly believed that what happened at Goffs was really possible. I think the sale of Ambiguous might get him over the line to retire and, if he does, please God he can come home and help me.” The post ‘It Hasn’t Sunk In’ – Meet The Young Breeder Who Turned 8k Into 230k At Goffs appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Grant and Alana Williams-trained Western Empire has powered to victory in the A$1.5 million Gr.3 Gold Rush (1400m) at Ascot in Perth on Saturday. Ridden by Billy Egan, who was called off the bench when regular rider Willie Pike became unavailable earlier in the week, Western Empire travelled wide with cover throughout but unleashed a devastating turn of foot to defeat Magnificent Andy and favourite Super Smink. It was shades of Western Empire’s best as the now seven-year-old son of Iffraaj returned to the form that had seen him dominate Perth racing as a younger horse. The son of Iffraaj won seven of his first 12 starts in 2020 and 2021, including a stunning four-length romp in the Gr.1 Railway Stakes (1600m) and victory in the Gr.2 WA Derby (2400m). Western Empire was trained through those glory days by Grant and Alana Williams for leviathan Perth owner Bob Peters. The gelding subsequently had two campaigns in Victoria, finishing fifth in the Gr.1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) and Gr.1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) for Danny O’Brien and finishing outside the placings in five appearances for John Leek Jr. The Williams team jumped at the opportunity when Western Empire was placed on an Inglis Digital Sale last October, purchasing him for A$150,000 and bringing him back to their Karnup stable. Having campaigned over shorter distances this preparation including a last-start ninth to Overpass in the Gr.1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m), all looked on track for the grand final effort in the Gold Rush. But when Willie Pike had a tumble from an e-scooter on Monday and as a result, broke his wrist, the cat was really put amongst the pigeons as the Williams scrambled for a replacement rider before eventually calling on Victorian Billy Egan, who they had never met previously. “Everyone close to me knows I threw the teddy out of the cot on Monday and Tuesday. It is lucky Alana is the solid part between the two of us because she takes the emotion out of it,” Grant Williams said. “The Gold Rush has been our goal all along but he was working that good before the Winterbottom, we thought we were a chance to win it, and obviously we weren’t. “It has been a hectic week. A lot of people over East said this guy is a ripper. He is Paddy Payne’s main rider and he is one of the hardest markers. “He is a champion bloke they said and my first impressions when we met before the first were really good.” Egan, who had never previously ridden in Perth, was pleased he had a few sighters on some stablemates. “It has been a pretty good week. I found out on Monday night in Melbourne that I was going to ride the horse, so I’ve had the week to prepare and I have been looking forward to it all week,” he said. “First time riding here and I’ve had a great experience and even better, I’ve ridden a winner. “I needed to get a feel for the track and a feel for the surroundings.” Bred in New Zealand by Peters Investments, Western Empire is by former Haunui Farm shuttle stallion Iffraaj and is out of Gr.2 Perth Cup (2400m) winner Western Jewel. The gelding has now won in excess of A$2.7 million in prizemoney with 10 wins from a 28-start career. View the full article

It was a case of ex-pat Kiwis combining as Jaylah Kennedy enjoyed another memorable day at the Caulfield Heath on Saturday, as she celebrated a double on the program. Seven days after starring at Ballarat by winning the Ballarat Cup aboard Berkeley Square, Kennedy guided Thailess and former Kiwi galloper Marble Arch to glory at the main Melbourne race meeting for the weekend. Saturday’s success was the second this preparation for Per Incanto mare Marble Arch, who won the inaugural A$300,000 Future Stars Series Final at Pakenham last year. The Ben, Will and JD Hayes-trained mare stormed over the top of the hot favourite Warnie to claim victory in the Ive – idea – execution Handicap (1500m). “We drew really well, there was going to be good speed on always, then I was just able to get in behind that and I wasn’t a part of that battle,” Kennedy explained. “We had plenty of horse underneath me, we got off the fence at the right time and followed the right horses into the turn, and she was really good with the lightweight.” Kennedy has capitalised on her recent opportunities at metropolitan level. Prior to Saturday, the Kiwi apprentice had ridden two other winners at the Heath track this month and was also in the winners’ circle at Caulfield on Thousand Guineas Day last month. A daughter of Little Avondale Stud’s outstanding sire Per Incanto, Marble Arch was purchased privately by the Lindsay Park team after finishing third at Wanganui in her only start in New Zealand for trainer Wayne Marshment. Bred by Goodwood Stud, Marble Arch is out of the four-win Sakhee’s Secret mare Jonquil and stems from the family of Group One winners Atishu and Daffodil. The now five-year-old mare was initially sold as a weanling for just $3,100 via gavelhouse.com. Saturday’s victory was Marble Arch’s seventh career win from 18 starts, with a further three placings, as she advanced her career earnings to A$456,546. View the full article

Talented sprinter Jedibeel took his career to a new peak when successful in the Listed Razor Sharp Handicap (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday after gaining a late split under Tyler Schiller to grab victory from the jaws of defeat. Schiller, who rides with a calmness rarely seen, was hell-bent on waiting for a gap after being cluttered in midfield and he took full opportunity when presented with a needle-eye to defeat Pereille and Eagle Nest The Brad Widdup-trained son of Savabeel has now won seven races from 17 starts, with a further seven placings as he advanced his career earnings to A$527,150. “It was a hard-watch until the last few strides but full credit to Tyler, he knows him, and it is great to see the horse get rewarded,” Widdup said. “He has got a great record. I think he is a black-type horse every day of the week and he has proved that today.” Schiller rode conservatively to give Jedibeel the best opportunity to prevail over a distance he had never previously won over. “I knew he wouldn’t have been strong at the 1200m and he has never won at Randwick, so I was pretty patient and I didn’t want to expose him too early and do anything rash on him,” Schiller said. “He has got a great turn of foot and I thought I put him into a dead-end at one point but I was very grateful I was on a very good horse. He is probably better off ridden like that, but maybe not that close. “He is such a genuine horse. I think his sprint is not very long which is probably why he doesn’t get 1200m all the time and especially at Randwick coming up the rise but Brad has done a great job with him and it is great to get winners for these owners, they are great people and he is just a really good horse for me.” Jedibeel was bred by Waikato Stud and is out of their unraced O’Reilly mare Starry. The five-year-old gelding is one of five winners from six foals to race out of Starry – a group that also includes the Dunstan Feeds Stayers’ Championship (2400m) winner and multiple Group Three placegetter Starrybeel. But despite being a full-brother to that genuine stayer, there is also no shortage of speed in Jedibeel’s pedigree, which notably features multiple Group One winner I Wish I Win. Waikato Stud offered Jedibeel during the National Weanling Sale on Gavelhouse Plus in 2020, where he was bought for $35,000 by Dengaroka Lodge in New South Wales. Jedibeel was later purchased by Widdup as a yearling for $190,000 at the Sydney Classic Sale after fielding a phone call from Sydney businessman Mike Gregg. Gregg races Jedibeel in the bumble bee colours of his Sydney University of NSW cricket club, along with his grandson Locky Sheridan. The Oaks Stud will offer a three-quarter sister to Jedibeel as Lot 329 of next month’s New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales, with the filly from the first-crop of Savabeel’s son Noverre and out of Starry. View the full article

Kiwi-bred three-year-old Beau Dazzler has flagged his staying ability with a strong victory in the Gr.3 Grand Prix Stakes (1800m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday for trainers Tony & Maddysen Sears. The son of Ardrossan was the winner of the Listed Phelan Ready Stakes (1000m) as a juvenile and performed with credit when crossing the Tasman to finish seventh in the Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) when closing well. The gelding again ran meritoriously and without luck when fourth in the Listed Phoenix Stakes (1500m) and fifth in the Gr..1 JJ Atkins Stakes (1600m) through the Queensland Winter Carnival, but all indicators are Beau Dazzler will appreciate getting out further in trip. Now in his Classic season, Beau Dazzler overcame the inside draw on the deteriorating Heavy 8 surface under a well-plotted Jag Guthmann-Chester ride and relished the tempo added by eventual fourth Apuntar to power to a three-length win from Sun Worshipper with Madame Lexis third. “He has always shown us a lot but he is a very tricky horse,” Maddy Sears said. “He is not an easy horse to do things with and I do have to make mention of James who rides him every day as he is very naughty, but we thought he was a very good chance today. “We bought him as a Derby-style of horse, and we didn’t think the distance would be any problem whatsoever and when the rain came in it was almost like a 2000m race with how heavy it was. “His ability prevailed, and it was a great ride by Jag. He drew barrier one, but he kept him off the fence and he just speared through and put them away.” Sears said Guthmann-Chester was an underrated rider. “He is very strong and he vary rarely does things wrong on horses and he got the job done today,” she said. With a Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m) campaign the focus through the winter, Beau Dazzler is likely to have one more run this campaign. “I believe there is a 2000m race in two weeks’ time that he will run in and then we will put him away and I think he will be a force to be reckoned with in the Queensland Derby,” Sears said. “Paul Moroney and Catheryne Bruggeman bought him for us in New Zealand and we have had a lot of luck in those colours with Melvin (Foo) and Suat (Wee). He was obviously a stakes winner as a two-year-old and now he has gone on to do it as a three-year-old, so who knows what the future holds but he is a horse that keeps on improving. “He is a very cool horse and I think there is a lot more in-store for him.” Beau Dazzler was offered by Mapperley Stud in Book 2 of Karaka 2023, where he was bought for $85,000. Bred by the Dewar Partnership, Beau Dazzler is by Waikato Stud’s promising young sire Ardrossan out of the Pentire mare Pwerfect, who comes from the family of northern hemisphere Group One stars such as Fame And Glory and Legatissimo. Beau Dazzler’s juvenile younger full-brother Toretto is an early qualifier for next year’s Karaka Million 2YO (1200m), having prevailed at Ellerslie a fortnight ago for Hollie Wynyard, while another full-brother will be offered as Lot 228 from the draft of Elsdon Park at next month’s New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales. View the full article

Progressive stayer Kadavar maintained his perfect record over 2400m when recording a strong win in the Listed Christmas Cup (2400m) at Randwick on Saturday. The Chris Waller-trained four-year-old is in a rich vein of form, notching a hattrick of victories including bouncing between assignments in Sydney and Melbourne and has now won all four of his 2400m starts. Ridden by Kerrin McEvoy, Kadavar took up a more forward position after initially settling midfield and tracked eventual runner-up Alalcance, who shot to the lead before being gradually worn down by the winner. The son of Gr.1 VRC Derby (2500m) winner Tarzino and Gr.1 VRC Oaks (2500m) winner Arapaho Miss is now doing exactly what his pedigree suggests. “He has turned into a winner, that’s for sure,” Waller said. “He has been up and down the country-side but he is enjoying his racing and he keeps going to another level each time he runs. “I think he is four from four over 2400m and he is out of an Oaks winner and he is a sibling to an Oaks winner. “I think he will get to a higher-level. That will do for this prep but if you have got a good stayer, there are some good races for them.” Winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy was not surprised to see Kadavar again perform well, especially off the limit weight of 53kgs. “I knew he would run the trip well and he got out into a nice spot and the horse in front of me wasn’t really travelling and taking me along and was almost getting detached from the horses I thought were going to be hardest to beat,” he said. “I was able to come out, make a bit of a move and be a bit closer around the back lane and he showed a good attitude when I asked him.” Kadavar has had 13 starts for six wins and two placings, earning A$351,525 for owners Neville Morgan and David Devine. Kadavar was bred by Gerry Harvey and was offered in Westbury Stud’s draft at Karaka 2022, where Mulcaster Bloodstock and Chris Waller Racing bought him for $300,000. He is one of seven winners from nine foals to race out of the Danehill Dancer mare Arapaho Miss, who won the 2007 Gr.1 VRC Oaks (2500m). Her daughter Miami Bound followed suit with her own victory in the Flemington fillies’ classic in 2019, while De Little Engine won eight races up to Listed level. View the full article

Four-year-old gelding Saltcoats has posted his first victory on Australian soil when coming with a sustained run to land the Coolmore Spelling @ Mount White Handicap (1800m) at Randwick on Saturday. The Chris Waller-trained son of Ardrossan came from near the rear of the field under Tommy Berry and made a long sustained run to defeat fellow Kiwi-breds So Dazzling and Tavi Time by the best part of a length. Winner of the Listed Auckland Futurity Stakes (1400m) in May of his juvenile year for original trainer Samantha Logan, the talented galloper was sold across the Tasman and sports the colours of prominent owner Ozzie Kheir. He races for a syndicate with breeder and original sole owner of the horse Lib Petagna retaining a share. “He has always shown us promise but we didn’t know what to expect today from the draw (13),” Waller said. “I said to just go back and ride him quietly and hope that he can blend into the race, which he certainly did and he sustained a long run. “He had a small incident before the start of this preparation which has held him back and it looks like he is in good shape now.” Sent out a $12 chance, Saltcoats had been a well-beaten tenth first-up on a Good3 track at Kembla Grange. “It was definitely too firm at Kembla Grange last start, which was disappointing because he was going so well,” winning rider Tommy Berry said. “I said to my manager that we just need to draw a gate and I think he can win next start. He has just been doing everything right at home and working very well. “I had in the back of my mind to go forward and Chris said nup – not today, we’ll go back and get a little bit of luck. “Probably the winning was down the side. There was a three-wide line and I was able to improve into the race still with cover and he is only second-up at 1800m, so he has got a bit of improvement and Chris is taking his time with him, which is dearly needed. “He is quite a keen going horse and you don’t know what is there until you let him off the bit but he deserved that today.” Now the winner of two of his 10 starts with a further five placings, Saltcoats was third in the Gr.2 Tulloch Stakes (2000m) won by Wymark back in March. By promising Waikato Stud stallion Ardrossan, Saltcoats is out of the lightly raced Savabeel mare Savanite, a half-sister to the Gr.2 Waikato Gold Cup (2400m) winner Singing Star, who in turn is the dam of Group Three winner Miss Selby. A Group One performed half-brother to Incentivise, Ardrossan stands at a fee of $20,000+GST at Waikato Stud. With just 52 runners to date, Ardrossan has sired seven stakes performers and four stakes winners for good early figures of 7.7% stakes winners to runners. View the full article

It may have only been a nose at the finish but it might as well have been a mile for trainer Shelley Hale after Blue Sky At Night took out Saturday’s Gr.3 SKYCITY Hamilton Waikato Cup (2400m). Hale, who has battled ill-health in recent years, is one of the most popular figures at the Cambridge training establishment and has rejuvenated the career of the seven-year-old Shamexpress mare who has struck a rich vein of form, winning three of her seven starts since May, before tackling her biggest challenge on Saturday. Ridden by Tayla Mitchell, who has formed a strong bond with the quirky mare, Blue Sky At Night was content to lob along in midfield before being eased into contention approaching the home bend. Mitchell started to get busy as the widest runner in a line of five across the track at the 300m, shooting the mare two lengths clear and looking set for a comfortable victory. No-one told Warren Kennedy aboard second favourite Sassy Lass who finally found clear air and charged after Blue Sky At Night, coming up just a nose short of victory in a thrilling photo finish. Hale and owner-breeders Alistair and Isabel Barker were ecstatic when the judge announced the official placings after having to hold their breath for several minutes as they waited for word to come through. “It’s wonderful as we’ve always thought she might be capable of this,” Hale said. “It’s a great thrill when you come to a race like this on your home track and just lovely. “The Barkers are just wonderful and patient as there are not many seven-year-old mares still going around. “She is a really relaxed horse who can get a little cranky at times, but these days she’s very relaxed. “Tayla was great as comes and rides work for us and the horses just run for her.” While the Barkers were ecstatic after the race, they are not strangers to big race success having also bred outstanding galloper Veyron who won 15 races, including four individual Group One victories and more than $1.15 million during his 40 race career. Blue Sky At Night is the first of just two living foals for Viking Ruler mare After Midnight and has now won six of her 23 starts and more than $234,00 in prizemoney. View the full article