Wandering Eyes

Robert and Lawana Low’s ‘TDN Rising Star’ Magnum Moon (Malibu Moon–Dazzling Song, by Unbridled’s Song) sustained a career-ending “structural injury to a front limb” in a Saturday morning workout over the Belmont training track and was to undergo surgery Saturday afternoon at the neighboring Cornell Ruffian Equine Hospital, Jacob West, bloodstock agent to and racing manager for owners Robert and Lawana Low confirmed to the TDN Saturday afternoon. The news was first reported by the Blood-Horse. “We’re playing the waiting game right now and we’re hoping that it’s something that can be fixed surgically. We know he’s in the very capable hands of the staff at the clinic,” West said when reached by phone Saturday afternoon. Bred in Kentucky by Ramona Bass, Magnum Moon was debut winner at Gulfstream Jan. 13 and earned the ‘Rising Star’ designation with a smooth two-length success in a two-turn Tampa allowance Feb. 15. The $380,000 ran his unbeaten streak to three in the GII Rebel S. at Oaklawn Park Mar. 17 and was the wire-to-wire winner of the GI Arkansas Derby Apr. 14. Though he was well-beaten in the GI Kentucky Derby, Magnum Moon had emerged from a month off to record three previous workouts at Belmont, including a best-of-eight five furlongs in 1:00.80 June 16. “He’d been training as forwardly as we hoped,” West reported “He bounced out of the Derby better than he went into it and we were really looking forward to a solid 3-year-old campaign and maybe even a 4-year-old campaign, but that’s on the back burner now.” West added that the Lows were taking the news in stride. “They’re good. The good thing about this horse is that he’s got incredible owners,” West said. “They’ve been in the game for a long time and they understand that things like this happen. But it’s still never easy to swallow. They were very adamant that they were very emotionally tied to the horse and wanted to give him the best chance they can for recovery. He’s got the best owners in the game for that.” Trained by Todd Pletcher, Magnum Moon amassed earnings of $1,177,800. 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. Today’s Observations features a high-priced son of Medaglia d’Oro debuting in Ireland 2.05 Gowran Park, Mdn, €16,500, 2yo, 7fT YONKERS (Medaglia D’Oro) was a $575,000 purchase at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga August Yearling Sale last year and he debuts for the Ger Lyons stable. A son of the dual listed scorer Anne of Kiev (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}), he meets the Ballydoyle representative Christmas (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), a son of the 2007 GI Ashland S. winner Christmas Kid (Lemon Drop Kid). View the full article

Bano Solo (c, 2, Goldencents–Royale Paradise, Unbridled’s Song) ran a deep-looking field of Churchill maidens off their feet to become the second ‘TDN Rising Star’ of the day Saturday. The 6-5 favorite blasted out from his inside draw and led through an opening quarter in :22.54. He had some company on the far turn, but now for long once they straightened in the stretch. The handsome bay took off from there and was geared down late to win by three lengths. Bano Solo becomes the third winner for his freshman sire (by Into Mischief). Stablemate Ninth Street (Street Boss) was second. The final time for five furlongs was :59.08. Sales history: $115,000 yrl ’17 KEESEP; $400,000 2yo ’18 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0. O-Winchell T’breds & Willis Horton Racing; B-Pollock Farms (Ky); T-Steve Asmussen. View the full article

Shantel Lanerie, wife of leading Kentucky-based rider Corey Lanerie, died Friday at Norton Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky. In addition to her husband of 21 years, the 42-year-old is survived by daughter, Brittlyn; mother and father, Katie and Riley Hebert; brother Rylan Hebert; and mother-in-law and father-in-law Debbie and Gerald Lanerie. Diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer early this winter, she had been undergoing chemotherapy to fight the disease. Admitted to the hospital Thursday because of sepsis–complications arising from an infected colon–she underwent emergency surgery after going into cardiac arrest. She never regained consciousness following the procedure to remove a substantial portion of her colon. At the time of her passing, Shantel was surrounded by her parents as well her husband’s parents, and several members of the Churchill Downs jockey’s colony, including Robby Albarado, Julien Leparoux. “The Churchill Downs family is devastated by the sudden passing of Shantel Lanerie,” said Churchill Downs Racetrack President Kevin Flanery. “This is a very sad day. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Corey, Brittlyn, family members and numerous friends as they endure this extremely difficult time. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.” Subsequent to her diagnosis, Shantel walked with 143 women in the Survivors Parade on Kentucky Oaks Day at Churchill Downs and a video that told her story was shown throughout the track on the Big Board. Jockeys also wore pink “Fight With Shantel” bands around their legs that day. Those bands resurfaced during Friday’s racing program at Churchill Downs. Shantel, raised in Cecilia, Louisiana, met Corey in his first year of riding at Evangeline Downs in Opelousas, Louisiana, in 1991 and the couple was married six years later. Prior to the birth of Brittlyn in 2008, Shantel held various positions at the track, including her service as a clocker’s assistant at Lone Star Park, a mutuel clerk at Fair Grounds and a photographer’s assistant at Churchill Downs. Arrangements for the funeral were pending as of time of publication. The burial is expected to take place later this week in Louisiana. Additionally, a moment of silence was observed at Churchill Downs and Gulfstream Park, where Corey rides during the winters, during Saturday’s cards. A memorial service at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Louisville is also being scheduled for a later date. View the full article

Arkansas Derby (G1) and Rebel Stakes (G2) winner Magnum Moon sustained a "career-ending" injury during a workout June 23 at Belmont Park, according to Jacob West, the bloodstock agent and racing manager for owners Robert and Lawana Low. View the full article

When the afternoon starts with a Bishop failing a breathalyser, you know that a long week must be taking its toll. As the Royal Ascot marathon drew to a close, in fact, you could anticipate the relief when all the gorgeous trappings–the ties and handkerchiefs, the frocks and hats–could be folded away last night, like so many flowers closing their petals and exhaling into the summer evening. It would seem a safe bet, for instance, that Francesca Cumani will not be wearing heels for a day or two after maintaining a heroic equilibrium between eloquence and elegance while hotfooting alongside keyed-up Thoroughbreds in the parade ring for five solid days. Cumani’s ITV colleague Matt Chapman, conversely, is due for an upgrade in his own wardrobe after bumping into Tom Magnier in the car park earlier in the week. Magnier was evidently wearing a rather smarter waistcoat and promised to furnish Chapman with a similar one should Merchant Navy (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) do the business in the final Group 1 of the meeting. Sure enough, the Australian import crowned his brief Ballydoyle sojourn with a photo-finish verdict in the Diamond Jubilee S. over the thriving French raider City Light (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}). In a finish typical of the meeting’s cosmopolitan make-up these days, the American trailblazer Bound For Nowhere (The Factor) held on for third, with last year’s winner The Tin Man (Equiano {Fr}) arguably unlucky to be beaten barely a length in fourth after meeting traffic. This was a typically professional job on the part of the Coolmore team, along with their Australian partners in Merchant Navy, who has now advertised his wares to breeders in both Hemispheres. As such, he was probably the top priority of a week that had proved something of a curate’s egg for Ballydoyle. Certainly the stable’s juveniles appeared just a little blunt, compared with most years, but it was a very slow spring and O’Brien hinted that we should not be surprised if the whetstone really begins to spark in another month or so. The curious Ascot travails of race favourite Harry Angel (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) meanwhile continue. Invincible elsewhere, he made it 0-5 here after panicking in the gate, unfortunately sustaining an injury as he dragged a trapped hindleg clear as the stalls opened. He was not the only angel brought down to earth on the day, Charles Bishop having been barred from taking his four booked mounts after a pre-racing breath test proved to be beyond the permitted alcohol threshold. It was a mortifying end to the meeting for a jockey who had made a huge breakthrough in its opening race, riding 33-1 stunner Accidental Agent (GB) (Delegator {GB}) in the G1 Queen Anne S.; albeit it would only be human if one episode proved to be closely connected with the other. Episcopal intercessions are just about the only thing missing from the miracle of Arthur Kitt (GB) (Camelot {Ire}) in the opener. This colt is the tragic bequest of Ceiling Kitty (GB) (Red Clubs {Ire}), who won the G2 Queen Mary S. here back in 2012 but died the night she delivered this, her third and final foal, in February 2016. She almost took her son with her; he had to be resuscitated six times during a traumatic night for everyone at breeder Andrew Black’s Chasemore Farm. Somehow he made it back across the abyss, and surfaced for a winning debut at Haydock last month. The emotion vested in Arthur Kitt was plain as Black welcomed him back after the Listed Chesham S., a race that has volunteered Classic winners in the last two runnings: Masar (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}), third last year, and Churchill (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in 2016. Camelot had already produced a winner at the meeting in Hunting Horn (Ire), from his debut crop, in the G3 Hampton Court S. and admirers of another young sire of legitimate Classic profile were also edified to see such a good run in second from Nate The Great (GB)–one of many Nathaniel (Ire) yearlings who last autumn mysteriously failed to achieve the commercial dividends he so deserved for coming up with Enable (GB). Nate The Great was bought in for 30,000gns at Tattersalls Book 3 and sent to Archie Watson, whose breathless rise through the training ranks was so nearly sealed by a first Royal Ascot winner here. Not that he had long to wait, taking the Listed Windsor Castle S. with Soldier’s Call (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) barely an hour later. For all his remarkable early results, Watson must still feel daunted as he gazes up at Sir Michael Stoute advancing his new status as the most prolific Royal Ascot trainer in history with another trademark winner–his fourth of the meeting, taking him to 79 in all–in Crystal Ocean (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). Stoute’s particular affinity with a maturing middle-distance horse is vividly measured by the fact that this was his 11th success in the G2 Hardwicke S. Crystal Ocean landed short odds in a small field, but a white-knuckle gamble on Dreamfield (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) in the Wokingham was narrowly thwarted when the 1,100,000gns yearling was just worried out of it by the outsider Bacchus (GB) (Kheleyf). Making only his fourth start, Dreamfield travelled luxuriantly through the stampede and, provided he can hold it all together, might very well be back here next year for the Diamond Jubilee. After exchanging heavy blows all week, then, bookmakers and backers fell through the ropes in an exhausted clinch. And they didn’t even have to wear heels. View the full article

Nonna Madeline (f, 2, Candy Ride {Arg}–Cool Storm, by Storm Cat) ran to the money in her Monmouth unveiling, stamping herself as a ‘TDN Rising Star.’ Off as the heavy 1-2 favorite, the bay was away a tick slow from her rail draw and was shuffled back to fifth in the early going. Racing under a snug hold, jockey Joe Bravo guided her to the four path entering the turn and she rocketed past her rivals with a flashy move to gain command. Under a hand ride at the top of the stretch, Nonna Madeline was geared down late to win by a much-the-best four lengths. Fellow firster Jaywalk (Cross Traffic) was second. The winner is a half-sister to Nonna Mela (Arch), GSW, $286,670. The final time for five furlongs was :59.25. Sales history: $130,000 yrl ’17 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0. O-St Elias Stable & MeB Stables LLC; B-WinStar Farm LLC (Ky); T-Todd Pletcher. View the full article

3rd-BEL, $75K, Msw, 3yo, 1 1/16m, 2:37 p.m. ET Southern Equine Stable went to $550,000 at Keeneland September to acquire MYTHAJACUL (Candy Ride {Arg}), who debuts in this spot for trainer Eric Guillot. The dark bay is out SP Kayce Ace (Tiznow), who is a full-sister to MGISW sire Colonel John and GISP Mr. Hot Stuff. This is also the family of MGSW Imperialism (Langfuhr). Dominant Strategy (Bernardini), a $520,000 KEESEP buy, makes his second start here after a runner-up finish behind ‘TDN Rising Star’ Rugbyman (Tapit), who won by an impressive 14 lengths in the mud here May 13. The Chad Brown pupil is out of GSW & GISP Zardana (Brz) (Crimson Tide {Ire}) and is a half-brother to Curlin S. winner Smart Transition (Smart Strike). TJCIS PPs. —@CDeBernardisTDN View the full article

Royal Ascot is never short in supply of drama, but the G1 Diamond Jubilee S. ensured it will be the most talked-about race of the meeting as Harry Angel (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) reverted to his former stalls panic and threw away his chance at the start before the ex-Australian and now Irish-trained Merchant Navy (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) denied the French raider City Light (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) and US rep Bound For Nowhere (The Factor) in a thrilling finale. With the 5-2 favourite Harry Angel trying to break out of the stalls before missing the start by several lengths only to finish 10th, this renewal was thrown open and it was Bound For Nowhere who set out to make all up the centre with Spirit of Valor (War Front) leading up Merchant Navy in his group. As the Wesley Ward runner began to lug left and into Ballydoyle’s 4-1 second favourite as he ground his way ahead passing the furlong pole, City Light got motoring the other side under Christophe Soumillon. City Light may was in front before and after the line, but Merchant Navy’s was for the photo and the bobbing finish resulted in a short-head verdict for Ryan Moore, with 3/4 of a length back to a gallant Bound For Nowhere in third. “He’s a remarkable horse,” the winning jockey said. “He hasn’t been up here long and is only a young horse, but he’s come and beat a high-class field. I thought I’d win easier, but the American horse leaned into me and he lost his rhythm for a second. If I’d got beaten I’d have been unlucky.” It later transpired that Harry Angel’s near-hind leg was stuck on the running board when the stalls opened, having kicked out with both hind legs in the gate. This was a repeat of his antics in the early days, which the Clive Cox stable had worked so hard to overcome and which had not been a problem for many outings. He is now 0-5 at this track, so the curse continues. MERCHANT NAVY (AUS), 129, c, 4, by Fastnet Rock (Aus) 1st Dam: Legally Bay (Aus) (GSW & MG1SP-Aus, $430,193), by Snippets (Aus) 2nd Dam: Decidity (Aus), by Last Tycoon (Ire) 3rd Dam: Class (Aus), by Twig Moss (Fr) (A$350,000 Ylg ’16 INGEAY). O-Merchant Navy Syndicate; B-C Barham (AUS); T-Aidan O’Brien; J-Ryan Moore. £340,260. Lifetime Record: G1SW-Aus & GSW-Ire, 10-7-0-2, £950,949. *Full to Jolie Bay (Aus), GSW & G1SP-Aus, $242,860. View the full article

Impressive when making all over this five-furlong trip at Haydock June 7, Clipper Logistics’ Soldier’s Call (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) dominated his stand’s-side group and eventually the entire field in the Listed Windsor Castle S. for a first Royal success for the Archie Watson stable. Allowed to roll by Danny Tudhope, the 12-1 shot was always too quick for his contemporaries on his side but it was not until the furlong pole that he got to those racing up the centre and far side. Tackled by Sabre (GB) (Mayson {GB}) from there, the bay held on to score by a half length, with Dom Carlos (Ire) (Gale Force Ten {GB}) 1 3/4 lengths away in third. “It was a great performance–he has so much speed,” his rider said. “I was a bit behind the far side, but I was able to do my own thing and wasn’t hassled.” Watson commented, “It’s only our second season training and I thought I might have to wait longer for this. Joe Foley, Steve Parkin, Clipper Logistics and Federico Barberini have put a lot of faith in me and sent me some proper kit, so I’m just delighted I can repay that.” SOLDIER’S CALL (GB), 129, c, 2, Showcasing {GB}–Dijarvo {GB} {SW-Fr & GSP-Aus}, by Iceman {GB}). (85,000gns Ylg ’17 TAOCT). O-Clipper Logistics; B-Llety Farms (GB); T-Archie Watson; J-Daniel Tudhope. £51,039. Lifetime Record: 3-2-1-0, £59,394. View the full article

Sir Michael Stoute has enjoyed a stellar week and it was fitting that his 4-7 favourite Crystal Ocean (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) put the cherry on the cake as he bestowed his trainer an 11th success in the G2 Hardwicke S. Sir Evelyn De Rothschild’s TDN Rising Star, who was runner-up in a strong renewal of Doncaster’s G1 St Leger in September, came into this on the back of a win in the G3 Aston Park S. at Newbury May 19 and with Coolmore allowing Ryan Moore to ride for his old boss the writing was on the wall before the gates opened. Always content tracking Idaho (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), the homebred bay was sent past that rival approaching the quarter pole and without being fully extended asserted for a 2 1/2-length verdict over Red Verdon (Lemon Drop Kid), with Cliffs of Moher (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) 1 1/4 lengths away in third. “He’s continued to progress with his racing and has a lovely temperament–he is a joy to train,” this meeting’s winningmost trainer said. CRYSTAL OCEAN (GB), 127, c, 4, by Sea the Stars (Ire) 1st Dam: Crystal Star (GB) (SW & GSP-Eng), by Mark of Esteem (Ire) 2nd Dam: Crystal Cavern, by Be My Guest 3rd Dam: Krisalya (GB), by Kris (GB) O-Sir Evelyn de Rothschild; B-Southcourt Stud (GB); T-Sir Michael Stoute; J-Ryan Moore. £127,689. Lifetime Record: G1SP-Eng, 9-5-2-2, £480,180. *1/2 to Hillstar (GB) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), Hwt. 3yo-Eng at 11-14f, GISW-Can, MGSW & G1SP-Eng, $1,221,978; Crystal Capella (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}), Hwt. Older Mare-Eng at 9.5-11f & MGSW-Eng, $550,532; and Crystal Zvezda (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), SW-Eng. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. View the full article

The Hong Kong Jockey Club, in partnership with Ascot and Totepool, will launch a new pari-mutuel-based Ascot World Pool for Royal Ascot in 2019. The pool will be open to customers in Hong Kong and the UK. Under the agreement, pari-mutuel wagers placed either on track through AscotBet or off-course with Totepool will be commingled with Hong Kong’s pools on Royal Ascot. Hong Kong will simulcast all five days of Royal Ascot next year. Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Chief Executive Officer, said, “We are honoured to provide a global tote offering for one of the world’s leading racing festival brands, Royal Ascot. This agreement solidifies Hong Kong’s position as the global hub of commingling. Our wagering operation is world-class and is recognised as a leader in integrity and management processes. We believe this is the beginning of a new era in international racing. We are already in active discussions with other racing bodies about future World Pool initiatives.” View the full article

Royal Ascot’s final day opened with one of the stories of the week, as Chasemore Farm’s Arthur Kitt (GB) (Camelot {GB}) emerged from a story of genuine adversity to prevail in the Listed Chesham S. Having almost died at birth when his dam, the 2012 G2 Queen Mary S. heroine Ceiling Kitty (GB) (Red Clubs {Ire}) had to be euthanized, the winner needed resuscitating several times and had a twisted leg but came through all that to be raised by a foster mare en route to his eventual debut at Haydock May 25. Successful by 2 1/2 lengths in that six-furlong contest, the bay traded at 13-2 here and after being in touch early on the outer of the group racing up the centre was ridden before halfway and given reminders three out. Staying on stoutly to gain the lead with a furlong to race, he veered left but held on from Nate the Great (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) to score by a neck, with Duke of Hazzard (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) 3 1/4 lengths behind in third. The red-hot 5-4 favourite Natalie’s Joy (GB) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) was only seventh. Owner Andrew Black said, “It’s the most special moment. I have more emotional attachment to him than I’ve ever had to a horse–the night he was born was such an incredibly difficult and painful time, so I always hoped he’d be special. We put her to Camelot to win this. He was always much more friendly than the other horses, which is often the case with foals raised by foster mares. I think Royal Applause was brought up by a foster mare.” ARTHUR KITT (GB), 129, c, 2, Camelot (GB)–Ceiling Kitty (GB) (GSW-Eng, $122,988), by Red Clubs (Ire). O/B-Chasemore Farm (GB); T-Tom Dascombe; J-Richard Kingscote. £51,039. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, £57,508. View the full article

The connections of Prompt Response (Aus) (Beneteau {Aus}) are Everest dreaming after the 4-year-old mare backed up a pair of seconds on Saturday with a breakthrough first win in Group 1 company in the Tattersalls Tiara at Doomben. The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott pupil has been consistent in black-type company throughout her career, and indeed had already picked up a pair of Group 2 wins this season: the G2 Breeders’ Classic going 1200 metres at Warwick Farm on Feb. 10 and the G2 Emancipation S. over 1550 metres at Rosehill on Mar. 31. Upped to a mile for the G1 Queen of the Turf S. at The Championships, Prompt Response had to settle for second, and she filled the same position in the June 9 G2 Dane Ripper S. over this 1350 metre track and trip. Taking full advantage of a rail berth on Saturday, Prompt Response stalked the pace and cut the corner into the straight under Blake Shinn. After opening up an advantage of about three lengths once they straightened, she stayed on to win by 1 1/4 lengths from a fast-finishing Shillelagh (Aus) (Savabeel {Aus}), with Super Cash (Aus) (Written Tycoon {Aus}) staying on for third. Co-trainer Adrian Bott said connections would be interested in fielding offers from Everest slotholders. “We would now like to train her as a purely speed horse and look at a place in the The Everest. I think she would be up to that race,” he told Racenet.com.au. “The phone won’t be turned off, don’t worry.” Pedigree Notes… Prompt Response is the second Group 1 winner for the late champion first-season sire Beneteau, joining the marathoner Lasqueti Spirit. The dam, Prompt (Aus) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}), had set a precedent with the sire when producing the Group 3-winning gelding Prompt Return (Aus) by him the year before Prompt Response, and her first foal was the listed-placed Diamond Glow (Aus) (Bel Esprit {Aus}). She has a yearling colt by Dissident and a colt foal by Medaglia d’Oro to come. Prompt Response is inbred 3 x 3 to Danehill, that former multiple champion sire having sired Beneteau’s sire Redoute’s Choice and Prompt’s sire Exceed and Excel, both of those champion sires in turn. Saturday, Doomben, Australia TATTERSALLS TIARA-G1, A$500,000, Doomben, 6-23, f/m, Open, 1350mT, 1:18.51, Good. 1–PROMPT RESPONSE, 57.0, m, 4, by Beneteau 1st Dam: Prompt, by Exceed and Excel 2nd Dam: Amnesia (NZ), by Desert Sun (GB) 3rd Dam: Please Remember (NZ), by Don’t Forget Me (Ire) 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O-R K Hamer & M S Sowerby; B-Mr R Hamer QLD; T-G Waterhouse & A Bott; J-B Shinn; A$305,000. Lifetime Record: 27-6-10-1, A$1,481,350. *Full to Prompt Return, GSW-Aus, A$362,990; 1/2 to Diamond Glow (Bel Esprit), SP-Aus, A$161,935. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. 2–Shillelagh (NZ), 57.0, m, 6, Savabeel–Trocair, by Flying Spur. O-C R Grace & Mrs S Grace; B-C R Grace, Central, NZ; T-C J Waller; J-M J Walker; A$102,500. 3–Super Cash, 57.0, m, 5, Written Tycoon–Super Bucks, by Dash for Cash. O-S B Millar, P J Robinson & M S Millar; B-Millar Racing and Breeding SA; T-Andrew Noblet; J-Jamie Kah; A$52,500. Margins: 1.3 len, 1.4 len, 1.5 len. Odds: 3.20, 13.00, 9.00. Also Ran: Savanna Amour, Daysee Doom, Invincibella, Invincible Gem, Siren’s Fury, Moss Trip, Volpe Veloce, Champagne Cuddles, Just Dreaming, French Emotion, Missrock, Pedrena, Miss Wilson. Click for the Racing Post result. Click for the free Arion.co.nz catalogue-style pedigree. View the full article

Winner’s Way was runner-up in the Group Three Premier Cup 12 months ago but the Tony Cruz-trained sprinter can go one better and cap a consistent season with another black-type win in the race on Sunday at Sha Tin. Part of a stellar four-year-old crop that included Rapper Dragon, Pakistan Star and Beauty Generation, Winner’s Way hasn’t hit the heights of his classmates yet, but recent performances indicate he could become a big race player. Winner’s Way (Zac Purton) gets... View the full article

Winner’s Way was runner-up in the Group Three Premier Cup 12 months ago but the Tony Cruz-trained sprinter can go one better and cap a consistent season with another black-type win in the race on Sunday at Sha Tin. Part of a stellar four-year-old crop that included Rapper Dragon, Pakistan Star and Beauty Generation, Winner’s Way hasn’t hit the heights of his classmates yet, but recent performances indicate he could become a big race player. Winner’s Way (Zac Purton) gets... View the full article

John Moore thinks a wet track will help the chances of Hong Kong raider in Sunday’s Takarazuka Kinen, but star jockey Christophe Lemaire is hoping for the opposite to get the best out of favourite Satono Diamond. The Group One is one of two “all-star” races in Japan each year, alongside December’s Arima Kinen, with fans voting for their favourite horses and the top 10 who hold entries getting selected. The rest of the 16-horse field is made up of from foreign contestants... View the full article

John Moore thinks a wet track will help the chances of Hong Kong raider in Sunday’s Takarazuka Kinen, but star jockey Christophe Lemaire is hoping for the opposite to get the best out of favourite Satono Diamond. The Group One is one of two “all-star” races in Japan each year, alongside December’s Arima Kinen, with fans voting for their favourite horses and the top 10 who hold entries getting selected. The rest of the 16-horse field is made up of from foreign contestants... View the full article

The final race of the day at Sha Tin provides a tantalising clash between four of Hong Kong racing’s brightest young stars but could also decide a Jockey Challenge that seems set for a grandstand finish. The Class Two Ma On Shan Handicap (1,400m) sees the return of unbeaten four-year-old Conte (Joao Moreira) but the rising star has ample opposition in the form of a trio of talented three-year-olds. Solar Patch (Zac Purton), Harmony Hero (Alberto Sanna) and Win Beauty Win (Chad Schofield)... View the full article

The final race of the day at Sha Tin provides a tantalising clash between four of Hong Kong racing’s brightest young stars but could also decide a Jockey Challenge that seems set for a grandstand finish. The Class Two Ma On Shan Handicap (1,400m) sees the return of unbeaten four-year-old Conte (Joao Moreira) but the rising star has ample opposition in the form of a trio of talented three-year-olds. Solar Patch (Zac Purton), Harmony Hero (Alberto Sanna) and Win Beauty Win (Chad Schofield)... View the full article

Twelve months ago voters showed they had a heart when Rapper Dragon was made Horse of the Year and they now face a similar scenario deciding between “peoples’ horse” Pakistan Star and the perhaps better credentialed – on paper at least – Beauty Generation. Of course, the decision to anoint Rapper Dragon 2016-17 Horse of the Year had the added pathos of the horse’s tragic racetrack death but Pakistan Star’s unprecedented popularity, especially with the... View the full article

Twelve months ago voters showed they had a heart when Rapper Dragon was made Horse of the Year and they now face a similar scenario deciding between “peoples’ horse” Pakistan Star and the perhaps better credentialed – on paper at least – Beauty Generation. Of course, the decision to anoint Rapper Dragon 2016-17 Horse of the Year had the added pathos of the horse’s tragic racetrack death but Pakistan Star’s unprecedented popularity, especially with the... View the full article

The $75,000 Santa Lucia Stakes featured a pair of horses who are going in different directions, and at the quarter pole, they were alongside each other. View the full article

With champion Good Magic and Rushing Fall already well positioned for the second half of the year, New Money Honey rejoined the fray June 21 and signaled that she too was ready to get back to business. View the full article

The wildly popular National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame’s Foal Patrol has surpassed one million views across various media platforms. The project put live cameras in foaling stalls at multiple farms in Kentucky, New York, and Florida, allowing fans to follow specific mares throughout the end of their pregnancies, through foaling, and in the early weeks of bonding with their foals. It launched in Dec., 2017 and has been viewed in 37 countries. Following the initial success of Foal Patrol, it will be revived for a second season. Participating farms and mares will be announced later this year. The project can be viewed at www.foalpatrol.com. View the full article