Wandering Eyes

It’s been quite a winter for Irish Classic-winning jockey Shane Foley. He got married in December and having taken in Miami and Barbados on honeymoon with his wife Lorraine, he was back on American soil early in the New Year to ride Platinum Warrior (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) at Santa Anita for his boss Zhang Yuesheng. Their first outing together since last year’s G3 Airlie Stud Gallinule S. winner switched from Michael Halford to John Sadler was in the GII San Gabrial S. over nine furlongs Jan. 5 when the pair finished fifth behind Next Shares (Archarcharch). However Foley’s return trip to California a month later proved far more rewarding when Platinum Warrior landed the GII San Marcos S. over an extra furlong Feb. 9 under an enterprising ride from the Kilkenny native. It was Foley’s first experience of riding in America but he obviously had no trouble adapting to the different environment. “They were both only short trips but it couldn’t have worked out any better,” he said. “Platinum Warrior actually ran well the time before. The trip was too short and I got stuck down the inside on him after a low draw. As a result I wasn’t able to get him out and make as much use of him as I’d have liked and I knew he was a couple of lengths better than the bare result.” He continued, “Winning the San Marcos certainly wasn’t a shock to me. They tend to steady up a bit mid race so I made a move in the back straight and was able to get a handy position before kicking on early enough and it kind of looked like I stole it. Thankfully it worked out on that occasion as it doesn’t always.” Foley is hoping to maintain the partnership with Platinum Warrior if his Irish schedule allows, especially if the 4-year-old colt takes up his intended target in the G2 Dubai Gold Cup on World Cup night at Meydan. That race is over two miles, a significant jump in trip but Foley thinks it is something the horse is capable of. “It is a big increase but I think he is crying out for a mile and a half at least but I suppose beyond that you can’t be sure but I’m hopeful he can stay. The [G1] Sheema Classic is probably more suitable trip wise but that tends to be a very hot race so hopefully we’ll make the right choice. I’ve had some success riding in Meydan–I rode five winners at the Carnival in 2013–so I am really looking forward to it. ” With 2019 having gotten off to a flyer and the potential for more to come–he was recently appointed as first jockey to Jessica Harrington–Foley could have been forgiven for feeling quite apprehensive about his season’s prospects this time last year. He had just parted company with Michael Halford having worked with him for 13 years, many of those as stable jockey and he was facing into life as a freelance, a daunting prospect in Ireland when the horse power is concentrated in such few quarters. Foley reverted to hard work, something he certainly isn’t shy of as he went about renewing old alliances and sure enough the winners started to flow. Ultimately Foley rode 65 winners in Ireland last year which was more than he had ridden each of the previous two years when he had a first jockey position. An even bigger indicator of his diligence was the fact he rode winners for 21 different trainers in 2018, a statistic that surprised even Foley when this correspondent mentioned it to him. And it wasn’t just low grade winners that Foley was banging in, he also registered his second Classic success when he steered the Ken Condon trained Romanised (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) to victory in the G1 Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas at The Curragh. “This time last year it was like taking a step into the unknown,” Foley explained. “It was my first year as a freelance with no major yard behind me and while it was daunting I just kept my head down and tried to ride for as many different people as possible. Also it’s not like I fell out with Michael [Halford] or anything, I was still going to ride for him, just not as first choice. Romanised though, he was the highlight of the year without a doubt. To win a Classic for Ken [Condon] who is a very good trainer and a man I have built up a very good relationship with was special. It was nice to repay someone like that by riding a big winner for him. I actually saw Romanised the other morning, he looks great, really strong, so I’m looking forward to getting back on him this year.” A Classic win also helped open new doors for Foley such as the position he now occupies as stable jockey to the increasingly influential Chinese owner Zhang Yuesheng, a role he can continue alongside his new association with Jessica Harrington. Zhang’s growing Irish string, which numbers between 35 and 40 horses, also has Foley brimming with excitement for the season ahead. “Mr. Zhang has some lovely horses to compete with this year. Yulong Gold Fairy (GB) (Mount Nelson {GB}) is probably the most exciting at this stage. She won her Group 3 race last autumn and if she got some heavy ground she could be competitive in any of those top fillies races throughout the season. There’s some nice 2-year-olds among them also to look forward to.” With the Yulong horses spread around a number of trainers like Dermot Weld, Jessica Harrington, Michael Halford, John Oxx, Sheila Lavery and David Marnane, Foley is likely to be busy keeping tabs on the string while also allowing him the opportunity to maintain links with other trainers who have supported him over the years. “I’ll still be riding out for as many people as I can. Mick Donohue who manages Mr. Zhang’s string in Ireland is very good to work with and I’m in a great position at the moment. It looks like I’ll have plenty of nice horses to ride this year and getting the rides in the good races is very important. I don’t like setting targets but I suppose riding another Group 1 winner would be nice but really just to stay sound and ride as many winners as possible would be the aim.” Though only 31 years of age, Shane Foley has ridden group winners on three continents and it was only his recent nuptials that prevented him from taking in another winter stint in Japan late last year. The Japanese racing circuit has been a rewarding experience for Foley–he recorded five winners there in 2017 with two at stakes level–and it is an experience that has certainly stood to him. “I loved riding in Japan, though it can be a bit lonely with the language barrier and the fact you are on your own. However the standard of racing is very high and prizemoney is amazing and that certainly helps you get over the loneliness. With two powerful teams behind him, backed up by the support of a large network of trainers around the country, not to mention a new wife, there seems little chance of Shane Foley feeling any way lonely this year. View the full article

French highweighted sophomore stayer Brundtland (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) looms the clear class of the 2810-metre G3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy field for Godolphin on Thursday. A winner of his first four trips to the post, including the G2 Qatar Prix Niel in September and the G2 Qatar Prix Chaudenay one month later for Charlie Appleby, the now 4-year-old signed off his 3-year-old campaign with a solid fourth in the G1 Prix Royal-Oak at Chantilly on Oct. 28. “Brundtland brings a very high level of form into this race, having won twice at Group 2 level and run competitively in a Group 1 race on his most recent start,” said Appleby. “He has had a nice break and looks to have done well from three to four. His main target is the [G2] Dubai Gold Cup on World Cup night and this is a prep run, so we are expecting a nice level of improvement going forwards into that race. While the run will bring him on, he is a class performer and his best form will make him very competitive.” Appleby’s other runner, the Group 3-placed Ispolini (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), won a Meydan handicap over this trip on Jan. 17, defeating both Swedish SW Suspicious Mind (Den) (Appel Au Maitre {Fr}) and the MSP Red Galileo (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). View the full article

Oaklawn Park is increasing the purses of five stakes and adding a stakes to the April 14 card just two weeks after announcing a significant bump to overnight purses. View the full article

AS we get nearer to the Dubai World Cup, it was frustrating watching the racing last week as I felt a few jockeys panicked and ended up losing out instead of keeping their cool and winning. Jockeys shouldn’t be panicking, but it’s been that way all through the Carnival. Maybe it’s because there’s big prize-money […] The post Kieren Fallon Dubai World Cup Carnival Blog appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

The New York Race Track Chaplaincy will honor Debbie and Terry Finley of West Point Thoroughbreds for their continued support of the backstretch community when the organization hosts its annual N.Y. Chaplaincy Brunch at the Saratoga National Golf Club in Saratoga Springs, NY Wednesday, Aug.14, it was announced Wednesday. The Finleys, who founded West Point Thoroughbreds in 1991 and have grown it into one of the largest Thoroughbred racing partnerships in the game, have offered assistance to stable workers and their families through committee work and support of the chaplaincy’s initiatives. Terry Finley serves on the boards of the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, the Catholic Leadership Institute, Thoroughbred Charities of America, the PenFed Foundation, and the Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund. “Debbie and Terry Finley have consistently devoted their time and their energy to improve the quality of life for people throughout the Thoroughbred industry and we are proud to recognize them not only for their efforts but also for the example they have set for others to follow,” said Humberto Chavez, the chaplain for the New York Race Track Chaplaincy. “They have been especially generous with their support of the various programs that are organized by the New York chaplaincy.” View the full article

Oaklawn Park will increase the purse of five of its stakes races–the Mar. 16 Essex Handicap, Apr. 13 GIII Count Fleet H., Apr. 14 GI Apple Blossom H., May 3 Oaklawn Mile and May 4 Oaklawn Invitational–it was announced Wednesday. The Essex, Apple Blossom, Oaklawn Mile and Oaklawn Invitational will each see $50,000 boosts, while the Count Fleet will see a $100,000 increase. Additionally, the $150,000 Fifth Season S., which was not originally on the 2019 stakes schedule, has been brought back as a prep for the Oaklawn Mile and will share the card with the Apple Blossom April 14, the final day of the track’s Racing Festival of the South. “We couldn’t be any more excited about how the 2019 racing season has started and for the future of our racing program,” Oaklawn’s President Louis Cella said. “We have seen tremendous support for our races from around the country and locally, we’ve had great crowds on track that are staying after the races and enjoying our gaming area afterwards. And, there’s still over two months of racing remaining for people to enjoy one of the best entertainment destinations in the region.” The track’s full stakes schedule can be found here. View the full article

Karis Teetan is enjoying a career-best season and he set a new personal best at Happy Valley on Wednesday night as he collected a double.The Mauritian, who finished last term third on the championship table with 52 winners, notched his 53rd and 54th victories – and with 39 meetings still remaining, he is going to smash his previous mark.Teetan combined with Tony Cruz for both of his winners, leading all the way on short-priced favourite Wah May Princess in the fourth race before running over… View the full article

The New York Race Track Chaplaincy will honor Debbie and Terry Finley of West Point Thoroughbreds for their continued devotion to the community of stable workers who support Thoroughbred horse racing. View the full article

Runaway Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1T) winner Newspaperofrecord, who stole the show along with Enable in November at Churchill Downs, is targeting the Coronation Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot for trainer Chad Brown. View the full article

Santa Anita Park announced to its horsemen Feb. 26 that its main track would be closed for a second day of training Feb. 27 as the surface is evaluated for safety after an increased amount of equine fatalities during its meet that began Dec. 26. View the full article

Early scratching March 1 View the full article

Moor suspended for two days View the full article

Kid gloves still on but Walker hopes to see Elite Power punch through again View the full article

After more than a day-and-a-half of evaluations of the racetrack base and surface to determine a possible cause for the rise in fatalities this winter, Santa Anita has decided to keep the main track closed for training another morning, “in order to give us more time to thoroughly analyze soil data,” said Santa Anita director of publicity, Mike Willman. It will also give Mick Peterson, an expert in racetrack surfaces, time to conduct his own analysis of the track when he arrives Wedneday. The track had been scheduled to re-open Wednesday morning, but trainer Eddie Truman, who sits on the California Thoroughbred Trainers board, said he believes they’ve made the right decision. “If it’s an inconvenience, so what?” he said. “It’s nice that they’re on top of this. Let’s get things right.” The main track closed Monday morning at 9 a.m., after which, track superintendent Andy LaRocco and his crew began to “peel back” about five inches of the track’s pad and cushion to examine the base, and to analyze the surface’s soil consistency and moisture content. Originally, the plan had been to close the main track completely Monday morning, but push back from some of the trainers saw the track opened until the 9 a.m. cut-off. Another horse was catastrophically injured during training hours Monday morning, meaning that 19 horses have been fatally injured since Dec. 26, six on the dirt during racing, five on the turf during racing and another eight during morning training. The overall total is higher than in comparable periods over the last three years. The track at Santa Anita consists of three main layers–the hard base, the pad and the cushion. “I’ll be able to do an inspection of all layers of the track with a ground penetrating radar,” said Peterson. The ground penetrating radar tests the consistency of the dirt surface, to ensure that it has not been compromised by the 11 1/2 inches of rain that have lashed the track this winter. Why is this important? Racetrack consistency is described in this Grayson-Jockey Club Racing Surfaces White Paper as being integral to the “performance and orthopedic health of the horse.” According to Peterson, the work superintendent Andy LaRocco and his crew conducted Monday and Tuesday falls into two main categories. The first will be to conduct a visual inspection of the surface and the base. The second, Peterson said, consists of mixing the surface to evenly distribute the finer particles of silt and clay, which could have washed to the inside of the track, with the larger, coarser particles of sand which he said he believes have remained nearer the outside of the track. As part of a broader maintenance program at Santa Anita, the surface moisture content is routinely monitored, said Peterson, and samples of the track are taken monthly and sent for analysis at a laboratory in Kentucky. The samples are tested to determine the combination of sand, silt and clay in the track. As for how the samples are taken, there are two main protocols. Ordinarily, four samples are taken at the quarter poles. After periods of rain, a much broader set of samples are taken, to better understand the track consistency both near the rail and further out. The first broader set of samples taken of the Santa Anita track since the rains are currently at the laboratory in Kentucky, where they’re undergoing a particle size analysis, and a bulk density measurement, “to make sure [the cushion will] set up on the pad correctly,” said Peterson. The results are expected back Thursday. “What’s funny is the differences between the different tracks,” said Peterson. “But what isn’t different between them is that the safe tracks always seem to be the ones that are consistent.” Nevertheless, it would be wrong to focus attention on the track entirely, for experts describe the variables that weight into any one catastrophic injury as being multi-factorial. Evidence has shown that 85% to 90% of all musculoskeletal-related fatalities have pre-existing pathology at the site of the injury, while certain other risk-factors, like the age of the horse, whether it raced at two, and the distance of the race, can all have a bearing on race-day fatalities. What’s more, racetrack fatalities also include sudden cardiac death, the cause of one training fatality at Santa Anita this winter. All the horses fatally injured at Santa Anita this winter underwent, or will undergo, a standard necropsy. CHRB equine medical director told the TDN Monday that about one-third of the necropsies have been completed, and that the necropsy process can take up to 12 weeks to complete, “depending on the circumstances.” Arthur further explained that “a few” of the catastrophic injuries were “surprising,” in that the fractures were “atypical.” Though Arthur was unwilling to add any further information on those horses with “surprising” fractures, including specific numbers of horses, he said that “in instances of unusual fracture configurations,” he can request “special necropsy examinations” on a case by case basis. “Most fractures occur in fairly predictable locations in fairly predictable configurations,” he said. “We’re interested, also for research purposes, in specific legions, like we see in sesamoid fractures that we think are predisposing injuries not readily amenable to current diagnostic techniques.” Arthur also added that additional “data” could be collected as part of the CHRB’s fatality review program, but that the data would be informational and educational “rather than investigative.” Arthur didn’t say what that data would consist of, but stressed that the fatality review process had started only a year ago, and that they were still working out specifics. “We are still working through the protocols and trying different protocols to get the type of information we need,” Arthur said. “When you talk to trainers about fatalities, there’s a natural defensiveness. There’s an emotional aspect that we want to try to get around, so we’re trying to make it collegial and educational and informative. We’re not trying to accuse anybody of anything.” An ad hoc committee is in the process of being put together, comprising Peterson, Hall of Fame retired jockey Alex Solis, now a CHRB commissioner, P.J. Campo, executive vice president, Racing Division, for The Stronach Group, a Southern California trainer, an active jockey, and an exercise rider. Solis said that he met this morning with Campo to discuss who will fill the remaining slots. But he hopes that the first committee meeting will be held this Thursday, once Peterson has arrived and the other members chosen. Solis said that the specifics are a little hazy at the moment, but he believes that the committee will meet every Thursday, and could continue until the end of the meet. “We’re all just here to help figure out a solution to all of this,” Solis said. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals issued a statement saying that they had canceled a planned protest at Santa Anita, “following a meeting with track representatives who pledged to take definitive steps, including extending the review of medication records to horses who are in training—and not just before races.” The statement, from PETA President Ingrid Newkirk continued, “Horses who require medication should not be anywhere near a track. PETA believes that there are innumerable problems with horse racing, but, as a bare minimum, all medications should be banned for at least a week before a horse races or trains, which would effectively stop lame horses from being able to run. PETA will continue to meet with Santa Anita officials in the coming days.” View the full article

Peter Redekop’s Anothertwistafate (Scat Daddy), impressive winner of the Feb. 16 El Camino Real Derby, is expected to make his next start in the Mar. 24 GIII Sunland Park Derby. “That’s where we are leaning,” trainer Blaine Wright confirmed Tuesday. “Unless something changes drastically, that’s where we’ll go.” Anothertwistafate has now won three straight races over Golden Gate’s synthetic surface, all in front-running fashion. He graduated by four lengths going 1 1/16 miles Dec. 9 and added a five-length one-mile allowance tally Jan. 4. The handsome dark bay made his stakes debut in the nine-furlong El Camino Real Derby and came home a resounding seven-length victor (video). “He was training super all along and we were pleased he put it all together,” Wright said of that effort. “Of course, you don’t go into a $100 grander expecting that, but he answered a lot of questions.” In addition to its $800,000 purse, the Sunland Park Derby offers the winner 50 qualifying points to the GI Kentucky Derby. But a berth in the Kentucky Derby isn’t the only goal for Anothertwistafate, who earned a spot in the GI Preakness S. starting gate with his El Camino Real Derby win. “Looking at last year, running first or second [at Sunland] should get into the Derby,” Wright said. “So if he runs great there and we get into the Derby, that’s great. But if he doesn’t, we’ll regroup. The timing of the race will be good because it will give us time to get a race at Golden Gate to prep and to possibly go to the Preakness.” The Sunland Park Derby will be Anothertwistafate’s second race over conventional dirt. He was a well-beaten ninth on debut at Santa Anita Nov. 3, but Wright is willing to forgive that lackluster performance. “I’m going to draw a line through that race,” he said. “It was the first race of his life and it was a sprint and he’s not a sprinter. We have to find out how he gets over it. But right now, I’m not worried about it.” View the full article

Champion World Approval (Northern Afleet–Win Approval, by With Approval) has been retired from racing and will return to his birthplace, Live Oak Stud in Florida, where he will live in a paddock beside his dam and siblings, MGSW millionaires Revved Up (Sultry Song) and Za Approval (Ghostzapper). He is also a half-brother to fellow champion turf horse Miesque’s Approval (Miesque’s Son). “How lucky we have been at Live Oak Stud/Plantation to have championed such a winning family,” said owner/breeder Charlotte Weber. “I am proud and privileged to have experienced this Sport of Kings with such outstanding racehorses and shall protect them as we grow older together.” Trained by Mark Casse, the now-7-year-old gelding boasts a record of 27-12-2-4 and earnings of $3,062,363. Winner of the GIII American Derby and GII Saranac S. in 2016, the gray hit the board in a pair of Grade I events early in 2016 before breaking through at the highest level with a victory in Monmouth Park’s GI United Nations S. that summer. Kicking off 2017 with a pair of black-type scores, including the GII Longines Dixie S., World Approval suffered just won loss that season in the GI Woodford Reserve Manhattan S., but rebounded with strong victories in the GI Fourstardave H., GI Woodbine Mile and GI Breeders’ Cup Mile. His exceptional season earned him the Eclipse Award for top male turf horse. The Florida-bred opened 2018 with a win in the GIII Tampa Bay S. and made his last racetrack appearance in the GII Wise Dan S. at Churchill Downs in June. View the full article

Equine influenza at a second trainer’s yard at Lamorlaye has been confirmed by France Galop, and the Jour de Galop quotes France Galop’s director of veterinary services Paul-Marie Gadot as saying that two horses have tested positive for the illness in that yard. These two cases follow the news that another yard had been affected by equine influenza first reported Monday in Lamorlaye, near Chantilly and brings the total number of horses with symptoms to five. As was the case Monday, France Galop did not release the name of the trainer, but said, “All the necessary measures to control the infection have been taken in coordination with the trainer and his veterinarian.” The France Galop news release, as it did Monday, again advised trainers that, “Due to the spread of the disease, trainers are reminded of the need to isolate horses with respiratory signs, to quarantine any new arrivals, to carry out tests for the virus by nasopharyngeal swab on horses with symptoms, to minimize movement and to transport only healthy animals after verifying that their temperature is normal, and to be very careful with the movements of horses and people to avoid an extension of the disease.” The Jour de Galop reported that the second cases were confirmed in a yard close to the first. Said Gadot to the JDG, “Since the end of last week, we knew that there was a problem with this trainer, and we didn’t have to wait for the test results to put measures in place. Two horses presented with symptoms (cough, hypothermia) that made us think that flu was possible. In agreement with the trainer, the horses, which were not entered anyway, will only be able to run once we are certain that the virus is no longer present. The horses with the disease are confined to the stable. Those who are not ill will be able to access the tracks at time when they will not meet other horses in training. Regarding the second affected facility, it is located fairly close to the first affected stable. Two horses had fever and a bit of discharge. The measures (in place) are substantially the same as in the first case.” Gadot, who told the JDG that vets had been aware the virus had been circulating in the north of France, Belgium, the Pays-Bas region, and northern Germany in sport horses, said that, “There are several aspects that justify our not communicating the name of the professional concerned. On the one hand, veterinarians are bound by medical secrecy. If their client forbids them to communicate his identity, they must respect his wishes, and France Galop must do the same.” British racing was shut down for six days earlier this month after six equine influenza positives were detected in the yard of National Hunt trainer Donald McCain. Four other positives were later confirmed from the yard of Newmarket trainer Simon Crisford. View the full article

ITV Sport’s Ed Chamberlin and Francesca Cumani were the joint recipients of the Broadcast Sports Presenter of the Year Award at the British Sports Journalism Awards sponsored by Canon, European Professional Club Rugby and the National Lottery on Monday evening. Said one judge, “Francesca and Ed–fresh, fun, knowledgeable and accessible. They’re a classic racing double act whose passion and insight shine through every race meeting.” “Francesca and I love working with each other and I’m very proud of the fact that I think we’re just about the only male-female presenting combination in sport,” Chamberlin told Racing Post. “People ask me why I left premier league football to work in racing, and this is why. It’s brilliant to put racing on a stage like this and we’d like to thank everyone on our own team as well as all of those that make our wonderful sport possible.” Added Cumani, “This is a massive surprise and the first awards ceremony I have been to. I’m so lucky to do something that I love working with such an incredible team of people. At ITV we are a big family, we really enjoy what we do and I think that comes across in our broadcast. We’d like to say a massive thank you to the SJA and the panel of judges and I couldn’t be more thrilled on behalf of us all.” View the full article

Super Steed never made it to the sales ring, but Pressley still launched a grand slam when the colt he co-owns with Steed Jackson captured the $500,000 Southwest Stakes (G3) for 3-year-olds Feb. 18 at Oaklawn Park at odds of 62-1. View the full article

Hill ‘n’ Dale Equine Holdings has filed a malpractice lawsuit against Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital over the 2017 death of a 12-hour-old foal that was a half-sibling to the 2010 GI Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver. The Blood-Horse first reported news of the Fayette Circuit Court lawsuit in Kentucky Tuesday, noting that a jury trial has been set for July 23. The story included a comment from Rood & Riddle’s attorney, who said veterinarians at the clinic “complied fully with the standard of care, and we believe that the hospital will be exonerated in the lawsuit.” The case involves the mare Supercharger, who, according to the Blood-Horse, had a 2016 foal that died after not being ideally positioned in the womb. Because of this, Supercharger was sent to Rood & Riddle as a precaution to deliver her subsequent Curlin foal in early March 2017. According to the Blood-Horse, “Supercharger went into labor the evening of March 8, 2017. Dr. Bonnie Barr, the lead veterinarian on the case, and Dr. Brett Woodie determined this foal also was awkwardly positioned, and they placed Supercharger under anesthesia in order to perform a controlled vaginal delivery, in which they manually pulled the foal out of the mare.” Citing the lawsuit, the Blood-Horse reported that Barr “observed an indentation at the base of the foal’s rib cage on its left side that she subsequently, after repeated palpations, could no longer detect.” The Blood-Horse wrote that “the foal was moved to the hospital’s intensive care unit, and by 6 a.m. the following morning was showing signs of discomfort. The foal died at approximately 7:30 a.m., and a subsequent necropsy performed at the University of Kentucky Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory revealed six fractured ribs on the foal’s left side as well as acute internal bleeding.” The lawsuit, according to the Blood-Horse story, charges that the foal should have had an ultrasound performed on it instead of relying on manual palpations, and that overnight vet technicians “should have notified Dr. Barr when the foal’s heart and respiration rates both rose dramatically.” View the full article

Live Oak Plantation's homebred World Approval, champion turf male of 2017 and winner of that year's Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) at Del Mar, has been retired from racing. View the full article

The Apr. 25 Goffs UK Breeze-Up Sale will feature a select catalogue of 160 2-year-olds, including lot 17, a Zoffany (Ire) half-brother to GISW Off Limits (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}). Breezes will begin at 11 a.m on Apr. 24 at Doncaster Racecourse, with the sale proper beginning at the same time one day later. Other lots of note include lot 9, a colt by Showcasing (GB) out of MGSW Pickle (GB) (Piccolo {GB}) who is already the dam of two listed winners; a daughter of Invincible Spirit (Ire) (lot 116) out of Group 3 winner Gothic Dance (Ire) (Dalakhani {Ire}); and lot 127, a filly by first-season sire standout Kingman (GB) out of a half-sister to GSW Queen’s Best (GB) (King’s Best), already the dam of GISW Queen’s Trust (GB) (Dansili {GB}). In 2018, the sale grossed £5,528,000 for 138 lots with an average of £40,058 and a median of £25,500. A son of Kyllachy (GB) topped proceedings at £220,000, one of five lots on the day to make £150,000 or more. “For this year’s catalogue we set ourselves the goal of producing a concise line-up focused on quality,” said Goffs UK Managing Director Tony Williams. “We have worked hard over the last few months as nominations for this sale were higher than ever but, together with our consignors, we have achieved that goal with a first-class offering. We have been well supported with some lovely 2-year-olds, the sire profile is strong featuring big names from Europe and America and there are some outstanding Thoroughbred families represented. This is a catalogue that holds international appeal and the Goffs UK team and agents will be traveling the world over the coming weeks to promote it to a global audience.” View the full article

The concept of City Racing appears a step closer to reality as organisers hope agreements may be in place by the end of next month to stage fixtures in 2019 and 2020. Peter Phillips, one of the brains behind the innovation to take racing on to the streets of major cities across the world, reports negotiations continue to be encouraging. The intention, with backing from various stakeholders including the Jockey Club, is to lay down a special all-weather surface–which can then be taken up again within 72 hours–to showcase racing to crowds in high-profile city backdrops. It is hoped international broadcast deals will be another element of City Racing. Phillips, the Queen’s grandson, has told the BBC that progress is being made on proposals for fixtures which would each contain six five-furlong Flat races–with venues such as Paris, London, New York and Melbourne among those so far mentioned. “We are now in the process of talking to a number of cities about hosting races later in 2019 and 2020,” he said. “We are hoping to have some of these agreements in place by the end of March. There will be a pedestrian crowd barrier, two or three metres back from the edge of the track and people lined four or five deep, getting up close to these horses running at 30mph. That’s going to create a unique energy and buzz. The surface to be used was trialled at Aintree last November, when it received positive feedback. View the full article

Cash is King and LC Racing’s graded stakes-winning ‘TDN Rising Star’ Maximus Mischief (Into Mischief) has been injured and taken off the GI Kentucky Derby trail, Cash is King principal Chuck Zacney confirmed to TDN Tuesday. The previously undefeated Butch Reid trainee was coming off a third-place run as the favorite in the GII Holy Bull S. Feb. 2 at Gulfstream (video). The story was first reported by Blood-Horse. “He was having a workout Sunday morning at around 8 a.m., Jose Ortiz was up and about halfway through, he didn’t feel right and kind of slowed down,” Zacney said. “We discussed it with Butch and brought a vet in. At this point, it’s a soft tissue issue, and we’re taking a couple of days to try to figure things out. We should have a better idea by Monday.” Bought for $340,000 as a 2-year-old in training after breezing a furlong in :10 1/5 at Fasig-Tipton Midlantic, Maximus Mischief debuted an 8 1/2-length winner last September at Parx and earned his ‘Rising Star’ badge with a similarly facile allowance score there Oct. 20. He passed the acid test with a front-running success in the GII Remsen S. Dec. 1 at Aqueduct, but flattened out some after chasing a quick pace in the Holy Bull. “We were disappointed in the Holy Bull, but after a couple of days he bounced back to where he was before,” Zacney said. “All the reports I was receiving were good, so I was calling the Holy Bull a mulligan and we were moving forward towards the Derby, but we’re unfortunately in kind of a holding pattern now.” Zacney and Cash is King burst onto the scene in 2005 with GI Preakness S. and GI Belmont S. hero Afleet Alex (Northern Afleet), who came within a length of the Triple Crown by finishing third in the Derby. Cash is King has been a mid-Atlantic staple since then, but has yet to return to the Run for the Roses. “Thinking back to the Afleet Alex days, he was really our first horse and we didn’t know any better,” Zacney said. “Fast forward 10-15 years and we’re kind of realizing now how difficult it is to get back there.” Fortunately for Zacney, he has something major to look forward to this weekend that will likely soften the blow of Maximus Mischief’s misfortune. Along with Len Green’s D. J. Stable, he owns reigning Champion 2-Year-Old Filly and GI Breeders’ Juvenile Fillies heroine Jaywalk (Cross Traffic), who is set to make her sophomore debut in Saturday’s GII Davona Dale S. at Gulfstream. The John Servis pupil completed preparations for her return with an easy half-mile breeze in :50.55 (22/31) Sunday at Palm Meadows. “The Greens and I are very, very excited,” he said. “We are getting nothing but positive reports from John and she’s training really well. I’m driving down for the race, then am going to head up to Ocala to watch a couple of our 2-year-olds. We’re very, very lucky to have a filly like that and as excited as I am, I’m thrilled to death for the Greens.” View the full article

G1SW Sands Of Mali (Fr) (Panis) is set to resume in the G1 Al Quoz Sprint on Dubai World Cup night at Meydan on Mar. 30. Trainer Richard Fahey reports the Group 1-winning speedster to have wintered well so far and he is on course for another six-furlong contest at the top level on his seasonal debut. “The plan is to go to World Cup night in Dubai,” said Fahey. “Everything’s going according to plan. He’s a Group 1-winning sprinter and you can hand-pick the races for them. I think he’s due to go over to Dubai about six or seven days before the race. We’re very pleased with him.” Fahey has always held Sands Of Mali in high regard and the 4-year-old colt justified that opinion when taking the scalp of Harry Angel (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) in the G1 QIPCO British Champions Sprint at Ascot in October. Sands Of Mali had begun 2018 with victories in a Group 3 at Chantilly and the G2 Sandy Lane S. at Haydock, before having a slight blip in late summer after finishing second in the G1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot. View the full article