Wandering Eyes

Ripcord. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Racing Photos) Dual stakes winner Ripcord will need a form reversal to win Saturday’s Group 3 Gold Rush (1400m) at Ascot, but trainer Luke Fernie is confident the four-year-old can bounce back and claim the $1.5 million feature. After a credible fifth in the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) at Flemington, Ripcord struggled, finishing last in the Group 3 Moonga Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield and ninth in the Group 2 Damien Oliver (1400m) at Flemington. Fernie believes Ripcord’s best form, which includes victories in the Listed Perth Stakes (1100m) as a juvenile and the Listed Placid Ark Stakes (1200m) as a three-year-old, is enough to secure him a win in Saturday’s Group 3. “He was only going if he was one hundred per cent and he showed in the trial (winning at Belmont on November 25) he’s in a good head space,” Fernie told TABradio. “His characteristics behind the scenes are what we needed to see, and I’m happy. “At his best, I feel he has the most x-factor in the race, but we need to see him do it after a couple of poor performances. “His first run was fantastic, the second was when he was crook and then his last start at Flemington, I think he just got overawed by the occasion – he was a real handful that day. “He did everything before he got onto the track. If he can relax and do everything right this week, it should reflect how he went in the trial.” Ripcord is currently a $27 chance for The Gold Rush with horse racing bookmakers. Horse racing news View the full article

The trainer of a runner at Musselburgh who escaped from the track Dec. 9 and then roamed the streets of the Scottish town said his horse was none the worse for the experience.View the full article

Since sports wagering was made legal in the Commonwealth in September 2023 and through October of this year, $2.9 billion worth of bets have been placed in Kentucky. View the full article

Maiden Watch: Week of Dec. 2-Dec. 8View the full article

The first session of Fasig-Tipton's December Digital Sale–with more than 670 horses catalogued–closed Tuesday, topped by 2023 Sovereign Award winner Millie Girl (Hard Spun). Consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency as hip 11, Canada's reigning champion older main track female sold for $450,000 to John Stewart's Resolute Bloodstock. The multiple graded stakes winner was sold from her base at Woodbine, where she has been trained by Catherine Day Phillips. “We are really excited about purchasing Canadian champion Millie Girl,” said Stewart. “She fits right into our breeding program. We will evaluate her future racing career, but we purchased her to eventually breed. It's exciting to have a sale like this on the digital platform this time of year with so many horses over two days.” Overall, Tuesday's first session yielded 187 horses sold for $4,423,500, or an average of $23,655 with a clearance rate of 76%. The session featured horses of racing age, racing/broodmare prospects, broodmare prospects, yearlings, and weanlings. “We could not be more pleased with the first session of our December Digital Sale,” said Fasig-Tipton's Director of Digital Sales Leif Aaron. “With more than $4.4 million in sales and a 76% clearance rate, bidding was strong from start to finish.” The December Digital Sale will continue Wednesday with hips 306-670 and will include a late supplement to the catalogue in Cruz Ramirez (Good Magic) (hip 346). The 2-year-old racing/broodmare prospect won her debut at Laurel on Sunday. Bidding will close Wednesday beginning at 12 p.m. ET. “Tomorrow's session offers a high concentration of quality broodmares that fit a wide variety of breeding programs,” said Aaron. “There's still plenty of time for buyers to work through the catalogue and get involved in the action.” Full results of Tuesday's session, as well as Wednesday's offerings, are available here. The post First Day of Fasig-Tipton’s December Digital Sale ‘Strong from Start to Finish’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Militarize. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Three-time Group 1 winner Militarize has returned to training after fertility issues prematurely ended his stud career. The now-gelded winner of the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m), Group 1 Champagne Stakes (1600m), and Group 1 Sires’ Produce (1400m) was standing at Newgate Stud Farm for a fee of $38,500 but only managed to get a handful of mares in foal during his first season. “Just a small handful (of mares in foal), so you never know, maybe they will be racing him in a few years’ time,” Newgate managing director Henry Field told Racing.com. Militarize will return to Chris Waller’s stable in a few weeks to target a comeback in the autumn. “He’s thriving and has settled into pre-training really well, and he is going to Chris Waller in a few weeks’ time to target the back end of autumn and into the winter,” Field added. “We are excited – he retired sound and clean winded, so he’s got a bright future. “The good thing with the Dundeel sire line is they get better as they get older, so hopefully, he will have plenty of racing left in him.” Horse racing news View the full article

Chorlton Lane. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Ciaron Maher has bolstered his chances for The Supernova at Pakenham on December 21, with the Moonee Valley Racing Club confirming that Chorlton Lane will race in its slot in Southside Racing’s $1 million event. Having already secured a place for Nadal, the winner of The Meteorite (1200m), in his own slot, Maher will now have two contenders in the inaugural 1400-metre race. Chorlton Lane, a five-year-old son of Mehmas, has an impressive record over 1400 metres, with victories in three states, the latest being a win in the $200,000 Canberra Community Chest (1400m) on November 24. “Chorlton Lane heads to Pakenham in terrific form,” said MVRC head of racing, Charlotte Mills. “It’s exciting to partner with the Ciaron Maher stable, and a win would be a fantastic result for his large ownership group. “The first leg of Southside Racing’s slot series, The Meteorite, was a resounding success, and we are looking forward to The Supernova on Cup Day at Pakenham.” Horse racing news View the full article

9th-TAM, $53K, Msw, f, 3yo/up, 7f, 4:30p.m. China Horse Club sends out the late-starting INTO AMORE (Into Mischief), a homebred daughter of GI Alabama winner Embellish the Lace (Super Saver). Trained by Todd Pletcher, the 3-year-old filly has been posting steady works at the Hall of Famer's Palm Beach Downs base in South Florida. The half-sister to GI Travers winner Afleet Express (Afleet Alex), herself a $2.4 million Fasig-Tipton November purchase in 2016, is responsible for a pair of $1.25 million Keeneland September yearlings–Tap the Faith (Tapit) in 2020 and Pumpkin Scone (Into Mischief) sold in 2021. The 12-year-old's daughter by Quality Road brought $500,000 at Keeneland this past September. Pletcher also saddles firster Annulled (Tapit)–a $200,000 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic buy–for Eclipse Thoroughbreds and Gainesway Stable. A full sibling to SW and GSP My Miss Tapit and GSP Rattataptap, the grey is out of Grade III scorer Sindy With an S. TJCIS PPs The post Wednesday’s Insights: CHC Debuts Into Mischief Filly at Tampa appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A colt foal by Walk In The Park (Ire) (lot 378) set a new foal record during the second day of the Goffs December NH Foal Sale when selling for €160,000 to Nicky Bertran de Balanda as NBB Racing. The colt is out of the winning jumper Holy Virgin (Fr) (Saint Des Saints {Fr}), herself a half-sister to Grade 1 chase winner Top Notch (Fr) (Poliglote {GB}) and the G2 Prix de Malleret heroine Never Forget (Fr) (Westerner {GB}). “He's very nice, the one I liked most in the sale,” said Bertran de Balanda. “He's by a good sire and out of a good mare. She was a winner in Auteuil, she's by a great sire in Saint Des Saints and she came from a very good French breeder in Benoit Gabeur. “He's just a very good individual, really athletic with a lovely walk. I'm not surprised I had to battle against some very good judges to get him. Let's hope he's fast now. “He's been bought for Sofiane Benaroussi, so will race in France. Sofiane is building a great team of young National Hunt horses, I hope it works out well. Trade here at Goffs is generally realistic, but very strong for the right ones.” Two other individuals made €70,000 or more, with a son of No Risk At All (Fr) (lot 335) bringing €92,000 from Tally-Ho Stud. He was part of the Clonbonny Stud draft and out of the Kapgarde (Fr) mare Gardiala (Fr), herself placed in a Grade 3 chase. The other was lot 362, a son of Blue Bresil (Fr), who made €70,000 on the bid of Oaks Farm. Longrove Stud consigned the brown relative of Grade 2-placed Good And Clever (Ire) (Soldier Of Fortune {Ire}). At the end of the day's trade, the turnover was €2,816,000 with an average of €17,600 and the median at €12,000. The post New Foal Record Set During Second Session Of Goffs December NH Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

High injury rates in racing greyhounds sees a proposed ban on the sport introduced by the New Zealand government on Tuesday, Reuters reported. “While fewer dogs are dying, injury rates, while down slightly, have plateaued and remain unacceptably high,” Minister for Racing Winston Peters said in a statement. The plan is for the sport to be ended gradually over a 20-month period. An advisory committee has been appointed to re-home an estimated 2,900 racing dogs, according to Peters. A bill was introduced by the government, with the support of the opposition Labour party, to prevent the unnecessary killing of racing dogs. Further legislation is on the table next year to make changes to the existing laws to outlaw greyhound racing. “We are extremely disappointed that the government has not recognised the work the industry has done to address areas of concern–to the extent that it now leads the wider racing industry with its commitment to animal welfare,” said Greyhound Racing New Zealand chairman Sean Hannan in a statement. “We are extremely concerned for the future of the industry's greyhounds, which may no longer be a breed seen in New Zealand.” There are currently only five countries where greyhound racing is still allowed: the U.S., Australia, Britain, Ireland and New Zealand. However, greyhound racing is only 8.5% of the NZ$1.3 billion (€716,323,174) racing industry with just over 1,000 full-time jobs. The post New Zealand Government Plans Greyhound Racing Ban By 2026 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

On Louisiana Champions Day, fans at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots will have the opportunity to honor this year's winner of the Kentucky Derby (G1), Mystik Dan, who will be paraded in the Fair Grounds paddock during Race 3.View the full article

By Jonny Turner Wednesday’s racing at Oamaru could make or break Carter Dalgety’s national junior drivers premiership hopes. The midweek meeting is at the beginning of an impressive line-up of drives Dalgety has over the coming five days. Dalgety (52) heads to Oamaru eight wins behind premiership leader Sam Thornley (60)who has a five-win lead over Wilson House (55), though this week Thornley is away at the Australasian Young Drivers Championships. While Dalgety knows catching to two talented drivers in front of him is a huge ask, he knows it is not impossible. “We won’t be giving up that’s for sure, we will be giving it a good go.” “If I am ever going to make up a bit of ground on Sam it will be this week because I have got quite a few nice drives.” “With Sam being away hopefully the gap can close, but then Wilson is probably going to get a few at Manawatu (on Thursday).” “Hopefully we can give it a bit of a nudge, to be away for three months and be this close is pretty good.” “The premiership was always in the back of my mind, but with the people I met and the experiences I had in America I wouldn’t trade it for anything.” Dalgety will don colours punters are more used to seeing Thornley in on Wednesday, linking up with two key chances for trainer Bruce Negus. In Race 10 (8.07pm) in the Next Oamaru HRC Meeting 5th March Mobile Pace, Mouton Cadet looks a big winning hope on the back of his strong third at Wingatui on Sunday. “I thought his third at Wingatui was great and before that he didn’t disgrace himself behind Better Eclipse,” Dalgety said. “He gets to draw inside the better chances and hopefully he can take advantage of it.” Negus and Dalgety also combine with Dancing Glenis in Race 6 (6.00pm), the Stephen Heffernan at Property Brokers Handicap Trot. “She won nicely enough at Orari and this race doesn’t look any harder.” “If she can get away well enough she would have to be a good show.” Dalgety gets an opportunity behind star triallist Seacracka at Oamaru on Wednesday in Race 7, the David Ovens Building Mobile Pace (6.35pm). The Jonny Cox trained filly ran sizzling splits in a recent hit out at Ashburton. “Her trial was very good, she’s been off the scene but her last run was behind Millwood Nike.” “Even from the bad draw (8), she looks a very good chance.” The Mark Jones trained Bullit Train looks another great pickup drive for Dalgety in Race 9 (7.33pm), the Placemakers Handicap Trot. Dalgety reunites with Ebury Street who he rates a nice winning hope for trainer Tom Bamford in Race 8 (7.08pm), the David Heffernan PGG Wrightson Real Estate Pace. “She loves a stand and this looks like quite a suitable race, I think she can go close.” The junior driver also links up with Jay R Tolkien (Race 2, 3.40pm) and Meandad (Race 4, 4.50pm) at Oamaru. View the full article

Canheroc will contest Saturday’s Group 3 Waikato Cup (2400m) at Te Rapa. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Group Three performer Canheroc has just one Cup to his name, but trainer Chris Wood is keen to double that haul when they head to Te Rapa on Saturday to tackle the Group 3 Waikato Cup (2400m). The seven-year-old son of El Roca was victorious in the Listed Marton Cup (2200m) in January before running third in the Group 3 Wellington Cup (3200m) later that month, and he added another Cup placing to his name when third in the Group 3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) at Riccarton last month. Wood was pleased with his charge’s run and said he is in good order and in a fresh state heading into Saturday’s contest. “He came back from Christchurch and had an easy week, and he has been back into his work again,” Wood said. “He has had a few gallops and he has pleased me, he is happy. “He is going to have fresh legs for Saturday after about a month since he has raced, but I have done plenty of work with him and I am happy with where he is.” Canheroc’s main aim of the summer is next month’s Group 3 Wellington Cup (3200m) at Trentham, and he is hoping Saturday’s run can put him on the right path for the staying feature. “It (Waikato Cup) doesn’t look super strong on paper, but any race is hard to win in New Zealand now, there aren’t as many horses going offshore anymore now that the stakes money is good,” he said. “There are a few Open Handicaps coming up in the next few weeks and the horses can’t be everywhere. He will have the run here, another in a couple of weeks just after Christmas at Wellington, and then we will look at the Wellington Cup, everything going right. “He didn’t have much luck this year, and we are hoping things go better next year.” Horse racing news View the full article

Matamata trainer Cody Cole. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Ancroft Stud have not been short of top-quality fillies in recent years, and on Friday at Tauranga, Matamata trainer Cody Cole will kick off the career of another future prospect in Luna Star. Luna Star will be Cole’s first representative for the Philip and Catherine Brown-owned operation, with their colours made prominent with superstar mares Levante and Legarto, who have accumulated seven Group One victories collectively in the care of Ken and Bev Kelso. Passed in as a yearling at Karaka, Luna Star made her way to Cole’s stable, an idea that was sparked after he prepared another Ancroft youngster to sell on. “I actually had a horse for them that we sold, and instead of the commission, I asked if they would give me a filly to train at some stage if they find the right one,” Cole said. “The first one didn’t make it to the races, she just had a few too many issues, but this was the replacement. I’m very grateful to get her, she’s out of a good, proven mare and by Almanzor. She’s got a nice pedigree and is a beautiful type. “She’s probably just taken a wee while to mature up physically and we’re not going to see the best of her until next season, but if she can run a nice race for her first start, she’ll take good improvement out of the experience. “She’s got a future, it’s just whether we’ll have to wait a bit longer to see it.” Luna Star will take her place on debut in the Duncan Dental Maiden (1200m), which will also feature her Cambridge Stud-owned stablemate Power Of Three. After starting her career in Victoria, the Yes Yes Yes filly made a positive start for Cole at Rotorua, finishing third to promising type Adelante. “It was a super kick-off point, she didn’t have much form on the board in Australia, but I think that was maturity more than anything,” he said. “Now that she’s had a bit of time and coping with her training, as they did have issues keeping weight on her over there, she looks like a winner waiting to happen. “She was vulnerable fitness-wise there and the surface was probably a bit firmer than what she wanted, but she’s come through it well and worked well this morning (Tuesday). “She’s an improver off her first run and if she can a bit of luck from the gate, she can feature in the finish.” Horse racing news View the full article

Inns Of Court (Ire) and Kessaar (Ire) will each stand for €6,000 in Italy next year, Renew Italian Breeding announced on Tuesday. The former, whose eldest foals will be 4-year-olds next year, will stand at Razza dell'Orso near Perugia. The son of Invincible Spirit has 88 winners from 188 runners with three of them winnings stakes, including the G3 Prestige Stakes heroine Anshoda (Ire). Kodiac (GB)'s Kessaar is a year ahead of Inns Of Court on the sire front, and was a resident of Scuderia Melissa Cipriani in 2024. Of his 108 runners, 56 are winners, among them G3 Premio Parioli hero Melfi (Ire). He is on the move to Alessandro Antonini near Rome. The post Inns Of Court And Kessaar To Each Stand For €6,000 In Italy appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Francis Lui has won 951 races in Hong Kong. Photo: HKJC Francis Lui went a long way to boosting his trainers’ championship defence with a four-timer at Sha Tin on Sunday and the affable horseman takes a team of three to Happy Valley on Wednesday night as he aims to keep the ball rolling. Lui’s quartet sees him reach 16 wins from 144 runners across 27 of the 88 scheduled race meetings this term, with only five handlers currently ahead of him: Pierre Ng (23 wins), David Hayes (20), Mark Newnham (20), Danny Shum (19) and Caspar Fownes (18). The 65-year-old – crowned Hong Kong Champion Trainer (2023/24) – won the first three races at Sha Tin with Happy Park, Packing Angel and Divano before star talent Packing Hermod posted a fourth win at only his fifth start in the last race. “I’m very happy. Happy to win for the owners on Sunday,” Lui said. “He (Packing Hermod) has potential. We’re planning for the Four-Year-Old Classic Series with him.” Sired by Rubick, Packing Hermod sits on a career-high mark of 93 after winning his first race in Class 2 last weekend. The HK$52 million Four-Year-Old Classic Series comprises the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m), HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) and HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m). “I think I will give him one more race – there is a Class 2 over 1400 metres in the middle of January before the Classic Mile (on 31 January, 2025). He keeps improving,” Lui said. Leading the handler’s trio at the city circuit is Hameron, who features in the HK$2.05 million Class 3 Sea Eagle Handicap (1650m) under Vincent Ho in barrier five, seeking a third win. “He looks like he has improved a little bit. He’s not a big horse, he’s a little horse, and he always has a big weight,” Lui said. Do Your Part features for Lui in the HK$1.86 million Class 3 Nightjar Handicap (1000m), while Brave Joy debuts in the HK$1.17 million Class 4 Albatross Handicap (1200m). The midweek programme includes the HK$1.17 million Class 4 Hong Kong Golf Club Centenary Cup Handicap (1800m) where Kingly Demeanor rises in grade chasing a hat-trick. Jockey Keith Yeung said: “He’s really good and he’s improved a lot this season. Seems he is a very easy horse to ride, just go forward and he will not stop. After (trainer) Tony (Cruz) took the hood off him he has been doing great ever since then.” The 42-rater – bought out of the Hong Kong International Sale – breaks from gate four against 11 rivals. He steps back in trip from 2200m last start where he scored by a head. “I thought that the outside (horse) was going to catch me at the 200 (metre mark) but as he heard the other horse come, he just kicked again – he has a great heart,” Yeung said. Yeung takes six rides at Happy Valley as he aims to build on a productive start to the 2024/25 racing season with eight wins under his belt. “It seems like he (Kingly Demeanor) enjoys being out in front and he loves the challenge. He always gives his best,” Yeung said. “It’s always great when you have put so much effort into your training, study and preparation, and to be repaid in a good way. I’m always grateful for the people who support me and give me advice.” Karis Teetan takes eight rides at Happy Valley, including Sturdy Ruby for trainer Manfred Man in the HK$1.17 million Class 4 Mesia Handicap (1650m). “It’s nice to get back on him. It seems like he’s ran pretty well this season,” Teetan said. “The draw gives him a chance. He’s always shown that he is a horse that was always going to get better. I think this season has shown that he’s taken a step forward.” Horse racing news View the full article

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Godolphin homebred Maycocks Bay (Speightstown), forced to scratch from the GIII Southwest Stakes as the morning-line favorite in February, returned from 11 months on the sidelines to win a 1 1/16-mile allowance at Fair Grounds Saturday. “We're delighted to have him back,” trainer Mike Stidham said. “He had been training so well coming up to this that anything short of that would have been a disappointment. Hopefully he comes out of it well and we can start looking for some bigger and better things.” In his first race since a 10-length win at Fair Grounds in January, Maycocks Bay sat just off the lead for most of the race before kicking clear to win by 1 1/2 lengths. “We didn't really want to jump out on the lead and do what he did before the layoff,” Stidham said. “We were hoping to get him to relax just off a horse. It worked out perfectly.” Maycocks Bay was forced out of the Southwest after spiking a fever earlier in the year. “He had shipped to Oaklawn for the Southwest, but once he got there, he had a 104 degree temperature,” Stidham said. “We scanned his lungs and found out he had pneumonia. He went to the farm and it lingered, and it took way longer than we expected. It's been his lungs [that kept him away]–he's always been very sound.” The post Maycocks Bay Returns a Winner at Fair Grounds appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The curtain came down on this year's Arqana Breeding Stock Sale on Tuesday where the demand for fillies-in-training, broodmares and foals in particular brought strong trade to Deauville over the course of the four-day sale. Prix de Diane heroine Sparkling Plenty led the way overall, having been sold on Saturday for €5 million to Michel Zerolo of Oceanic Bloodstock alongside Coolmore's MV Magnier on behalf of “a new partnership”. All told, five fillies or mares cleared seven figures at a sale where all of the key metrics were on the rise. Of the 866 that were offered, 782 were sold at a clearance rate of 82% while the average climbed a massive 21% to €85 769. Meanwhile, the median climbed by €6,000 to €26,000 while the aggregate was up by 17% to €55,149,500. The concluding session on Tuesday was headed by 15-year-old stallion Dabirsim, who was knocked down to Dr Khaled Salami, signing as KGS, at €160,000. A statement released by Arqana President Olivier Delloye and CEO Freddy Powell on Tuesday read, “The Vente d'Élevage has become an unmissable event for the biggest buyers across the world, whom we have had the pleasure of welcoming over the last few days. “In the space of just a few years, Arqana has succeeded in creating a first class platform for fillies in and out of training as well as mares. We saw very good prices on Saturday for fillies that will run on, notably to continue their careers in Australia and the United States, such as the four fillies that made over €1 million, Sparkling Plenty, Classic Flower, Excellent Truth and Spanish “Eyes among others. The broodmares also sold very well, including Tres Magnifique, the dam of Tamfana, that sold for €1,400.000, and Strawberry Lace, the dam of Unquestionable, the dam of Unquestionable that was knocked down for €900.000.” It added, “Following on from the October Yearling Sale and the British and Irish markets, demand was also very strong for foals. In total, 19 foals made more than €100,000, double last year's number, with an average that was up 40% and a median that doubled at €29,000. “We wish every success to our buyers, on the racecourse firstly as a lot of their purchases will race on, and also as well as future broodmares. We would also like to warmly thank our vendors for their confidence in us. “Finally, many thanks to the Arqana teams and the studs that worked in weather conditions that were not always ideal, and that did a remarkable job.” The post Dabirsim Heads Final Session Of Arqana Breeding Stock Sale At 160k appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Total prize-money at The Jockey Club's 15 racecourses next year is expected to remain at the same level as in 2024, subject to trading performance remaining on plan through its key first quarter of the year, The Jockey Club announced on Tuesday. Overall total prize-money is anticipated to be £58.1 million across the 319 fixtures staged by TJC in 2025, with £30.6 million coming from executive contribution. As a result, an average prize-money of more than £182,000 per fixture would be offered next year, up from £175,000 in 2024. Values for specific races and fixtures will be confirmed in due course. The Jockey Club will also continue its ongoing commitment to share financial information with the Thoroughbred Group with transparency on everything from the organisation's business performance to revenues and investment plans. Nevin Truesdale, chief executive of The Jockey Club, said, “Prize-money is our single biggest investment each year and we have worked hard to sustain these levels in 2025. “There is no doubt that the ongoing economic environment continues to bring uncertainty to our income streams and the Government's October Budget will have a significant and material impact on us too. However, we have prioritised prize-money as part of our own budgeting process for next year, while also recognising that in such a turbulent economic climate it is vital to review our financial performance and investments throughout 2025.” The post 2025 Prize-Money Projected To Remain At 2024 Levels Per The Jockey Club appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Mystik Dan (Goldencents) will be paraded in the Fair Grounds paddock Saturday. Four G Racing, Lance Gasaway, Daniel Hamby, III, and Valley View Farm's GI Kentucky Derby winner will join the field for the $150,000 Louisiana Champions Day Classic during the walkover to the paddock and will remain there throughout the race, between approximately 1:25 p.m. and 1:45 p.m. CT. Mystik Dan is expected to winter at Fair Grounds as trainer Ken McPeek plans out his 4-year-old campaign. The post Mystik Dan to Parade at Fair Grounds Saturday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Jockey Club has announced a freeze on prize money for 2025 while warning that trading performance at its 15 tracks could lead to a review.View the full article

Nominations for the eight stakes on Road to the Derby Kickoff Day at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots have been released. The headline races of the Dec. 21 program include the 4th running of the $100,000 Gun Runner and the $100,000 Untapable Stakes.View the full article

Hong Kong's Horse of the Year Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) earned a career high Timeform rating of 129 following his third victory in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup on Sunday, Timeform announced on Tuesday. He is rated second only to Australian multiple Group 1 winner Via Sistina (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), who carries a mark of 132, among active horses in training. Other horses rated 129 include G1 Dubai World Cup hero Laurel River (Into Mischief), Sunday's G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint winner Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}), G1 International Stakes scorer Calandagan (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}), and the retired Hong Kong wunderkind Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro). Timeform handicapper Jake Price said, “Romantic Warrior not only became the first horse to win the Hong Kong Cup for the third time, but in doing so he overtook former local hero Golden Sixty in becoming the highest-earning racehorse in history. What's more, the manner of his victory ensured he recorded a career best on Timeform ratings, pushing his previous best figure higher by 2 lb to 129, behind only Via Sistina of horses currently in training. “He had more to spare at the line this time, winning eased down from a couple of last year's Japanese Classic winners, and there was little in the way of hard-luck stories in behind unlike in some of the other international races on the card.” Price added, “It isn't just at home that Romantic Warrior has conquered. He's currently on a seven-race unbeaten run which has also seen him land the 2023 Cox Plate in Australia and the Yasuda Kinen in Japan back in June. In that time he has been a thoroughly consistent horse on the ratings, building a superb rapport with jockey James McDonald. “His connections aren't stopping there and have the world's richest race, the Saudi Cup, next in their sights. That would bring a completely different challenge to Romantic Warrior switching to a dirt surface, but the race itself will be all the richer for his participation.” The post Romantic Warrior’s Timeform Rating Rises To 129 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victory of Duvet Day at Grade III level beneath the Twin Spires. Duvet Day Breaks Graded Duck In Cardinal Stakes Jane Bacharach, William DeBurgh and Richard Schatz's Duvet Day (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) won the GIII Cardinal Stakes at Churchill Downs on Nov. 28 (video). It was the first graded win for the 5-year-old mare and first victory since January of 2023 in the Listed Astra Stakes at Santa Anita. Bred by John Yarr, she was a 47,000gns Tattersalls December weanling buy by Colbinstown Stud, and she was knocked down for £45,000 to BBA Ireland at the 2020 Goffs Orby Sale. De Burgh Equine acquired the mare for $72,000 out of the Keeneland April Horses-of-Racing-Age Sale in 2022. Winless in two Irish starts, the bulk of her American career has been at stakes level. Montjeu (Ire) mare Je T'Adore (Ire) has foaled nine offspring to date, of which Duvet Day is her fifth. Her yearling is a Poet's Word (Ire) colt, while her weanling colt is by Blue Bresil (Fr). GI Gamely Stakes heroine Tuscan Evening (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}) is out of G3 Park Hill Stakes second The Faraway Tree (GB) (Suave Dancer), the third dam of Duvet Day. Coolmore Stud's reverse shuttle stallion Starspangledbanner is responsible for 15 winners from 29 runners (52%) in America. Duvet Day's victory brings his total number of stakes winners there to seven, four of them at graded level led by GI American Oaks victress Rhea Moon (Ire) and GI Saratoga Derby hero-turned-Rathbarry sire State Of Rest (Ire). Duvet Day wins the G3 Cardinal Stakes with Flavien Prat aboard for Michael McCarthy! pic.twitter.com/dcDcwZL0E0 — Churchill Downs (@ChurchillDowns) November 28, 2024 Fair Grounds Success For Pisciotta Fourth time was the charm for Cherie DeVaux trainee Pisciotta (GB) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), after she sailed to a 3 3/4-length victory at the Fair Grounds at the end of November (chart). Racing in the colours of Edward Hudson, Jr., Lynne Hudson and David Ingordo, the filly was bred by Faisal Meshrf Al Qahtani. Part of the Barton Stud draft during Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, the filly was purchased for 180,000gns by DeVaux on behalf of her husband, David Ingordo. With the victory of Pisciotta, her dam Kazeera (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) now boasts a 100% produce record, with her first foal, Love Is Gold (Fr) (Havana Gold {Ire}) successful three times over 1900 metres at Deauville. Kazeera is a full-sister to top-liner Al Kazeem (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), who won the G1 Prince Of Wales's Stakes, G1 Eclipse Stakes, and G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup. Wootton Bassett's progeny have been thriving left, right, and centre on the world stage, and the story is no different in America. The Coolmore stallion is the sire of 20 winners from 39 runners (51%). His eight stakes winners in that jurisdiction were bolstered by Henri Matisse (Ire) in the 2024 GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, joining fellow Breeders' Cup Grade I winners Audarya (Fr) and Unquestionable (Fr). Evershed Shines At Tampa Mark Grier's Evershed (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) found the Tampa Bay grass to her liking when graduating by a length at second asking on Saturday (video). Trained by Arnaud Delacour, she was bred by Lynch Bages and Camas Park Stud. Ben Gowans purchased the April-foaled bay for €340,000 out of the Arqana August Yearling Sale in Deauville from Camas Park, and she was unplaced at first asking at Laurel Park in October. The 12th foal produced by the Darshaan (GB) mare Balankiya (Ire), Evershed is her eighth winner. GI Secretariat Stakes hero Bayrir (Fr) (Medicean {GB}) is a half-brother to Evershed, while her winning half-sister Balankiyla (Fr) (Montjeu {Ire}) is the dam of G3 Prix de Royaumont winner Baiykara (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}). Balankiya's last reported foal, Camelot (GB) filly Good Timing (Ire), was born in 2023. This is the extended family of G1 Prix du Jockey Club-winning sire Bering (GB), while Balankiya is a half-sister to group winners Balakheri (Ire) (Theatrical {Ire}) and Baliyana (Ire) (Dalakhani {Ire}). Coolmore stallion Churchill is credited with eight winners from 19 runners (42%) in the U.S. GII Valley View Stakes heroine Poolside With Slim (Ire) is his best representative there, and of his three other stakes horses, The Foxes (Ire) ran second in the GI Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes. Well done to all connections of August Sale graduate who wins at @TampaBayDownsFL for trainer @delacour_arnaud & owner Mark B. Grier. This 2yo daughter of #Churchill @coolmorestud was sold by @camaspark to @bengowans_. pic.twitter.com/SV38qODPWN — ARQANA (@InfoArqana) December 8, 2024 Cotai Glory Filly Speeds To Gulfstream Win JDT Racing, LLC's Anybody But You (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}) won at Gulfstream Park for trainer Brendan Walsh on Sunday (video). Bred by Tally-Ho Stud, the chestnut was consigned to the Goffs Orby Sale by her breeder, where she caught the eye of Ken Condon for €200,000. Out of Fidaaha (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}), Anybody But You is a half-sister to three group winners by Mehmas (Ire), namely Malavath (Ire), who was multiple Group/Grade 1 placed, G3 Horris Hill Stakes winner Knight (Ire), and this year's G1 National Stakes hero Scorthy Champ (Ire), as well as a filly full-sibling to that trio. Fidaaha was covered by Not This Time this past spring. GIII Robert G. Dick Memorial Stakes winner Ceisteach (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) and multiple group winner and multiple Group 1-placed Steip Amach (Ire) (Vocalised) are half-sisters to Fidaaha. Tally-ho's Cotai Glory has sired eight winners from 12 runners (66%) in the U.S. Fillies Spirit And Glory (Ire) and Sunset Glory (Ire) are both stakes winners there, while the former has also been placed in the GII Yellow Ribbon Stakes, GIII Beaugay Stakes and the GIII Eatontown Stakes. Anybody But You (IRE) and @Tyler_Gaff score in a Maiden Special Weight for @brenpwalsh at #GulfstreamPark! pic.twitter.com/cjUufMyv7S — Jockey Tyler Gaffalione (@TGjockey) December 8, 2024 Repeat Winner: Earhart (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) protected her perfect record with an 11-length score at Woodbine for trainer Josie Carroll recently (video). The LNJ Foxwoods runner and 'TDN Rising Star' won at that track in November. “Jot Her Down!” – @WoodbineGeller #8 EARHART (FR) ($2.50) soars down the @WoodbineTB stretch in Race 9 and displays an impressive victory for @jcarrollracing and owner @LNJFoxwoods. pic.twitter.com/NqXOL2VT5k — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) December 7, 2024 The post Making Waves: Red Is The Colour appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article