Wandering Eyes

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

A total of 1,236 horses–including broodmares and broodmare prospects, newly turned yearlings, horses of racing age, stallions and stallion prospects–have been catalogued for the upcoming Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale, scheduled to take place in Lexington from Jan. 13-15. “The January sale has opportunities for the new year, whether you are preparing for the breeding season or making plans for your racing stable,” Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said. “Breeders from around the globe will be focusing on the auction, which has a unique timing advantage for sellers of nice fillies. Pinhookers and end-users will compete for the short yearlings on offer, while the selection of horses of racing age will be appealing.” Among the auction's premier offerings are graded-placed racing or broodmare prospects Ain't Broke (Dialed In) (hip 49)–a narrowly beaten second in Sunday's Garland of Roses Stakes– Amidst Waves (Midshipman) (hip 61), Lady Beth (Hard Spun) (hip 264), and Movie Moxy (Street Sense) (hip 319), who was third in last Saturday's GIII Go For Wand Stakes. Also on offer is stakes-winner Sunset Glory (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}) (hip 419) and stakes-placed Callie's Grit (Maclean's Music) (hip 112). Broodmares in the January sale catalogue are in foal to sires such as American Pharoah, Army Mule, Authentic, Bolt d'Oro, Constitution, Curlin, Epicenter, Essential Quality, Girvin, Good Magic, Gun Runner, Hard Spun, Into Mischief, Jackie's Warrior, Justify, Life Is Good, Mandaloun, McKinzie, Munnings, Nyquist, Olympiad, Practical Joke, Quality Road, Twirling Candy, War Front, and Yaupon. Yearlings in the catalogue are sons and daughters of such sires as American Pharoah, Authentic, Candy Ride (Arg), Charlatan, Constitution, Curlin, Ghostzapper, Good Magic, Justify, Knicks Go, Maclean's Music, Maxfield, McKinzie, Munnings, Nashville, Nyquist, Omaha Beach, Quality Road, Silver State, Tapit, Twirling Candy, Uncle Mo, Upstart, Vekoma, Volatile, War Front, War of Will, and Yaupon. Each session of the January sale will begin at 10 a.m. ET. The first round of supplements to the sale will be announced Thursday. To view the complete catalogue, click here. The post Keeneland Catalogues 1,236 for January Horses of All Ages Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

For the past two weeks, we have been telling you how some of racing's biggest names fell in love with the sport. Now it's our turn. Here are some of the stories behind the bylines you see every day in the TDN. Stefanie Grimm, Staff Writer For me, racing was a natural continuation born from a love of all things horses and athletics. Growing up as the only horse person in a very much non-horse family, my only exposure to racing was when I joined millions of viewers each year to watch Churchill Downs, Pimlico and Belmont showcase the very best of our sport. I cut photos from the local papers for my scrapbook when Giacomo upset the 2005 Kentucky Derby and doodled roses next to horses in school during math lessons. My basketball career went to the sidelines, replaced with riding lessons and weekend horse shows. I dreamt of race riding while cantering around hunter/jumper courses, wishing I could hike up my stirrups and gallop across a field instead of worrying about wrist and ankle position. I made my college roommate and his family delay their dinner reservation so I could watch American Pharoah complete the Triple Crown sweep in 2015. I wish I could say there was one “ah-ha!” moment that led me here but honestly, horses in all their amazing shapes and forms have been a constant in my life since my grandmother nearly convinced my parents to name me Morgan and it's a continuous blessing to be part of this industry. Don't worry Mom, I'll grow out of my horse phase any day now! The post Hooked on Racing: Stefanie Grimm appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The old patriarch can't have failed to notice all the activity around the Gainesway stallion barn, with four new lads settling in and another relatively recent arrival meanwhile leading a desperate race for the freshman laurels. At nearly 23, in contrast, Tapit's own book is being prudently managed and he was confined to 79 mares last spring. Yet this remains not only the neighborhood boss, but also the most venerable stallion in the land. True, the gray's status as America's most productive stallion is inexorably menaced by Into Mischief, who's about to extend his reign as champion sire to a sixth year. In fact, Into Mischief is now cents away from his latest landmark of $200 million in progeny earnings, closing ever faster on Tapit ($213 million). But while they are now actually tied on 166 stakes winners apiece, Tapit retains a clear lead (from very similar volume, Into Mischief having assembled bigger books through four fewer seasons) in his other ratios: by 32 Grade I winners to 22, for instance; and 105 graded stakes winners to 79. And at Aqueduct last Saturday, Tapit made his seniority tell in another way–making an impact on the two big juvenile races still more profound than that of Munnings, who sired the winners of both. (Fear not, Munnings will receive all due credit from colleague Jill Williams in her Saturday Sires series). For not only are Poster (GII Remsen Stakes) and Muhimma (GII Demoiselle Stakes) both out of Tapit mares; so, too, were the runners-up in both races. (Whose respective sires, Medaglia d'Oro and Uncle Mo, duly came close to following up big scores from the same crop, through Good Cheer and First Resort, at Churchill the previous weekend). Moreover the Remsen third, Tux, precisely transposed the cross that produced the winner: being by Tapit himself out of…a Munnings mare! For good measure, another daughter of Tapit reciprocated on the opposite coast through Tenma (Nyquist) in the GII Starlet Stakes; while yet another came up with Laurel stakes winner Tony Eclipse (Not This Time). The fact that these are all juveniles confirms that Tapit's distaff legacy will only keep growing from here. Even as it is, however, Saturday left him behind just Street Cry (Ire) in the broodmare sires' table, by 2024 earnings, and top by stakes and graded stakes winners (32/15). Despite the debut success at Aqueduct the very next day of another young filly on the same cross, in Juddmonte homebred Ramify, I leave to believers in “systems” the discovery of some golden nick uniting Munnings and Tapit mares. Their most conspicuous success to date is millionaire Bonny South, albeit her biggest win, in the GII Fair Grounds Oaks in 2020, happened to eclipse an odds-on favorite who was also by Munnings out of a Tapit mare. Her name was Finite, and I couldn't think of a better word for the value of the software that so many people expect to unlock Thoroughbreds as reliably as it does their more conventional investments on Wall Street. Of course, the wheels of our game turn slowly and it may be that the 2020 endeavors of Bonny South and Finite encouraged the respective breeders of Poster and Muhimma to send their Tapit mares to Munnings in 2021. Personally, however, I would sooner believe that Saturday's coincidence derived, first and foremost, from the thoughtful matching of physically appropriate specimens. And while Poster and Muhimma share three of their four grandparents, if anything it would generally be the fourth–as gateway to the maternal family, and often to years of patient curation by expert breeders of the past–that would tend to interest me most. Muhimma | Sarah Andrew That is certainly the case with Poster, whose dam Pin Up (sophomore maiden winner in a light career) is a Tapit half-sister to that phenomenal distaff influence Bernardini. Their dam Cara Rafaela had helped to introduce Goncalo Torrealba to the American Turf after he bought her from breeder Mike G. Rutherford for $70,000 at the 1994 Keeneland September Sale. She proved as tough as she was classy, making her first 16 starts (of 24) inside 13 months–including one win and seven placings at Grade I level. In 2002, Torrealba cashed out, selling Cara Rafaela privately to Sheikh Mohammed, carrying the A.P. Indy colt who would become Bernardini. In pondering her son's impact as a broodmare sire, we are inevitably drawn to two factors that set Cara Rafaela apart: her constitution, and the strength of the genetic flavors behind her. Her sire Quiet American has a famously concentrated page, both his own dam and that of his sire Fappiano being by Dr. Fager out of half-sisters, while both parents of her damsire Spectacular Bid were out of To Market mares. Torrealba did some doubling down of his own after retaining Cara Rafaela's first foal, the Grade I-placed Ile de France (Storm Cat), by sending her to Bernardini's sire. A.P. Indy, of course, resembled Storm Cat in being out of a Secretariat mare. That worked a treat, producing dual Grade I winner Love and Pride, who has continued to develop the dynasty at Torrealba's farm. Love and Pride's daughter by the Three Chimneys top gun, Bella Runner (Gun Runner), won the Zia Park Oaks; while it was nice to see the story brought full circle when her Volatile filly made $1.15 million at the 2023 September Sale, from none other than Mike Rutherford. (Cara Rafaela's breeder has named her great-granddaughter Bundle, and she's now working towards a debut at Fair Grounds). Unfortunately for Godolphin, Pin Up herself was culled at Keeneland as recently as January for $130,000. The purchasers, signing as Imagine, chose their moniker well. She was carrying a colt by Nyquist, whose 2025 fee alone is greater than the sum that secured a 12-year-old Tapit half-sister to Bernardini, since exalted as dam of a three-for-three Remsen winner. Imagine! Another Tapit Mare with a Clan Behind Her The Demoiselle third, Liam in the Dust (Liam's Map), also served the Cara Rafaela legacy as yet another graded stakes performer out of a Bernardini mare. As for the winner, Muhimma, it would be no less disrespectful than to Poster if you were to view her primarily as the product of a cross. For she has now extended a seamless chain of graded stakes quality into a fifth generation. Actually Muhimma is another Three Chimneys project, having been sold to Shadwell for $700,000 at the September Sale. Her homebred dam Princesa Carolina had been obliged to settle for serial podiums at graded level on turf, including in the GI Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup, albeit she did break a Kentucky Downs course record in the Dueling Grounds Oaks. But she was out of a dual Grade I winner on the same surface (American Oaks/Flower Bowl Invitational) in Pure Clan (Pure Prize), who had been bought by Torrealba for $4.5 million in 2012. Liam in the Dust | Coady Media Pure Clan's price was underpinned by her genes. She was already a half-sister to GII Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes winner Greater Good (Intidab), while another sibling has since enhanced the page as second dam of Finley'sluckycharm (Twirling Candy). In turn, they're out of a graded stakes-winning daughter of champion sprinter What a Summer (What Luck), the line eventually tapering to the Belair Stud foundation mare Flambette (Fr). So, again, good luck if you want to boil a family like that down to a Tapit mare nicking with Munnings! Some people are too credulously hungry for a formula to disturb from their trance, expensive as they may find it becomes. But the beauty of this business is that we have a proving ground out there to settle all these questions. Turf Page Unlocked by Gun Runner Even though Muhimma had yet to make her debut, the next yearling out of Princesa Carolina proved an even bigger hit at Keeneland this September: her colt by Gun Runner, in bringing $2.2 million from Whisper Hill, represented the second biggest trade of the sale. Unsurprisingly Torrealba appears to have “married” the mare, still only eight, to the Three Chimneys champion. They also have a weanling colt, and Princesa Carolina is again expecting to Gun Runner this time round. But if the value of these foals was principally elevated last Saturday by the mare, in producing an Oaks candidate by another sire, then Gun Runner also maintained his market standing through the blossoming of Locked in the GI Cigar Mile. Locked | Sarah Andrew Of course this horse already figured among Gun Runner's 10 elite scorers, having won the Claiborne Breeders' Futurity last year. But doubtless the “nicking” brigade will be excited that another of that group–and none other than Sierra Leone–also happens to be out of a Malibu Moon mare. But just as it would be eccentric to underplay Sierra Leone's fourth grandparent, when another of her daughters this year produced a second of the three protagonists in the GI Kentucky Derby photo-finish, so we must give some attention to the granddam of Locked. For she introduces some pretty exotic flavors to a dirt miler. Locked was bred by Rosa Colasanti out of her homebred mare Luna Rosa (Malibu Moon), whose track career ended in breaking her maiden at the fifth attempt. Luna Rosa's dam Gabriellina Giof (GB) (Ashkalani {Ire}) began her career in Italy before switching to California, winning a 5.5f stakes and then running second in the GII San Clemente Handicap over a mile. She didn't really build from there, however, and made no more than $75,000 from Federico Barberini as a 10-year-old at the 2008 Keeneland January Sale. Fortunately for her purchaser, the last two foals delivered by Gabriella Giof prior to that transaction both stepped up to the plate. Always a Princess (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}) became a triple Grade II winner on dirt, while Gabby's Golden Gal (Medaglia d'Oro) did better yet, winning the GI Acorn Stakes and GI Santa Monica Handicap. The latter race was then run on synthetic, and the mare's first foal for Colasanti, by Johannesburg, would in time produce a stakes sprinter on turf/synthetic by Noble Mission (GB). Locked certainly has plenty of chlorophyll down his maternal family. Gabriella Giof was one of no fewer than 12 winners in Italy out of a mare who was Group 1-placed there. The next dam had been exported from Peru, and represents one of the oldest families in South America. But who cares about that, if all you need is the same cross as Sierra Leone… No Mystery About Misty Family While Locked has a pretty cosmopolitan pedigree, surely the most significant international page of the weekend lay behind the aforementioned Starlet winner, Tenma. This is yet another case of a mare, like Pin Up and Gabriella Giof, getting an upgrade shortly after being sold. Tenma's dam Amagansett (Tapit) represents one of those culpably rare compounds (credit, for bucking the trend, to her breeders St Elias Stable) of a top dirt stallion with a premier European brand. She's out of a sister to the top-class Coolmore runner/producer Misty For Me (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Tenma | Benoit Bought as a Saratoga yearling by Bobby Flay for $875,000 in 2018, Amagansett never made the track and was culled at Fasig-Tipton last November to Kimura Hidenori for $400,000, in foal to Not This Time. Her daughter by Nyquist, with the best possible grounding at Stone Farm, had made $200,000 at the September Sale before proving a lucrative pinhook through Wavertree as a $875,000 OBS Spring juvenile. But even that giddy investment has quickly paid off for Baoma Corporation. Interestingly Amagansett's yearling colt was retained at $325,000 this September, so maybe there's another chapter to be written–especially as he's by Munnings. Perhaps that Munnings-Tapit cross will stand up here, as well. If it does, however, don't expect me to efface Misty For Me's sister from the deal! The post Breeding Digest: A Poster Boy for Tapit’s Daughters appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

“Look away Mick Appleby, but there has arguably been no finer exponent of the new and improved all-weather programme in the last decade than the Gosden stable, home to a handful of Classic/Group 1 winners who learned the ropes at the likes of Kempton and Newcastle in the depths of winter.” That comment featured in our first installment of Winter Watch, followed by a promise to put that illustrious roll of honour under the spotlight at a later stage when it seemed appropriate. Now, following a week in which John and Thady Gosden sent out three juveniles to make winning debuts, including a new 'TDN Rising Star' at Kempton, perhaps it's worth taking that moment to remember some of those star names for whom the first of many career triumphs was achieved on the all-weather. The subsequent Irish Derby and Dubai Sheema Classic hero Jack Hobbs (GB) was one of the trailblazers from Clarehaven Stables when making a successful debut at Wolverhampton just two days after Christmas in 2014, followed by Persuasive (Ire), who bookended her career with wins in a Kempton maiden in November 2015 and the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot in October 2017. It was at Newcastle in November 2016 that a pair of bona fide greats of the sport, Stradivarius (Ire) and Enable (GB), gained their first career victories, just three weeks apart, while Gosforth Park was also the scene of impressive debut wins for a pair of subsequent Group 1 winners at Royal Ascot in Without Parole (GB) and Mostahdaf (Ire). Anapurna (GB) won an Oaks in 2019 and Emily Upjohn (GB) probably should have won one in 2022, their Epsom exploits coming just a matter of months after they'd opened their accounts at Lingfield and Wolverhampton, respectively. The newly-retired Emily Upjohn will be sorely missed in 2025, but the Gosdens still have this year's Prix de l'Opera heroine Friendly Soul (GB) to go to war with. She was a winning newcomer at Kempton in December last year. The big question now is which of next year's three-year-olds can join Friendly Soul in flying the Clarehaven flag at the top level in 2025. This year's G3 Solario Stakes winner Field Of Gold (Ire) looks as likely as any as things stand, but don't rule out the prospect of another Kingman (GB) colt by the name of Bowmark (GB) shaking up the pecking order next spring… Kingman at the Double at Kempton Last week's hat-trick for the Gosden-trained two-year-olds was achieved in the space of a few hours on Wednesday, culminating with the sparkling performance from Bowmark (GB) as he earned 'TDN Rising Star' status with a four-and-a-half-length win in the second division of the one-mile novice at Kempton. The overall time was only marginally faster than that of the first division won by paternal sibling First Principle (GB), but the fact that Bowmark ran the final three furlongs around 1.4 seconds faster than that horse is instructive, confirming the visual impression that this is a colt blessed with a telling change of gear. Bigger and better things surely lie in wait for the Lordship Stud homebred, who is the fourth winner from as many runners out of the Listed Trigo Stakes scorer Bound (Ire), a full-sister to four other Group-race winners by Galileo (Ire), headed by the Derby hero Serpentine (Ire). His second dam is the Oaks runner-up Remember When (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) who, in turn, is a half-sister to the six-time Group 1 winner and sire Dylan Thomas (Ire), 1,000 Guineas heroine Homecoming Queen (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) and unbeaten Cheveley Park Stakes scorer Queen's Logic (Ire) (Grand Lodge). As for Kingman, Bowmark is his 36th 'TDN Rising Star' and fourth of 2024 after the aforementioned Field Of Gold (Ire), Chancellor (GB) and Cosmic Year (GB). The Juddmonte stallion is also up to 26 individual juvenile winners in Europe this year after his Kempton double initiated by the William Haggas-trained First Principle, who is another one to be positive about after his comfortable defeat of Chelmsford scorer Spectacular View (GB) (Pinatubo {Ire}), quickening smartly under mostly hands-and-heels riding to win by a length and a quarter. A homebred from Craig Bennett's Merry Fox Stud, First Principle is out of the Giant's Causeway mare Guilty Twelve, who was a three-race maiden in Britain with Roger Varian, before joining Graham Motion for whom she won the GIII Robert G. Dick Memorial Stakes. Haggas also trained his half-sister, Five Towns (GB) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}), who won twice from seven starts for the stable, before she too moved Stateside. She was beaten just a head on her most recent start in the GIII Noble Damsel Stakes. Very nice from Bowmark Doubles for team Gosden & @KShoemark pic.twitter.com/CuF6GOE1aG — Racing TV (@RacingTV) December 4, 2024 A Story of Gosden Fillies Past and Present Kingman also featured as the broodmare sire of Frankel (GB) filly Sand Gazelle (GB), the stylish winner of the seven-furlong fillies' novice which kicked off Wednesday's nine-race card at Kempton, defying odds of 20-1 as she edged ahead close home to land the spoils by a length and a quarter. The second foal out of a winning half-sister to this year's G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe heroine Bluestocking (GB) (Camelot {GB}), Sand Gazelle is owned by the Thoroughbred Racing Corporation, having been purchased for 425,000gns at Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale. Perhaps best known for racing top-class talents such as Derby hero Oath (Ire) and the GI Kentucky Derby and GI Preakness Stakes winner War Emblem around the turn of the century, the Thoroughbred Corporation has returned to the fold in recent years with a handful of horses in training with the Gosdens, including the G2 Park Hill Fillies' Stakes third Lmay (Ire) (Frankel {GB}). It remains to be seen whether the team's historic green and white silks can get back to where they once were as a regular sight at the top level, but the hunger is certainly there if their recent big-money buys at the sales are anything to go by, including a Night Of Thunder (Ire) filly who fetched 650,000gns at Book 1. If that filly follows Sand Gazelle into Clarehaven Stables, then she'll be joined by at least two other exciting daughters of Night Of Thunder in Kempton winner Life Is Beautiful (GB), a Winter Watch alumni from week one, and Go Go Boots (GB), who got the ball rolling for the Gosdens on Wednesday when winning the first division of the one-mile fillies' novice at Lingfield. Immediately on the back foot after a slow start, Go Go Boots still had several lengths to make up on the home turn, before picking up really smartly to win by a length and a quarter from the only previous winner in the line-up, Texas Starlight (Fr) (Pinatubo {Ire}). Bought by owner Bobby Flay for €230,000 at the Arqana Breeze-up Sale, having failed to find a buyer when offered by breeders Highclere Stud at Book 1, Go Go Boots is out of the Foxwedge (Aus) mare Hertford Dancer (GB), who gained her first career success for John Gosden at Wolverhampton in December 2016, before doubling her tally as a three-year-old in the Listed Oaks Trial Fillies' Stakes at Lingfield. Coincidentally, last week's all-weather action also played host to the debut of Ashmolean (GB) (Frankel {GB}), the second foal out of Denford Stud's dual Group 1 winner Coronet (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), who also won the G2 Ribblesdale Stakes in which stable-mate Hertford Dancer finished third. The only two-year-old from Clarehaven not to hit the target last week, Ashmolean was as green as grass when finishing down the field in the one-mile novice at Newcastle on Tuesday. Nice debut! Expensive purchase Go Go Boots sneaks down the rail to get off the mark for The Gosdens and @ONaillers2010 at @LingfieldPark… pic.twitter.com/EdvcW9unAR — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) December 4, 2024 No Stopping Haggas with 'Superstar' Family William Haggas endured a narrow defeat in that Newcastle novice with Highclere's Merchant (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire})–beaten a short head by a promising newcomer from the James Ferguson stable in Gunship (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire})–but it was a successful week otherwise for the trainer, with four winners from eight runners in Britain, plus a runner-up finish for stable stalwart Dubai Honour (Ire) (Pride Of Dubai {Aus}) in Sunday's G1 Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin. Kempton winner First Principle belongs to a family that has performed with such credit Stateside that Haggas might eventually have a battle on his hands to keep him at Somerville Lodge, whereas it's impossible to think of a more fitting home for Newcastle scorer Showering (GB) (Showcasing {GB}), who won the second division of the six-furlong novice on Friday to write just the latest chapter in the story of a special family, belonging to Roy and Gretchen Jackson of Lael Stables and trained almost exclusively by Haggas for over two decades. Showering is the sixth foal out of the winning Danehill Dancer (Ire) mare Cloud Line (GB), a daughter of the wonderful Superstar Leo (Ire) (College Chapel {GB}), who died in June this year at the age of 26. At stud she produced 11 winners from 14 runners, all of whom started their careers with Haggas, including Enticing (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}), the dual Group 3 winner who is perhaps best known as the dam of the triple G1 Prix de la Foret winner One Master (GB) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) for the same connections. In addition to Showering, who won by a length with a bit up his sleeve at Gosforth Park, Haggas also has a member of the fourth generation of this family in training at Somerville Lodge, specifically One Master's first foal, a two-year-old colt by Dubawi (Ire). Here's hoping we get to see him on the track before our Winter Watch run draws to a close. Fingers crossed we might also see Rogue Allegiance (Ire) again before too long after he won the first division of the six-furlong novice at Newcastle in a time over two seconds faster than that clocked by Showering, albeit they crawled in the latter race which perhaps masked the superiority of the Haggas-trained colt. Either way, it was hard to fault the manner in which Rogue Allegiance emphatically dismissed his eight rivals on debut, impressing with how he tanked into contention and then sprinting clear when asked for his effort to win by six lengths in the style of an above-average colt. Bred by Caroline and Stephanie Hanly, the son of Kodiac (GB) was a successful pinhook for the team at Tally-Ho Stud, who bought him for €75,000 at the Goffs November Foal Sale, before he sold to owners The Rogues Gallery for 190,000gns at the Tattersalls Craven Breeze-up Sale. Eye-catching debut! The expensive Rogue Allegiance bolts up at @NewcastleRaces for @omeararacing and @DavidNo45583497… pic.twitter.com/FEVO3fdAYI — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) December 6, 2024 Job Done for Marhaba Ghaiyyath The headstrong Padua (Ire) (Magna Grecia {Ire}) proved a bit of a letdown for our 'Winners In Waiting' when finishing down the field in the Kempton novice won by Bowmark, but at least a bit of the pressure was off by then thanks to Marhaba Ghaiyyath (Ire), who justified similar billing with a no-nonsense success in the one-mile maiden at Lingfield on Tuesday. The official winning margin of a short head suggests the son of Ghaiyyath (Ire) made hard work of opening his account, but he was always holding the challenge of the staying-on Circus Of Rome (GB) (Circus Maximus {Ire}), having gained a decisive advantage when moving to the front on the home turn. True, it wasn't the deepest race of its type–the first two pulled 11 lengths clear of the remainder–but the feeling remains that we've only scratched the surface of Marhaba Ghaiyyath's potential, with a step up to middle-distances promising to suit next year. Three Winners In Waiting Indian Springs (Ire) Too Darn Hot (GB)–Floristry (GB), by Fasliyev Trained by Charlie Appleby, Indian Springs is a three-parts brother to Lazuli (Ire), by Too Darn Hot's sire Dubawi (Ire), who was a talented sprinter for the team at Moulton Paddocks with the G2 Blue Point Sprint featuring among his seven career wins. Indian Springs has clearly been a bit more backwards than his sibling, a dual winner at two, but he too should be winning his fair share of races judged on his debut third in the six-furlong novice at Kempton on Wednesday. Beaten a little over a length at the line, he rattled home from an unpromising position in the style of one who will improve markedly for the experience. Spanish Voice (GB) Lope De Vega (Ire)–Criteria (Ire), by Galileo (Ire) Saeed Suhail's Spanish Voice, who cost 210,000gns at Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, spent much of this year in the care of Sir Michael Stoute, before joining Andrew Balding upon the retirement of the 10-time champion trainer. He made his debut in the race won by First Principle at Kempton on Wednesday and shaped with plenty of promise in finishing third, sticking to his task well to pass the post only two lengths behind the winner. His dam produced her best effort when third in the G2 Ribblesdale Stakes and this colt should come into his own when tackling middle-distances next year. Noble Horizon (GB) Kingman (GB)–Great Heavens (GB), by Galileo (Ire) Noble Horizon is bred in the purple as a son of the Irish Oaks heroine Great Heavens, a full-sister to Nathaniel (Ire), and he was another one to catch the eye on a Kempton card that is sure to throw up plenty of winners. He had the misfortune of making his debut in the race taken apart by Bowmark, but it was an encouraging start to his career nonetheless as he made steady progress under a hands-and-heels ride to finish fourth (beaten a little over five lengths). Stamina promises to be his strong suit and he's another promising three-year-old prospect for William Haggas to go to war with in 2025. The post Winter Watch: Bowmark Stars in Across-The-Card Treble for Clarehaven appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sam Agars FATAL BLOW - R4 (3) Improving galloper can continue his winning ways here Jay Rooney FATAL BLOW - R4 (3) Has the speed to overcome a wide draw and make it back-to-back wins Jack Dawling NORTHERN BEAST - R5 (1) Returns to the Valley after a promising first effort over this trip last start Phillip Woo ATOMIC FORCE - R7 (3) Has been racing well and can come out on top in this contest Shannon (Vincent Wong) CAN'T GO WONG - R5 (6) Should appreciate the step up in trip and this looks a winnable race Racing Post Online TELECOM DRAGON - R3 (6) Has been knocking on the door and can produce a win tonight Tom Wood NINJA DERBY - R6 (8) Lost it on the turn when narrowly beaten last start, but Purton can atoneView the full article

The racing community in Newmarket has lost one of its most popular members with the death of former trainer Tony Hide at the age of 85. Tony Hide's lifelong love of and commitment to racing started in childhood as his father William was a trainer near Ludlow in Shropshire. Both Tony and his elder brother Edward were apprenticed to their father and, while Edward went on to become a multiple Classic-winning rider and 'Cock o' the North' on numerous occasions, Tony's race-riding career (from 1954 to 1968) was less high profile. His biggest win came in the Thirsk Hunt Cup and once his seven-year apprenticeship had finished he combined the roles of second jockey to his father with that of assistant and head lad. When he had finished race-riding, Tony Hide moved on to become assistant firstly to Major Peter Nelson in Lambourn and then to Bruce Hobbs in Newmarket, a role which led to him being appointed in 1973 to the job as private trainer in Italy to Razza Dormello-Olgiata, the stud founded by the late Federico Tesio. After three and a half years in Italy, he returned to England and began training there, establishing himself as a consistent supplier of winners from his base at Machell Place in Newmarket's Old Station Road. Having saddled the winners of several big races in Italy including the G1 Premio Parioli (Italian 2,000 Guineas) and the G1 Premio Presidente della Republica (twice), Tony Hide won further feature races on the continent from his Newmarket base with the high-class sprinter Celestial Dancer (Ire) (Godswalk) whom he sent abroad to take both the G2 Goldene Peitsche at Baden Baden and the G3 Prix de Meautry at Deauville in 1984, ridden on each occasion by the trainer's brother Edward. Celestial Dancer's wins in England included both the Northumberland Sprint Trophy at Newcastle and the Hamilton Handicap at Newmarket in 1983, while he twice ran very well at Royal Ascot, finishing second in the G3 Cork & Orrery Stakes (now G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes) and fourth in the G1 King's Stand Stakes. Celestial Dancer went on to become an outstandingly prolific sire of winners in Australia from his base at Lyndhurst Stud in Queensland, setting a new world record in 1995/'96 for the greatest number of individual winners in a season (239) and coming close to matching that total the following term when 234 of his sons and daughters saluted the judge. Tony Hide retired from training in 1997. Since then, much of the pleasure which he and his wife Sue derived from racing came via the involvement of their three children Philip, Tim and Lucy, all of whom have built good careers in the sport, as has their son-in-law, the Newmarket trainer Sean Woods. As liked as he was respected, Tony Hide, a man of absolute integrity, will be missed by many, and the TDN sends our condolences to Sue, their children and wider family. The post Former Trainer and Jockey Tony Hide Dies at 85 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Tony Gollan admits he isn’t sure when Antino (NZ) (Redwood) will next be seen at the races following a frustrating dose of bad luck in Sunday’s Group 1 Hong Kong Mile at Sha Tin. The star galloper, who won the Gr.1 Toorak Handicap in the spring, is due to return home to Australia before Christmas, with Gollan left to delicately balance the six-year-old’s workload ahead of another big 12 months ahead. “He flies back on the 22nd and gets back here on the 23rd of December, then he’s got to do a couple of weeks of quarantine down in Victoria,” Gollan said on RadioTAB. “I’m not really sure exactly what I will do with him yet, it will just depend on what I want to do from quarantine and how he comes through this next period. “I’d love to give him some time in a grass paddock, but timing gets pretty tight. They’re not robots either are they? “He’s come through the run really well but I’m mindful, I think he’s got a really good year ahead of him, I don’t want to put him back into work too soon. “Most of his rest is going to be in Hong Kong, box and walker, which is not normal for him.” Antino this year contested top races during Brisbane’s Winter Carnival, before five runs in the Melbourne spring ahead of his Hong Kong venture. Gollan says the International Races at Sha Tin will again be at the front of his mind in the years ahead. “I certainly will get back to that meeting again, there’s no doubt I’ll have horses race there at that meeting again,” Gollan said. View the full article

Ascot’s Northerly Stakes Day was the highlight last Saturday, with the penultimate day of The Pinnacles taking the spotlight. It was also Ballarat Cup Day in Victoria, while there were strong cards at Rosehill and Eagle Farm as well. In this week’s edition of The Follow Files, we have found three runners to add to your blackbook so you can receive notifications when they are set to race next. Ballarat Track rating: Good 4 Rail position: True entire circuit Race 3: Benchmark 78 Handicap (1200m) | Time: 1:11.45 Horse to follow: Cleo Cat (1st) Cleo Cat entered last Saturday’s contest at Ballarat undefeated from four career starts, and after being well backed with horse racing bookmakers, the Tom Dabernig-trained mare saluted again for her followers. This daughter of American Pharoah led the field every step of the 1200m journey, and even though she was under pressure for most of the home straight, she battled gamely to stave off all challengers. When to bet: Cleo Cat has gone through her grades quickly in country and metropolitan races, and she is showing no signs of stopping. Keep an eye out for where Dabernig places her next, as it could be another Saturday race over 1200m. https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2024-Ballarat-07122024-Race3-Cleo-Cat-Tom-Dabernig-Jordan-Childs.mp4 Race 5: Benchmark 78 Handicap (1600m) | Time: 1:37.41 Horse to follow: Deakin (7th) European import Deakin was kept safe for his Australian debut, jumping as a $6 chance with Neds. While the five-year-old gelding ran seventh, he never got into clear air when it mattered. Once Deakin finally found some racing room late in the piece, he ran through the line strongly. When to bet: Deakin’s debut run in Australia should be forgiven. If Phillip Stokes takes him to a similar grade of race over 1600m or 1800m, he can turn in a much better result second-up. https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2024-Ballarat-07122024-Deakin-Phillip-Stokes-Daniel-Stackhouse.mp4 Rosehill Track rating: Soft 7 (down to Heavy 10 after R4) Rail position: +4m entire circuit Race 8: Benchmark 94 Handicap (1400m) | Time: 1:25.28 Horse to follow: I’mintowin (1st) The Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained I’mintowin has returned with two dominant victories, with his last one over 1400m at Rosehill being the best of them. Tim Clark took the son of Contributer to the front on a Heavy 10 surface, and they set a strong tempo. The challengers appeared to be coming from everywhere at the 300m mark, but this guy ate up the pressure and booted clear to win by 2.9 lengths. When to bet: I’mintowin holds a nomination for the Group 2 Ingham but may not get into the field, as he is 22nd in the ballot. Expect the Waterhouse & Bott stable to find him a 1600m race in two weeks’ time in slightly tougher grade. https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2024-Rosehill-07122024-Race8-Imintowin-Gai-Waterhouse-Adrian-Bott-Tim-Clark.mp4 Top horse racing sites for blackbook features Horse racing tips View the full article

Italian takes a strong book of seven rides to the city circuit on Wednesday night.View the full article

Three-time Group One winner Militarize (NZ) (Dundeel) has gone back into training last week and been gelded after fertility problems put a premature end to his career at stud. The Golden Rose, Champagne Stakes and Sires’ Produce winner was standing for a fee of a $38,500, but the son of Dundeel only got a handful of mares in foal in his first season. “Just a small handful, only a couple (of mares in foal), so you never know maybe one day they will be racing him in a few years’ time,” Newgate Managing Director Henry Field said. Militarize’s most recent start was in the G1 Doncaster back in April when he finished third behind Celestial Legend. It was a frustrating autumn of placings in all four runs for the now four-year-old, including in the G1 Randwick Guineas and George Ryder Stakes. Field said Militarize will spend a few more weeks at the pre-trainers before heading to Chris Waller and returning to racing in the autumn. “He’s thriving and has settled into pre-training really well and he is going back to Chris Waller in a few weeks’ time to target the back end of autumn and into the winter,” he said. “We are excited about him … he retired from racing sound and clean winded, all of the things you need, so he’s got a bright future. “The only risk I suppose is has he enjoyed breeding a few mares and whether his mind is on the job? “But he’s been gelded so hopefully he can make a good comeback. “And 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.” Militarize has raced 13 times, including in nine G1 races, for four career wins and earnings of more than $2.5 million. View the full article

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 (NZ) (Almanzor). 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 (Yes Yes Yes). 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.” In the Rob Pinney Realtycom Maiden (1400m), Trelawney Stud home-bred Astoria Brooke (NZ) (American Pharoah) will have her third race-day appearance after coming from a long way back into fifth at Otaki. The filly holds a special place in the Cole stable as a daughter of Astor, his first black-type winner in the Listed Mufhasa Fasttrack Stakes (1300m) of 2018. “She’s always looked like a filly who could go well over a mile, she just needs to learn to relax a bit,” Cole said. “It probably wasn’t Michael’s best ride there at Otaki and he was the first to admit that, but in hindsight, it’s been beneficial, her work since has been much more relaxed and she’s been doing her best work late in her fast work. “She’s drawn a very tough gate (17) and she’ll need a bit of luck from out there, but I trained the dam who was a stakes winner, and this filly seems to have the ability as well. She’s probably six months away from putting it together, but I do like her.” Last-start winner Secret Life (NZ) (Contributer) will take her place in the Real Chartered Accountants (1400m), the four-year-old mare by Mapperley Stud’s late sire Contributer. “She’s a mare that was probably quite immature so we couldn’t quite get the work into her to string the runs together as a young horse,” Cole said. “She won really well there against the pattern at Taranaki and she prefers a bit of moisture around, so we’ve been waiting on that. I’m happy with her and she’s well capable of stepping up to 65 grade, she’ll be getting back over 1400 and needing a bit of luck and tempo to get into the race.” Mapperley Stud principal Simms Davison is one of several owners a humbled Cole has plenty of gratitude for. “I’ve been very fortunate having support from various studs and other owners as well, we’ve got a lot of new owners that have come in probably from half-way through last season to now,” he said. “It’s good to get the opportunities from those sorts of people, Trelawney and Cambridge, and we’ve always done a bit with Mapperley. Westbury has been one of the biggest supporters early in my career as well. “When you start out training on your own and without a partnership, you’ve got to make these connections for yourself, which takes some time and effort. It’s great to be rewarded by those bigger studs now which is really encouraging going forward. “I’m not sure why they’ve chosen me exactly, but it’s very pleasing and I’m very grateful.” The Westbury Stud association continued at Trentham last Saturday, with promising stayer The Prophet (NZ) (Redwood) blowing away his rivals at his first attempt over ground, despite showing his inexperience through stages of the race. The 2100m contest was a qualifier for the Dunstan Horsefeeds Championship Final (2400m) on Boxing Day, but Cole is in no rush to step up his patiently handled five-year-old. “It was super for his first time over ground, he always indicated that he wanted to run a trip but to be fair to the horse, he hasn’t had a lot of luck in his runs leading into that race with wide draws and other factors,” Cole said. “With his greenness, I’ll just be taking him along quietly, there are plenty of nice staying races after Christmas if he can work his way to that sort of level. But, just with how much he’s doing wrong, a high-pressure race around Ellerslie would probably be throwing him in the deep end a little bit soon.” View the full article

Group Three performer Canheroc (NZ) (El Roca) 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 Gr.3 SkyCity Hamilton 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 Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m) later that month, and he added another Cup placing to his name when third in the Gr.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 Gr.3 NZ Campus Of Innovation & Sport 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.” Wood will also be represented on Te Rapa’s undercard by Alfriston (Jukebox), who will contest the Comag Plumbing, Drainlaying and Roofing Hamilton 1300. “He is a bit of an enigma, he is a funny little fella,” Wood said. “He went a super race two starts ago at Te Rapa and flew home from the back for third. “I took him down to New Plymouth and there wasn’t a lot of tempo in the race, and they walked and sprinted, and left him flat-footed. He made up a little bit of ground. He ran last, but he wasn’t that far off them. “Masa (Hashizume, jockey) seemed to get on well with him at Te Rapa, so he is back on him again, and he is really in form, so hopefully he will pull something out of the hat for me.” A day prior, Wood will head to Tauranga with two runners – Bertie Wooster (NZ) (What’s The Story) in the Rob Pinny Realtycom Maiden 1400 and Emmy Dazzler (NZ) (Embellish) in the Real Chartered Accountants 1400. “Bertie Wooster has drawn 18 unfortunately, so we will just see what happens,” Wood said. “He ran at Te Aroha a few weeks ago, got back and stormed home for fourth. I thought it was a really good run, and he is improved from that. “Emmy Dazzler probably wants the cut out of the track and we might just get that at Tauranga this week. There’s talk that there will be a bit of rain there Thursday, but it dried really well the last time the rain came at Tauranga, so hopefully they don’t get too bad of a track as it is that time of year you want horses to be racing on Good tracks. “If she doesn’t fire this time, I will give her a break until we get a bit of cut of the track in autumn.” Meanwhile, Wood’s promising two-year-old That’s Gold (Lucky Vega) has been gelded and is enjoying a spell ahead of some juvenile targets later this season. “He has been gelded and he will go out for a break for three or four weeks and he will be back for the two-year-old races in February and March,” Wood said. “He has run home well every time he has started. It was a huge run the other day when he ran third at Ellerslie again. He is progressing nicely. I think he is going to be a really nice horse going forward.” View the full article

Cliff Matson’s blue and white silks have featured frequently in the winner’s enclosure of late and his run of success continued on Sunday at Te Aroha. The Auckland-based businessman has a number of horses based with the in-form Wexford Stables, with his recent winners Texas Hold ‘Em and Sax ‘n’ Silks joined by Dua Dance (NZ) (Yes Yes Yes) and Jungleland at the meeting. A filly by recent Everest winner Yes Yes Yes, Dua Dance was having her fifth race-day appearance for trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott, favoured to be an improver off a last-start seventh to subsequent Group Three placegetter She’s Untouchable. In the hands of Masa Hashizume, Dua Dance was eased back to the tail of the field early in the Shackerell Electrical (1150m) and came right to the outside turning for home, showing a sharp closing sprint to run down Transatlantic by a nose. Wexford Stables selected Dua Dance out of Little Avondale Stud’s draft at the 2023 Karaka Yearling Sales for $115,000, and taking a liking to the compact filly, Matson elected to take the majority share, with Katrina Dansted and prominent owner Ben Kwok also among her ownership group. “He (Matson) breeds horses, buys them at the sales and just loves the game,” Scott said. “He loves winning and does really well. “We bought Dua Dance as a yearling and she’s a filly with a good load of talent, but she’s just taken a while to learn her trade. She’s starting to relax now and she’s got a beautiful strong finish, which was great to see on Sunday. “It fulfilled our hopes of what ability we felt she had, and now, she’ll just keep growing in confidence with the win. She’s certainly got black-type ability, but she’s just lacked the confidence to relax in the run. “She’s away now.” Matson has also delved into the breeding space under his Lanford Investments banner for a number of years, with Jungleland (NZ) (Tarzino) the final foal out of his Opren mare Morton Babe. A four-year-old by Tarzino, Jungleland relished the step-up in distance in the Manco (1600m) and was prominent early under Craig Grylls, settling one-back on the fence. Coming off the rail on the corner, Jungleland started to go through his gears down the straight and kept finding, holding out Chuckle’s Daughter to score by a long neck. Scott indicated that time has been a friend to the gelding, crediting Matson’s patience in allowing him to develop through his three-year-old term. “He’s been a gelding that lacked a bit of physical strength at three, and now he’s that year older, he’s a real Kiwi staying horse in the making,” he said. “He’s got the strength to quicken and he’ll only continue to get better with age. He’s got the right kind of owner in Cliff, who has the patience to bring him through. “He’s got a good staying future as an older horse.” Jungleland has some stellar middle-distance bloodlines with Morton Babe a half-sister to champion race-mare Silent Achiever. A race winner herself, Morton Babe has been a successful producer in the broodmare paddock, with eight of her nine foals to race being winners, among those a multiple-Group Three placegetter in Cruiser. View the full article

What Happy Valley Races Where Happy Valley Racecourse – Wong Nai Chung Rd, Happy Valley, Hong Kong When Wednesday, December 11, 2024 First Race 6:40pm HKT (9:40pm AEDT) Visit Dabble Hong Kong racing returns to Happy Valley on Wednesday evening for a bumper nine-race program set to get underway at 9:40pm local time. The rail moves out to the B course after racing in the true position last Wednesday for the International Jockey Championship, and with no rain predicted on Monday and Tuesday, punters can anticipate a genuine Good 4 surface. Best Bet at Happy Valley: Telecom Dragon Telecom Dragon only found one better in the form of Yee Cheong Spirit at this course and distance on November 20 and appears set to peak third-up into the campaign. The son of Derryn got every chance when squeezing through a gap but was simply no match for the eventual winner when the sprint went on. James McDonald should land into the one-one from barrier three, and with no Yee Cheong Spirit here to spoil the party, Telecom Dragon must be considered the one to beat. Best Bet Race 3 – #6 Telecom Dragon (3) 4yo Gelding | T: Dennis Yip | J: James McDonald (57.5kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Happy Valley: Modest Gentleman The Dennis Yip-trained Modest Gentleman was a good thing licked in his latest outing, never coming off the bridal at this track and trip on November 27. He had nowhere to go when racing behind a wall of horses, sitting in behind for a glorified barrier trial when beaten 2.3 lengths under a stranglehold. Harry Bentley does the steering from barrier three this time around, and with even luck, expect Modest Gentleman to justify the short price with horse racing bookmakers. Next Best Race 2 – #2 Modest Gentleman (3) 6yo Gelding | T: Dennis Yip | J: Harry Bentley (61kg) Bet with BlondeBet Best Value at Happy Valley: Noisy Boy Noisy Boy represents terrific each-way value in the Happy Valley finale after hitting the line well first-up over an unsuitable trip at Sha Tin on November 3. The 1400m was too sharp for the son of Real Steel but he never shirked the task, however, getting within five lengths of the in-form My Wish. His barrier trial behind Massive Sovereign over 1600m couldn’t have been more impressive, and although it may be a start early before he peaks, the price on offer with Picklebet is too juicy to ignore. Best Value Race 9 – #4 Noisy Boy (6) 4yo Gelding | T: Dennis Yip | J: Brenton Avdulla (59kg) Bet with Picklebet Wednesday quaddie tips for Happy Valley Happy Valley quadrella selections December 11, 2024 1-2-6-8-10 2-6-10 1-2-3-9-11 1-4-6-7-9-12 Horse racing tips View the full article

What Ipswich Races Where Ipswich Turf Club – 219 Brisbane Rd, Bundamba QLD 4304 When Wednesday, December 11, 2024 First Race 1:38pm AEST Visit Dabble Ipswich will host a quickfire six-race meeting this Thursday afternoon, with the first event scheduled to jump at 1:38pm AEST. The track was rated as a Soft 5 at the time of acceptances, but with more rain forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday, it is expected that the surface will only worsen. The rail will be in the +8m position for the entire circuit. Best Bet at Ipswich: Love ‘N’ Rockets Love ‘N’ Rockets was well supported with horse racing bookmakers on debut at Toowoomba when second behind Zheng You over 1200m. The daughter of Spirit Of Boom settled behind the leaders on the fence, and after angling off the rail to make her run, she let down with a blistering turn of foot. With race experience and further fitness under her belt, Love ‘N’ Rockets will only have to improve slightly to break her maiden at the second time of asking. Best Bet Race 4 – #8 Love ‘N’ Rockets (1) 3yo Filly | T: Tony Gollan | J: Angela Jones (58kg) Bet with Dabble Next Best at Ipswich: Sultry Siren Robert Heathcote has Sultry Siren in career-best form this preparation, recording two wins and two seconds from five starts. This daughter of Snitzel flew home from the back of the field to claim victory over 1200m at Doomben two starts back before being beaten by the smart Taltarni Fields at the same track and trip. With a hot speed expected here, Bailey Wheeler can settle Sultry Siren behind the speed and receive the run of the race. Next Best Race 6 – #8 Sultry Siren (5) 4yo Mare | T: Robert Heathcote | J: Bailey Wheeler (a1.5) (58kg) Bet with Neds Best Value at Ipswich: She’s Got Lyrics After a second-place finish at this track and trip on November 28, She’s Got Lyrics appears ready to break her maiden. Last start, this Tony Gollan-trained mare chased hard from midfield to go down by a small margin in her second attempt at 1350m. The daughter of Rubick will appreciate a better barrier (3) and Emily Lang’s 2kg claim as she hits peak fitness fourth-up. If She’s Got Lyrics can settle in the first four from her inside gate, she will prove hard to hold out late. Best Value Race 1 – #7 She’s Got Lyrics (3) 4yo Mare | T: Tony Gollan | J: Emily Lang (a2) (55.5kg) Bet with Picklebet Wednesday quaddie tips for Ipswich races Ipswich quadrella selections Wednesday, December 11, 2024 1-2-5-9 1-8-9-10-12 1-2-11 1-5-8 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

What Wyong Races Where Wyong Racing Club & Function Centre – 71-73 Howarth St, Wyong NSW 2259 When Wednesday, December 11, 2024 First Race 1:45pm AEDT Visit Dabble Metro racing returns to Wyong on Wednesday afternoon, with a quality seven-part program highlighted by the Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1100m) & Magic Millions 3YO & 4YO Stakes (1200m). The rail is in the true position the entire circuit for the meeting, and although the track is rated a Good 4 at the time of acceptances, some light rainfall leading into race-day could mean a downgrade into the Soft range at some stage. The opening event is scheduled to get underway at 1:45pm AEDT. Magic Millions 2YO Classic Tip: Tempestuous The Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Tempestuous caught the eye debuting in the Group 3 Breeders’ Plate (1000m) at Randwick on October 5, doing his best work late to get within a head of King Kirk. The third horse and stable companion, North England, has already franked the form by claiming the Group 3 Golden Gift (1100m) since, suggesting it’s a form reference worth following into the summer months. Nash Rawiller can lob into the one-one from barrier two, and provided he’s come on from that first-up performance, Tempestuous should justify the short price with horse racing bookmakers. Magic Millions 2YO Classic Race 6 – #6 Tempestuous (2) 2yo Colt | T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | J: Nash Rawiller (56.5kg) +120 with Neds Magic Millions 3YO & 4YO Classic: Bauhinia Bauhinia returns after a 108-day spell and gave a good account of herself in the Group 2 Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on August 24. The daughter of Hellbent chased from the rear of the field to get within 1.4 lengths of Ameena and Manaal on that occasion, making strong inroads towards the inside running rail, which also happened to be the worst part of the track. Tommy Berry can elect to be positive drawn in gate three, and with Bauhinia possessing an impressive turn-of-foot, watch for this lightly raced filly to be finishing off best at a good price with BlondeBet. Magic Millions 3YO & 4YO Classic Race 4 – #9 Bauhinia (3) 3yo Filly | T: Lee & Cherie Curtis | J: Tommy Berry (54kg) +320 with BlondeBet Best Bet at Wyong: Mannerheim Mannerheim appears set to peak third-up after flashing through the line over 1600m at Hawkesbury on November 21. The Dundeel gelding took forever to wind-up; however, he produced something similar second-up last preparation before going on to score impressively at the third time of asking. He should get the gun run and do no work under Tommy Berry from gate one, and provided he can get off the inside at a crucial stage, Mannerheim should be eyeing off his third career victory. Best Bet Race 3 – #1 Mannerheim (2) 4yo Gelding | T: Chris Waller | J: Tommy Berry (60kg) Bet with Picklebet Next Best at Wyong: Delrico Delrico returns after 138 days off the scene and underwent a gelding operation in his time away from racing. It appears to have done the trick for the son of Kingman, cruising through the wire under his own steam in a recent barrier trial at Randwick on November 26. Stall one should give him every chance to make an impression on resumption, and with the 1350m showing intent from the stable, Delrico should prove up to the task. Next Best Race 1 – #2 Delrico (1) 3yo Gelding | T: Chris Waller | J: Tommy Berry (57.5kg) Bet with Playup Wednesday quaddie tips for Wyong Wyong quadrella selections December 11, 2024 2-7-8-9 2-6 4-6-8 1-5-7-8 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Jimmysstar was an impressive winner of the Listed Weekend Hussler Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli The Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) has announced a significant agreement with Mount Scopus Memorial College, granting the school the right to purchase surplus land west of the Caulfield Racecourse for $195 million. The agreement, which includes an option arrangement, paves the way for the development of a new campus by Mount Scopus, consolidating its existing facilities and contributing to the local community. MRC Chairman John Kanga highlighted the extensive review conducted by Ernst & Young, which deemed the transaction beneficial for both the Club and its members. He noted that the Board’s decision aligns with their long-term strategy, putting the Club in a strong financial position moving forward. Negotiations with the purchaser have spanned a year, and the proposed campus has garnered bipartisan government support. Kanga emphasised the dual benefits of the agreement, stating that it not only supports the educational institution but also serves the broader community by repurposing the land for constructive use. The property, historically used for stables and horse training, has been largely unused since late 2021. The planned school campus will further enhance the neighborhood, offering opportunities for both educational and external functions. Addressing the MRC’s financial landscape, Kanga took a firm stance against prior mismanagement by former leadership, citing $165 million in debt accrued from unnecessary and poorly executed infrastructure projects at Caulfield Racecourse. He underscored that the sale allows the Club to eliminate this debt and stabilise its finances. Future efforts will focus on revitalising Sandown Racecourse and restoring the Caulfield Mounting Yard to its original, functional design. “This transaction represents a turning point for the Club, enabling us to resolve past issues and secure a prosperous future,” Kanga stated. “The outcome is immensely positive for the Club and the broader racing community.” The deal is expected to be finalised within 18–24 months, marking a new chapter in the MRC’s operations and fostering growth for both the racing and local communities. Horse racing news View the full article

Connections after Pride Of Jenni won the 2024 All-Star Mile. (Photo by Jay Town/Racing Photos) Racing Victoria (RV) and the Victoria Racing Club (VRC) have confirmed the race and entry conditions for the 2025 All-Star Mile, which will carry Group 1 status for the first time. As announced in August, the All-Star Mile (1600m) will be held at Flemington Racecourse, making its return as part of an iconic autumn raceday, alongside the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) on Super Saturday, March 8, 2025. The race will be run over 1600 metres in a Group 1 weight-for-age format, with no claims. The total prizemoney is set at $2.5 million, with the winner taking home $1.5 million. Second place will receive $400,000, third place $200,000, and placements from fourth to eighth will be rewarded with $40,000 each. The remaining horses in the field of 16 starters plus four emergencies will each take home $10,000. The All-Star Mile’s new home at Flemington further strengthens its connection to the Group 1 $2.5 million Australian Cup (2000m), which is scheduled for March 29, 2025. The two prestigious races at Flemington will make for an exciting double header in the autumn racing carnival. Entry into the 2025 All-Star Mile will be via nominations, automatic entries through “Win and You’re In” races, and wildcard entries. Horses must be nominated by 12pm (AEDT) on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, for a $500 fee. Late nominations will be accepted until 12pm (AEDT) on Friday, February 14, 2025, for a $1,000 fee. After nominations close, an order of entry will be published and updated weekly. Acceptances for the race will close on 5 March 2025, with a $10,000 acceptance fee payable to start. The winners of the following five races will automatically qualify for the 2025 All-Star Mile: Group 1 C.F.Orr Stakes (1400m), Caulfield, February 8 Listed Elms Stakes (1400m), Flemington, February 15 Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m), Caulfield, February 22 Group 2 Blamey Stakes (1600m), Flemington, March 1 Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m), Flemington, March 1 If the winner of any of these races is not already nominated, connections can pay a late entry fee of $500 by 12pm (AEDT) on Monday, 3 March 2025. A panel from RV and VRC will have the discretion to issue wildcard entries, primarily for emerging talent or horses based outside Victoria, to ensure a competitive and diverse field. Wildcard entries will be announced no later than Monday, March 3, 2025. Horse racing news View the full article

Steparty. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) Trainer Paul Preusker believes Group 3 winner Steparty is in career-best form ahead of his biggest challenge yet in the $2 million Group 2 The Ingham (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday. The son of Artie Schiller made a stunning start to his career with five consecutive wins, including victory in the Group 3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m). However, his winning streak ended in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) last year, where he finished behind Griff. Despite going winless in his last ten starts, Steparty has shown strong form, most recently placing third in the Group 2 The Damien Oliver (1400m), the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m), and The Gong (1600m) at Kembla Grange. Preusker is confident the four-year-old is primed for a peak performance in The Ingham. “I think he’s right there now,” Preusker told Racing.com. “It ended up a bit tricky (in The Gong), the way the track was playing as he got shuffled back and had to go down the slow side. “The effort was ten out of ten from the horse, and he was given a great ride by Blaike McDougall. “It’s been a bit of a tricky map with his programming early. I just needed to get him to the races to bring him up. “A few of the colt traits are slowly starting to settle, and he’s giving jockeys a better ride.” Horse racing news View the full article