Wandering Eyes

Soulcombe. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) Soulcombe has returned to training, with a light autumn campaign planned for next year as he builds towards another tilt at the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) in the spring. The Chris Waller-trained son of Frankel has been off the track since his runner-up finish in the 2023 Flemington showpiece, with connections allowing ample time for rehabilitation following an off-fore injury. “We’ve purposefully taken our time with him,” managing owner Ozzie Kheir told Racing.com. “I reckon we’ve given him three or four months longer rehab than we typically would or that we needed to just to give him the best chance of a full recovery. “Our view is he’s a Melbourne Cup horse, and we didn’t want to rush him into this year’s race, so we’ve taken it slowly, and fingers crossed he can get back to the races and to the big one next spring.” It is expected that the 2023 Melbourne Cup runner-up will be seen briefly during the upcoming autumn carnival. “We hope to give him a couple of runs in the autumn,” Kheir said. “We’ll lower our expectations on what he will do, but we know his ability and his talent, so we’ll be patient. “As long as he’s sound, that’s the main thing because we know he’s got the talent.” Soulcombe is currently listed as a $26 hope for the 2025 Melbourne Cup with horse racing bookmakers. Horse racing news View the full article

By Adam Hamilton Tact McLeod’s Inter Dominion campaign may have been thwarted, but the emerging Kiwi pacer will chase some other big races in Australia. Trainer Mark Jones confirmed the Bendigo, Ballarat and Hunter Cups were on the menu for the gelding, who was scratched from a late bid at the NSW Inter Dominions with an abscess. Tact McLeod, who hasn’t raced since a luckless fifth in the Group 1 NZ Free-For-All at Addington on November 15, will return to racing in a support race at Menangle at Saturday night’s Inter Dominion Grand Final meeting. “That’s where he’ll run,” Jones said. “We also entered him for a race at Melton the same night, but that was just a precaution in case he didn’t get a run at Menangle, which he did. “He’s ready to go. The abscess was really just a timing thing, he was over it quickly, but not quickly enough to run in that first round of heats. “This race (race one at Menangle) looks like a good starting point for him with the best horses in the Inter Dominion final or consolation. He looks very well graded.” Ironically, a pacer very well known to Kiwis, former topliner South Coast Arden, looks Tact McLeod’s main danger. South Coast Arden has won both runs back from a spell for trainer Paul Fitzpatrick, but will start from gate seven, while Tact McLeod has barrier four. In another synergy, the race is a heat of the Australasian Young Drivers’ series and Kiwi Sam Thornley is drawn to partner Tact McLeod. South Coast Arden will be driven by young Victorian star Ewa Justice, daughter of John Justice of Shakamaker fame. After this week’s race, Tact McLeod will head to the Victorian stables of Anthony Butt and Sonya Smith to prepare for a string of targets. “There’s some really good options there, finishing up with the Hunter Cup,” Jones said. Lees change focus after Keayang Zahara’s heroics Having conquered New Zealand, Marg Lee now has another career milestone in sight. Lee won’t just have her first runner but rather three of them – that’s a quarter of the field – in the Inter Dominion trotting final at Menangle on Saturday night. Her only previous Inter Dominion runner was a pacer, Keayang Cullen, who ran 11th and eighth respectively in the pacing finals of 2013 and ’14. For her son Jason, who drove Keayang Zahara to three dominant victories in New Zealand, this will be his first drive in any Inter Dominion final when he teams with the family’s top hope, Keayang Chucky, a $5 chance from gate three. “It’s been an amazing year, especially these past few months,” Marg Lee said, “you’ve got to pinch yourself to get a trotter like Keayang Zahara. We’ve been in the game a long time and done the hard yards and to have her come along is a dream. Keayang Zahara’s New Zealand campaign culminated with an eight length demolition of the field in Friday’s Garrards New Zealand Trotting Derby at Addington. “Now, as she goes out for a spell, the others step-up and give us three in this (Inter Dominion) final. Just getting one in would’ve been terrific, but three is amazing. All credit to Paddy (Lee, Marg’s son), he’s done all the work with them in Sydney and they’ve all thrived. “Keayang Chucky is our best hope, especially from the draw. Jase will drive him. “Will (Rixon) will drive our second pick, Paddy will work that out with him, then we’ll offer Lochie Cook the other drive. He deserves that with all the work he’s done at home.” Rixon, a NSW young gun and family friend of the Lee’s, did the stable driving in the first two rounds heats while Jason Lee focused on Keayang Zahara in NZ. Saturday night will be 23-year-old Rixon’s first Inter Dominion final drive in a career which has netted almost 700 wins, but just one at Group 1 level. Meanwhile, Keayang Zahara is due back at the Lee’s Ecklin South farm, about three hours south-west of Melbourne, later this week. “She flies into Sydney and then we’ll float her back home for a good spell. She won’t be back for any of those races early next year,” Lee said. View the full article

This week, Michael is in Hong Kong to speak with one of the most-powerful men in world racing; Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges. He’s also joined by Danny Rolston to talk the local industry, and Emily Murphy swings by to chat James McDonald’s success and Ka Ying Rising. Guerin Report – Ep. 15 – Hong Kong International Races View the full article

Grangewilliam Stud is continuing to set a merry pace with strong results on and off the track. Mark and Jane Corcoran’s farm bred and sold high-class performer Ladies Man (NZ) (Zed), who won Saturday’s Gr.1 Mufhasa Classic (1600m) at Trentham where recent purchase Utopian Wine was also successful. On the auction front, resident Grangewilliam sire Derryn enjoyed a strong Ready to Run Sale at Karaka last month with his top lot realising $420,000 while his homebred daughter Kiwiesque was recently a smart debut winner in Victoria. The half-sister to multiple Group winner Hezashocka was a $140,000 Karaka graduate and was successful for trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr at the first time of asking at Kilmore. Derryn’s new associate sire Hilal has also received a warm welcome from breeders in his first season with the Group Two-winning son of Fastnet Rock attracting a book of both quality and quantity. The Allan Sharrock-trained Ladies Man has now struck twice at the elite level with victory in the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) also on the son of Zed’s CV. “He’s obviously a very good horse and was the first one we bred out of the mare,” Mark Corcoran said. His late dam Just Polite won eight races including the Gr.3 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) and also produced the 2018 Gr.1 Auckland Cup (3200m) winner Ladies First. “Bernie Myers had bought the mare and ended up breeding some showjumpers before he kindly gave her to me,” Corcoran said. “Unfortunately, she’s now deceased. She was quite old (25) and after foaling a colt by The Bold One last spring she went downhill, and we had to have her euthanised. “I own him and he’s a really nice colt. He’s out in the paddock here with eight other colts and he’s the biggest, strongest one. “I would have loved to have had a filly out of her, but (father) John has one by Cape Blanco called The Second Lady and she’s quite a nice mare and left a good sort by Derryn last year.” Ladies Man was sold at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale for $60,000 with Sharrock signing the ticket. “We also had Ladies Man’s brother and sold him privately to the same syndicate and he’s in work with Allan Sharrock, he’s a nice horse as well,” Corcoran said. Meanwhile, Corcoran and his father have welcomed an early winning return on their investment in the Pierro mare Utopian Wine (Pierro) who accounted for her Rating 65 rivals at Trentham. Utopian Wine is out of the Group-winning Redoute’s Choice mare Dystopia, a sister to the Gr.1 Golden Slipper Stakes (1200m) winner and sire Stratum and was purchased for A$70,000 at the Inglis Digital Sale in August. “She was trained by Chris Waller and we gave her one start with him and she finished fourth without much luck, she got back and flew home before we brought her back here,” Corcoran said. “She’s shaping up really nicely and we’ll keep her racing for as long as we can. “We’ll try and have a crack at the ($350,000) Remutaka Classic (2100m) at Trentham, she’s qualified for that, the distance should be right up her alley.” Utopian Wine was specifically bought to go to Hilal and is in foal to the Grangewilliam newcomer. “We’re rapt with Hilal, he had a really good book of mares and ended up serving more than 120 so he’ll get every chance,” Corcoran said. View the full article

Dr. Mark Dedomenico, who reached racing's heights on the track as an owner of 2010 champion filly Blind Luck and off the track with the Pegasus Training and Rehabilitation Center near his Redmond, Wash., home, died Dec. 7. He was 87.View the full article

Jonathan Thomas sent out three graded stakes winners in one week for Augustin Stables to complete a stellar Del Mar Turf Festival. View the full article

There are three horse racing meetings set for Australia on Tuesday, December 10. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the best bets and the quaddie numbers for Hamilton. Tuesday’s Free Horse Racing Tips – December 10, 2024 Hamilton Racing Tips As always, there are plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans. Check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on December 10, 2024 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. Neds Code GETON 1 Take It To The Neds Level Neds Only orange bookie! Check Out Neds Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit today. “GETON is not a bonus code. Neds does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. Full terms. BlondeBet Signup Code GETON 2 Punters Prefer Blondes BlondeBet Blonde Boosts – Elevate your prices! Join BlondeBet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. WHAT ARE YOU REALLY GAMBLING WITH? full terms. 3 Next Gen Racing Betting pickleBet Top 4 Betting. Extra Place. Every Race. Join Picklebet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Full terms. Recommended! 4 It Pays To Play PlayUp Aussie-owned horse racing specialists! Check Out PlayUp Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Full terms. Dabble Signup Code AUSRACING 5 Say Hey to the social bet! Dabble You Better Believe It Join Dabble Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? Full terms. Bet365 Signup Code GETON 6 Never Ordinary Bet365 World Favourite! Visit Bet365 Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. GETON is not a bonus code. bet365 does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. What’s gambling really costing you? Full terms. Horse racing tips View the full article

A colt by No Risk At All (Fr) from Ballincurrig House Stud took star billing on the opening day of the Goffs December National Hunt Sale, ultimately going the way of Rathmore Stud's Peter Molony for €80,000 after a bidding war with Charles Shanahan. “He's a gorgeous horse with a great pedigree and his sire speaks for himself,” Molony said of lot 118, who is out of the unraced Walk In The Park (Ire) mare Another Walk (Ire), a half-sister to the top-class staying chaser Joncol (Ire) (Bob's Return {Ire}). “I'm lucky enough to have a few nice ones by No Risk At All at home. I'm looking forward to taking him home and looking at him for the next two and a half years before bringing him back here for the Goffs Arkle Sale.” Ballincurrig House Stud's Michael Moore added, “Trade is still very good for the nice foal, irrespective of what level it's at. Even if your budget is €10,000 or €15,000, to go and buy them is still difficult. “The No Risk At All foal is for a client of ours who sent the mare to France to be covered. The object of the exercise was to find a sire to suit the mare and the pedigree. Their plan is to sell the colts and race the fillies that the mare produces, so we were testing the market a little.” In total, 137 horses sold on Monday for an aggregate of €2,180,000, which represented a 12% increase on the corresponding session last year. The median was also up by 8% to €13,000, whereas the average dropped by 2% to €15,913. The clearance rate stood at 64%, from 61% in 2023. The post No Risk At All Colt Tops Day One of the Goffs December NH Sale at €80k appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Cruz Ramirez was bred in Kentucky by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings and is out of the mare Ragtime Hope. She is a half sister to Secret Circle, winner of the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) and Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1).View the full article

Offered in foal to Persian King (Ire) by Haras d'Etreham, the Pivotal (GB) mare Quara (Ire) topped the third day of the December Breeding Stock Sale at Arqana when being bought by Llama O'Mahony's Whitethorn Bloodstock for €72,000. The 10-year-old Quara is out of the Listed-winning Dubawi (Ire) mare Quanzhou (Fr), a half-sister to the G1 Prix du Cadran hero Mille Et Mille (GB) (Muhtathir {GB}). Though Quara was unraced, Quanzhou is the dam of five winners, including the Listed scorers Hooking (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) and Le Destrier (Ire) (Le Havre {Ire}). Quara, in turn, has produced three winners from as many runners, including the four-year-old Qasida (Fr) (Nathaniel {Ire}) who fetched €35,000 from Hamish Macauley Bloodstock when following her into the sales ring on Monday. Incidentally, Quara's filly foal by Hello Youmzain (Fr) was also offered at Arqana on Sunday when bought by Federico Barberini for €52,000. The key figures on Monday were once again up markedly compared to last year when the aggregate was €2,293,000. Monday's total of €2,958,500 represented a 29% increase, despite 26 fewer lots being offered, while the average (€16,167) and median (€12,000) both improved to the tune of 33%. The clearance rate was up by 7% to 81%. Haras de Bouquetot's winning Shalaa (Ire) mare Jalwa (Fr), offered in foal to Mehmas (Ire), was the day's second top lot when going to Ghislain Bozo of Meridian International for €70,000, while young Darley stallion Victor Ludorum (GB) was responsible for the two highest-priced foals sold during Monday's session. Arcadia Elevage's colt out of the Listed-placed Diablesse (GB) (High Chaparral {Ire}) was bought by Peter Kelly for €52,000, before the aforementioned Barberini signed for a filly from Haras du Petit Tellier–a half-sister to the seven-time winner and Listed-placed Sophia's Starlight (Fr) (Hunter's Light {Ire})–at €50,000. The final session gets underway at 11am local time on Tuesday. The post Key Figures Up Again as Pivotal Mare Tops Penultimate Day at Arqana appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Tuesday's Observations features Damysus, a son of Group 2 winner Legerete. 7.30 Southwell, Novice, £6,300, 2yo, 7f 14y (AWT) DAMYSUS (GB) (Frankel {GB}) is a significant newcomer for Wathnan Racing and the Gosdens as a son of the Wertheimers' G2 Prix de Malleret winner and G1 Prix de l'Opera and G1 Prix Marcel Boussac-placed Legerete (Rahy). A half-brother to three black-type performers headed by the multiple group-placed Pilote (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}), he was a 460,000gns purchase at last year's Tattersalls October Book 1. The post Tuesday’s Observations: Frankel Blueblood Debuts for Wathnan appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Prominent owner and pioneering human heart surgeon Mark DeDomenico passed away Saturday aged 87, leaving behind a storied legacy in human and equine health. “The first thing he taught me when I went to work for him was that the word 'can't' isn't in the vocabulary,” said Mike Puhich, trainer and director of horse operations at the Pegasus Training and Rehabilitation Center in Redmond, Washington, owned by DeDomenico. “He'd say 'I want this, this, and this.' And I'd say, 'Doctor Mark, I can't do that.' And he'd say, 'I know, that's why I want it done by Wednesday.' He was a very tough guy and hard guy to get to know. But once you got to know him, he had a heart of gold. He always had a vision that was always higher than what anybody else could ever think of,” said Puhich. As an owner, DeDomenico's name will forever be associated with Blind Luck, the Jerry Hollendorfer-trained Eclipse champion 3-year-old filly of 2010. DeDomenico owned her in a partnership that included the trainer, John Carver and Peter Abruzzo. Blind Luck's career comprised victories in the 2010 GI Kentucky Oaks and 2010 GI Alabama S. as part of a six-time Grade-I winning spree. DeDomenico also co-owned the Jeff Bonde-trained She's a Tiger, who passed the post first in the 2013 GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, only to be disqualified to second behind Rio Antonia. “We had some really good horses, and he expected the best,” said Puhich. “But when he didn't get the best, he rolled with the punches and went on to the next.” DeDomenico hailed from the family that created Rice-A-Roni and owned the Ghirardelli Chocolate company. But Puhich–who had known DeDomenico since he was a child–described him as very much a “self-made man.” “He made his own money–he did it on his own, which I thought was very impressive,” said Puhich, who said that DeDomenico transferred many of the lessons he had gleaned from the world of human health to that of rehabilitating racehorses. “Usually when you do surgery on a horse, you cut their value in half. But 85% of the horses we did got back to the way they were, which I thought was an amazing stat,” said Puhich. “Our exercise program, there's swimming in an underwater treadmill. A synthetic surface. A training model for when they come back–not as many days off as normal. They're in the pool 14 days after surgery instead of standing in the stall three months. He changed that standard–he changed that whole protocol. Everybody does it this way now,” said Puhich. “He studied the body very well,” said Puhich, who added that DeDomenico had, only months before, sold a successful fitness program that catered to people with health issues like diabetes and high blood pressure. He also helped invent and promulgate the coronary heart bypass. “He did a lot of good things in health care. There wasn't a horse or a person he didn't think he could save,” said Puhich. When asked to sum up what DeDomenico meant to him and others, Puhich responded, “just what a good person he was. And how much he loved horse racing and people in general. Helping people and helping horses–I think until you got to know him, you wouldn't really see that side of him,” Puhich added. “But it was a sincere side, and he did a lot.” The post Prominent Owner Mark DeDomenico Passes, Aged 87 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Michael Guerin Last Friday’s stunning Alexandra Park debutante Princess Meritaten faces an even tougher task when she returns for the $100,000 Woodlands Stud Queen of Hearts this week. Princess Meritaten’s win had to be seen to be believed as she flew home from a seemingly hopeless position to win on her northern debut last Friday. It looked the perfect lead-in to this Friday’s Group 1 but the Canterbury mare has not fared well in the barrier draw for the fillies and mares mobile 2200m. She has drawn the outside of the front line and to make matters worse she has Mr Kaplan (1), Lady Of The Light (4) and somewhat surprise entry Duchess Megxit (6) drawn inside her. Most would expect Lady Of The Light to lead and in a deep field with 12 runners if Princess Meritaten gets back she is going to have to round up some good horses again. The other $100,000 mares event on the card is the first running of the TAB Queen of Diamonds Trot which has drawn a 13-horse field but with only a 10m spread in the handicaps. The big winners in the handicaps are last-start winners Con Grazia Love (R63) and Faith In Manchester (R62) who get in off the front line after well planned campaigns. This year’s Auckland Cup winner Better Eclipse adds some class to the $60,000 Lincoln Farms Franklin Cup as the open class pacers, well at least some of them, move north after a busy time down south. The meeting also contains the latest heats of the two Metro series, one each for pacers and trotters. To see the Auckland fields click here View the full article

A big Auckland meeting, featuring two $100,000 Group 1s, will highlight harness racing action this week. Manawatu will kick start the week with eight races today (Tuesday) starting at 4.21pm with Oamaru tomorrow and then Winton’s meeting on Thursday. Friday Night Lights will feature an Auckland-Addington double-header. The $100,000 Group 1 TAB Queen of Diamonds Handicap Trot and the Queen of Hearts Pace for the Fillies and Mares will be the night’s two features, along with the $60,000 Group 2 Franklin Cup and the latest Northern Metro Pacers and Trotters heats ahead of their $35,000 finals on December 31 . Addington will host the East West Fencing Summer Cup while the Rangiora Summer Cup will be raced on the grass on Sunday. Poutama with good chances today at Manawatu By Brigette Solomon Pukekohe based driver Andre Poutama heads South to Manawatu Raceway today with a full book of drives and confident he has at least two winning chances. Of his eight drives, seven are for local trainer (and uncle) Stephen Doody whose in-form team is always one to watch out for on their home track. “It’s not a bad book of drives” says Poutama “they’ve all been racing well and finishing thereabouts and there are a couple that I think are capable of winning tonight with the right trip.” Poutama’s first drive is on the locally trained Mr Monty in the Hawera Harness Racing Jan 31/Feb 2nd Handicap Trot over 2500 metres. The Majestic Son gelding has finished fourth and second in his prior two starts. “His last couple of runs have been ok and he’s gotten around safely, but if he can finish off like we know he can, he’ll be more than capable of finishing in the placings, ” says Poutama, “It’ll be a matter of seeing if we get the best version of him tonight.” In the maiden events, Races 2 and 3, Poutama is confident about both Million Dollar Chic (R2) and Jetasi (R3). “Million Dollar Chic is due a win and has run three seconds in her last three starts, she’s racing consistently well” says Poutama “I think she’s capable of winning tonight.” The Bettor’s Delight filly was narrowly beaten by 0.8 lengths here on November 21 and was still taking ground off the winner Bigger The Bettor when crossing the line. In just a six horse field, she starts tonight’s race from barrier two. Meanwhile Jetasi starts the Summer Grass Track Racing @ Hawera Mobile Pace from barrier six after placings from just six starts. “She’s been unlucky in her last three runs being held up or not quite getting the best trip,” says Poutama, “she’s been going good and working well and she could pick one up very soon.” “My parents actually have a share in her too, so it would be great to get a win on her for them while she is still eligible for the two-year-old bonus as well.” In Race 5, the Hawera Harness Racing is Good To Go Are You? Mobile Pace over 2000 metres, Poutama drives Blue Chip Lou, who he considers a good value runner tonight. The three-year-old filly finished second in her last start with a bold finish when beaten by talented stable mate Doo You Want Me. “She went really good last start and has been really consistent lately,” says Poutama, “It’s taken her some time, but she finally seems to have put it all together and knows her job, so I think she’ll give a good performance tonight.” In Race 7, the Grass Track Racing @ Hawera Is the Only Way Handicap Trot, Poutama partners Johnny Who, off 35 metres. The What The Hill gelding is another of Doody’s team who have been racing consistently well and heads into tonight’s race off the back of second placing at Cambridge in the Thames Trotters Country Cup three weeks ago. “He went really good last start at Cambridge,” says Poutama, “he’s one of the better ones in this field alongside Manchester In Time, and I think he’ll be thereabouts again tonight.” “I think Johnny Who and Jetasi are probably my top picks of the night.” Poutama’s other drives of the evening are Becker – R4, Jahi – R6, and Bailey’s Pitch – R8. Racing gets underway tonight with Race one at 4.21pm View the full article

A large crowd, including more than 100 anticipated alumni, is expected to attend the University of Arizona's Global Symposium on Racing Dec. 9-11 in Tucson.View the full article

Explore an array of exciting racing promotions from top horse racing bookmakers on Tuesday, December 10. Enhance your betting experience with enticing bonus back offers, designed to add extra thrill to your wagers. Discover these top-tier promotions to maximize your betting potential today. The top Australian racing promotions for December 10, 2024, include: Today’s best horse racing promotions Top 4 Betting. Extra Place. Every Race. Bet and win up to 4th place. Picklebet T&Cs apply. Login to pickleBet to Claim Promo Same Race Multi – Select 2-4 runners in the same race to get bigger odds Available from approximately 8:30am local track time on race day. Availability dependent on field size. Neds T&C’s Apply. Login to Neds to Claim Promo Blonde Boosts Elevate Your Prices! BlondeBet T&C’s Apply. Login to BlondeBet to Claim Promo Odds Drift Protector If the price at the jump is bigger than the price that you took, we will pay you out at the bigger odds Eligible customers. T&C’s apply. Login to Bet365 to Claim Promo Best Tote and Starting Price Guarantees a dividend equal to the highest of the official win dividend paid by the three Australian TAB pools or the official starting price. Maximum stake: $2,000. 18+ Gamble Responsibly. Login to BoomBet to Claim Promo Owners Bonus – Win a bet on your horse & receive an extra 15% of winnings in cash Account holder must be registered as an official owner of the nominated horse. Fixed odds only. PlayUp T&Cs Apply. Login to PlayUp to Claim Promo Daily Multi Insurance Any race. Any runner. Any odds. Get a bonus back if your multi loses. Check your Vault for eligibility Login to UniBet to Claim Promo How does horsebetting.com.au source its racing bonus offers? HorseBetting.com.au meticulously assesses leading Australian horse racing bookmakers, revealing thoroughbred bonus promotions for December 10, 2024. These ongoing offers underscore the dedication of top horse racing bookmakers. In the realm of horse racing betting, when one bookmaker isn’t featuring a promotion, another is stepping up. Count on HorseBetting.com.au as your go-to source for daily rewarding horse racing bookmaker bonuses. Enhance your value with competitive odds and promotions tailored for existing customers. Easily access these offers by logging in to each online bookmaker’s platform. For valuable insights into races and horses to optimise your bonus bets, trust HorseBetting’s daily free racing tips. Horse racing promotions View the full article

Frankie Dettori has been involved in a legal battle with HMRC over his anonymity, after using a “tax avoidance scheme”, it can now be reported. After the lifting of his anonymity on Monday, Dettori said in a statement, “A few years ago I employed the services of professional specialist tax advisers to look after mine and my family's financial affairs. A structure was created and I was told that it had been approved by HMRC. Years later HMRC is now challenging that structure. My former advisers have since been dismissed.” He added, “My new advisers and management team are working hard to unravel the mess that I have been put in. They are also working closely with HMRC to resolve the matter as swiftly as possible.” The jockey can be named after losing a challenge over his anonymity in proceedings at a specialist tax tribunal, after HMRC and several media organisations said he should be identified. “The fact that the taxpayer may be in the public eye and may prefer the public not to know about his affairs does not justify the principle of open justice being restricted,” Hui Ling McCarthy KC, for HMRC, said in written submissions, describing the structure used as a “tax avoidance scheme”. In a judgment in November, Mr Justice Miles and Judge Thomas Scott ruled in favour of HMRC and the media, resulting in Dettori being named in Monday's ruling. A spokesperson for HMRC added, “We welcome this decision, which represents an important win for the principle of open justice. We're committed to ensuring everyone pays the right tax under the law, regardless of wealth or status.” The post Frankie Dettori Named After HMRC Anonymity Battle appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Cruz Ramirez (Good Magic), a 2-year-old debut winner at Laurel Sunday, has been supplemented to Fasig-Tipton Digital's December Sale. Racing for NET Racing and trained by Brittany Russell, the $165,000 Fasig-Tipton October graduate went wire-to-wire to win the six-furlong maiden special weight contest as the odds-on favorite (video). A half-sister to GI Breeders' Cup Sprint winner Secret Circle (Eddington), she is catalogued as hip 346 and is consigned by Elite. Bidding for the December Digital Sale opened last Thursday. Bidding on hips 1-305 closes Tuesday, beginning at 12 p.m. ET. Bidding on hips 306-670 closes Wednesday, also beginning at 12 p.m. ET. The post Laurel Maiden Winner Added to Fasig-Tipton Digital Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Dr. Mark Dedomenico, who reached racing's heights on the track as an owner of 2010 champion filly Blind Luck and off the track with the Pegasus Training and Rehabilitation Center near his Redmond, Wash., home, died Dec. 7. He was 87.View the full article

Thirty years after introducing the Kentucky Cup, which eventually fell out of favor when overshadowed by richer races, Turfway Park is launching another lucrative day of racing on Dec. 14—the Turfway Park Synthetic Championships.View the full article

Graded stakes winner Five Star General (Distorted Humor–Party of Interest, by Bernardini) will begin his stud career next season at Covilar's Owl Hollow Farm in Floyd, Virginia. Covilar, founded by Dr. Josep Bassaganya-Riera, acquired a 50% ownership share in the 8-year-old stallion through a strategic partnership with existing owner Kenny Alhadeff. Since acquiring Owl Hollow Farm in 2021, Covilar has worked to transform the property into a modern, world-class breeding facility. Five Star General's pedigree, performance and versatility aligns with Bassaganya-Riera's long-term vision for the farm, according to a release from Covilar Monday. “Five Star General is the ideal stallion to begin expanding Covilar and Owl Hollow Farm,” said Bassaganya-Riera. “Thanks to our partnership with Kenny Alhadeff, we're thrilled to offer breeders a top-class stallion right here in Virginia. Our unique breeding program has already produced two crops of foals from Snapy Halo (Arg), sired by top Southern Hemisphere producer Southern Halo. Our breeding programs are designed to maximize performance, speed and stamina of the offspring. We believe that the addition of 'Ike' as our leading stallion is a natural choice and excellent complement to our emerging Thoroughbred breeding program.” Five Star General, nicknamed 'Ike,' is a seven-time stakes winner and captured the 2019 GIII British Columbia Derby. He hit the board in 28 of 39 starts–including 19 black-type events–with 13 wins and earnings of $902,202. “We've been thrilled with the success of Five Star General, one of the most special horses our family has had the privilege of owning,” said Alhadeff. “We're looking forward to partnering with Covilar to launch 'Ike' as a sire and to bring this accomplished stallion prospect to breeders in the Mid-Atlantic region. The partnership is exceptionally beneficial to our family, to Covilar and Owl Hollow Farm's plans, and to breeders in the Virginia and mid-Atlantic region. I am elated to be partnering with Dr. Josep Bassaganya-Riera, and his determination to improve the breed is thrilling. What better place than Virginia?” Five Star General, who was purchased by Alhadeff for $110,000 at the dispersal of the estate of Glen Todd at the Fasig-Tipton Digital May Sale in 2022, ran in five straight renewals of the Longacres Mile, placing all five years and winning the Emerald Downs race the last two years. “I've been in Thoroughbred horse racing my entire life. My grandfather, Joe Gottstein, founded Longacres Racetrack in the Seattle area in 1933,” Alhadeff. “In 1935, he created the Longacres Mile with a purse of $10,000, the richest race at the distance at the time. Winning back-to-back Longacres Miles with Five Star General is a highlight of my entire career as an owner. I've had the privilege of racing over 100 Thoroughbreds, and Five Star General's continued display of endurance, desire and courage has been breathtaking. His improbable stretch run in the last race before retirement is best described by legendary jockey Joe Bravo, who said 'The horse willed it. He's a warrior.' When a Thoroughbred runs from ages 2 through 8–winning every year–it tells you something very important about their durability and desire.” Five Star General's dam Party of Interest is a half-sister to multiple graded winner Criminologist (Maria's Mon), dam of multiple graded winner Inspector Lynley (Lemon Drop Kid), as well as to the dam of graded winners Tammy the Torpedo (More Than Ready) and Seek and Destroy (Verrazano). “Five Star General is what all breeders should be looking for: speed, soundness, exceptional looks and a stallion's pedigree,” said bloodstock agent Chad Schumer. “We have great confidence in his ability to pass on those sought-after traits.” Five Star General will stand for an introductory fee of $6,000 for the 2025 season and breeding incentive programs will also be available. For additional information, contact Covilar stallion manager Craig Whitlow at craig@covilar.com or visit www.covilar.com. The post Five Star General to Stand at Virginia’s Owl Hollow Farm appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The new Maryland Jockey Club announced the stakes schedule for the 2025 winter-spring meet at Laurel Park, which will feature 25 stakes worth more than $2.6 million in total purses.View the full article

The new Maryland Jockey Club announced the stakes schedule for the 2025 winter-spring meet at Laurel Park, which will feature 25 stakes worth over $2.6 million in total purses.View the full article

Staton Flurry wanted to park that trophy on his shelf. He wanted to win the Oaklawn Park owner's title so badly he could taste it. The hometown product who calls Hot Springs his backyard and sports that wide grin, knew the race was going to be a good old-fashioned Arkansas throwdown. Flurry sweated it, stayed up late strategizing and for months did everything humanly within the rules to secure the prize. Let's put it this way, if he had a jockey's license he might have donned his distinctive black and white silks with the giant snowflake imprinted on them and attempted to ride some winners himself. Not really, but it makes for a good yarn. It was not easy, but Flurry accomplished what he set out to do, collected 26 wins throughout the meet and hoisted the crystal vase in the Larry Snyder winner's circle amid a cheering crowd, which included some of his closest friends. “We got off to such a bad start two years ago, I think I went one for 31 starting out,” said Flurry. “When you fall behind too soon it's tough, but we were able to rally. I think I ended up fourth in the standings and missed it by five or six wins. Last year, I was like it's now or never because I was putting a lot of pressure on myself. It's stressful doing a title run, I can tell you that.” The Hot Springs native, who operates a cluster of parking lots in and around the track, elevated his status on the racing scene a few years back with the likes of MGSW Mr. Misunderstood (Archarcharch) and MSW Interstatedaydream (Classic Empire), who were both tutored under trainer Brad Cox. Staton Flurry with Florent Geroux after a Mr. Misunderstood win | Coady Photography As most know, Flurry initially partnered with Qatar Racing to campaign MGISW Shedaresthedevil (Daredevil) before adding Mandy Pope's Whisper Hill Farm. Pope then bought out her partners with a $5 million bid during Keeneland November. The relationship with Cox started in 2013 when the two of them used to spend time mining the claiming ranks. Flurry has branched out to other conditioners since then such as Cipriano Contreras, Kevin Martin and Dan Ward, but continues to be loyal to Cox. “Kevin is one of my closest friends and he's the one who introduced me to Brad,” said Flurry. “He thought this was the next big up-and-coming guy that I should be with and he was right. But I am going to continue to use other trainers too and spread the wealth a bit.” With some more complicated bookkeeping ahead, the Oaklawn meet opened last December with Flurry Racing Stable changing its tactics. The decision was an easy one: go after the owner's title. How to unfurl a strategy amid competition that is so fierce with loads of big outfits in the mix is the hard part. The purse structure is like a Godzilla magnet and you throw in the claiming game–where there is a whole lot of shaking going on–and the racing office hums like a Bitcoin mining operation. The issues are evident. If owners enter too many of their horses in lower level claiming events seeking wins, they can easily lose good stock and deplete their numbers. The reverse is, if you choose to stay away from these races your outfit could be missing out on wins, which is how you compete for the title. “We came in and we wanted to be aggressive,” said Flurry. “Whether we did it the right way, the wrong way, I think it was the only way to do it. I know there were some we probably dropped a little too far on, but when you're only given a certain number of races in the condition book where your horse fits, then sometimes you got to run them whenever you can. If you wait for a higher-priced race, then there's no telling when that moment will come up. Lot of factors at stake.” Flurry says it all comes down to timing. A horse might be ready to run after a string of solid works, but then the weather might go to pieces. January in Hot Springs can produce icicles as big as Bowie knives and conditions dictate terms. As the Oaklawn meet goes on, the claiming races take on even more value, especially since the allowance and optional claimers draw like stakes. “One horse we entered 13 times and finally said this race is going, let's be in there,” he said. “It was about half of what we paid for them, but she won, she got claimed, and we still made a profit. That's the good thing about Oaklawn, you can do that, still make a profit. It's not the most ideal thing that I want to do or really any horseman wants to do, but okay it's kind of the hand you're dealt.” Sprinting towards the endgame, the race began to tighten as Flurry was taken on by Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen, who is a juggernaut. When you operate a business like the parking lots, there is no place to hide from folks. They pat you on the back about the wins, but they also bring up the losses. There is no escape. Carbone at Oaklawn | Coady Media “We started out the meet super strong,” Flurry said. “We had an eight to ten race lead, then at one point with less than a month to go, Steve [Asmussen] and I were tied. I didn't want to be the guy that led the entire time, then lose it right there at the end. I put a lot of pressure and stress on myself. Honestly, it was more of a relief or more vindication than excitement.” After securing the top prize, Flurry Racing is content to scale back its operation this time around as the new meet opened last Friday. The lineup includes some budding juveniles and prospects like 'TDN Rising Star' Carbone (Mitole), a 3-year-old homebred who has the potential to make his mark sprinting under Asmussen. “I'm in a partnership in Carbone with Bill and Corinne Heiligbrodt and I've really enjoyed getting to know Steve [Asmussen] and working with him. I've got some decent 2-year-olds that we think have potential, so I'm excited to see what they turn into. I've had several people the last few years ask me to partner with them. We will bring some new owners into the game and this will be their first opportunity to own a horse.” Now that the daily pressure is less so, the owner with the snowflake silks is enjoying what is to come now that he has parked that elusive trophy. As Staton Flurry will tell you, pulling off that feat at your hometown track is no small task because a trip to the winner's circle should never be taken for granted. The post After Parking Owner’s Title, Flurry Relaxed As Oaklawn Opens appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

I got into racing via horses who had nothing to do with racing, as it is for many people with no family ties to rely on. Horses were a side hobby for me due to competitive swimming taking up enormous amounts of my time (a contentious topic in my house when I entered those famously stable teenage years) and my introduction to Thoroughbreds was, ironically, thanks to a mistake on my part. I had asked my instructor once what the fastest horse in the world was, as someone had erroneously told me it was the Morgan, and after she got done laughing at us, she cleared up any misconceptions on who in fact carried that crown. We'd only ever ridden or worked schoolmasters with traces of famous Thoroughbred stallions in their pedigrees, and to that point they'd been the fanciest creature my young eyes had ever seen. When I asked if she'd ever consider having a pure-bred in her program, she quickly declined the suggestion. From there, the internet was my best friend. The more I saw, the more fascinated I became, and the wilder the dreams became of riding a fancy former racehorse. My first experience with them in action was through my TV screen, however, thanks largely to either TVG or HRTV (whoever carried the most Florida racing at the time). The winner was a grey, it was on the main track. That's all I remember of it now. I wish I could recall their name because I'd love to know how they did after retirement. By my high school years, I'd experienced Barbaro, Zenyatta, Rachel Alexandra, and Goldikova, and I was watching the races every afternoon when I got home from school. Swimming became an annoying side thing I entertained because of the 'sunk cost' fallacy, to my parents' great disappointment, but they eventually accepted that my heart had gone to something else. Still, I had no clue that I would end up working in the industry. I knew I wanted to study something revolving around horses, but the finer details were not my strong point. What came after was largely an afterthought. For all its talk as being a changing point for others, university didn't change much for me. And boy did I try to find other interesting things to pursue outside of racing. Considering my job(s), the effort was an abject failure. My major step into the industry came by way of an internship with the syndicate Pocket Aces Racing, and they haven't gotten tired of me, yet. Then came quick stints in other positions around Kentucky farms, and here I am today, taking up space in one of the industry's major publications. Do I wish I'd taken a less roundabout path? Sure. In the end though, I don't know if I would be willing to change anything to do that, so I'll take what I've been dealt. It's been an interesting ride to get here. The post How I Got Hooked On Racing: TDN Staff Writer Patrycja Szpyra appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article