Wandering Eyes

With seven runs under her belt entering Friday's G3 Auguste Rodin Coolmore Prix Cleopatre, Zia Agnese (Fr) (Romanised {Ire}) was by far the most exposed contender in the 10 1/2-furlong Classic trial and made her experience tell with a game pillar-to-post triumph. The outsider of five, fresh off a course-and-distance fifth on seasonal return earlier in the month, broke well and led from flagfall. Coming under pressure when threatened in early straight, she refused to yield inside the final quarter-mile and was ridden out to hold all-comers at bay in game fashion. The G3 Prix Penelope victress Tajlina (GB) (Kingman {GB}) was second by a head. Owned by Gina d'Amato and Richard Marini, Zia Agnese will now head straight to Chantilly for the G1 Prix de Diane, according to trainer Gianluca Bietolini. “I was not at all disappointed with her first run of the season,” he said. “She was facing some nice colts, on ground probably a shade too soft for her, and she also lost a shoe. I knew she was ready and that she would run her race. She stays well and we did not hesitate to take our responsibilities. Beforehand, in the back of our minds, we were dreaming of the Prix de Diane. Now we can dream even more and she will go straight there.” Pedigree Notes Zia Agnese is the fourth of five foals and lone scorer produced by a winning half-sister to Listed Norsk Jockeyklubs Sprintlop runner-up Pal O'Mine (Ire) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}). Her second dam Xaara (Swe) (Xaar {GB}) is a full-sister to G3 Sweet Solera Stakes third Kay Es Jay (Fr) and a half to Listed Prix de Montretout third Archetype (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}). The April-foaled bay, half-sister to a 2-year-old filly by Victor Ludorum (GB), hails from the family of G1 Prix Vermeille heroine Bateel (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), herself the dam of runner-up Tajlina (GB) (Kingman {GB}). (@RonanThomass – @gl_bietolini) crée la surprise dans le Prix Cléopâtre (Gr.3) ce vendredi à Saint-Cloud. De bon augure pour la suite, elle qui est engagée dans le Prix de Diane Longines le 15 juin prochain. pic.twitter.com/nsTDUnxJG0 — Equidia (@equidia) April 18, 2025 Friday, Saint-Cloud, France AUGUSTE RODIN COOLMORE PRIX CLEOPATRE-G3, €80,000, Saint-Cloud, 4-18, 3yo, f, 10 1/2fT, 2:17.63, g/s. 1–ZIA AGNESE (FR), 126, f, 3, by Romanised (Ire) 1st Dam: Little Sister (Fr), by Le Havre (Ire) 2nd Dam: Xaara (Swe), by Xaar (GB) 3rd Dam: Angel Rose (Ire), by Definite Article (GB) 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (€27,000 Ylg '23 ARQAUG). O-Gina d'Amato & Richard Marini; B-Team Hogdala AB (FR); T-Gianluca Bietolini; J-Ronan Thomas. €40,000. Lifetime Record: 8-3-1-0, €80,050. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Tajlina (GB), 126, f, 3, Kingman (GB)–Bateel (Ire), by Dubawi (Ire). O/B-Al Asayl France (GB); T-Francis-Henri Graffard. €16,000. 3–Indalimos (Fr), 126, f, 3, Cloth Of Stars (Ire)–Lucy The Painter (Ire), by Excellent Art (GB). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (€12,000 RNA Ylg '23 ARQFEB; €47,000 Ylg '23 ARQOCT). O-Yves Burrus; B-John Plowden Carrington; T-Andre Fabre. €12,000. Margins: HD, 1 1/4, 1 1/4. Odds: 19.70, 0.40, 9.00. Also Ran: Benamira (GB), Marinaleda (Fr). Scratched: Danara (Fr). The post Romanised’s Zia Agnese Makes All for Prix Cleopatre Upset appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Helped by race-fitness on Friday, Ka Kui Ho's Glittering Legend (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) proved too strong in the Listed Burradon Stakes to emulate the win of his half-brother Megallan (GB) (Kingman {GB}) in the Newcastle feature. This looked a deep renewal of the mile contest staged on the Tapeta, with last year's G2 Royal Lodge Stakes runner-up Royal Playwright (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) and Lordship Stud's TDN Rising Star Bowmark (GB) (Kingman {GB}) in attendance and the focus was sharply on the latter who started as the well-supported 6-4 favourite despite having only his second start. Glittering Legend, who had taken a similarly warm affair at Kempton last month, was delivered by Daniel Muscutt to overhaul the Gosdens' market-leader in the last furlong and secure a neck success at odds of 9-2. Royal Playwright was 1 3/4 lengths away in third. The winner was a bargain 67,000gns purchase from the Tattersalls Somerville Sale, being that he is out of the Listed Lord Weinstock Memorial Stakes winner Eastern Belle (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}) who is a half to Golden Horn (GB). Her aforementioned son Megallan took this in 2021 before finishing second in the G2 Dante Stakes and adding the G3 Diomed Stakes and G3 Sovereign Stakes to his tally. “He's a star horse. He was very naughty to begin with, but he's getting it together now and turning into a really useful three-year-old,” trainer James Fanshawe said. “He came there travelling beautifully and his experience probably stood him in good stead today. He's very tenacious and tough and it's just a case of whether we step up to a mile and a quarter. I'll speak to Mr Ho and make a plan, but he'll prob be at Royal Ascot I'd say.” Battling display! Glittering Legend takes the BetMGM Burradon Stakes at @NewcastleRaces!@D_Muscutttt | @james_fanshawe pic.twitter.com/YQMzD2Nqax — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) April 18, 2025 The post Too Darn Hot’s Glittering Legend Stars In The Burradon For Ho And Fanshawe appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Chris Waller isn’t reading too much into Joliestar’s (Zoustar) defeat as favourite in the Gr.1 T J Smith Stakes (1200m), adamant the mare is going well enough to make amends at Randwick. Joliestar finished ninth, beaten two lengths by Saturday’s Gr.1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) rival Briasa (Smart Missile), after jockey Damian Lane was left with little option but to make his run up the fence in the straight. Combined with a moderate tempo, Waller said it made Joliestar’s task difficult. “Damian had nowhere to go and he had to go up the fence,” Waller said. “There was no pressure in the race. He couldn’t push out. He had to go where no other horse had been on the day and it was slower there.” Prior to that, Joliestar was a brilliant winner of the Gr.1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington and two of her five wins have been at Randwick. With Lane suspended, Zac Lloyd takes over the reins and should be able to give Joliestar plenty of galloping room from a midfield draw. “Barrier nine probably suits her, we won’t get the same excuse,” Waller said. “I think 1400 metres is probably the right distance for her too. “I’m not panicked. She is good enough to win. She just needs a little bit of luck on race day.” Waller will also saddle up Osipenko (NZ) (Pierro) in the All Aged Stakes in what will be his first start since taking out the Listed January Cup (2000m). He generally improves into a campaign as he steps up in trip and Waller views Saturday as a nice starting point. “He’s a neat old horse. He is getting ready for the Hollindale (Stakes – Gr.2, 1800m).” View the full article

It only seems like yesterday that Billy Egan was partnering Young Werther (NZ) (Tavistock) to the gelding’s second ever career win. That win at Flemington was 22 months ago, and Egan was then associated with the Danny O’Brien-trained galloper in Young Werther’s next four starts. Egan reunites with Young Werther in the Listed Mornington Cup (2400m) on Saturday, the first time he will ride the gelding in a race since finishing second in the 2023 Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m). The jockey has had five rides on Young Werther, for two wins and two placings, including finishing third in the Gr.1 Champions Stakes (2000m) at Flemington before the Ballarat Cup outing. Egan explained it was his choice in riding former Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare (Declaration Of War), also prepared by O’Brien, as to why he had not continued his association with Young Werther. “I honestly think I got on him at the right time,” Egan said. “They dropped him back in grade and he started winning races and then he started going back up in grade, so I was just lucky at the time. “He and Vow ended up going to a heap of the same races and I stuck with Vow.” Egan partnered Vow And Declare when they defeated Young Werther in the Gr.3 Tatt’s Cup (2400m) at Eagle Farm last June and he hopes to head north with Young Werther this year. Young Werther has had two runs this campaign, with Egan partnering the stayer in a jump-out at Flemington prior to his first-up run in the Australian Cup Prelude (2000m) at Flemington last month. At his last start, Young Werther was ridden forward and chased Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) when seventh in the Gr.1 Australian Cup (2000m) on March 29. “I trialled him first-up this prep, and he gave me a good feel,” Egan said. “He felt like he still has plenty of life about him. “His run first-up wasn’t too bad, so hopefully with natural improvement, and that run the other day hasn’t bottomed him out too much, that he’s come through it well. “He’s drawn one on Saturday and I spoke to Jack Howard (O’Brien’s assistant), and we’ll try and ride him in a replica of when he won at The Valley one day when he drew one and box seated. “I don’t see Mornington being any dramas for him. “He’s got a good record at Flemington with the big straight, but I’ve worked him at The Valley, and he flies around there as well.” Young Werther was purchased out of Cambridge Stud’s 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft by trainer Danny O’Brien, in partnership with Aquis Farm, for $140,000. Out of the winning Fastnet Rock mare Romantic Time, Young Werther is a half-brother to stakes-placed Romantic Lady (NZ) (Power) and a full brother to three-time winner Villaden (NZ) (Tavistock). View the full article

Race 2 FORSMAN RACING 3YO 1200m SUPER PHOTON (G Rooke) – Trainer Mr. S Marsh reported to Stewards, that on Monday 14 April, SUPER PHOTON underwent a veterinary examination. Subsequently, on Tuesday 15 April, the gelding underwent blood tests. No abnormalities were detected in either assessment. S Marsh further advised he may look to nominate SUPER PHOTON for the Waikato TR meeting on Saturday 26 April. The post Waikato Thoroughbred Racing @ Te Rapa, Sunday 13 April 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Race 6 RICCARTON PARK FUNCTION CENTRE WELCOME STAKES 1000m BEST ROSE (G Rooke) – Te Akau Racing Manager Mr. R Trumper advised Stewards, the stable was satisfied with the post-race condition of the filly, however, BEST ROSE has now been sent for a spell. The post Canterbury Jockey Club @ Riccarton Park, Saturday 12 April 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Race 8 CITY OF NAPIER SPRINT (Listed Race) 1200m FARAGLIONI (J Riddell) – Trainer Mr. J Shaw reported to Stewards, that on Monday 14 April, FARAGLIONI underwent a veterinary examination, which included blood tests. The results indicated an iron deficiency. J Shaw subsequently advised that the mare would be given a freshen up, and upon return to the stable, further blood tests would be conducted. The post Wellington Racing Club @ Trentham, Saturday 12 April 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Race 3 TAB 1600m SHAMWARI (C Grylls) – Trainer Mr. M Forbes reported to Stewards, he was satisfied with the post-race condition of the gelding, and confirmed his intention is to continue with SHAMWARI’S current preparation as planned. The post Auckland Thoroughbred Racing @ Ellerslie, Wednesday 9 April 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

OnTrack, racing’s mental wellbeing programme, is seeking 2–3 Board Members. These are paid positions and the remuneration is $12K for Directors and $18K for the Chair. If you are interested in applying, please send your CV and Cover Letter to apply@amytea.co.nz before the closing date of 27 April 2025. To find out more click here View the full article

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Summer race-date allocations for meets at both Pleasanton and Ferndale failed to advance at Thursday's California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) meeting. The former request got voted down and the latter failed to garner enough votes to be decided either way, jeopardizing the prospect of any fairs-style racing in the state for 2025. The commissioners who voted and stakeholders who testified were split on the best path forward for California racing as a whole, widening an existential Northern-vs.-Southern rift that opened nearly two years ago when The Stronach Group (TSG) announced plans to shutter Golden Gate Fields. The central issue still revolves around whether the state's racing and breeding would be better off continuing the single-circuit method of nearly year-round meets situated in SoCal (Santa Anita Park, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club and Los Alamitos Race Course), or if NorCal venues should be given a shot to re-establish a foothold now that–all within the past 10 months–Golden Gate has closed, an entity called Golden State Racing failed to run a financially viable meet at Pleasanton, and the California Authority of Racing Fairs (CARF) has shifted away from supporting live meets at county fairs. Prior to the board considering both proposals Apr. 17, CHRB chairman Gregory Ferraro, DVM, warned the Pleasanton and Ferndale plan presenters that last autumn's Golden State Racing debacle was fresh in the minds of commissioners. Ferraro said the decision by the board last year to greenlight that failed racing season was “unwise at best or disastrous at worst.” He explained that this time around, those who were advocating for an approval of race dates at fairs venues should “not to expect the board to give the same leeway” in being granted the opportunity to race because of the damage such a decision might do in terms of siphoning horses and revenue from the SoCal tracks, which are also struggling but remain more viable than any entity in the North. First up was the proposal by a recently formed company called Bernal Park Racing. Backed by longtime California horse owner George Schmitt and the owner/breeder John Harris, that group was seeking 10 race dates at Pleasanton over three weekends spanning June 18-July 6. Schmitt told commissioners that the entity was prepared to move forward with $2 million in initial capital, and that Bernal was aiming to put together an organization that might replace the functions of CARF in terms of making personnel, services, and a day-to-day racing infrastructure available to any fair in the state that wanted to use its resources to run a meet. Schmitt advocated for NorCal racing by citing the risk of California's foal crop in the state dropping below 1,000 next year, and he underscored that fairs race meets do make big differences to their local economies while providing lower-class racing opportunities that strengthen California's overall racing. “We're not in this thing to make a fortune. We're in this business to save horse racing in California,” Schmitt said. Schmitt said he couldn't promise a horse population of 400, but that he believed Bernal could attract 200 horses to make the Pleasanton meet a go. Bill Nader, the president and chief executive officer of the Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC), testified against the Pleasanton concept and then later against the Ferndale idea, too. Nader pointed to what he said was a working single-circuit solution that concentrates all racing in SoCal bolstered by relocation perks for former NorCal outfits and a series of lower-level races restricted to horses from that region. Nader said that the 385 horses that had relocated from NorCal to SoCal this year have “done well” in 73 such restricted races, with 15 other horses from former NorCal outfits winning against open company. Nader said that meet-over-meet numbers at Santa Anita–which, like the now-shuttered Golden Gate, is also owned by TSG–has improved by “every metric” and that those increases have been “considerable.” But several of Nader's comments about how well NorCal outfits were faring down South were met with verbal dissension from audience members. Ferraro, however, seemed to concur with Nader's points when addressing the Pleasanton dates-seekers. “Your application really has no definite outline of the structure of the organization; the depth and breadth of its capitalization; guarantees,” Ferraro said. “I mean, you can't run a race meet on 200 horses. You just can't. So to avoid the same disaster we had last year, I think any racing organization that is trying to make a go of it needs to have more meat on the bones and have considerably more time to investigate what's available.” Horsephotos Ferraro also questioned whether horsemen who have relocated their operations to SoCal would be willing to ship back North for another experimental race meet, or if bettors would turn out to wager on the product. “We don't know if the public will support it. It's not that we don't wish to give you guys a chance. It's that it doesn't appear as if the public in Northern California is going to support racing. If it's going to be successful, it's going to take significant planning, careful analysis–a lot more than what's being presented here, I think. And that kind of information is going to take a year or two to put together. Better to wait a year or two and have a successful outcome than to fail because you don't have public support.” CHRB vice chair Oscar Gonzales, who has often been at odds with Ferraro on the North/South issue over the past year, made a motion to approve the Pleasanton dates allocation. He noted that an allocation was not the same thing as granting an actual license to run the dates, which the CHRB traditionally handles as a separate step with another vote required at a subsequent meeting once it receives a more detailed application package. Gonzales said he was making the motion to “save hundreds of breeders and actually save California racing.” But his motion to approve died for lack of anyone seconding it. Ferraro then made an alternate motion to deny the application. After receiving a second, commissioners Dennis Alfieri, Brenda Washington Davis and Thomas Hudnut joined Ferraro in voting for the denial, while Gonzales cast the lone opposing vote in the 4-1 outcome. Against this backdrop, Ferndale was next to present its case for an Aug. 13-Sept. 2 race meet over three weeks that sought un-overlapped simulcast host status. This was the same arrangement under which Ferndale ran last year, but 2024 was different because there were other supporting NorCal fairs that preceded and followed it. Andy Titus, the president of the board of directors for the Humboldt County Fair Association (AKA Ferndale), testified that last year Ferndale raised its purses and was intending to do so again this season. He noted that the meet drew “30-plus” California-based trainers in 2024, and that this year's Ferndale meet would be advantageously positioned between two fairs meets in Oregon, giving it the makings of a small two-state circuit. “I feel like what we're talking about right now is fairly short-sighted,” said Titus, referring to the board's perceived tilt toward protecting SoCal interests. “Yes, the South is doing well. And that's great. But if you eliminate the [largely Northern-based] breeding, and the owners and trainers and staff, sooner or later [that success in the South] is going to dry up as well… “What about five years from now? Ten years from now?” Titus asked rhetorically. “I understand about 2025. Right now [with Pleasanton not granted dates], we're the only venue in the North that is potentially going to be running. I think keeping something open in the North is very important for California racing. And I feel like the CHRB is supposed to represent the North and the South.” After more pro-and-con testimony from stakeholders, commissioner Hudnut moved to deny the dates allocation for Ferndale. Alfieri and Ferraro voted in favor of that motion. Gonzales and Davis voted against it. This set up a 3-2 statutory stalemate, because by California state law, the board's votes do not pass unless four commissioners vote one way or the other. (On Thursday, commissioner Damascus Castellanos was not in attendance, and there is also one current vacancy on the board.) Ferraro wanted a recess at this point. But Gonzales interjected and called for a different vote, this time with the motion worded to approve the Ferndale allotment. “Maybe there'll be a change of heart,” Gonzales said. “Maybe the board will look into the eyes of the men and women in this room and understand their responsibility to the state of California, and understand their responsibility that each and every one of us has [to the NorCal stakeholders].” The voting ended up being the same 3-2 stalemate as on Ferraro's version of the motion, with no commissioners changing their support for or against Ferndale's allotment. This meant that there was no officially recorded action taken on either version of the Ferndale motion. Alfieri summed up the situation this way: “Why don't we study this for a year? We don't we take a pause and see? Because to me, this is very disjointed. You know, I'm hearing from people that say, 'Well, we're going to put up all the money.' Great! Where were you a year ago when we had this same discussion? We saw this happening a year ago. And then Golden State Racing, they didn't make it. CARF didn't make it. And this is very troubling. I'm more worried about racing in the state of California….Come back in a year. What's wrong with that? Come back with a plan.” Gonzales urged the Ferndale supporters to return even sooner than that–like the next CHRB meeting in May. “Because there's an impasse, I would encourage [Ferndale] to come back [next month],” Gonzales said, adding that by that time Castellanos would be back in attendance and the vacant board spot could be filled by an appointment. “I think those two [board members] could be decisive [and] I would not lose hope or faith in any way,” Gonzales said. The post North-vs.-South Rift at CHRB Means Dates Allocations for Two Summer Fairs Meets Don’t Advance appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Richi, a group 1 winner in her native Chile and a graded winner in the United States, will face five, including stablemate Splendora in the April 19 Santa Maria Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park.View the full article

The California Horse Racing Board did not advance two requests for race dates for summer racing at Northern California fairs during its monthly meeting in Sacramento April 17.View the full article

The 5-year-old gelding Crystal Island (Ire) (Crystal Ocean {GB}) (lot 29) topped Thursday's Tattersalls Cheltenham April Sale when selling to JP McGrath Bloodstock for £205,000. He won on debut going three miles at Rathcannon and was consigned by Mossy Fen Stables. A €60,000 store purchase, his family features top-level winner J'Y Vole (Fr) (Mansonnien {Fr}). One of two lots to equal or clear the £200,000 mark, the point-to-pointer was joined at that tier by £200,000 buy The Irish Avatar (Ire) (Poet's Word {Ire}) (lot 7). The son of graded winner and Grade 1-placed Dinaria Des Obeaux (Fr) (Saddler Maker {Ire}) was offered by Milestone Stables and sold to H Kirk and Willie Mullins after taking a three-mile race at Dromahane earlier this month. A total of 39 lots sold of 50 offered (78%) for a gross of £2,597,000 (+55%). The average rose 11% to £66,590 and the median increased 14% to £50,000. Six lots made reached six figures. Tattersalls Cheltenham sales manager Shirley Anderson-Jolag said, “We are delighted to have brought the 2024-25 sales season to such a strong conclusion, with six six-figure lots sold today, following on from a record-breaking Tattersalls Cheltenham Festival Sale. “It is a clear reflection of the quality of horses offered at Tattersalls Cheltenham and the continued interest from National Hunt owners looking to secure future jumping stars. There has been a vibrant atmosphere on the sales ground throughout the week. “We are extremely grateful to the Jockey Club team for their ongoing support and assistance across the season, and to the entire Tattersalls Cheltenham team for their hard work and commitment.” The post Crystal Island Tops The Tattersalls Cheltenham April Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

by Jessica Martini & Stefanie Grimm OCALA, FL – The third session of the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale might have lacked some of the glitz of the second session which produced six million-dollar juveniles, but more than made up for it with a strong day of results propelling its three-day average well over the record average set at the 2024 auction. For the session, 144 head sold for $21,806,500, for an average of $151,434 and a median of $80,000. Through three of four sessions, 482 horses have grossed $68,940,000 for an average of $143,029–up 9.9% from last year's cumulative record average of $130,149. The three-day median of $65,000 remains just under last year's record figure of $70,000. From 906 catalogued lots, 591 have gone through the ring with 109 failing to meet their reserves for a buy-back rate of 18.4%. A colt by Uncle Mo was the session's only seven-figure offering, selling for $1.3 million to Ramiro Restrepo's Marquee Bloodstock, but seven horses sold for $500,000 or more, compared to just one at the third session in 2024. Through three of four days, 26 horses have sold for $500,000 or more, up from 14 at the same point a year ago. The session-topping son of Uncle Mo was the eighth to bring $1 million or more at the 2025 Spring sale and all but one of the eight have been colts. Spendthrift Farm manager Ned Toffey has found himself underbidder on most of those prized colts. “I think from our narrow little view, as a buyer at this sale, it's been extremely competitive,” Toffey said. “But we had a pretty small, elite sort of list. We are looking for horses that have some shot at being a stallion prospect. We did buy one filly, but generally we are looking for stallion prospect type colts. These are horses that physically, and in terms of their breezes, are in the very, very select, highest percentage of what is here. And so what happens is everybody lands on those and it becomes very, very competitive for those few.” The prevalence of stallion-making partnerships at the yearling sales helps boost demand for those types of horses who make it to the 2-year-old sales, Toffey agreed. “I think that what we've seen in the last several years since there has been more of that kind of buying activity at the yearling sales, that there are fewer of those kinds of horses here,” Toffey said. “And a lot of those type of stallion prospect horses are coming out of the market. So then the number that is here is that much fewer and everybody is landing on those few and they are going for very, very strong prices. You'd love to see a few more of them here and that might spread the money out a little bit.” Looking at the overall market in Ocala this week, Toffey added, “I think from the broader standpoint, after you get down past that kind [of colts], there is a little bit more of a fall off than what we would like to see. I am sure that the stock market and the uncertainty right now is probably causing some people to sit this sale out. I would love to see a little bit more depth, but at the highest levels, it's quite strong.” The OBS Spring sale concludes with a final session Friday. Bidding begins at 10:30 a.m. 'Pretty Spectacular:' $1.3-Million Uncle Mo Colt to Marquee After a bevy of seven-figure juveniles Wednesday, a colt by Uncle Mo had the million-dollar stage all to himself during Thursday's third session of the OBS Spring sale when selling for $1.3 million to Ramiro Restrepo's Marquee Bloodstock. The colt (hip 833) was consigned by Eddie Woods on behalf of his breeder, Steve Young's A1A Racing. He is out of Venezuelan champion Cacciatora (Ven) (Point of Entry) and worked a furlong last week in :10 flat. Eddie Woods | OBS/VidHorse Photo “The colt's work was pretty spectacular,” said Restrepo. “Going back there and watching the game tape several times, it was pretty evident he had arguably the best breeze in the sale. Physically, I love the medium-sized Uncle Mos. He is a very powerful colt.” The colt will be trained by Gustavo Delgado, Sr. and Restrepo did his bidding alongside his son and assistant trainer Gustavo Delgado, Jr. “He's got all the parts and he's by Uncle Mo,” the younger Delgado said. “You look at the gallop-outs and everything and he looked strong all around.” The colt was purchased on behalf of a group of existing partners, as well as some people new to the game. “It's a group of some of our existing partners who were in Ferocious and some new guys that are sportsman in the yacht racing world,” Restrepo said. “They like the competition, so they are jumping into horse racing.” Restrepo made a matching $1.3-million bid to acquire MGISP Ferocious (Flatter) at last year's OBS March sale. Delgado laughed off offers of congratulations on buying the colt. “We are happy to have him,” he said. “Of course, we will have to talk again in one year. Everybody says congratulations. But it should be congratulations to Eddie Woods and the guy who sold him.” The guy that sold him was veteran bloodstock agent Steve Young, who was still processing the highest price he'd ever sold a homebred for Thursday afternoon. “It's so fresh that it hasn't set in yet,” Young said. “I think they got a tremendous horse for the money. I know as much about this particular horse as anyone, and there is nothing that would prevent him from being a super horse.” Cacciatora, who was claimed for $7,000 by trainer Steve Klesaris out of her final career start at Gulfstream in 2020, had a filly by Uncle Mo sell for $320,000 at the 2023 Keeneland September sale. She produced a colt by Uncle Mo in January and was bred back to Practical Joke. Of the colt's sire, who passed away last December, Young said, “God bless Uncle Mo. Because I really loved him.” @JessMartiniTDN Caliente Thoroughbreds Hits New High Mark with Maclean's Music Colt Caliente Thoroughbreds sold their most expensive horse to date Thursday when a colt by Maclean's Music (hip 727) sold to Kaleem Shah's K S I for $850,000 mid-way through the third session at OBS April. The colt worked his furlong in :10. “He came in in such good form,” said Caliente's Saul Marquez. “He's always showed his class. Very high hopes for him. He's on to his second career and I don't think he's going to disappoint.” Hip 727 | OBS/VidHorse Photo Purchased as a yearling for $185,000 at Keeneland September, the colt is a half-brother to four winners including the Steve Asmussen-trained Blue Devil (Uncle Mo) who placed in the GII Lukas Classic Stakes. Asmussen joined Shah as he signed the ticket Thursday. “I love the colt as an individual,” Asmussen said. “Maclean's Music has been wonderful to me. I actually had Blue Devil also. So it's an individual I absolutely love. I loved his breeze. Just very fortunate Kaleem was willing to buy him.” “He picked me,” Marquez continued of what initially drew him to the colt in Kentucky last year. “His demeanor, the way he walked.” Caliente Thoroughbreds, now in their third year as a consigner, have a new high-water mark as Marquez admitted that the colt was the most expensive horse he'd ever sold. Of the price, Marquez said, “I knew he was going to be special but that's up there. It's incredible.” The son of Maclean's Music marked the fourth six-figure sell for his consigner this week thus far. Caliente Thoroughbreds also sold a son of Into Mischief (hip 174) for $450,000 to MyRacehorse during Tuesday's opening session. “The market's been up and down this week,” Marquez admitted. “But a good horse is going to sell and I'm happy overall with all of my results.” –@SGrimmTDN The post Top of the Market Remains Strong as $1.3-Million Uncle Mo Colt Tops OBS Thursday Session appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis made a surprise visit to the Ocala Breeders' Sales Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training, just before the start of the third session April 17. View the full article

Showing some power late in the game, Mila Rose (Vekoma–Lucky Lady Lawyer, by Lawyer Ron) rallied to keep her perfect record intact as she successfully faced allowance types at Keeneland on Thursday afternoon. The 7-5 choice was keen early, but the 3-year-old filly was shuffled towards the middle of the pack. Needing to bring her 'A game' by the top of the lane, Mila Rose started to uncork and her late gears proved best as she won in the final jumps over Wisconsin Gal (Army Mule). The final running time was 1:12.66. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0. Sales History: $50,000 '22 KEENOV; $150,000 '24 OBSMAR. O-West Point Thoroughbreds, Lyden, Michael P. and Olszewski, Michael W.; B-Hugh McQueen Moore; T-Steve Asmussen. Mila Rose takes the step forward from her Turfway MSW win and stays perfect in R8 at Keeneland! @jockeyjoeramos was aboard for trainer Steve Asmussen! TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/oTfVann6AM — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) April 17, 2025 The post Vekoma’s Mila Rose Rolls Late To Stay Perfect At Keeneland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

6th-Keeneland, $110,000, Msw, 4-17, 3yo, f, 7f, 1:28.04, ft, 6 lengths. CLICQUOT (f, 3, Quality Road–Royal Obsession {GSP, $140,857}, by Tapit) ran a distant sixth in her first start at Gulfstream Park Mar. 1. Shipping to Keeneland from Brendan Walsh's Palm Meadows base, the filly put in a pair of solid drills locally before serving as the 7-5 choice here. The 3-year-old was in the mix early and vied for the lead up the backstretch alongside Mazayaat (Bernardini), who incidently finished as the runner-up in their debut race in Hallandale. In control at the quarter pole, Clicquot began to run up the score down the lane and she got her picture taken by six lengths over her opponent. The winner is her dam's last registered foal of record, but she was entered in Elite Power's book for this spring. Royal Obsession was a $1.8-million buy for Don Alberto at the 2017 Keeneland November Sale. Sales History: $375,000 RNA Ylg '23 FTSAUG. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-0, $66,393. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-X-Men Racing IV LLC, Madaket Stables LLC and SF Racing LLC; B-Don Alberto Corporation (KY); T-Brendan P. Walsh. #2 CLICQUOT ($4.84) runs away from the field in the stretch to easily win race 6 at @Keenelandracing. The daughter of Quality Road (@LanesEndFarms) was ridden by @iradortiz and is trained by @brenpwalsh. Watch more on @FanDuelTV. pic.twitter.com/Sbt8VpPnwf — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) April 17, 2025 The post Quality Road Filly Clicquot Walks Stage At Keeneland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Private Terms winner Pay Billy and Withers runner-up Surfside Moon lead a competitive field in the Federico Tesio April 19 at Laurel Park. The 1 1/8-mile event offers any Triple Crown-nominated runner that wins a starting slot in the Preakness (G1).View the full article

Outstanding mares Kimochi and Magic Time will be striving to raise another group 1 victory for their Yarraman Park sires—and yet another for owners Yulong—when they contest the April 19 All Aged Stakes (G1) at Randwick Racecourse.View the full article

Godolphin's Good Cheer, the likely favorite for the May 2 Kentucky Oaks (G1), turned in her most serious work to date April 17 at Churchill Downs with a five-furlong breeze in a sharp :59 2/5, the fastest of 10 at the distance.View the full article

Official Kentucky Derby (G1) preps have concluded this spring, but not those for horses under consideration for the second leg of the Triple Crown: the May 17 Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico Race Course.View the full article

A lawsuit filed seeking damages after Rich Strike finished second in the 2022 Lukas Classic Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs was dismissed by Jefferson Circuit Court in Louisville, Ky.View the full article

In this continuing series, we take a look ahead at US-bred and/or conceived runners entered for the upcoming weekend at the tracks on the Japan Racing Association circuit, with a focus on pedigree and/or performance in the sales ring. Here are the horses of interest for this weekend running at Hanshin and Nakayama Racecourses: Saturday, April 19, 2025 2nd-HSN, ¥10,600,000 ($74k), Maiden, 3yo, 1200m AALLOTTARET (f, 3, Practical Joke–Folklore, by Tiznow), the latest offspring of 2005 champion juvenile filly Folklore to make the races, cost her connections $260,000 at the 2023 Keeneland September yearling sale and has seen her pedigree take flight over the last handful of seasons. This filly's half-sister Rhodochrosite (Unbridled's Song) is the dam of 2020 Japanese Triple Crown winner Contrail (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and assured that another half-sister, Cherokee Maiden (Distorted Humor), would prove a hot commodity when she was offered at Keeneland November that fall. Hammered down to Narvick International for $1.85 million, she has since produced Mistress (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn})–Group 3-placed at two in 2024–for her first foal. Folklore is a half-sister to eight winners, including SW & GSP Divided Attention (A.P. Indy) and GSP Delightful Quality (Elusive Quality), dam of two-time Eclipse Award winner and four-time Grade I-winning 'TDN Rising Star' Essential Quality (Tapit); and SW Famed (Uncle Mo). O-Masatake Iida; B-Lewis Thoroughbred Breeding LLC (KY); T-Naosuke Sugai Sunday, April 20, 2025 6th-NKY, ¥15,200,000 ($107k), Allowance, 3yo, 1800m ROSSINIANA (c, 3, Not This Time–Dos Vinos, by Twirling Candy) was a promising second on Kyoto debut back in December and put it all together with a four-length success over this course and distance when last seen Jan. 26 (see below, SC 14). An $850,000 OBS March breezer, the dark bay is out of a winning half-sister to SW China Grove (City Zip), herself the dam of Grade III placegetter Beach Walkn (Cross Traffic). Christophe Lemaire has the return call. The race will be carried across ADW platforms, with post time set for 11:55 p.m. Eastern time late Saturday evening. O-Kazumi Yoshida; B-Tom Durant (KY); T-Tetsuya Kimura The post Not This Time Colt Rossiniani Back In Action at Nakayama appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A colt by Uncle Mo (hip 833) sold to Ramiro Restrepo for $1,300,000 two-thirds of the way through Thursday's third session at OBS April. Consigned by Eddie Woods, the colt is out of a Venezuelan champion 2-year-old in Cacciatora (Ven) and worked a furlong in :10. He is the eighth seven-figure horse sold thus far this week at OBS. The post Uncle Mo Colt Brings $1.3m appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article