Wandering Eyes

HRNZ : Foal update December 2024 Application forms to register this season’s foals were posted out recently to the person who according to our records is the first named owner or lessee of any mare with a 2023/2024 service record. If you have not received an application form and believe you should have, please contact this office. Remember the cost of registration is $195 per foal if application and payment is made by 1 April 2025. The form should be lodged and paid for by the due date even if you do not have all the required details. In this way breeders will avoid the imposition of late fees as outlined in the letter to breeders that accompanied the application form. Payment options for the fees appear in the letter. For more information : Foal Registration Phone: 03-964-1200 HRNZ Freephone: 0508-427-637 P O Box 459 Email: jfrench@hrnz.co.nz Christchurch 8140 View the full article

What Warwick Farm Races Where Warwick Farm Racecourse – 2 Hume Hwy, Warwick Farm NSW 2170 When Wednesday, December 4, 2024 First Race 2:55pm AEDT Visit Dabble Twilight racing returns to Warwick Farm Racecourse on Wednesday afternoon, with a quickfire six-part program set to get underway at 2:55pm local time. The track is rated a Soft 7 at the time acceptances, and with more scattered rainfall expected in the lead-up, punters can anticipate the course to remain in the Soft range prior to the opening event. The rail reverts to the true position the entire circuit. Check out our best bets and quaddie selections down below. Best Bet at Warwick Farm: Accredited Accredited was a good thing licked first-up at Canterbury on November 20, crowded for room at a crucial stage before powering home to miss by a nose. The son of All Too Hard should appreciate stepping out to the 1200m this time around and returns to Warwick Farm, a course where two of his three career wins have come so far. Nash Rawiller will likely drag back to the rear from barrier nine, but with an element of class compared to his rivals, Accredited should have no issue justifying the short price with Neds. Best Bet Race 6 – #1 Accredited (9) 5yo Gelding | T: Joseph Pride | J: Nash Rawiller (59.5kg) +100 with Neds Next Best at Warwick Farm: Froebel Star Froebel Star returns after a 206-day spell and brings some strong form-lines to this BM72 contest. The daughter of Zousain broke her duck in a high-rating maiden at this course on April 1, beating home the likes of El Castello and Powers Of Opal, both of which have gone on to win and place in Group 1 company respectively. The 1000m first-up could be short of her best trip, but with her recent barrier trial at Hawkesbury suggesting she’s returning in supreme order, punters can expect a bold showing by this Ciaron Maher-trained filly. Next Best Race 3 – #6 Froebel Star (6) 3yo Filly | T: Ciaron Maher | J: Jason Collett (54.5kg) +450 with BlondeBet Best Value at Warwick Farm: Call Me Sassy The David Pfieffer-trained Call Me Sassy debuts on the back of an outstanding piece of work at this course on November 8 and represents good each-way value at the $16.00 with horse racing bookmakers. The Zoustar filly cruised to victory on that occasion and appeared to have plenty left in the tank as she cleared out to score by a length going away from her rivals. Jason Collett will be forced to snag back from barrier nine, but with plenty of speed engaged in this maiden contest, it should allow Call Me Sassy to get the last crack at her rivals. Best Value Race 1 – #10 Call Me Sassy (9) 3yo Filly | T: David Pfieffer | J: Jason Collett (55.5kg) +1500 with Picklebet Wednesday quaddie tips for Warwick Farm Warwick Farm quadrella selections December 4, 2024 1-4-6 1-2-3 1-4-5 1 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

After more than 60 years and a multitude of top-flight success in the role, the Dennis brothers have retired from training. The family’s successful journey began with small beginnings in 1960, when Tony Dennis and his twin brother Ray followed in the footsteps of their father Harold, who owned several racehorses at the time. Their younger brothers, Martin and Joe, joined the partnership soon after, and they have been based at Woodlands, near Invercargill, throughout the six-decade term. “Age is the primary reason (for retirement), but the guy who was working for us has gone to learn other things, he was from Ukraine and came to us from there,” Tony Dennis said. “Ray and I have been training for coming up 65 years, our father had been involved in racing and there was a couple of horses in the paddock that had been in work with another trainer, so we decided to have a go. Six weeks later, we had our first win and two seconds. “We’re farmers and it was sort of a hobby at the start, doing two or three horses. It got a bit bigger in the later years, we started racing more horses and employing staff, while carrying on with the farms. “One of the first horses we had was The Wanderer, he won 18 races.” The partnership’s final winner came on Melbourne Cup Day at Wingatui with The Cluster, one of three horses they have relocated to the Ascot Park stable of Tony’s son, Robert. The other pair include three-race winner The Hangover, and The Radiant One, winner of this year’s Listed Timaru Stakes (1400m). The Radiant One was among many Group and Listed winners to the brothers’ credit, with The Twinkle producing their elite-level crown in the 1981 running of the Penfold-Chardon Mile (now run as the Gr.1 TAB Mufhasa Classic). The Twinkle was one of three notable horses mentioned by Dennis, with 16-race winner The Dimple and The Fantasy, who was successful on eight occasions, also among their brightest. “Usually, it’s the horse that’s going well at the time,” he quipped. “But, to train a Group One winner was good, also the Group Twos and Threes. “When we first started, there was no Group or Listed races, just stakes races. We just raced horses in the race without targeting black-print races. “We’ve had horses like The Pearler, she won two or three Listed races as well.” Alongside their training accolades, the Dennis brothers have established one of New Zealand’s foremost thoroughbred families as breeders, featuring a number of horses carrying the prefix “The”, with several they retained to race with other trainers around the country. Among the family was 1993 Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) winner The Phantom Chance, star race mare The Jewel and more recently, The Chosen One, a Group One winner and Gr.1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) and Gr.1 Sydney Cup (3200m) placegetter who now stands at The Oaks Stud. Their achievements across both sectors were recognised at the 2015 Horse of the Year Awards, receiving the Outstanding Contribution to Racing Award. While their time training may have come to an end, Dennis indicated the brothers would continue breeding into the future, with a pair of horses set to go through the ring at the Karaka Yearling Sales in January. “We’ll continue to breed horses, it’s just the training we’ve given up,” he said. “We’ve bred a lot of horses and sold a lot of horses, quite a few Group One winners as well. I think it’s the good Southland grass, we make sure they’re well-fed. We’ve always had a tendency to go to proven sires, not every time, but typically we like to see their progeny racing first which helps. “On the breeding side, the best horse we’ve had would have to be The Phantom, who ran second in the Melbourne Cup and The Phantom Chance, he won a Cox Plate. The Jewel was another good horse we had and we also bred a VRC Oaks winner with Brian Anderton. “It was brilliant racing The Chosen One, but the two years of COVID were very unfortunate as we couldn’t go over to watch him in either of the Melbourne Cups or the Sydney Cup. But, to get a horse as good as him was amazing, and breeding-wise, he’d be the best we’ve bred. We’ve sent two or three mares to him so far, but we’ve got to be careful not to inbreed. “We’ll have two yearlings at the sales this year, a colt by Savabeel out of The Solitaire, who is a full-brother to The Perfect Pink, who won the 1000 Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m). The other is a filly by Proisir out of The Lustre, who finished third in the 1000 Guineas.” View the full article

Moira and Kieran Murdoch will head to Arawa Park on Wednesday with a quartet of runners including Divine Essence (NZ) (Iffraaj), who will aim for back-to-back successes at the venue in the Waitomo Fuels (1950m). The Iffraaj mare was successful a fortnight ago in Rating 65 grade over the same distance, an improvement in form that the Murdoch’s had hoped for. “It wasn’t so much of a surprise, more so that she got things her way in the running which she needs,” Kieran Murdoch said. “She lacks a bit of confidence in amongst horses, so we’re not upset about the wide barrier this time. We’re hoping for a repeat and Craig (Grylls, jockey) did a lovely job on her last time.” Divine Essence has drawn an outside barrier with Grylls retaining the ride, while stablemate Myla (NZ) (Swiss Ace) will line-up in the same race with some sharp recent form including a third placing in Rating 75 grade at Ellerslie behind Cannon Hill and Mars. “She (Myla) is a pretty versatile little mare, she doesn’t mind the distance or surface and she tries really hard,” Kieran Murdoch said. “Unfortunately, the programming meant that both girls landed in the same race which isn’t what we would prefer, and they are two very different horses, but hopefully they’ve both got a show. “Myla is a proper little racehorse.” In the MacMillan Accountants 1950, Loose Change (NZ) (The Bold One) will seek his elusive maiden success after finishing in the first five on 16 occasions. “We did want to get to the 2000, he’s taken 22 starts to win a race which has been a little bit of a surprise, but we’re never disappointed with him either,” Kieran Murdoch said. “While we’re fit and up and going, we thought we’d dabble in that next distance and hope that he likes it. He’s got lovely race manners, but he just seemed to either find one better, or a new desire in the running, like getting to the front too early which has been the case recently. “He’s a bit of a trick, but we do thoroughly enjoy having him.” The stable is looking forward to continuing the development of Charlemagne (NZ) (Tavistock) in the Campbell Infrastructure 1560, a half-brother to four-race winner C’est Moi. The four-year-old pleased his trainers on debut at Te Aroha, finishing fifth behind Sabik. “We were really happy with that run, he’s bred for double the ground and he’s going to be a nice stayer,” Kieran Murdoch said. “He goes like one and he thought they were pretty quick over the 1400, so the extra distance will only help. “We intend to keep going up the distances, we have the long-term goal in mind for him. “If he ran as well as he did over the 1400m and keep showing us that he wants more ground, we’ll be happy with that, he’s a really nice horse.” View the full article

Winterbottom Stakes Day at Ascot headlined the racing in Australia last Saturday, while Caulfield, Rosehill and Doomben held strong support cards throughout the day. With top-line racing starting to slow down in Victoria and New South Wales, the three runners that we have chosen for this week’s Follow Files were first- or second-up last weekend. You can add these runners to your blackbook with your chosen bookmaker and receive notifications when they are set to run again. Ascot Track rating: Good 4 Rail position: +7m entire circuit Race 7: Listed Jungle Dawn Classic (1400m) | Time: 1:22.75 Horse to follow: Bonjoy (3rd) Following her late scratching before the Listed Jungle Mist Classic, where she was heavily backed with horse racing bookmakers, the Jason Miller-trained Bonjoy returned for her first run of this preparation last weekend. The daughter of Maschino raced in her usual pattern, dropping out to the back of the field before weaving her way through traffic to run home strongly. Clint Johnston-Porter took a run along the inside rail, and it appeared as though they were going to challenge the leading duo, but Bonjoy peaked on her run and held on for third place. When to bet: After a decent first-up performance last campaign, this girl rattled off four straight wins over distances between 1500m and 1675m. The Listed Starstruck Classic (1600m) on December 14 looks like the perfect race for Bonjoy, who will appreciate a rise in trip second-up. https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Ascot-2024-Listed-Jungle-Dawn-Classic-30112024-The-Boss-Lady-Michael-Lane-Chris-Parnham.mp4 Race 9: RTG66+ Handicap (1400m) | Time: 1:23.51 Horse to follow: The Spruiker (2nd) The Spruiker was one of very few horses that ran on down the middle and made up a lot of ground against the on-speed bias of the Ascot track. The Steve Wolfe-trained gelding settled last and travelled sweetly for Shaun McGruddy before peeling out to be the widest runner down the home straight. With the winner and third horse gaining runs closer to the inside, this son of I’m All The Talk let down with a blistering turn of foot to finish third, beaten a length by Miss Skyhigh. When to bet: This setup for The Spruiker looks exactly the same as his last preparation, where he had two good runs over 1400m before stepping up to 1600m third-up to land the prize. If Wolfe can find a similar contest in the same grade over 1600m, The Spruiker can win next start. https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Ascot-Race-9-RTG66-Handicap-30112024-Miss-Skyhigh-Grant-Alana-Williams-William-Pike.mp4 Rosehill Track rating: Soft 7 Rail position: True entire circuit Race 10: Benchmark 78 Handicap (1100m) | Time: 1:05.04 Horse to follow: Jewellery (5th) Jewellery was one of the worst watches for her followers last Saturday, as the James Cummings-trained mare ran up behind runners for the majority of the Rosehill home straight. After jumping slowly, Adam Hyeronimus settled the daughter of Lonhro at the back of the field, and upon turning for home, he looked for gaps to appear between runners. One gap opened up but was quickly shut, and the pair were held up for another 100m before finally finding clear air when the race was all but over. When to bet: Although her second-up form isn’t great, it is easy to argue that Jewellery didn’t expend too much energy and should be cherry ripe for her next run. If Cummings can find another 1100m race on a firmer track, she will prove hard to beat. https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Rosehill-Race-10-BM78-Handicap-30112024-Eye-Of-The-Fire-Annabel-Neasham-Rob-Archibald-Jason-Collett.mp4 Top horse racing sites for blackbook features Horse racing tips View the full article

What Caulfield Heath Races Where Caulfield Racecourse – Gate 2, Station St, Caulfield East VIC 3145 When Wednesday, December 4, 2024 First Race 3:40pm AEDT Visit Dabble The Caulfield Heath track is in action for the third time in 14 days, with eight midweek metropolitan races set down for decision. Up to 15mm of rain is forecast on Tuesday, so the Soft 5 rating at the time of acceptances will likely be downgraded to around a Soft 7 come race one. The rail comes out 4m for the entire circuit, with racing at Caulfield set to commence at 3:40pm AEDT. Best Bet at Caulfield Heath: Samangu Samangu was a smart first-up winner at Ballarat on October 24, quickening nicely to score by two lengths. The four-year-old was fresh from a 77-week layoff, so she will only improve on what she did that day. Jordan Childs will likely land the Written By mare in a similar position, and if she offers the same kick as she did at Ballarat, Samangu will be hard to catch. Best Bet Race 4 – #4 Samangu (10) 4yo Mare | T: Grahame Begg | J: Jordan Childs (59.5kg) +110 with Neds Next Best at Caulfield Heath: Cyclone Harmony Cyclone Harmony was a dominant 3.8-length winner at Moe on November 21, making it two wins from his last three starts. With Tianni Chapman on board claiming 3kg, the five-year-old gelding is likely to settle up on speed from barrier six in this 1800m BM64 affair. Cyclone Harmony looks to have a bit of a class and fitness edge on her rivals. Next Best Race 7 – #2 Cyclone Harmony (6) 5yo Gelding | T: Peter Gelagotis | J: Tianni Chapman (a3) (61.5kg) +450 with BlondeBet Best Value at Caulfield Heath: Kind Gesture Kind Gesture put in a shocker last time out at Caulfield in a tougher race than this, but her run prior at Moonee Valley showed signs that she still has what it takes. The six-year-old mare is a natural backmarker, so the small field of seven should mean she is within striking range throughout. Horse racing bookmakers are giving us a decent price to find out if Kind Gesture can bounce back. Best Value Race 2 – #1 Kind Gesture (7) 6yo Mare | T: Michael Kent | J: Craig Williams (59kg) +800 with Picklebet Wednesday quaddie tips for Caulfield Heath Caulfield Heath quadrella selections Wednesday, December 4, 2024 1-2-3-4-5-6-7 1-2-3-4-7-8 2-3-10 4-9-10-11-12-14 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Kiwi trainer reveals his extraordinary journey to breeding red-hot Hong Kong Sprint favourite.View the full article

Hunter Durrant (left) has been promoted to Te Akau Racing’s assistant trainer. Photo: Race Images South Hunter Durrant has been rewarded for his commitment to leading Te Akau Racing’s Riccarton barn with promotion to assistant trainer for the trans-Tasman operation. Te Akau principal David Ellis was impressed with Durrant’s dedication and success as foreman for their Riccarton stable last season, with their southern base contributing 63 wins to Te Akau trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson’s national premiership-winning 169-win season tally, and Ellis felt it was fitting to reward Durrant with a promotion. “Hunter looked after everything when we started a permanent base of stables last season at Riccarton, and he continues to do a fantastic job,” Ellis said. “Much like Nicole Shailer, our assistant trainer in the stables at Matamata, and Ben Gleeson, our assistant trainer at Cranbourne in Melbourne, Hunter is the eyes and ears for Mark and Sam when it comes to how the horses and staff are performing, and the training regimes are worked out through the upkeep of data and communications. “We love supporting South Island racing and first had stables in 2002 at Rangiora, which helped Mark (Walker) to win five premierships before he left to set up stables for us in 2011 in Singapore. “It was timely to set up permanently again there last season, with the stables at Riccarton, and Hunter has been instrumental in the success. “He’s a level-headed young man, a really good horseman, doesn’t get flustered, and has a great personality to get on with our owners and staff. “We feel very fortunate to have Hunter in our team and elevating him to assistant trainer is the right thing to do because he deserves that sort of reward for all his hard work.” Horse racing news View the full article

Future History. (Photo by Brett Holburt/Racing Photos) Ciaron Maher is aiming for his first Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) victory on Saturday with the in-form Future History. A Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) runner last spring, Future History has shown his best form this spring over shorter distances. After being narrowly beaten in the Group 3 Naturalism Stakes (2000m), he claimed victory in the Group 3 JRA Cup (2000m) and most recently finished a courageous fourth in last month’s Group 1 Champions Stakes (2000m) behind Via Sistina. It was that performance in the Champions Stakes that gives Maher confidence that the seven-year-old is the right horse to land the Ballarat feature. “He ran a personal best last start and he trialled really well,” Maher told Racing.com. “He’s been in consistent form all prep and probably that was a peak run last start. It was a little bit of a throw at the stumps, and he came up very well.” Maher now views the 2000-metre distance as a more suitable range for Future History than the longer distances he had previously contested, as evidenced by his 13th in the Group 1 Metropolitan (2400m) in October, which remains his only finish outside the top four this campaign. Horse racing news View the full article

Lady Laguna. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Group 1-winning mare Lady Laguna will not contest Saturday week’s The Gold Rush (1400m) at Ascot following her sixth-place finish in the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) last Saturday. The $1.5 million feature had been the goal for the Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald-trained five-year-old, but connections have opted to end her campaign after her disappointing performance. “Lady Laguna has pulled up well from her run in the Winterbottom Stakes and will now head home to Sydney,” a statement from the mare’s owners, OTI Racing, said. “She will have a well-deserved break before embarking on an autumn campaign, where we look forward to seeing her back in her favoured right-hand direction.” A winner of the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) at Randwick in March, Lady Laguna had been a popular $4.50 chance in early markets with Neds for The Gold Rush. Horse racing news View the full article

Golden Mile winning the 2022 Caulfield Guineas. (Photo by Reg Ryan/Racing Photos) Just days before last year’s Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) winner Griff is set to be offered on Inglis Digital, the 2022 winner of the same race is preparing to resume his racing career. It has been announced that Golden Mile, the 2022 Caulfield Guineas champion, has been gelded and will return to training under James Cummings. “After missing much of the breeding season due to injury, Golden Mile will return to training as a gelding with Godolphin under head trainer James Cummings,” Godolphin stated in a social media announcement on Monday. Golden Mile was initially retired after finishing third in May’s Group 2 Victory Stakes (1200m), which was won by Antino. He had been scheduled to stand at Darley’s Victorian stud for a fee of $16,500, but injury derailed those plans. Now a five-year-old, Golden Mile was the first Group 1 winner for Astern, who also stands at Darley. Golden Mile’s career highlights include his victory in the Caulfield Guineas as the favourite, along with wins in the Group 2 Callander-Presnell (1600m) and Group 2 Theo Marks Quality (1300m). Golden Mile’s situation is reminiscent of Godolphin’s Kementari, who also returned to training after fertility issues. The 2018 Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) winner added four more wins to his record upon returning, including the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m). Horse racing news View the full article

The hype around Ka Ying Rising is only going to grow as the week progresses, while Japan will be eager to avoid another blank on Sha Tin’s biggest day.View the full article

This week, following the news that jumps racing has been saved, NZTR boss Bruce Sharrock joins Michael to discuss why, and what still needs to be done to help it long-term. And what now for Hawke’s Bay and Avondale? Plus, how Sharrock’s feeling about leaving the role. Guerin Report – Ep. 14, Ft. Bruce Sharrock – The Future of Jumps, Hawke’s Bay and Avondale View the full article

Hunter Durrant has been rewarded for his commitment to leading Te Akau Racing’s Riccarton barn with promotion to assistant trainer for the trans-Tasman operation. Te Akau principal David Ellis was impressed with Durrant’s dedication and success as foreman for their Riccarton stable last season, with their southern base contributing 63 wins to Te Akau trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson’s national premiership-winning 169-win season tally, and Ellis felt it was fitting to reward Durrant with a promotion. “Hunter looked after everything when we started a permanent base of stables last season at Riccarton, and he continues to do a fantastic job,” Ellis said. “Much like Nicole Shailer, our assistant trainer in the stables at Matamata, and Ben Gleeson, our assistant trainer at Cranbourne in Melbourne, Hunter is the eyes and ears for Mark and Sam when it comes to how the horses and staff are performing, and the training regimes are worked out through the upkeep of data and communications. “We love supporting South Island racing and first had stables in 2002 at Rangiora, which helped Mark (Walker) to win five premierships before he left to set up stables for us in 2011 in Singapore. “It was timely to set up permanently again there last season, with the stables at Riccarton, and Hunter has been instrumental in the success. “He’s a level-headed young man, a really good horseman, doesn’t get flustered, and has a great personality to get on with our owners and staff. “We feel very fortunate to have Hunter in our team and elevating him to assistant trainer is the right thing to do because he deserves that sort of reward for all his hard work.” View the full article

A chance purchase at Karaka has proved to be an outstanding piece of business for Waikato breeders and owners Ross and Corrine Kearney. While wandering around the complex, a winning daughter of Conatus caught their attention and they followed through to secure Signorina for $6,000 out of Westbury Stud’s draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s Broodmare Sale. She has proved to be a gem for the couple with Saturday’s Listed Armacup Stakes (1500m) winner Checkmate (NZ) (Mongolian Khan), who is raced under their Okaharau Station banner, her latest success story. “She’s been fantastic, it was a bit of a spur of the moment job,” Ross Kearney said. “We didn’t actually go to the sale to look at her but saw her being paraded and thought we like her and got her with a last bid, we had decided that was enough.” She was in foal to Swiss Ace and the result was Jodelin Gal, who won seven races and placed in the Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) and the Listed Tauranga Classic (1400m), and is now in foal to Paddington. Signorina’s visit to Mongolian Khan then produced Bankers Choice, who won five of his first 10 starts from Stephen Marsh’s stable and culminating in success in the Gr.3 Thompson Handicap (1600m). He was subsequently sold to clients of Michael Moroney’s Flemington stable with the Kearneys remaining in the ownership group. “We’ve still got shares in him and (three-time winner) Grand Impact, Bankers Choice’s next race will be the Ballarat Cup (Listed, 2000m),” he said. His last win was in the 2022 edition of the race, and he’s also been a multiple stakes placegetter, including a third in the Gr.1 Toorak Handicap (1600m), since relocating across the Tasman. “He hasn’t been racing very well this spring, but in his last race at Moonee Valley he did look a bit sharper.” His brother Checkmate has posted consecutive wins following a debut second for trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott to attract buyer interest. “At this stage he is looking good, we had a phone call before the race and they decided not to proceed,” Kearney said. “He’s coming home for a few days now to have a rest and put his feet up.” A slot in the $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) is likely to be the aim for Checkmate, who also has younger half-siblings coming through. “We’ve got an Ace High two-year-old in training, she’s with Janenne Dalley who generally breaks in our horses,” Kearney said. “The mare’s also got a Vadamos yearling who was a feisty wee boy, so he was gelded early and he’s still got some spirit. “She’s got a foal at foot, a filly by Staphanos, and she’ll be going to Turn Me Loose. We’ll only give her one chance because it’s getting quite late. “The only one who missed was by Time Test (Justadude), it didn’t work out for us and we sold him so hopefully he can go on and win a race somewhere else.” View the full article

The Maryland Jockey Club announces the retirement of Ken Brown, whose tenure as track superintendent has been marked by extraordinary contributions to Maryland racing.View the full article

Ken Brown, who held the position of Track Superintendent at the Maryland Jockey Club (MJC), officially retired from the organization Dec. 1. To ensure a smooth transition, Danny Finke has been appointed Interim Track Superintendent. With 40 years of experience on the MJC track crew, Finke has a deep knowledge of track maintenance making him an ideal choice to step into this interim role. “Ken Brown's leadership has been instrumental in navigating MJC through a challenging period and raising the standard of our racing surfaces,” said Mike Rogers, Acting President MJC. “As we prepare for his well-earned retirement, we are confident in Danny Finke's ability to lead during this transitional period. Danny's experience and dedication ensure that Maryland's racing operations remain strong and seamless.” The post Ken Brown Retires as MJC Track Superintendent, Danny Finke Named Interim appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A dozen of the best jockeys from all corners of the globe–four based locally and eight from overseas–come together Wednesday evening at Hong Kong's iconic Happy Valley Racecourse for the Longines International Jockeys' Championship. Widely recognized as the premier contest of its kind, the IJC carries total prize money of HK$1 million, to be divided up three ways, with the winner taking home a checque for HK$600,000, while the second- and third-place finishers earn HK$250,000 and HK$150,000, respectively. Vincent Ho, best known for his association with the now retired three-time G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile hero Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro) found the podium in the IJC in 2018, 2019 and 2022 before just getting the better of Zac Purton– Hong Kong's perennial leading rider–in 2023. Ever humble, Ho is relishing another crack at displaying his talents on this stage. “Since I started my riding career, I always wanted to be one of the IJC participating jockeys and now I treasure every opportunity to be part of it and enjoying it,” he said. “All the participating jockeys are experienced world-class riders, on and off the track we have plenty of chances to share. This is really a golden chance to improve yourself.” Purton, who is within striking distance of breaking the all-time record for wins in Hong Kong currently held by Douglas Whyte, took out the IJC for the first time in 2017 before adding victories in 2020 and 2021. The Aussie's four rides on Wednesday each drew low gates, never a negative at Happy Valley, but Purton is downplaying his chances. “I would have preferred a bit more quality there,” Purton said. “I think I have my work cut out for me.” Among the overseas challenge are Hollie Doyle, who became the first female to win a leg of the IJC en route to finishing a joint-third in 2020, and Rachel King, English by birth and now a successful jockey in Sydney. “It's an honour to be selected,” says Doyle, who rode the 1000th winner of her career at Goodwood this past September. “The HKJC pick jockeys from the best around the world that they know will be competitive and serious in their attempt to win the trophy. It creates quite an intense atmosphere. “We all get on great,” she continued. “We know each other from travelling the world, but everyone is there for only one thing, and that is to win. It is the atmosphere it should be when you are riding at that level, competing for that amount of money. It's intense, and that's how I like it really.” Ryan Moore last won the IJC in 2010, following his three-way dead-heat the year prior, and makes the short trip down from Japan, where he rode Dura Erede (Jpn) to a close third in the G1 Champions Cup at the weekend. He, too, always looks forward to the IJC “Racing in Hong Kong is probably the most competitive in the world and I'm always delighted to take part when I'm asked,” he said. “You do always have a chance because [Happy Valley is] that sort of track and the horses are evenly matched. But there could just be a standout in one leg, one that's ahead of his mark, that's just the nature of racing.” Completing the 2024 IJC field are: William Buick representing Great Britain alongside Doyle; Mickael Barzalona (France); Colin Keane (Ireland); Yuga Kawada (Japan); James McDonald (New Zealand), Hugh Bowman and Karis Teetan (Hong Kong, China). The IJC is contested over four legs and points are awarded on a 12-6-4 basis. Wednesday's program kicks off at 6:30 p.m. HKT (10:30 a.m. BST, 5:30 a.m. US Eastern Time), with the first of the IJC legs set to jump at 8:10 p.m. Click here for the HKJC form guide. The post World’s Top Riders Converge On Happy Valley For Longines IJC appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

BH Interview: Tommy Wente of St. Simon PlaceView the full article

Cem Sevim, a Turkish owner/breeder, is growing his international breeding and racing program with the acquisition of stallion prospect Beatbox, a graded stakes-winning son of Pioneerof the Nile and sibling to multiple grade 1 winner Guarana.View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred 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 siblings to Group 1 winners and offspring of Group 1 winning mares. 14.30 Deauville, Mdn, €30,000, unraced 2yo, c/g, 9 1/2f (AWT) Alain and Gerard Wertheimer's KINDLEO (GB) (Frankel {GB}) is a Christophe Ferland-trained full-brother to last term's G1 Prix de la Foret heroine Kelina (GB). The April-foaled homebred bay, whose stakes-winning dam Incahoots (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) is out of Group 3-winning matriarch In Clover (GB) (Inchinor {GB}), is opposed by 11 in this newcomers' test. 15.05 Deauville, Mdn, €30,000, unraced 2yo, f, 9 1/2f (AWT) Christophe Ferland trainee ROOBA (IRE) (Dubawi {Ire}), another notable Wertheimer homebred, is a half-sister to three black-type performers headed by dual G1 Prix Royal-Oak hero Double Major (Ire) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}). She encounters 11 rivals in this debutantes' heat. 15.40 Deauville, Mdn, €30,000, 2yo, c/g, 7 1/2f (AWT) Godolphin's CUALIFICAR (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) is a son of G1 Oaks heroine Qualify (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) and thus kin to this year's G3 Jebel Ali Mile victor Swing Vote (GB) (Shamardal). Qualify, a 1.6-million guineas purchase at the 2015 Tattersalls December sale, was knocked down to Ballylinch for €650,000 at last month's Goffs November sale. The Andre Fabre nominee, one of 10 declarations, posted a promising close-up third in his Saint-Cloud debut last month. The post Full Brother to Group 1 Heroine Kelina in Line for Deauville Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

On Saturday at Churchill Downs, 2-year-old Patch Adams (Into Mischief)–yes, as in the 1998 Robin Williams film where the best line might be, “Donner, party of 50!”–earned his very own 'Rising Star' on TDN's Walk of Fame. The colt turned in what Alan Carasso called “a jaw-dropping performance” as he broke his maiden by an eye-catching 10 1/2 lengths at second asking. The time over the fast main track was just 0.33 off the record held by MGISW Groupie Doll. Thoroughbred bloodlines can highlight connections to a rich past and a provide a link to a potentially bright future. It's what being a 'Rising Star' is all about. To quote Alanis Morissette's song, we could ask “isn't it ironic” that Patch Adams–owned by WinStar, CHC and Siena–is out of SW Well Humored (Distorted Humor), whose own dam Life Well Lived (Tiznow) is a full-sister to G1 Dubai World Cup hero Well Armed? Irony rises to periscope depth since the gelding who conquered the desert in 2009 just happens to be the subject of a new book entitled Well Armed, A Thoroughbred of Destiny by Jay Hovdey that was published last month by Johnsen Holdings. As we know, Thoroughbred biographies can provide insight into not only the athlete, but the people behind them. Hovdey, who has won more Eclipse writing awards than Carter's got pills, is at his best when it comes to creative angles. The author opens with a nameless screenwriter making a pitch to a Hollywood producer. It's like something out of Spielberg's The Fablemans (2022) and it works as an introduction into the world of Bill Casner who co-founded WinStar Farm alongside his friend Kenny Troutt. Casner is a larger-than-life personality who seemingly socked home run after home run from the offing. Hovdey's device takes us through his early life on the dirt track circuits of the Midwest as the Texan meets future wife Susan and applies elbow grease to make a life for his family. The blockbuster public listing of Excel Telecommunications in the late 1990s was a Count of Monte Cristo moment for Casner and Troutt, who turned their Thoroughbred dreams into a reality when they bought what would become WinStar in 2000. Well Armed won the 2009 Dubai World Cup | Horsephotos As Hovdey goes on to explain, the $150,000 purchase at the 2001 Keeneland November Sale of Well Dressed, who was in foal to Awesome Again, was a lynchpin moment. The book accentuates Casner's story with meaningful background into how Tiznow became a sire and the origins of the Dubai World Cup. Before Well Armed came into the world, the Casner Family's was absolutely shattered with the horrendous passing of their daughter Karri. The rising star was killed in a 2002 terrorist bombing while she was traveling in Bali. The son of Tiznow's foaling a year later on Karri's birthday provided the Casners with a salve and assisted at least in some measure with their grief. Like his screenwriter, Hovdey reminds us that trials and tribulations were to follow. During his 3-year-old season, Well Armed injured a knee in the G2 U.A.E. Derby. After shipping home for treatment, he accidently fractured his pelvis. Casner remained resolute that he could engineer a rehab program by having the horse swim laps at his Texas ranch. It worked and over a year later Well Armed returned to the racetrack. Enter trainer Eoin Harty and rider Aaron Gryder, who according to Hovdey had a 'reality' moment during a fishing trip in the Persian Gulf. The pair form the core of Well Armed's run through the 2009 Dubai World Cup. What many might not remember is that the gelding ran third to superstar Curlin the year prior. The monograph is chock full of Casner's sharp takes on everything from equine fiduciary responsibility to the debate over the sanctity of all-weather surface technology. Make no mistake, in Hovdey's hands Well Armed is the furthest thing from film noir. What we find here is the very marrow of our equine world. More in the spirit of Patch Adams, the book is once again a refreshing reminder of how a Thoroughbred can heal humans. Well Armed, A Thoroughbred of Destiny by Johnsen Holdings Publishing, 164 pages, photos, November 2024. The post Book Review: Hovdey’s Script Brings Well Armed Story To Bear appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Addington will run two contrasting meetings this week, with its First December Midweek meeting tomorrow ahead of Derby Race night on Friday. There’ll be eight races on Wednesday, starting at 5.19pm. Friday’s meeting, starting at 5.01pm, is highlighted by the Trotting and Pacing Derbies, as well as the inaugural running of the $200,000 Christian Cullen for the four-year-old pacers. The features of Auckland’s Friday meeting include the $40,000 Thames Goldfields Summer Cup where the likes of Sooner The Bettor and The Big Lebowski will battle it out, the $40,000 Caduceus Club Northern Breeders Stakes and the $40,000 Thames Members Handicap Trot. The grass track at Orari hosts the Geraldine Trotting Club meeting on Saturday with Forbury Park rounding out the harness racing week at Wingatui on Sunday. Addington’s last major meeting of the year By Michael Guerin The barrier draw luck was shared around for Addington’s last major meeting of the year this Friday night. While Nathan and Mark Purdon may have got it in the draw for the $200,000 Christian Cullen for the four-year-olds, they were on the receiving end in the other big boy’s pace for the night. New Zealand Cup runner-up Don’t Stop Dreaming gained what could be a crucial tactical advantage over arch-rival Merlin by drawing the ace in the first running of the Christian Cullen. While Merlin may have more natural gate speed from barrier 6, if he uses it he faces an early burn and more than than likely Don’t Stop Dreaming sitting on his back in the 2600m mobile, which has come on to the calendar as a Group 1. But in the $300,000 Garrards NZ Pacing Derby it is Merlin’s trainers Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan who appear to have got the better of the draws with Better Knuckle Up to start from barrier 3 (if the emergencies come out) while Chase A Dream for the other Purdons faces barrier 7. Unlike the Christian Cullen the Derby appears to have more chances because while last-start Velocity winner Better Knuckle Up is now assured of favouritism this is a crop that has never really worked itself out and this race could even decide three-year-old of the year. If Better Knuckle Up wins it he could be the unlikely late title claimer, Chase A Dream would have obvious claims if he won but if neither does the injured Cold Chisel could even win the title for his early season exploits. What is far less open is the $200,000 Garrards NZ Trotting Derby in which Keayang Zahara has drawn perfectly at barrier 4 and the best thing the TAB bookies could do to drive turnover might be to open a market on how much she wins by. Best guess, more than 3 lengths. Add in the Braxton Farriers Group 3 Worthy Queen Trot, in which Oscar Bonavena and Muscle Mountain back up from Methven but face 20m handicaps over 2000m and Addington rounds out two huge months of racing on a high. To see Friday night’s fields – for Addington click here For Auckland click here View the full article

Listed placed Blue Brother (Fr) (Intello {Ger}) has been sold to Wathnan Racing and will winter in Qatar for the growing international operation, as reported by Jour de Galop on Monday evening. According to the publication, Blue Brother has been listed as out of training on the France Galop website due to the pending export. When reached for comment, former owner/breeder Francis Teboul–operating under the Gemini Stud moniker–confirmed the sale. “With the colt, we had the ambition to race in Qatar during the winter because we were convinced that he would be capable of doing well there,” Teboul told Jour de Galop. “But in the meantime we received a purchase offer and we accepted it. Blue Brother will go to Qatar but he will now defend the colours of Wathnan Racing.” The Gianluca Bietolini-trainee has placed in five of seven lifetime starts, including most recently in the Listed Prix Tantieme where he was on the losing end of the bob on the line. He'd won a pair of handicaps in two prior outings before that effort. The post Blue Brother Sold to Wathnan Racing for Winter Qatar Campaign appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Kenny McPeek purchased the son of Connect at the 2020 Keeneland September Yearling Sale for $210,000. Rattle N Roll has earned more than $2.1 million, with his most recent victory coming Nov. 30 in the Clark Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs. View the full article