Wandering Eyes

Zac Purton has declared Ka Ying Rising’s (NZ) (Shamexpress) outstanding win in the HK$3.72 million Class 1 HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup Handicap (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday the equal-best of the champion sprinter’s stunning career. Extending his unbeaten streak to 13 wins, Ka Ying Rising brushed aside quality opposition under 135lb to triumph in 1m 07.63s – marginally outside his own track record of 1m 07.20s – despite being eased down by Purton as the gelding swept to his 14th win in 16 starts for David Hayes. The world’s top-rated sprinter will enter quarantine tonight in preparation for a tilt at the AU$20 million Gr.1 The Everest (1200m) at Royal Randwick on 18 October after easing to a two-and-a-quarter length victory over fellow four-time Gr.1 winner Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse). “To carry that weight against those horses at that speed first-up and do what he did, it’s probably the equal of any performance he’s put up, I think,” Purton said as the eight-time Hong Kong champion jockey advanced to a five-timer. “He’s come back in really good order. I said to David before the race that he just looks a different horse. He’s furnished really nicely and that’s what we wanted before we get on the plane and go down to Sydney. After starting brilliantly from barrier four in steady rain, Hong Kong’s reigning Horse of the Year settled second behind Bottomuptogether (115lb), who surged from the 800m to the 400m in 21.33s to string out the field, ultimately playing into Purton’s hands. “It went fairly smoothly. If I could have had that run pre-race, I would have taken it,” Purton said. “We got into a nice spot and Beauty Waves on my inside got fired up a little bit and got keen and Alexis (Badel) was looking to edge out, so I just felt my horse back on the bit and travelling, thinking about it. “But then Bottomsuptogether went and it had my bloke having to chase him midrace, which was not what I wanted. I wanted to have him travelling within himself but what it did – because he’d used a bit more energy midrace – he actually changed his leg for the first time in a long time when he came into the straight. Hopefully it’s taught him something. “When he did that, I thought ‘Game over’ and away he went.” After equalling the weight-carrying record he set last season in the same race, Ka Ying Rising is the first horse to win the HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup twice. Hayes said: “We’ve been saying privately that we think he’s better than last year and I think that showed – the time he ran, the way he did it, the weight he carried. He’s bigger and stronger and probably better. “He’s always physically been a backward-looking horse and now I think he looks like a complete sprinter. So, yeah, he’s the best I’ve had. “The worry with this ‘prep’ was running with 135 (lb) at the start, but I didn’t want to go six months between runs, first-up in an Everest. Now I know we’ve got him there, we just maintain him and he holds form for a long time this horse. That’s why he’s a champion. “He’s a pretty good traveller and I’m very confident travelling him.” View the full article

Six years in the making, El Vencedor (NZ) (Shocking) now stands as New Zealand’s champion. The Cambridge-trained galloper was crowned Sport Nation Horse of the Year for 2024 25 at New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing’s black-tie Awards dinner in Hamilton on Sunday night, proof that some champions simply need time to flourish. At six, El Vencedor reached spectacular new heights, becoming the only New Zealand trained horse to win three Group 1 races this season. His dominance saw him secure 45 of the 55 votes cast for the sport’s ultimate honour. He also claimed the Champion Middle Distance Horse – sponsored by Happy Hire Award, and was a finalist among the nation’s top sprinter-milers. Other equine champions included, Champion Two-Year-Old – sponsored by Entain Australia & New Zealand: La Dorada (NZ) (Super Seth), Champion Three-Year-Old – sponsored by TAB New Zealand: Savaglee (NZ) (Savabeel), Champion Sprinter-Miler – sponsored by Taylor Perry Insurance Consultants: Grail Seeker (NZ) (Iffraaj), Champion Stayer – sponsored by Sandfield: Willydoit (NZ) (Tarzino) and Champion Jumper – sponsored by New Zealand Jumps Racing: West Coast (NZ) (Mettre En Jeu). In the people categories, Premiership stars Craig Grylls (Jockey of the Year – sponsored by BcgCrave) and Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson (Trainer of the Year- sponsored by Dunstan Horsefeeds) added New Zealand Thoroughbred Horse of the Year Awards silverware to their tally, while Shaun Fannin claimed his fifth Jumps Jockey of the Year – sponsored by Rothley Recruitment title. Cambridge Stud proprietors Sir Brendan and Lady Lindsay took out Owner of the Year – sponsored by TAB Racing Club. The evening also recognised some of the sport’s most influential contributors. Ross Coles received the prestigious NZTR Award for Outstanding Contribution to Racing after a remarkable 60-year tenure as Clerk of the Course at Ellerslie Racecourse. Two-time Melbourne Cup-winning trainer, Sheila Laxon, was honoured with the NZTR Award for Outstanding Global Achievement. While Stephanie Hyde-Richards (New Zealand Stablehand of the Year – sponsored by Saddlery Warehouse Cambridge & Tauranga) and The Guerin Report (LOVERACING.NZ Award for Contribution to Media, Digital & Content) rounded out the accolades. The battle for Trainer of the Year provided the night’s closest finish, with Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson just edging out Stephen Marsh by five votes, who himself trained El Vencedor. While mares have dominated Horse of the Year honours in recent years, El Vencedor broke the mould, being just the third male galloper to win the title in the past decade. El Vencedor climbed the ranks through his early years, however, his breakthrough came at five with a maiden Group 1 win in the Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie Racecourse. By six, he was near-unbeatable, winning five of his 11 starts in 2024 25, all at Group level, with four of those victories by more than three lengths. That streak included a stunning Group 1 hat-trick, capped by a repeat Bonecrusher triumph where he started a red-hot $1.40 favourite. Bred and raced by Mark Freeman and David Price, El Vencedor (Spanish for the victor) is by Shocking and a brother to Group 2 Brisbane Cup (2200m) winner Chocante (NZ) (Shocking), as well as a half-brother to BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) winner Sky Darci (NZ) (Darci Brahma). Ironically, El Vencedor’s career almost never happened in New Zealand, he was earmarked for Hong Kong after trialling impressively as a two-year-old, but failed strict vet tests. That twist of fate proved golden, with the gelding amassing $1.48 million in stakes this season alone and more than $2 million in total career earnings, while delivering unforgettable moments for his connections. El Vencedor began a new campaign on an encouraging note when fifth in the Group 1 Proisir Plate (1400m) at Ellerslie on Saturday 6 September. A Champion by name, and now officially by title, El Vencedor is New Zealand’s Sport Nation Horse of the Year. 2024-25 New Zealand Thoroughbred Horse of the Year Awards – sponsored by Sport Nation Final Results Jockeys’ Premiership – sponsored by OnTrack: Craig Grylls Trainers’ Premiership – sponsored by Stable Books: Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson (Te Akau Racing) Apprentice Jockeys’ Premiership – sponsored by Iron Horse: Lily Sutherland Owners’ Premiership – sponsored by Bello Vida: Cambridge Stud Newcomer to Training – sponsored by gavelhouse.com: Barbara Kennedy NZB Filly of the Year: Leica Lucy (NZ) (Derryn) LOVERACING.NZ Award for Contribution to Media, Digital & Content: The Guerin Report Other finalists: Aidan Rodley, Andre Neill, Entain Media Branded Video Content Team, Joshua Smith, Ziba Creative. Champion Two-Year-Old – sponsored by Entain Australia & New Zealand: La Dorada (53) Also: Return To Conquer (7) Champion Three-Year-Old – sponsored by TAB New Zealand: Savaglee (37) Also: Leica Lucy (10), Damask Rose (5), Alabama Lass (3), Captured By Love (1), Willydoit Champion Sprinter-Miler – sponsored by Taylor Perry Insurance Consultants: Grail Seeker (34) Also: Alabama Lass (12), El Vencedor (5), Here To Shock (5), Provence (1), Crocetti Champion Middle-Distance Horse – sponsored by Happy Hire: El Vencedor (51) Also: Snazzytavi (5), La Crique (1) Champion Stayer – sponsored by Sandfield: Willydoit (41) Also: Wolfgang (6), Mehzebeen (5), Blue Sky At Night (2), Trav (1) Champion Jumper – sponsored by New Zealand Jumps Racing: West Coast (56) Also: Berry The Cash (2), Jesko (1), Billy Boy New Zealand Stablehand of the Year – sponsored by Saddlery Warehouse Cambridge & Tauranga: Stephanie Hyde-Richards (employed by Autridge Racing) Also: Lucinda Aitken (Sharrock Racing), Gee Saejorhor (Champagne Racing Stables) Jockey of the Year – sponsored by BcgCrave: Craig Grylls (54) Also: Sam Spratt (5) Jumps Jockey of the Year – sponsored by Rothley Recruitment: Shaun Fannin (51) Also: Joshua Parker (8), Portia Matthews (1), Kylan Wiles Trainer of the Year – sponsored by Dunstan Horsefeeds: Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson (Te Akau Racing) (30) Also: Stephen Marsh (Marsh Racing) (25), Lance O’Sullivan & Andrew Scott (Wexford Stables) (1) Owner of the Year – sponsored by TAB Racing Club: Cambridge Stud (35) Also: Tony Rider (6), Denise Bassett & John Elstob (4), JML Bloodstock (3), The Oaks Stud (3), Waikato Stud (2), Gerry Harvey (1), Pencarrow Thoroughbreds (1), Kim & Peter McKay, Kelvin & Vanessa Tyler NZTR Award for Outstanding Contribution to Racing: Ross Coles NZTR Award for Outstanding Global Achievement: Sheila Laxon Sport Nation Horse of the Year: El Vencedor (45 votes) Also: Savaglee (3), Leica Lucy (2), Alabama Lass (1), Captured By Love (1), La Dorada (1), Snazzytavi (1), West Coast (1) View the full article

The Lindsay Park stable of Ben, Will and J D Hayes are in a quandary as to the best way to get Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) to his Group One target of the spring. The Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on October 18 has been earmarked for the nine-time winner at Group 1 level. Ben Hayes said he and his brothers had discussed options for the eight-year-old who returned with a pleasing second in the Gr.1 Memsie Stakes (1600m) at Caulfield on August 30. The Gr.1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday is under consideration, as is the 7 Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday week, with a leaning to the former, although a decision won’t be made until closer to acceptance time on Wednesday. Hayes said the team was not shying away from either Treasurethe Moment or Via Sistina, although the Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 25 is not in their planning. He said the weather would play an important role in their decision, although Hayes joked that wherever Mr Brightside goes, the rain stays away. However, Mr Brightside did score one of his most impressive wins in last year’s Makybe Diva Stakes when he struck a heavy track. Hayes said finding the right program into the King Charles III was difficult. “If we run in the Makybe Diva, it’s five weeks, if we run in the 7 Stakes, it’s four weeks,” Hayes said. “If he runs next week, we could run him in the Feehan Stakes (at Moonee Valley), like we did last year, or we could keep him fresh and not race for five weeks. “It’s tricky, because if you’re not going up in trip, there’s no race that he can really go for, apart from the Feehan. “There looks like there’s plenty of rain next week, so we might stay in Melbourne, but he has come through his run really well and he’s genuinely bucking his brands off.” Hayes said Treasurethe Moment looked special in her return win and is confident of finishing closer to the mare if the decision is made to go to the Makybe Diva. “If you look at the race, she definitely had the cruisiest run in the race and she had the cruisiest win, but we had to work from the barrier, there was high pressure, he absorbed it, and he beat the rest of the field,” Hayes said. “If he goes to the Makybe Diva, he’ll finish a lot closer to her. He’ll improve out of sight. His second-up record is very good, and he was not wound up for it.” With the Cox Plate already on the backburner, Hayes said Mr Brightside was likely to come back to Melbourne for the Gr.1 Champions Mile (1600m) or the Gr.1 Champions Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on the final day of Melbourne Cup week with the potential of backing up into the Gr.1 C F Orr Stakes at Caulfield the following Saturday. “We’ve never backed him up like that before,” Hayes said. View the full article

Mine and Stuey's adventure started just five short years ago. Paired together in an initiative to promote business at Taylor Made Sales Agency, I became Stuey's support staff. It was a perfect pairing with him as the seasoned veteran and me with the green thumb. I was fortunate enough to share in the majority of Stuart's time throughout the week for several years. He and I travelled all over central Kentucky together looking at horses which led us to conversations long and wide in the car rides in between. Our talks had no limitations and only a little judgment. His expertise was deep and rich; I once saw him diagnose a foal with a heart condition just by the way his chest moved when he drew breath. The condition was later confirmed by a highly credible local veterinarian and essentially cemented Stuart's title as the ultimate horse whisperer. Stu drastically changed the trajectory of my career, there is no doubt, and there will never be enough words to thank him with. He shaped my eye but taught me how to form my own opinion on a horse. He gave me the confidence to seize opportunities I didn't think I was good enough for. Stu became my biggest supporter, and I am forever grateful for the life lessons he shared with me. I just wasn't ready for our lessons to end. When Stuart eventually shared his illness with me, the business support naturally expanded into a true friendship as his cancer continued to progress. We leaned on each other during the good and bad, championed each other in times of doubt and success, and celebrated each other with a dinner at Giuseppe's every chance we could, like the time we beat out all others for the prestigious Joss Collins Wooden Spoon Award. As time creeps by, the sting of his absence will eventually diminish, but Stuey will always be around. I know and you know, too; he's too damn stubborn not to be! I can't help but think there was some divine intervention at work five years ago. It seems to be that I found Stuey just as he needed an extra hand and Stuey found me just as I needed one, too. The post Letter to the Editor: Stu Story #7 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Showing no signs of slowing down, Zac Purton dominated Sunday’s Sha Tin meeting with a career-best opening-day haul of five wins. The eight-time champion jockey started the new campaign by booting home his first three rides – Perfect Peach, Ka Ying Rising and Super Strong Kid – before scoring on Jamie Richards-trained duo Groovy Feeling and Bulb General. “It’s always good to start well,” said Purton, whose previous best haul on the first day of a Hong Kong season was four winners in 2018 and...View the full article

Self Improvement produced the performance of his life to win the Group Three Korea Sprint (1,200m) as Hong Kong fell agonisingly short of snaring a feature-race double on the Seoul sand on Sunday afternoon. One of the lowest-rated runners in the field, the Manfred Man Ka-leung-trained Self Improvement’s previous best was a Class Three victory in Hong Kong, but that mattered little for the six-year-old son of Deep Field. Given a peach of a ride outside the speed and out of the kickback by Jerry...View the full article

Zac Purton and David Hayes hailed Ka Ying Rising’s rousing return at Sha Tin on Sunday as one of his finest victories as the world’s best sprinter tuned up for his first overseas target in scintillating style. Last season’s Hong Kong Horse of the Year turned the Class One HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup (1,200m) into a one-act affair, but it was the manner in which the raging $1.05 favourite disposed of his rivals under top weight of 135lb that impressed his rider and trainer the most. “To carry...View the full article

Timaru trainer Stephanie Faulkner admitted to doubting Richard Stomper’s (NZ) (El Roca) prospects before and during the LOVERACING.NZ Remembering Grey Way (1600m) on Sunday, but the talented six-year-old kicked off his new campaign with a tenacious front-running victory on his home track. It was the first raceday appearance since the beginning of March for the El Roca gelding, who was a last-start fifth behind Our Echo, Perfect Scenario, Matscot and He’s A Doozy in the Gr.3 White Robe Lodge WFA (1600m) at Wingatui. Richard Stomper was a well-supported $4.40 chance for his first-up assignment in open company on Sunday, and his regular rider Brandon May allowed him to stride forward and take up the lead within the first 100m. After controlling the race up to the home turn, Richard Stomper looked vulnerable at the top of the straight as Sir Albert cruised up alongside him. But just when it seemed like he was beaten, Richard Stomper summoned a second wind. He clawed his way back level with Sir Albert and locked horns with him in a head-bobbing duel to the line. In the end he snatched a tough victory by a nose, with Sir Albert finishing two lengths ahead of the third-placed Charbano. Richard Stomper was bought for only $900 from a Gavelhouse.com auction in February of 2023. He has now had 23 starts for five wins, six placings and $119,670 in stakes. “That was a nice way to kick off a new campaign,” Faulkner said. “I wasn’t sure about him first-up over the 1600m today, I thought that might be a bit far for him when he didn’t have that raceday fitness. “It wasn’t the plan to try to lead all the way either, he’s not normally a front-runner, so it wasn’t quite what I was expecting. But luckily he had quite an easy time in the lead for most of the race, so he had a bit left to give when he was challenged in the straight. He fought really well.” Faulkner identified the $50,000 Ashburton Cup (1600m) on October 11 as a potential next step. “I have to admit I haven’t looked that far beyond this race, I wanted to see how he’d go first-up before making any plans,” she said. “He’s nominated for the Howden Insurance Mile (Gr.1, 1600m) and Livamol Classic (Gr.1, 2040m) up north, but he’s a long way down the order of entry for those and unlikely to get a start. So we’ll see if we can find something else that’s suitable. Maybe something like the Ashburton Cup could be a nice race to work towards.” An eye-catching runner in Sunday’s race was the fourth placegetter Ess Vee Are (NZ) (Shocking). The seven-year-old son of Shocking was having his first start for Riccarton trainer Andrew Carston, having previously won five races for Darryn and Briar Weatherley including the Listed New Zealand St Leger (2600m) at Trentham in 2023. Ess Vee Are holds a nomination for the Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) at Riccarton in November, for which the TAB rates him a $26 chance. View the full article

The 370km journey from Matamata to Woodville has proven to be a worthwhile commute for Jakama Krystal (NZ) (Jakkalberry), who collected her third jumps success at the course in Sunday’s $50,000 Jude Challies Property Brokers Woodville Tararua Steeplechase (4800m). The Jakkalberry mare is now the winner of eight races overall from a 70-start career, including two wins over hurdles and four steeplechase successes. She has contested eight jumps races at Woodville for three wins – a maiden hurdle over 3000m in June of 2023, a nine-length romp in a 4000m open steeplechase in late September last year, and Sunday’s hard-fought victory over Prince Turbo. Jakama Krystal’s other Woodville visits have included a second in an open hurdle, a fifth in the Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase (4800m), a sixth in the Awapuni Hurdle (3000m), and an open steeplechase last year in which she lost rider Lemmy Douglas when she was right in contention with 600m to run. Sunday’s success came in partnership with jockey Jordan Hart, who settled the Peter and Jessica Brosnan-trained mare back in second-last as Izymydaad set the pace for most of the two and a half laps. Whiskey Tango took over during the final run along the back straight, but his lead was short-lived as Hart allowed Jakama Krystal to roll forward and take command with 800m remaining. Although Whiskey Tango was quickly beaten, another threat soon emerged in the form of Prince Turbo. He saved ground on Jakama Krystal’s inside coming around the home turn, and that pair approached the second-to-last fence together. Jakama Krystal jumped it better and took a narrow advantage, which she maintained all the way to the finish line to win by a length. Whiskey Tango was the only other finisher, some 30 lengths behind the first pair, with Izymydaad and the champion jumper West Coast both well beaten a long way from home and retired from the race. “That was another good win by Jakama Krystal,” Jessica Brosnan said. “She seems to really like it down here at Woodville. She’s won three times over jumps at this course now, and it probably should have been four – she lost her rider when she was going very well one time here as well.” The TAB rates Jakama Krystal a $31 chance for the Ben and Ryan Foote Great New Zealand Steeplechase (6200m) at Te Aroha on September 21, but Brosnan rates her an unlikely starter in that $200,000 end-of-season showpiece. “She might head out for a holiday soon,” she said. “I don’t think the Great New Zealand Steeplechase was ever really on the cards for her. I don’t think she’s an extreme stayer, she’s a little bit too quick. We’ll probably keep her ticking over and leave that option open, depending on how the field comes up, but it’s not really in our plans at this stage.” Ben Foote could have a multi-faceted interest in that two-day jumps carnival at Te Aroha later in the month. As well as sponsoring the Great New Zealand Steeplechase, he part-owns the potential J Swap Great New Zealand Hurdle (4200m) candidate The Bambino. The Paul Nelson and Corrina McDougal-trained gelding is finding form at the right time, adding Sunday’s $50,000 Jump Start Tararua Hurdles (3000m) to his success in another open hurdle over the same course and distance on August 17. The Bambino was ridden to both of those victories by Emily Farr, who brought the eight-year-old with a well-timed finish from off the pace on Sunday to win comfortably by two and three-quarter lengths over Happy Star. The TAB now rates The Bambino a $16 chance for the Great New Zealand Hurdle, which will be run on the opening day of the Te Aroha carnival on September 19. View the full article

Join Guy Heveldt, Emily Bosson and Jayne Ivil as they celebrate the first G1 of the season, dissect the stories for spring, here and in Australia. Weigh In, 7 September View the full article

Ultra-consistent mare La Crique (NZ) (Vadamos) earned a unique place in New Zealand racing history at Ellerslie on Saturday with her seventh runner-up finish in a Group One race. The Vadamos mare produced another top-drawer performance in the Gr.1 Proisir Plate (1400m). Almost half of the 16-horse field lined up across the track and went to war down the Ellerslie straight, and La Crique dug deep and held them all out before being bombed by Quintessa’s last-to-first surge down the outside. La Crique now holds the record for second placings in Group One races in New Zealand. She previously shared it with Integrate, who had six. “She ran another fantastic race on Saturday and fought so hard,” said Katrina Alexander, who trains La Crique in partnership with her husband Simon. “I think she and the others who were fighting it out never even saw Quintessa coming down the outside. Full credit to her, it was a huge performance to win the race like that, but our mare did us proud again.” La Crique has had 27 starts for nine wins, 10 seconds and four thirds and has earned $1.993 million for owner-breeders John and Jan Cassin. A dual Group One winner of the Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) and Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (1600m), La Crique has also recorded those seven runner-up finishes over distances ranging from the 1400m of Saturday’s Proisir Plate all the way up to the 2400m of the 2022 New Zealand Derby. La Crique has now run second in five consecutive Group One races, having filled that position in last season’s TAB Mufhasa Classic (1600m), Zabeel Classic (2000m), Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) and Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m). “I think what we’re most proud of with her, and our management of her, is how consistent she’s been throughout every preparation and every race,” Alexander said. “She goes out and gives the very best that she can every single time, which is quite a big thing, and especially to be still doing that as a seven-year-old.” The TAB now rates La Crique a $6 chance for the Gr.1 Howden Insurance Mile (1600m) at Te Rapa on September 27. She shares second favouritism with Proisir winner Quintessa, while Saturday’s unlucky sixth placegetter Legarto heads the market at $4. However, Alexander warns La Crique is not quite a guaranteed starter at Te Rapa. “She’s pulled up well,” she said. “It got a bit tight and rough during the race, and when we got her home, we saw he had a little bit of bark off a hind leg. Luckily it’s not anything major, but it shows what these Group One races can be like. “She ate well last night and she looks bright, so she seems to have come through it as well as we could have hoped. “Stepping up to the mile second-up should definitely suit her, but I’m just not entirely sure about Te Rapa. Her couple of runs there have been a bit of a mixed bag, so I don’t know if it’s her preferred surface. “We’ll give her a light week now, which will give us a bit of time to work that out. We’ll probably make a decision towards the end of the week.” The Te Awamutu trainers’ other runner at Ellerslie on Saturday was Si Exquis (NZ) (Vadamos), who finished ninth in the Join TAB Racing Club 1600 but was beaten by only 1.4 lengths in a blanket finish. “It was her first time at Ellerslie and quite a different racing experience for her,” Alexander said. “It was very tight. She’s probably not really used to that. “She hit a bit of a flat patch, which was possibly a bit of greenness when she came up behind a wall of horses and didn’t know what to do. She’s a big mare and just went a bit flat, and being a heavy horse, it takes a bit to get the momentum up again. Kelly (Myers, jockey) said the race was over by the time she felt the horse picking up under her again. “But she’s pulled up super and hasn’t really had a tough run. She’s looking for a bit more ground now, but the way the calendar is at the moment may mean we have to give her another mile first before stepping up in trip.” View the full article

The heavy rain and thunder brought by the approaching Tropical Storm Tapah did little to deter racing fans, as the Hong Kong season opened in Sha Tin on Sunday. Crowds started gathering at the racecourse from 8am, with punters eager to get a spot near the parade ring for the opening ceremony, which included a performance by singer MC Cheung Tin-fu. And the opening day was the first opportunity many experienced punters got to see the new facilities, with opinion divided on the latest phase of the...View the full article

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Gimme a Nother, one of a handful of top South African performers to join trainer Graham Motion's barn in the past year, landed her first North American victory in the $252,000 John C. Mabee Stakes (G2T) Sept. 6 at Del Mar.View the full article

Wathnan Racing's heavy 1-2 favorite Instant Replay got up in the final jump to win the $250,000 Super Derby Sept. 6 by a head over longshot Perry County.View the full article

World Beater ran just as his name suggests in the Sept. 6 $503,600 Old Dominion Derby (G3T), overcoming a slow pace and soft turf course to capture his third stakes victory. View the full article

Haunted Dream, making his North American debut, enjoyed a dream trip on his way to victory in the $111,295 Singspiel Stakes (G3T) at Woodbine.View the full article

The story is familiar: trainer Mike Maker heads to Kentucky Downs with a turf marathoner, one more than likely that he claimed, and walks away with a victory in the Kentucky Turf Cup Invitational Stakes (G2T). View the full article

There’s always plenty of buzz in the lead-up to the Hong Kong season opener, but Sunday’s Sha Tin meeting takes on even greater significance as it doubles as the farewell party for the world’s best sprinter, Ka Ying Rising. Initially hesitant to run Ka Ying Rising under handicap conditions in the scorching September sun – lobbying Jockey Club officials for a set weights contest – trainer David Hayes will pit his superstar against 11 worthy adversaries in the Class One HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup...View the full article

Morplay Racing and Qatar Racing's 'TDN Rising Star' Shisospicy (Mitole) faced a couple of niggling questions entering Saturday's GII Music City Stakes at Kentucky Downs. Already accomplished over sharper turf sprint trips, how would she handle the extended 6 1/2-furlong distance of the $2-million contest, one, and two, what sort of lingering hangover might there be from an overseas trip to face the boys in the G1 Commonwealth Cup, when she dropped away tamely to finish in the latter third of that 21-strong field? Well, it took fewer than 75 second for the fleet-footed gray filly to answer those questions, and the end result was a dominating victory to get her on track for the rest of her sophomore season. Just the third betting choice at 13-4 behind favored Kilwin (Twirling Candy), returning to the grass after upsetting the GI Test Stakes on the dirt Saratoga, and Juddmonte's dual British Group 3 winner Tabiti (GB) (Kingman {GB}), Shisospicy was first to break the line from her wide draw, but soon had company in the form of longshot Gata Brazil (Into Mischief) through an opening quarter-mile down the hill in :21.83. Going along under a tight hold while retaining a foothold at the fence beneath Irad Ortiz, Jr., Shisospicy was sent into the lead 2 1/2 furlongs from home and proved not for catching down the lane. Fellow Jose D'Angelo trainee Cloe (Tiz the Law) railed through to follow the move of her stablemate, but was no match late, while Tabiti weaved her way through to win a photo for third. Named a 'Rising Star' on debut and twice stakes-placed from three starts on the dirt to begin her career, Shisospicy proved equally proficient on the grass with consecutive victories in Gulfstream allowance company in February, in the Apr. 11 Limestone Stakes at Keeneland and in the GIII Mamzelle Stakes at Churchill in May. Those were both 5 1/2-furlong tests, and despite first ruling out a trip to Royal Ascot, D'Angelo ultimately green-lighted the journey after Qatar Racing acquired an interest in the filly. But Shisospicy had run her race by the time they met the rising ground at Ascot and could do no better than 15th. Despite the sub-par effort across the pond, D'Angelo lost no faith in Shisospicy. “I was very confident, because Shisospicy ran such a big race in the Mamzelle (at 5 1/2 furlongs, winning by 4 1/4 lengths) against good competition,” D'Angelo said. “And Cloe ran good at Santa Anita at the 6 1/2 (downhill turf course in the GIII Senorita Stakes). It was a very unlucky trip, her first time over that course. She was like, 'Where am I?' She ran third by a length. So, I was very confident.” Pedigree Notes: One of six winners at the graded level for her Spendthrift-based stallion, Shisospicy is out of a mare that cost Mitole owners Bill and Corinne Heiligbrodt some $90,000 as a short-yearling at the 2017 OBS January Sale and was never out of the money in her seven career appearances. The second of two winners produced by Mischief Galore, Shisospicy has a 2-year-old half-brother by the Heiligbrodts' Yaupon, who was a $75,000 KEENOV weanling, $175,000 FTKOCT yearling and $250,000 FTMMAY breezer who has since been sent to the United Arab Emirates. Mischief Galore was sold on for $40,000 at KEEJAN in 2024 and produced a Yaupon filly last April. She was bred to Jackie's Warrior this past breeding season. All being equal, Shisospicy will make her next appearance at Del Mar on the first Saturday in November in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint. “Shisospicy at five furlongs on the turf, she's so fast,” he said. Saturday, Kentucky Downs AGS MUSIC CITY S.-GII, $1,867,100, Kentucky Downs, 9-6, 3yo, f, 6 1/2fT, 1:14.54, gd. 1–SHISOSPICY, 120, f, 3, by Mitole 1st Dam: Mischief Galore, by Into Mischief 2nd Dam: Maren's Melody, by Unbridled's Song 3rd Dam: Maren's Meadow, by Meadowlake ($100,000 Ylg '23 KEEJAN; $200,000 Ylg '23 FTKJUL; $300,000 RNA 2yo '24 OBSAPR). 'TDN Rising Star'. O-Morplay Racing LLC and Qatar Racing, Ltd.; B-Bill Heiligbrodt & Corinne Heiligbrodt (KY); T-Jose Francisco D'Angelo; J-Irad Ortiz, Jr.. $1,154,900. Lifetime Record: 8-5-1-1, $1,570,270. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Cloe, 120, f, 3, Tiz the Law–Nuhood, by Smart Strike. ($80,000 Ylg '23 FTKJUL; $145,000 RNA 2yo '24 OBSMAR). O-Lugamo Racing Stable LLC; B-Crosshaven Bloodstock (KY); T-Jose Francisco D'Angelo. $379,000. 3–Tabiti (GB), 120, f, 3, Kingman (GB)–Lilyfire, by First Defence. O/B-Juddmonte Farms Ltd. (GB); T-Ralph Beckett. $89,500. Margins: 3, 1 1/4, HF. Odds: 3.21, 25.35, 2.90. Also Ran: Classic Q, Jungle Peace (Ire), Abientot, It Ain't Two (GB), Kilwin, Shezafunkydrummer, Pondering, Italian Soiree, Gata Brazil. Scratched: Hoshiana (Fr), Me Governor, Multiplication, Pop Idol. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. SHISOSPICY ($8.42) burned her competition in the $2,000,000 Music City Stakes (G2) at @KYDownsRacing! The three-year-old filly by @SpendthriftFarm's Mitole had @iradortiz in the irons for trainer @DangeloStable and owners @MorplayRacing and @Qatar_Racing. pic.twitter.com/eM6uKVEpfH — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) September 6, 2025 The post ‘Rising Star’ Shisospicy Shines In Music City, BC Turf Sprint On the Docket appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Bottle of Rouge, by far the longest price of the three Bob Baffert-trained fillies in the $300,000 Del Mar Debutante Stakes (G1), scored a length victory over her stablemate—3-5 favorite Explora—Sept. 6 at Del Mar.View the full article

Florida-bred juveniles Fourth and Central and Lennilu won their respective divisions in the opening stakes of the FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes series Sept. 6 at Gulfstream Park.View the full article

The betting public had Saturday's GI Del Mar Debutante down to a battle of Bob Baffert-trained 'TDN Rising Stars' Explora (Blame) and Himika (Curlin), but Jill Baffert's BOTTLE OF ROUGE (f, 2, Vino Rosso–Blues Corner, by Bluegrass Cat)–easily the least-fancied of a trio from that barn, proved best on the afternoon, causing a 9-1 upset. Veering in at the break, the $100,000 Keeneland September yearling took up a mid-field berth in the early stages as 2-5 Explora rolled up at the fence to take up the running, while Himika sat a good trip just in behind those. The latter peeled away from the inside and Bottle of Rouge ranged up three deep, and at the quarter pole, it was a Baffert 1-2-3, with any of the trio in with a chance. Himika was first to hoist the white flag and Explora began to feel the strain of a decent early gallop, and Mike Smith and Bottle of Rouge won the war by about a length in the finish. Bottle of Rouge is the seventh stakes winner and first at the Grade I level for Spendthrift Farm's Vino Rosso. Baffert was unsaddling his 12th Debutante winner. Sales history: $60,000 Wlg '23 KEENOV; $100,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 3-2-1-0. O-Natalie J Baffert; B-Kathie Maybee (KY); T-Bob Baffert BOTTLE OF ROUGE ($20.20) and @mikeesmith10 give trainer @BobBaffert his 12th victory in the $300,000 Del Mar Debutante Stakes (G1) at @DelMarRacing. The 2YO filly by @spendthriftfarm's Vino Rosso is owned by Jill Baffert. pic.twitter.com/NUdgOCfTJM — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) September 6, 2025 The post Vino Rosso Filly Bottle of Rouge Has Them Seeing Red In the Debutante appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Overlooked at the windows to the tune of 22-1, Plensa (Caravaggio) fired a big shot in the Exacta Systems Gun Runner Stakes and landed in the winner's circle at Kentucky Downs on Saturday. After finishing as the runner-up in two tries last fall to break his maiden, the dark bay finally graduated on his fourth attempt June 15 under the Twin Spires. The colt was last seen running third against optional claimers over the Spa turf July 18. Plensa was in the mix early before dropping towards the rear of the field as a pair of longshots took the field up the backstretch towards the far turn. From the rail, the Rusty Arnold trainee continued to bide his time, but moving to an outside lane at the top of the stretch gave him the running room he needed. Plensa flashed some serious turn of foot, cleared inside the final sixteenth and scooped up his first black-type score. The winner's dam is responsible for 2-year-old colt Infiltrate (Oscar Performance), who just broke his maiden at first asking over the Pea Patch's main track Aug. 8. Proximity Bias also produced a yearling filly by Oscar Performance last year and a weanling colt by Liam's Map back in the spring. She was bred to Life Is Good for 2026. Plensa's extended female family includes GI Woodford Reserve Turf Classic Stakes hero Stroll (Pulpit). EXACTA SYSTEMS GUN RUNNER S., $1,897,778, Kentucky Downs, 9-6, 3yo, 1mT, 1:33.51, gd. 1–PLENSA, 118, c, 3, by Caravaggio 1st Dam: Proximity Bias, by Flatter 2nd Dam: Sidle, by Seeking the Gold 3rd Dam: Maid for Walking (GB), by Prince Sabo (GB) ($70,000 RNA Ylg '23 KEESEP). 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O-Mill Ridge Farm and Frank Garrison; B-Frank Garrison & NATO et al (KY); T-George R. Arnold II; J-Florent Geroux. $1,136,300. Lifetime Record: 6-2-2-1, $1,266,319. *1/2 to Tx Women for Arts (Practical Joke), SW, $264,005. 2–Giocoso, 124, c, 3, Not This Time–Nutcracker Suite (Ire), by Fastnet Rock (Aus). ($75,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP). O-Rocker O Ranch LLC; B-Breed First LLC (KY); T-J. Keith Desormeaux. $373,000. 3–Namaron (Ger), 124, g, 3, Amaron (GB)–Nacci (Ger), by Soldier Hollow (GB). (£200,000 3yo '25 GOFLO). O-Hronis Racing LLC; B-Christian Henze (GER); T-John W. Sadler. $86,500. Margins: 1, 3/4, HD. Odds: 22.60, 5.44, 3.84. Also Ran: Layabout, Clever Again, Forged Steel, Native Runner, Tiz Dashing, Rolando, New Century (GB), Capitol Hill, Siesta Key, Anegada, Reach for the Rose. Scratched: Griffin's Wharf, Yinzer. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. #6 PLENSA ($47.20) closed strongly to upset the $2,000,000 Gun Runner Stakes at @KYDownsRacing. This is the first stakes win for the juvenile Caravaggio colt. @Flothejock was in the irons for trainer George Arnold and owners @MillRidgeFarm and Frank Garrison. pic.twitter.com/Ir2MPYbuns — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) September 6, 2025 The post Longshot Plensa Fires To Take Gun Runner Stakes At Kentucky Downs appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A boosted prize fund worth almost twice the value of last year's race and some changing plans have produced a bumper 12-runner Prix du Moulin (G1) Sept. 7 at Longchamp, while the Prix Vermeille (G1) for fillies and mares also drew extremely tough.View the full article