Wandering Eyes

Awapuni trainer Mark Oulaghan’s star hurdler Berry The Cash (NZ) (Jakkalberry) will commence his bid to defend his Hospitality NZ Canterbury Grand National Hurdles (4200m) crown when he competes on the flat at Otaki on Saturday. The eight-year-old gelding will have his first race since his two-run Australian campaign in autumn, which netted a pair of fourth placings in the Brierly Steeplechase (3450m) and Grand Annual Steeplechase (5500m). “They were reasonable runs (in Australia), but it was a learning curve, and I think if we went back again we would do things a little bit differently, but I was happy enough with the way the horse went,” Oulaghan said. The son of Jakkalberry returned to New Zealand for a freshen-up, with the aim of heading to Riccarton in August to try and win his third successive Grand National Hurdle title. Oulaghan is happy with the condition of Berry The Cash and is looking forward to lining him up in the Vets On Riverbank Handicap (1600m) on Saturday. “He seems pretty well, it is just a mile race, which will be a bit short, but it will be a good gallop for him and somewhere to kick him off,” he said. “We might back him up at Woodville the following Sunday (over hurdles) and if he gets through that alright, he will go straight to Riccarton.” Berry The Cash’s Champion Jumper stablemate West Coast will also follow a similar path to try and secure a record fourth consecutive Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge Grand National Steeplechase (5600m) title. He will also just have the one prior jumping assignment before Riccarton, having had a slow and progressive build-up on the flat, including a ninth placed effort over 2200m at Trentham last Saturday. “He was plodding on at the finish (last Saturday),” Oulaghan said. “It wasn’t a startling run, but he probably went as good as he can go. He will probably go to the steeplechase at Woodville before Riccarton, that’s the plan.” Berry The Cash will be joined in his weekend contest by stablemate Semper Magico, with the 10-win gelding looking to recapture some form on the flat. “I thought we would give him another mile, and he can go 2000m next start,” Oulaghan said. Homebred gelding Pinkerton will also head to Otaki to line-up in the Cavallo Farms and Chris Rutten Bloodstock Handicap (2200m), with Oulaghan hoping the seven-year-old can improve on his last start placing. “His run there last week was good,” he said. “He doesn’t like the track too puggy, so it all depends on what it is like. I think if it is a loose track he will be a real show, especially with a light weight.” Further north on Saturday, Super Spirit and Kentucky Boy will trek up Sate Highway One to contest the Waikato Hunt Cup (3900m) at Te Rapa. “Super Spirit has been a bit disappointing,” Oulaghan said. “We will probably put a hood on him on Saturday and just try to ride him along a bit more. I think the ability is there, but he is not putting a big effort into it. Hopefully we can turn that around. “Kentucky Boy should go a good race, it is his grade. We expect him to do something.” Prior to the weekend, Oulaghan will have a two-pronged attack at his local synthetic meeting on Friday, headlined by in-form gelding Jack Morrison in the McVerry Crawford 2140. The five-year-old son of Darci Brahma has thrived on the surface, winning his last three races at the track, and Oulaghan is hoping he can extend his picket fence form line on Friday. “He seems to really like the synthetic,” Oulaghan said. “He has got a bit of weight (62.5kg), but the field looks pretty much the same field that he raced against a couple of weeks ago, so hopefully he can do the same thing.” Oulaghan will also line-up Main Street in the J & J Walters Limited 2140 in a bid to reinvigorate the gelding. “He raced in the hurdle race at Wellington and was disappointing, he didn’t jump as well as he can,” he said. “We just thought we would try something different, so he can have a run on the synthetic.” View the full article

A fresh Waihaha Falls (NZ) (Sacred Falls) will be looking to bounce back to form when he heads north to Te Rapa on Saturday to contest the Group One Turf Bar Sprint (1200m) first-up. Initially trained in Sydney by John O’Shea, the Sacred Falls gelding won five and placed in five of his 22 starts across the Tasman, including placing in the Gr.3 Hall Mark Stakes (1200m) and two editions of the Listed Razor Sharp Handicap (1200m). He returned to New Zealand last year to the care of Guy Lowry, who bred the now seven-year-old in partnership with Waikato Stud, and he resumed with a placing over 1000m at Trentham last October before finishing last over 1200m at Otaki a month later. He has since enjoyed some time in the paddock and has made one public appearance ahead of his resuming run this weekend when unplaced in his 1000m trial at Foxton last month. Leah Zydenbos, who trains the gelding in partnership with Lowry, has been pleased with his progression this preparation and is looking forward to getting a gauge in him ahead of mapping out his future targets. “He is an older horse now, so he has taken a while to get going, but it looks like it will be a nice, heavy track at Te Rapa. He loves the heavy going so we are excited to get a line on him,” she said. “We thought his trial was good. As he has gotten older, he has started doing less without blinkers on, but we were happy enough with him. “We are taking everything race-by-race at the moment. The only disappointment of his career was his last start before we sent him out for a spell. There are no big plans as yet, we just want to see how he is going.” Closer to their Hastings base, Lowry and Zydenbos will also be represented at Otaki on Saturday by Eyegeegee in the Aquashield Roofing Handicap (1200m). The Little Avondale Stud-bred and raced gelding pleased with his first-up fourth placing over 1200m at the Kapiti Coast track last month, and his trainers are looking for an improved showing this weekend. “He had a great first-up performance for fourth. He stays at 1200m on a heavy track and has a three-kilo claimer, so he should be competitive,” Zydenbos said. Meanwhile, the stable will have a strong hand at Awapuni’s synthetic meeting on Friday, heading to the Palmerston North venue with seven runners. Their charge will be led by consistent six-year-old Gohugo, who takes a string of placings into the Milton Park Stables 1200. “Gohugo is a consistent old lad,” Zydenbos said. “He didn’t pull up too well after his last start, we freshened him for a week, and he certainly did well in that paddock. We never know what he is going to give us, but we know he always tries hard.” Three-year-old gelding No Trumps pleased with his last start runner-up performance and will make his third raceday appearance in the Pukemarama Siviculture 1700. “He was an impressive second there last time. He steps up in distance and another bold performance is expected,” Zydenbos said. He will be joined in his race by stablemate Uncle Ken, who will be making his debut for owner-breeder Waikato Stud. “He is a nice horse who will get better over ground,” Zydenbos said. “We are just looking forward to seeing him under a little pressure at the races.” Five-year-old mare Pepperoni will also make her debut in the Bryce Newman Racing 1200, and Zydenbos is hoping her owners can be rewarded for their patience. “The owners have done right by the horse and given her plenty of time,” she said. “We were happy enough with her trial and her jumpouts in this prep so hopefully her owners are rewarded for their patience.” She will be met in the race by stablemate and last start placegetter Sunshine Ale. “She can be a slightly difficult mare, but Amber Riddell rode her nicely last time and she gets on aboard again,” Zydenbos said. The stable’s Awapuni representation will be rounded out by debut placegetter Kayzino in the J& J Walters Limited 2140 and enigmatic four-year-old It’s Amelia in the Royal Racing With Adam Scott 1400. “Kayzino is a stayer on the rise,” Zydenbos said. “We are really happy with her debut and a step up in distance on the synthetic track should suit. “It’s Amelia has had a lot of turns now. She has started favourite in most of her runs and has disappointed. She has certainly got a lot of ability but just can’t seem to put it together on raceday.” View the full article

Well-performed sprinter Mercurial (NZ) (Burgundy) has progressed well since his resuming effort and with the addition of headgear at Te Rapa, he’s expected to be more of a force to be reckoned with. The son of Burgundy will step out in the Group One Turf Bar Sprint (1200m) on Saturday with promising apprentice Jack Taplin to retain the ride. Mercurial only beat one runner home when he returned to action on the course three weeks ago following a five-month break, but trainer Stephen Marsh was satisfied with the six-year-old’s effort. “I didn’t mind him first-up and he didn’t have the blinkers on. He needed the run and he’s taken natural improvement, I just hope we don’t get too much rain,” he said. “He’s an easy horse to ride, he’s ideal for an apprentice so Jack will ride him again.” Mercurial has met and matched the best short-course performers in his career with victory in the 2024 Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m) off the back of a third in the Gr.1 Railway (1200m). He hasn’t won since his success at Trentham and Marsh is likely to take a more conservative approach in the coming months. “We’ve got a pretty good bunch of sprinters in New Zealand, and we’ll target the next level down of races with him,” he said. “Hence the reason we’ll give him two or three runs this time in before a freshen-up and then go through the later spring or summer without targeting the major sprints, there’s still good money to be made.” Mercurial has already proved to be a grand money-spinner for his breeder-owners with more than $590,000 banked from six wins and 18 minor placings. Stablemate Sinhaman (NZ) (Tivaci) will bid to turn his fortunes around when presented third-up for the UBP Te Awamutu Cup (1600m). The Tivaci four-year-old was an encouraging third when resuming two runs back and then finished midfield on the synthetic track at Cambridge. “He’s a capable horse and didn’t get a lot go right for him the other day,” Marsh said. “He carried a big weight (60.5kg) and got caught a bit wide and had to be exposed a bit early. “He’s back down in the handicap and if he handles the track, I’m sure he’ll race very well.” Meanwhile, Billy Lincoln (NZ) (Belardo) will tackle the John F Grylls Memorial Classic (1400m) ahead of a possible trip to the Central Districts for the $100,000 Polytrack Championship (1400m) on August 3. He has consecutive runner-up finishes on his home all-weather track to his credit. “He’s going really well and thought with three weeks between the Cambridge synthetic meetings, we’d give him a run on the grass,” Marsh said. “He might be one who heads down to the final at Awapuni for some bigger money,” Marsh said. View the full article

Lisa Kennedy has always had a passion for thoroughbreds, and her efforts in guiding retired racehorses into new careers through EventStars were celebrated at Entain’s Industry Excellence Awards last Sunday as the winner of the Care and Welfare Excellence Award. As lead re-trainer, Kennedy works alongside EventStars’ founder Gina Schick to rehome approximately 300 retired thoroughbreds into sporthorse homes on a yearly basis, and her recognition was a timely tonic for the organisation. “It’s been an emotional time here recently, so it meant a lot to the team,” Kennedy said. “Rod (Schick) and Gina have done incredible things with this place and what she has created over the past 15 years with EventStars is amazing. “It’s very much a team effort, EventStars and Windsor Park are one big family and just to be a part of it is phenomenal, it’s a very humbling experience and I feel very privileged. “Thank you also to Entain for putting on these awards.” Prior to entering the rehoming space, Kennedy had ridden on raceday as an amateur and over fences, the latter coming during her time working for Wanganui trainer Kevin Myers. “I had friends in the South Island who raced jumpers and I ended up riding a few of them at home one day,” she said. “I thought that was pretty cool and I just went racing from there. “I ended up working for Kevin Myers and had a couple of stints there, and now I’m in Cambridge working for Gina. I had a bit of a background in racing and younger horses, so it made it a little bit easier for me to make that transition, already having had a feel for the green thoroughbreds.” After Sunday’s awards, it was back to business as usual for Kennedy this week, with the current group of thoroughbreds going through a carefully managed routine where they are given every opportunity to succeed in a suitable home. “It’s all dependent on how many horses we’ve got in at the time, but at the moment, we’re ticking along through the winter,” she said. “We’ve got thoroughbreds from around the country, but also coming from the Hong Kong Jockey Club. “For their first couple of rides, we’ll work them here to get a bit of a feel for them, then they’ll go for a hack around the home farm. If we can, we like to get them on the float within the first week and out to a different arena and a different place to go hacking, to get more mileage and experience. “We are able to see where their strengths and weaknesses are, so we can place them into the right home environment. “Gina is the driving force behind the marketing, communications and everything of that nature, which she is extremely good at, and I’m just learning about parts of that now. She’ll cast an eye over every horse and make an assessment on which home she thinks would be suitable, which typically is the same as the rest of the team. “We work very well as a collective.” Kennedy’s passion for the breed is evident outside of work as she is often out competing with two of her own retired thoroughbreds. “I’ve loved the thoroughbreds for a long time and they’re one of a kind,” she said. “They’ve got a really cool attitude, they want to do the best that they can. “They’re very trainable and willing, and they suit a range of different people. You find the top-level horses, but there are a lot of horses that just suit the average battler like myself. “I have two of my own, both from Kevin Myers’ barn. I’ve had one of them for eight or nine years, he’s travelled around New Zealand with me and done a bit of everything. “The other was a steeplechaser and I got him four or five years ago, he was Angela’s (Illston) horse and was in my barn at the time, and I just adored him. He’s a Rip Van Winkle, so naturally he’s a nice jumper and the dream is to go two-star eventing with him in the next 12-24 months.” View the full article

Nick Vaccarezza, 25, won his first race from 12 starts as a licensed trainer June 30 at Presque Isle Downs. Although every conditioner's first victory is a special accomplishment, Vaccarezza's was unique because it occurred in a stakes race. Off at even-money odds, Keeneland-based shipper Golden Afternoon (Goldencents) prompted the pace and drew off by 2 1/2 lengths to capture the $100,000 Tom Ridge Stakes over six furlongs. The win was also sweet because Golden Afternoon is owned by a partnership of friends (Eddie and Pat Greco, Scott Jaffe, and Michael Cloonan) headed by Carlo Vaccarezza, Nick's father. Earlier this year, Carlo stepped away from a 10-year training career while continuing his decades-long involvement as an owner, capping a transition plan for the family's racing stable that was several years in the making and centered on Nick taking over the day-to-day care of 14 Kentucky-based horses. Nick Vaccarezza told TDN in a Tuesday phone interview that his first training win was a goal he had pursued ever since he can remember. “My dad was always involved with horses, and when I was growing up in Florida he would always bring me to Calder,” Vaccarezza said. “My first word was 'Go!' so this horse thing has been instilled in me since before I could even speak. I could read a Racing Form by age six. And when I found out I was too tall to be a jockey, I started betting on myself that I was going to be a trainer. I've wanted to train forever.” The Vaccarezza family's involvement with Thoroughbreds afforded Nick access to some high-profile trainers to help him learn the trade–Dale Romans, Chad Brown, and the late H. Allen Jerkens among them. But while Vaccarezza's statistical slate as a trainer is still relatively blank, away from the racetrack he has already dealt with more adverse, life-altering experiences at age 25 than most people encounter in an entire lifetime. Vaccarezza on his way to his first win | Coady Media On Feb. 14, 2018, Nick, then a senior, and his brother, Mike, a sophomore, survived the deadliest mass shooting at a high school in United States history, walking out of their Parkland, Florida classrooms alive after a gunman with a semi-automatic rifle killed 17 people and injured 18 others. Through a fundraiser at a Boca Raton restaurant owned by their father 11 days after the shooting, Nick and Mike raised $160,000 for the families of the victims, and the Vaccarezza racing stable would later name a racehorse in honor of a friend of Nick's who had been slain at the school. Then, seven years later, right after taking out his training license in early 2025, Nick Vaccarezza was diagnosed with Stage 1 testicular cancer. Vaccarezza underwent surgery May 5, barely missed any time under the shedrow, and said he has been declared cancer-free at all his follow-up checks in the two months since the procedure. “Thankfully, I don't need any chemotherapy or anything yet,” Vaccarezza said. “But it's looking good so far. It's watch and wait. Every two months blood [monitoring], every four months scan.” A trainer's education While Vaccarezza does not shy away from discussing the Parkland shooting or his bout with cancer, he does not frame those events as life-defining experiences. Horses and the track are Vaccarezza's world, and he said the seeds for his schooling to be a trainer were planted more than two decades ago when Pat Greco, one of the current partners in Golden Afternoon, gave the broodmare Hay Jude (Wavering Monarch) to his father. Carlo Vaccarezza bred Hey Jude to Tiger Ride, and he named the foal she produced in 2005 Little Nick, honoring his then-toddler son. The gelding won nine races from 40 starts, including three black-type stakes. Two years later, Hay Jude produced a foal by Spanish Steps. Named Little Mike, after Nick's younger brother, the 14-for-30 gelding, owned by their mother, Priscilla, won four Grade I turf stakes, including the 2013 Breeders' Cup Turf. Little Mike was trained by Romans, and Nick Vaccarezza hung out at the barn of the Eclipse Award-winning trainer as often as he could as an adolescent, soaking up horsemanship and even being allowed to hotwalk horses for Romans while in middle school. Golden Afternoon wins the Tom Ridge Stakes | Coady Media By 2014, Carlo Vaccarezza had started training the horses he owned, and he shared stalls in the same Gulfstream Park barn as Jerkens in what was to be the Hall-of-Fame trainer's last year before his passing. Nick Vaccarezza said Jerkens, then 86, took him under his wing that winter, mostly by talking to the 14-year-old. “If you want to learn something, you can learn something from talking to anybody, whether it's a homeless guy or the president of the United States,” Vaccarezza told TDN, recalling the experience from 11 years ago. “There's always something to learn from someone new.” But Vaccarezza said he really hit it off with one of Jerkens's younger assistants, Fernando Abreu, who let him inside stalls to observe close up how skilled grooms do their jobs, and later allowed Vaccarezza to rub horses himself by age 15. As Vaccarezza built up his barn skills and learned more about the logistics of operating a stable during his mid-teen years, Abreu eventually introduced him to his brother, Reynaldo, then an assistant for Chad Brown, who was in the midst of winning four of five eventual Eclipse Awards for outstanding trainer. After Vaccarezza graduated from high school in 2018, Brown offered him a job under his shedrow. Vaccarezza did well enough as an assistant that Brown even allowed him to handle a small string at Saratoga for part of 2019. “Chad showed me how an operation of that size has to be run, and how it runs,” Vaccarezza said. But Vaccarezza's plan at the time had been to take off just one year of education between high school and college. He stepped away from Brown's stable and enrolled at the University of Kentucky (UK) for the fall 2019 term. After two months at college, Vaccarezza felt that it wasn't working out the way he had hoped. He talked to his parents about quitting school, then called Brown to see if he could have his job back. The trainer welcomed him back to the Florida division, but Brown told Vaccarezza not to give up entirely on pursuing an education. “One thing Chad always told me was that he can teach me everything he knows about a horse,” Vaccarezza said. “But what he cannot teach me is how to become a good businessman. And he's such a great trainer because he's a great businessman.” Everything was going smoothly for Vaccarezza for about five months. Then the COVID-19 pandemic rocked the world, and the 20-year-old opted not to travel with Brown's stable when it shipped north to New York. As the early months of the pandemic morphed into summer, Vaccarezza decided to relocate back to Lexington. His father was opening a new restaurant there (one of three in Kentucky that Carlo owns), plus the family's racing outfit was stabled at Keeneland. “The 2020 [GI Kentucky] Derby was in September, so I went up there,” Vaccarezza said. “My dad ran three horses on Derby day, and they all ran really bad. So I said, 'This is my time that I need to work for my dad and turn his barn around; try everything that I learned from Chad, and apply it to my dad's horses.'” The stable started winning races. Reynaldo Abreu even ended up coming over to work for the outfit. Vaccarezza put in his hours during the mornings and on race days, but also decided to take some classes at UK. “I thought it would be an extra card in my pocket if I went and did a pre-veterinary course,” Vaccarezza said. Once he took part of the course load, Vaccarezza decided it would be worth it to actually end up with a diploma, so he completed the work in four years and finished with a degree in equine science and management. Celebrating after the Tom Ridge Stakes at Presque Isle | Coady Media “So fast-forward to 2024,” Vaccarezza said. “Reynaldo left our barn on good terms. We brought in trainer Mike Dilger for a year. And Mike took the job knowing that I was soon to take over completely. My dad wanted to see if I was ready to do it on my own. Last year we had a great year. We won at 25%, and were in the top three like 50 or 60%. We did pretty well for only having 10 to 14 horses at a time. “I was pretty eager to train,” Vaccarezza explained. “And we kept pushing it back to, 'Let's wait until you graduate school. Let's wait this. Let's wait that.' “But I think I was waiting on Golden Afternoon,” Vaccarezza said. “We had aspirations to try and run him in the Derby, and that would have been my first big horse that put me on the map.” Golden Afternoon had broken his maiden for trainer Carlo Vaccarezza at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 8, 2024. The gelding subsequently ran second in the Grade II Bourbon Stakes on the turf at Keeneland, then won an allowance/optional claimer on the grass at Fair Grounds, all at age two. In an effort to mark the family transition with a well-meant contender, Nick Vaccarezza's first starter as a licensed trainer ended up being Golden Afternoon's sophomore debut, in the Jan. 18, 2025 GIII Lecomte Stakes at Fair Grounds. The gelding was fourth, beaten only 2 1/2 lengths, at 25-1 odds. Vaccarezza was elated to be off and running in his training career. Then he felt something wasn't right with one of his testicles. “It was all of a sudden,” Vaccarezza said. “Around February, after I had taken out my license, we were at Fair Grounds still, and it started to swell up. I thought maybe I had just sat on it when I was riding a pony, but it never really went back down. So when I got back to Keeneland in March, I got it checked out, and they basically immediately said they had to take it out.” 'Every day a blessing' As his doctors performed tests and scheduled the surgery, Vaccarezza continued to run the stable. Golden Afternoon, the barn's big hope, was transitioned back to the turf. But after finishing second in the $100,000 Black Gold Stakes at Fair Grounds, he was badly outrun in both the GIII Transylvania Stakes at Keeneland and in the GI American Turf Stakes at Churchill Downs on the Derby undercard, finishing eleventh and ninth, respectively. Forty-eight hours later, on the Monday after Derby day, Vaccarezza had his cancerous testicle surgically removed. Nick Vaccarezza | Courtesy of Nick Vaccarezza Now, eight weeks later, Vaccarezza is both reflective and optimistic about his prognosis. “It hasn't stopped me. It hasn't slowed me down at all. I missed a couple of days of work,” Vaccarezza said. “It actually makes me a lot more grateful to do what I do. Because life is so short, and every day that you get is a blessing. And I just really want to thank God for everything He's done in my life.” Shipping Golden Afternoon to Presque Isle for Monday's stakes was an experiment in cutting the gelding back in distance and trying a synthetic surface for the first time. Vaccarezza said he caught a big break in getting five-time Eclipse Award-winning jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. to ride. Both Irad and his brother, Jose Ortiz, had just ridden at Churchill over the weekend, and were planning on driving more or less past Presque Isle on their way to Saratoga for this week's races. The Ortiz brothers have both known Vaccarezza since he was a teenager, and they agreed to make a slight detour on their road trip to help out. “Irad only rode the horse because of me, really. He knew I needed to win my first race. And he'd already won on Golden, and he knows that he's a nice horse. It was nice that they came,” Vaccarezza said. “They've been like big brothers to me for the past five or six years. Irad and Jose keep me in line and make sure I'm doing the right thing. They've kind of invested in me, as well, and it's inspiring to see that guys who are that successful, I can reach out to any time and they can give me advice on anything in life,” Vaccarezza said. “We gave Golden a little class relief and a cut back in distance, and he showed how dominant he can be,” Vaccarezza said. “To have my dad there, and to hold the trophy for my first win, in a stakes, with Irad and Jose there, and my brother there, it was really special to have all my guys in my winner's circle for my first win,” Vaccarezza said. Vaccarezza spoke to TDN Tuesday evening just after pulling into the parking lot of one of his father's restaurants in Lexington. He was hosting all of his stable help for a celebratory dinner in honor of the team getting a stakes win the day before. The next morning, the entire outfit would be getting ready to ship west from Keeneland to Ellis Park for the summer meet. “I've only got two hands and I have 14 horses,” Vaccarezza said, deferring credit for the win to his team. “It would be impossible to do it all by myself.” The post After Surviving a School Shooting and Cancer Surgery, a 25-Year-Old Trainer Savors His First Win appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

When Texas Derby winner Instant Replay runs in the $300,000 Indiana Derby (G3) at Horseshoe Indianapolis July 5 it will be with a new owner: Wathnan Racing.View the full article

A new ownership group is bringing fresh energy to Cambridge Raceway, as the Taylor Street Syndicate begins to make its mark on the track. The Taylor Street Syndicate, established by Cambridge Raceway, was created with the goal of offering everyday people the opportunity to experience the thrill of harness racing ownership. Launched through the popular Taylor Street Club and extended to their friends, the syndicate now boasts around 40 enthusiastic members. Currently, the group owns three horses, and tonight, one of them takes to the track. Amaretto Delight lines up in race 4, the Gregory Equine Mobile Pace (6:44p.m.) The 3-year-old daughter of Bettors Delight is trained locally by Nicky Chilcott and is the first of the syndicate’s horses to make it to the races. The filly made her debut last week at Cambridge Raceway, where she ran a strong second after trailing the leader and darting up the passing lane in the home straight. Syndicate manager Peter McDermott says that moment was a milestone for the group. “We were really pleased. It’s early days, but it’s nice to see her showing a bit of promise. It’s actually taken us quite a while to get our first horse to the races, so our members were pretty excited to see her go around.” While she may not have turned heads early in her education, trainer Nicky Chilcott is encouraged by the filly’s recent development. “She’s probably a typical Bettor’s Delight – she really hadn’t shown me a lot,” Chilcott explains. “But she has improved a huge amount since her last preparation. I was delighted with her first-up run. You wouldn’t get too carried away with it because it was a very sedate pace and 1-2-3 the fence is where they finished. Look, she can only do what she did, and she seems to have come through the run well. She’s probably not going to get the same favours tonight, but we just hope she races honestly and runs home well again.” Peter McDermott is hopeful of a good turnout from syndicate members trackside tonight. “They do turn up, not in great numbers,but I’d say after last week, there will be a few more on course with the hopes that she’ll go one better.” Looking ahead, the Taylor Street Syndicate will be open to new members from January 1st, with anyone interested in harness racing encouraged to get involved. It’s a grassroots initiative helping to grow ownership and build excitement from the ground up — one race at a time. View the full article

As much as the New York Racing Association is offering three graded turf stakes for 3-year-old fillies, the leader of that division could be one-and-done in the series. View the full article

Godolphin's Think Big stretches his speed beyond 5 1/2 furlongs for the first time in nine months when he faces a high-quality field of older horses in the $175,000 Kelso Stakes (G3T) at Saratoga Race Course. View the full article

Some of the most influential people in the life of Wayne Lukas-and some of the people for whom he was the most influential–took part in a special TDN Writers' Room podcast in order to pay tribute to `the Coach,' who passed away Saturday night at the age of 89. Lukas worked almost up until his last days in the sport which he revolutionized upon his arrival in the early 1980s. Before it was over, he would win 20 Breeders' Cups, 15 Triple Crown races, five Eclipse Awards as leading trainer, and saw his horses win 25 yeear-end championship awards. But it was the personal side of their interactions with Lukas which the eight guests–Todd Pletcher, Kiaran McLaughlin, Bob Baffert, Ron Moquett, Christina Bossinakis, John Bellinger, Jerry Bailey, and Gary Stevens–wanted to discuss. “He hired me in January of 1985 to go to California,” said Kiaran McLaughlin, who worked as an assistant to Lukas for seven years. “Well, the first thing was he told me to meet him at four o'clock at the donut shop. I said, `four o clock? What do we do at four o' clock?' And then walked Noble Threewitt and Willard Proctor and we grabbed a coffee and donut and we were out of there by before four oclock. We drove to the barn at four and it was dark. And I wondered what we were going to do that early. But it was a set list. He waited to the morning of to do the set list in case it rained and he had to change something. And for the next seven years, it was four in the morning, get up, and go to work.” If there was one area in which McLaughlin failed, it was his penmanship, which Lukas required to be picture-perfect, said Todd Pletcher, who was at the barn around the same time. “He expected his assistants to not only be on top of everything with the horses, but also to have good penmanship,” said Pletcher. “Have you ever seen Wayne Lukas's autograph? I mean, it looks like an artist drew it. And I think that that story speaks to the level of detail that he expected out of people, not just the caring for the horses and the running of the races, but everything around the shed row had to be just perfect.” Jerry Bailey won the 1991 Kentucky Derby for Lukas aboard Grindstone, but had known him since he was a teenager. “My association with Wayne goes probably back 60 years,” said Bailey. “My first interaction with Lukas was when I was a kid in New Mexico at Riodoso Downs. I grew up in West Texas and we used to go up to Riodoso every summer. My dad owned some horses and Wayne was up there training. Wayne has been called a lot of nicknames–Rhinestone Cowboy–but his nickname back then was Mr. Clean, because he had a vacuum between every other stall of the horses and before they would go up to the paddock–because he was bedding on sawdust as everybody was–he would take the vacuum and suck all the dust off of them before they went to the paddock.” John Bellinger, one of his principal owners in his later years, said he'd miss the conversation the most. “Sitting in his office, closing the door, and reminiscing about the past, about what he'd done, who he'd worked with,” said Bellinger. “In those four years, I obtained a PhD in horse racing from Wayne Lukas. He was the coach. He was the professor. He prepped us for the next step going forward and every moment was so special.” In his later years, Lukas was known for allowing young people into the winner's circle after he won a race. One of the first of those was Christina Bossinakis, who asked for his autograph at 19, and 25 years later, was autographing books alongside him as the co-author of their book, Sermon on the Mount. “He was my idol,” she said of their meeting, which she credits for her long career in horse racing. “I admired him so much that if he had brushed me off or had done anything that made me feel not welcome, I honestly think I may not be in horse racing today. So I'm really appreciative of that moment with him.” Ron Moquett, a dear friend of Lukas's later in life, recalled a time when Lukas was driving him back and forth to a meeting on icy Arkansas roads. “He just keeps going faster and faster, and I said, `Wayne, I don't want you driving like this. I don't want to die.' And he says, `why are you so worried about dying?' I said, `because the headline tomorrow would read `World-Famous Hall of Fame Trainer Wayne Lukas and Passenger Killed in Car Wreck.' I said, `they won't even say my name.' He laughed the rest of the way home.” Lukas was instrumental in the career of jockey Gary Stevens, and for Stevens, picking out his fondest moment between the pair was a simple one. “I've got a drone shot, a picture of Wayne leading me and Oxbow into the winner's circle at Pimlico,” he said. “I've got my left hand on Wayne's shoulder and he's got this humongous smile on my face. That's how I'm going to remember Wayne.” For Bob Baffert, who was with Lukas from the Quarter Horse days right up until the past few weeks, the pain of his loss is raw. Baffert recently posted a tribute on social media that ended with, “I hope I made him proud.” “I really had a hard time with it last week when I first heard about it,” he said. “I'm still dealing with it.” The TDN Writers' Room is presented by Keeneland; the guests of the week are sponsored by Gainesway. The rest of the show is sponsored by the PHBA, 1/ST TV, WinStar, and West Point Thoroughbreds. Click here to watch the show. Click here to listen to the show. The post Writers’ Room Devotes Entire Podcast to Wayne Lukas Tribute appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Some of the earliest clues for next year's Triumph Hurdle may well have been on show at Arqana on Wednesday when the highly-touted Zekret (Fr) was purchased on behalf of a leading Irish owner to continue his career with Joseph O'Brien. The Zarak colt boasted smart form in France for trainer Andre Fabre on behalf of Al Shaqab Racing and was last seen running respectably – only beaten a little over three lengths – in a Group 3 contest at ParisLongchamp over 1m3f. It was ace agent Alex Elliott, working alongside Nicolas Bertran de Balanda [NBB Racing], who purchased Wednesday's sale-topping colt. He said, “An obvious horse for us. A juvenile hurdle campaign will be his main aim but obviously he has a lofty Flat rating and he could come back and go over both codes. Initially, the main aim is jumping and he will go to Joseph O'Brien.” Elliott added, “I suppose it's debatable about whether he will be gelded or not. Look at the Zarak horse, Nietzche Has, who won the Juvenile Finale Hurdle at Chepstow last year – he's a stallion now. So we will see how he takes to the job and whether we think gelding can improve him or not. But he looks like a horse who will handle soft ground. He will have a bit of a break now but hopefully he is an exciting juvenile hurdler going forward. “Nicky [Bertran de Balanda] and I have a good record when we work together. We bought Teahupoo, A Plus Tard and a few more. Hopefully this guy can be another one to do us proud.” Despite wildcard Juwelier (Wootton Bassett) being bought back at €1.1 million, it proved to be a lively day two session of the Summer Sale at Arqana with 19 horses selling for six figures or more. Interestingly, Highflyer Bloodstock and Paul Nicholls teamed up to spend €500,000 on two potentially smart jumps prospects – €300,000 purchase Gold Cast (Telecaster) and €200,000 buy Pourquoi Pas Papa (Manatee). Meanwhile, bloodstock agent Jason Kelly was one of the busiest buyers in town. As well as signing for two horses on behalf of Tony Elliott's Rogues Gallery for a combined sum of €162,000, Kelly landed the Listed-winning sprinter Toyotomi (Fr) (Blue Point) for €335,000. All told, Kelly spent €733,000 on seven lots. BBA Ireland's Mick Donohue was another familiar face to get in on the action. The Jerome Reynier-trained three-year-old filly Konada (Toronado), who boasts Listed form and an unexposed profile, was snapped up by O'Donohoe on behalf of Middle Eastern clients with lofty targets. He explained, “She was one we targeted and we're delighted to get her. We bought her on behalf of an existing Middle Eastern client and, to be honest, when the catalogue for this sale came out, she was the one we wanted. She's a very consistent filly on the track and, when we saw her in the flesh, she matched up physically to what we wanted. She could be aimed at something on Saudi Cup night next year. A race like the Neom Turf Cup could be right up her street. Delighted to get her.” Albeit the Wednesday session boasted a beefed up catalogue compared to 12 months previous [41 more horses sold], the overall figures were impressive. The €6,988,500 aggregate was up by 31% on last year while the €47,220 average represented a 11% rise and the median climbed €8,000 to €20,000. The clearance rate was also up by 8% to 82%. The post Joseph O’Brien To Train 520k Arqana Top Lot Who Could Be A Triumph Hurdle Dark Horse appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Following the GI Belmont Stakes, the month of June is traditionally a little quieter in the graded ranks as the sport revs up for Saratoga and other summer racing. This year and last, Saratoga has been in the spotlight early as host of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival while Belmont Park undergoes reconstruction. Fifteen of North America's graded races were held at the Spa over that extended weekend this year. Canadian racing rejoined the graded picture in June, with five of the 35 graded races for the month in North America held at Woodbine. That meant 30 were in the U.S., with half of them held at Saratoga. Another two races, the Pennine Ridge and Soaring Softly Stakes, were scheduled as graded at the Spa but downgraded due to a surface switch. Ten of the 35 were Grade I events, with seven carded as Grade II, and another 18 as Grade III. Six of the Grade Is ran on dirt; the other four were on the grass. Overall, 18 of June's 35 graded races ran on the main track, 14 on turf, and three on Woodbine's Tapeta surface. A total of 28 individual stallions sired the 35 graded winners. Constitution and Into Mischief each had three individual winners, while Medaglia d'Oro, Street Sense, and the late Uncle Mo each doubled up. Airdrie Stud stallions had a particularly good June, with four members of their roster siring graded winners during the month. Three stallions–Into Mischief, Medaglia d'Oro, and Street Sense–not only sired graded winners, but also had sons sire graded winners in June. The 35 winners were represented by 30 broodmare sires. Uncle Mo led the way with three, while Bernardini, Distorted Humor, and Ghostzapper each had two. Darley's Street Sense held the distinction of both siring a Grade I winner and serving as the broodmare sire of a Grade I winner. Godolphin and WinStar Farm were the only breeders to double up on graded stakes for the month, giving 33 individual breeders graded winners. Thirteen were homebreds, some with additional partners added. Among graded winners sold at public U.S. auctions, Ag Bullet (Twirling Candy) was the least expensive at $30,000, although Raging Torrent (Maximus Mischief) and Mo Plex (Complexity) each RNA'd for $27,000 as yearlings. Both later sold for under six figures as OBS 2-year-olds in training. Deterministic (Liam's Map) was the highest-priced public U.S. buy at $625,000 with Funtastic Again (Funtastic), Mindframe (Constitution), and Cash Call (McKinzie) right behind him at $600,000 apiece. In the trainer ranks, Chad Brown, Mark Casse, and Cherie DeVaux all tripled up for the month, while Brad Cox and Bill Mott each got two. Twenty-seven individual trainers got their charges to the winner's circle for graded wins in June. Two weeks after taking over his late father's stable, trainer Miguel Clement got his first Grade I win with Deterministic in the GI Resorts World Casino Manhattan Stakes. The post 35 Graded Races in June: What Did We Learn? appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

SARATOGA SPRINGS–After Baeza's (McKinzie) lackluster third-place finish in the GI Belmont Stakes last month, trainer John Shirreffs wasn't convinced his horse was as bad as he showed at Saratoga Race Course. Shirreffs is keeping the faith and will ship Baeza back to Saratoga for a date in the $500,000 GII Jim Dandy on July 26. “It seems like all roads lead to Saratoga,” Shirreffs said by phone from California Wednesday afternoon. “So far, it's the only race that has been under discussion with [owners] Mr. [Lee] Searing and Mr. [Robert] Clay.” Baeza came to the Belmont with plenty of hype after his third-place finish in the GI Kentucky Derby and a second in the GI Santa Anita Derby. In six career starts, Baeza has just a maiden win, but has shown plenty of potential. Shirreffs thought that potential would shine through in the Belmont, but he finished 6 1/2 lengths behind Sovereignty (Into Mischief). Journalism (Curlin) was 3 1/2 lengths in front of him. “I did not expect him to run that way at all,” Shirreffs said. “We were expecting him to run more like he did in the Kentucky Derby and maybe do a little bit better. I really don't know what led to that.” Since the Belmont, Baeza has worked twice at Santa Anita. His most recent move was a bullet (1/66) four furlongs in :46.40 last Friday. Shirreffs said if Baeza performs well in the Jim Dandy, he would keep the colt in Saratoga for a return trip in the GI Travers on Aug. 23. “I think he is as good as any 3-year-old in the country,” Shirreffs said. “I just want hm to prove it.” One potential snag in the Jim Dandy plan is who will ride Baeza in the Jim Dandy. Flavien Prat was his jockey in the Belmont and the Kentucky Derby. Shirreffs said that he was told by Prat's agent Brad Pegram that Prat would be in California to ride Nysos (Nyquist) in the GII San Diego Handicap on July 26 if trainer Bob Baffert opts to run the 4-year-old in that spot. Locked Gets His Turn To Shine For Pletcher Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher is hoping that Friday's $400,000 GII Suburban is a lock. That's because Locked (Gun Runner), one of the talented trio of older horses living in his barn, is running in the 1 1/4-race for 4-year-olds and up. Locked schooling in Saratoga | Sarah Andrew Pletcher has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to older horses. Besides Locked, he can see Mindframe (Constitution) and Fierceness (City of Light) down his shedrow. Mindframe stamped himself as the leader of the division last weekend when he won the GI Stephen Foster at Churchill Downs; Fierceness was last seen finishing second in the GI Met Mile at Saratoga on Belmont Day. Now, it's Locked's turn. “It's back to a distance that he is at his best at,” Pletcher said outside his office on the Oklahoma Training Track. “He has had some good wins, but I think the [GI] Santa Anita Handicap was his best effort.” Locked, owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Walmac Farm, won the 1 1/4-mile Santa Anita Handicap by 8 1/2 lengths under jockey Jose Ortiz, who will be ride on Friday. Locked is the 8-5 morning-line favorite in the field of eight. In his last start, Locked finished fourth in the GII Alysheba at Churchill Downs on May 2, beaten 6 3/4 lengths by Fierceness. That race was run at 1 1/16 miles. Fierceness set a track record (1:40.66) while Locked was screaming for more distance. “If you look at it, they went slow fractions [:24.39, :48.31] and then they had a track record,” Pletcher said. “Usually, track records are set with fast paces. [Locked] was trying to close ground into horses that went soft fractions early and then they set a track record. Kind of an impossible scenario.” While Pletcher awaits Locked, he can sing the praises of Mindframe, owned by Repole Stable and St. Elias Stables LLC. He ran his record to three wins in three starts this year at three different distances. The Stephen Foster was run at 1 1/8 miles; the GI Churchill Downs seven furlongs and the GII Gulfstream Park Mile. For his career, he has five wins in seven starts; last year he was second in the GI Belmont and GI Haskell following a maiden and allowance wins. Pletcher now must decide what comes next for Mindframe. He already has Fierceness, also owned by Repole Stable, pointed to the prestigious $1-million GI Whitney Stakes at Saratoga Aug. 2. “We have to keep it in play,” Pletcher said about Mindframe and the Whitney. “You hate to run two horses like that against one another, but you also have to manage each horse's career for what is best for each horse.” If it is decided that Mindframe won't run in the Whitney, Pletcher said Plan B would be for the colt to compete in the $1-million GI Jockey Club Gold Cup at Saratoga on Aug. 31. Sovereignty Gearing Up For Return In Jim Dandy It's time for Sovereignty (Into Mischief) to get busy again. The GI Kentucky Derby and GI Belmont Stakes champ is back on the work tab for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott. Last Friday, Sovereignty had his first work since the Belmont as Mott allowed his stable star to stretch his legs on the Oklahoma Training Track (four furlongs in :50.85). Sovereignty on the track in Saratoga | Sarah Andrew The next goal is the Jim Dandy at 1 1/8 miles on July 26. That would be the only race Mott would target for Sovereignty, whose summer end game goal is the GI Travers on Aug. 23. Sovereignty, owned by Godolphin, has won three of four starts this year. In the Kentucky Derby and Belmont, he defeated the favored Journalism, who was favored in both races. Mott, standing outside his office at the Oklahoma Training Track, said there would also be the option of training Sovereignty up to the Travers, but that would only happen if the horse could not make the Jim Dandy. “Anything can happen,” Mott said. “You never know. He could get a fever, he could get a skin rash, he could grab a quarter. It's day to day. It is always day to day. We are going to put him on a regular schedule and see if we can get him to the Jim Dandy.” Since the Belmont, Mott sees nothing but a healthy horse in Sovereignty. The colt has stamped himself as the best 3-year-old in the country after winning two legs of the Triple Crown. “We have had high expectations for him for a long time,” Mott said. “But having hopes and dreams and expectations is different from actually doing it. Those things are all in our minds. Right now, his record is his record.” The post Shirreffs Says Baeza Will Head East for Jim Dandy appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Zulu Kingdom, whose only defeat in six career starts came in the 2024 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1T), looks like an odds-on favorite in the $200,000 Manila Stakes (G3T) for 3-year-olds July 4 at Saratoga Race Course.View the full article

After finishing second best to a filly in his first start in a stakes, Blinging It Back will try again—this time strictly against the boys.View the full article

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – There was far more than a simple change of address for trainer Cherie DeVaux when she was assigned Barn 83–for decades the Saratoga base for legendary D. Wayne Lukas–for this summer's racing season. In addition to dealing with the daily demands of managing her large stable, DeVaux, a rising star in the sport, has embraced her new roles: historian and preservationist of an important corner of the barn area on the sprawling Saratoga Race Course grounds. Within a day or two of DeVaux moving her stable into the barn, the Lukas family announced that Lukas, 89, was retiring from racing and entering palliative care. She reacted with eloquent social media posts on June 23: “….With his recent retirement from training due to health, we've been entrusted with taking over this space for the summer. But it doesn't feel like just taking over a barn. It feels like entering a cathedral of greatness. “As I walked the shedrow this morning, I kept thinking about the horses that stood in these very stalls–champions whose names helped shape the sport. And then I sat in the office he left behind, at his desk, and stared at the empty chair. I wondered what he thought about in those quiet early hours. How many dreams began right there with a legal pad and a coffee? Sarah Andrew photo “Wayne didn't just train horses. He set a standard. He built a legacy that inspired generations, myself included. And while the tack room may bear a new name this summer, his spirit lingers in every inch of this place. “Honored doesn't begin to cover it. Grateful. Humbled. Inspired. We'll do our best to honor what he built here-one horse, one morning, one moment at a time.” Six days after DeVaux made that post, the Lukas family released the news that he had died on June 28. DeVaux learned of his passing while sitting in his former office, a small building about 20 yards across from the 32-stall barn. Another touching social media followed. In that office Tuesday morning, DeVaux said that it is not typical of her to make those type of public statements. “I'm not really an emotional person, personally or professionally, but I think that, when you're moved to something…” she said, her voice trailing off. “I am not tone deaf either. Can't come in here and just pretend like I'm going to be the new czar of Barn 83. I just felt like it was necessary to say something. I felt it and I felt like it was emotional enough to share.” DeVaux now conducts her business from a well-ordered separate space, one of just a few on the grounds, that is something of a Lukas museum. “When we first came in here, this office was left like they were coming back,” she said. “They had every intention of coming back here. It wasn't like last year they thought, 'Oh, well, maybe we're not going to come back.' This office was set up. And you can see there's still pictures of Wayne and his wife and sentimental things that will still be there. His own handwriting right there, about Winning Colors. Those things will stay. There are things I just don't feel comfortable moving. I have to make my own traditions and make it my own, but still feel the need to honor what has been left here.” Among the memorabilia on the walls, just to the right of the door is Lukas's note that says Winning Colors is the only Kentucky Derby winner to break its maiden at Saratoga. Lukas made his debut at Saratoga in 1984, but was not in Barn 83 in the early years. Longtime Lukas assistant Randy Bradshaw said Wednesday that he first set up Barn 83 for Lukas when Is It True and Open Mind were 2-year-olds, which was 1988. DeVaux, 43, was born in Saratoga Springs while her parents operated their standardbred stable at Saratoga Harness, but the family moved when she was of kindergarten age. She left college at SUNY Albany to start her racing career 21 years ago and worked on the staffs of two other Saratoga-area natives, the late Chuck Simon of Ballston Lake, and multiple Eclipse Award winner Chad Brown of Mechanicville. She started her own business in 2018 with eight horses and celebrated her first victory in her 29th career start. Her success and purse earnings have improved markedly every year and she jumped from $5.5 million in earnings in 2023 to $10.2 million in 2024. Entering this week, the start of the second half of the year, she has $3.98 million in earnings and is winning at a 22% rate. DeVaux has 21 graded stakes wins, five of them Grade I. DeVaux was stabled on the backside of the main track at Saratoga and said she rarely came near out-of-the-way Barn 83, which is the farthest on the grounds from the finish line of the main track. Since her horses typically visit the Oklahoma training track daily, she was interested in being stabled closer to that facility but only if she could get a barn with a covered shedrow. Barn 83 fit both criteria and she accepted the offer from New York Racing Association officials to relocate, even though it meant following a legend who set the standard for success on the track, but for tidy barns decorated with flowers. A photo of Wayne and Laurie Lukas left in the office at Barn 83 at Saratoga | Sarah Andrew “I thought it was really neat, obviously,” she said. “You can't come in here and not feel like a special honor. You come into these places, and you think about the horses that have come through here and been in these stalls. You just think about how pristine it has been. Then you think, 'Oh no, now I have to emulate some of that.' We're trying to, but it's going to be a process for us.” DeVaux said that longtime Lukas assistant Bas Nicholl, who has taken over the Lukas stable, has sent her images of how Barn 83 has looked in recent years. She understands that with the four-day Fourth of July meet that opens Thursday and the launch of the 40-day meet on July 10, there will be visitors stopping by the Lukas-turned-DeVaux barn and grounds. “That's why I'm trying to get all my flowers in order and clean it up,” she said. “But, it's a big undertaking. Wayne had a whole staff dedicated to getting the barn set up before we even got here and this is our first year, so we've got to come up with our own system. We're personally ready, but we're getting there as far as getting it set up and just having it as esthetically pleasing as we can.” In her communications with Nicholl, DeVaux asked him to send up a Lukas Stable sign that she hopes can be part of a Lukas memorial garden on the site. She has an order in for an American flag to put on the flag pole in front of the barn. Since they often competed on the same tracks, DeVaux said she did get to know Lukas a little bit. “I had conversations in passing,” she said. “I first started my career in 2004 and I was in Kentucky, and anyone who knows me would find it profound that I was intimidated by him, but I was. In my own career, we spent some time just waiting for races and in the horsemen's lounge and chatted a bit. Very friendly. I obviously had an immense amount of respect for him. He was just so nice and genuine, just a genuine person.” So many great horses were located in Barn 83 during Lukas's time there and DeVaux is hoping to find out which stalls standouts like Winning Colors lived in. Her intention is to put some of her top runners and 2-year-old prospects like Zenyatta's final foal, Nyume, and the Lady Eli colt, Dr. Ange, in those spaces. She has reached out to Saratoga veterans like Daily Racing Form photographer Barbara Livingston and welcomes help for anyone with some knowledge to share. Sarah Andrew DeVaux acknowledged that it felt a little weird to be sitting in what had been Lukas's chair in the office. “The first time I really sat in the chair is when I wrote that post,” she said. “I walked around the barn and it was hot as blazes. It was that hot, hot, 90-something day, and that's when I sat and wrote that. It's a bit emotional, but we don't really get the luxury of, like, sitting there, really thinking about things, because I have to-do lists all over the place. Here. One here. One here. So you just get a few moments to think about it, and then it's fleeting, and then you think about it again. Then it's kind of you get to really think.” DeVaux said she is comfortable handling two responsibilities at Saratoga. “I have my own career that I'm trying to do,” she said, “but I still want to make sure that I'm not just brushing away a memory of a person that deserves to be recognized and memorialized for many years to come.” The post DeVaux Honored to Follow Lukas at Spa Barn appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Alice Haynes' stable star Cairo, who finished a career-best third at Royal Ascot in the Queen Anne Stakes (G1) June 17 at odds of 100-1, is set to spend the rest of the summer in the United States with some ambitious targets on his agenda.View the full article

If you're one of those fans who can't get enough of Saratoga racing, then 2025 is your kind of year. And maybe 2026 will be as well. But don't get spoiled. View the full article

Promising two-year-old filly Flawless Fusion (lot 20) took top billing at the Tattersalls Online July Sale when selling for 140,000gns to Blandford Bloodstock from Jim Bolger's Glebe House Stables. A daughter of Dawn Approach and the dual Listed-placed mare French Fusion (Harzand), from the family of the G1 Melbourne Cup hero Twilight Payment, Flawless Fusion made an encouraging start to her career when filling the runner-up spot on last month's debut. “She caught the eye at Leopardstown,” Blandford Bloodstock's Stuart Boman said of that performance. “Irish maidens are so competitive and she closed very well. When you are buying from Jim Bolger, you know these horses have not only been produced well but they have also been bred with meticulous care. It can be hard to find horses that are lightly raced that have exhibited a high level of ability. Ultimately, she looks to be good value when compared to the breeze-up or yearling prices. She has already shown potential and hopefully she goes on for new connections.” Elsewhere in the sale, the complete dispersal of the estate of legendary Irish trainer Kevin Prendergast attracted great interest, with all 10 lots offered selling for an aggregate of 241,800gns. Most popular was the unraced juvenile Mergus Serrator (lot 115), who went the way of James Fyffe for 58,000gns. The son of Masar is out of a full-sister to the Listed winner and Group 1-placed sire Whitecliffsofdover. Also finding favour was the unraced two-year-old filly Speckled Brown (lot 116), who was bought by agent Nick Bell, acting on behalf of Windlestone, for 56,000gns. A daughter of Prendergast's Classic winning-sire Awtaad, she is a sibling to three winners and comes from the family of G1 Pretty Polly Stakes winner Chorist. Of the 102 lots offered, 62 sold for a total of 677,000gns and at an average of 10,919gns. Unsold lots remain available and offers can be made through the Make An Offer facility on the Tattersalls Online website. Enquiries can also be made by phone or via email at tattersallsonline@tattersalls.com. The post Flawless Fusion Headlines Tattersalls Online July Sale at 140,000gns appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from around the country. The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit's (HIWU) “pending” and “resolved” cases portals. Resolved ADMC Violations Date: 07/01/2025 Licensee: James Nicholson, trainer Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on July 2, 2025; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Vets' list medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone-a controlled substance (Class C)-in a sample taken from Sheer Dominance, who won at Parx Racing on 5/17/25. Date: 07/01/2025 Licensee: Natalie Cowan, trainer Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision of HIWU. Explainer: Vets' list medication violation for the presence of Methocarbamol-a controlled substance (Class C)-in a sample taken from Beauty Bolt on 5/2/25. Date: 06/30/2025 Licensee: Manuel Alejandro Chavez, trainer Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on July 1, 2025; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a total fine of $1,500, $500 for the Class C Controlled Medication Rule Violation, and $1,000 for the Class B Controlled Medication Rule Violation; imposition of a total of 3.5 Penalty Points, 1.5 Penalty Points for the Class C Controlled Medication Rule Violation, and 2 Penalty Points for the Class B Controlled Medication Rule Violation. Admission. Explainer: Medication violation for the use or attempted use of Caffeine and Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO)-Class B and C controlled substances respectively-on Moringa during the race period dated 5/1/25. Moringa did not make a start that day. Date: 06/27/2025 Licensee: Ricardo Vega, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. A final decision by HIWU. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Dexamethasone-a Class C controlled substance-in a sample taken from Regalpains, who finished fourth at Parx Racing on 5/13/25. Date: 06/26/2025 Licensee: Brittany Russell, trainer Penalty: A written reprimand. Explainer: Vets' list medication violation for the presence of Omeprazole (GastroGard)-a Class C controlled substance-in a sample taken from Magico on 5/20/25. Pending ADMC Violations 07/01/2025, Marcelino Salas, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Diclofenac-a Class C controlled substance-in a sample taken from Yammy Yammy Bella, who finished second at Parx Racing on 5/28/25. 06/30/2025, Gary Contessa, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine-a Class B controlled substance-in a sample taken from Answer the Call on 5/21/25. 06/30/2025, Jonathaniel Badillo, trainer: Pending medication violations for the presence of Capsaicin-a Class B controlled substance-in samples taken from Spotten Bull, who won at Parx Racing on 5/21/25; and finished second at Parx Racing on 5/28/25. 06/27/2025, Carlos Perez, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine-a Class B controlled substance-in a sample taken from Navy Cross, who won at Gulfstream Park on 5/16/25. 06/26/2025, Ray Handal, trainer: Pending medication violations for the presence of Dexamethasone-a Class C controlled substance-in samples taken from Makeyourmoment, who finished fifth at Aqueduct on 4/23/25; and in a sample taken from Valtellina, who won at Belmont at the Big A on 5/16/25. The post National Regulatory Weekly Rulings – June 26 – July 2 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It is 40 years since Steve Cauthen guided the brilliant Pebbles to a memorable victory in the Eclipse Stakes and the legendary jockey revealed that, if given the opportunity to ride any horse at Sandown on Saturday, he would not look beyond the race favourite Ombudsman. Trained by John and Thady Gosden, Ombudsman took his form to a new level when running out an impressive winner of the Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot. That came on just the sixth start of the four-year-old's career and Cauthen said Ombudsman shaped like a colt that has the scope for further progression and is his main pick for the showpiece event. He said, “I watched Ombudsman winning at Royal Ascot and I was very impressed. He is an unexposed type that has raced just six times so he could be hard to beat. He's the one I'd go for.” When you think of the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown, great horses like Pebbles are spoken about in the same breath of Sea The Stars, Nashwan, Giant's Causeway and more as the most memorable winners. Of course, Cauthen broke new ground aboard Clive Britain's outstanding racemare, given she became the first of her sex to win the 10f contest. Cauthen remembered, “I had gone to Henry's [Cecil] and had obviously ridden a lot for Sheikh Mohammed, including the [fillies'] Triple Crown aboard Oh So Sharp. So I ended up getting on Pebbles for the Eclipse and I can remember she was working really well in the build-up to the race. She was a super filly. It wasn't a big field but it was a quality race and she beat Rainbow Quest quite easily. Over 10f, I felt we had more speed than he did, and it worked out that way. We made the running and, entering the final two furlongs, I asked her to pick up and she picked up good to win comfortably in the end. It was a brilliant performance.” Cauthen added, “I was always happy to make the running, especially if you were on the best horse and in small fields like that. Unfortunately I lost the ride aboard Pebbles in the Champion Stakes because I had to ride Slip Anchor. Pat [Eddery] got on her that day and he ended up beating me in the Breeders' Cup Turf as well! But those were great times and I was very fortunate to ride some great horses – particularly fillies. “I rode Pebbles, Oh So Sharp, In The Groove, Triptych, Cormorant Wood , Time Charter – just some fantastic fillies and Pebbles ranked right up there. I always say that Oh So Sharp was the best I rode. What she did in the Oaks, beating a filly like Triptych [by] six lengths in a canter, was a damn good performance. But I rated Pebbles right up there with all the other good fillies that I rode.” Cauthen won just about everything there is to win in Europe throughout his glittering career in the saddle and explained how the Eclipse at Sandown was always a race that excited him greatly. He concluded, “I think the Eclipse is a great race because you tend to get good horses who have run in the Derby coming back in trip. If they can do that, it tends to heighten their stud value and therefore it's usually a very well-supported race by all of the top outfits and this year's edition looks a very good one.” The post Steve Cauthen Backs Ombudsman For Eclipse Glory 40 Years On From Pebbles appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The initial draft of supplemental entries added to the upcoming Fasig-Tipton July Selected Horses of Racing Age includes offerings from Estate of D. Wayne Lukas, according to a release Wednesday. In total, Fasig-Tipton has catalogued an additional 11 entries to the July Selected HORA sale, which will be held on Tuesday, July 8 in Lexington, Kentucky. Mulholland Springs will serve as agent for the five Lukas Estate offerings. The offerings include two unraced 2-year-olds by Essential Quality and Liam's Map that were selected and purchased by Lukas. The new supplements are catalogued as hips 355-365: Princess Indy (Hip 355): A stakes winner at two, she's a full sister to multiple graded stakes winner Super Chow, and out of a half-sister to Grade I winners Carina Mia and Miss Match (Arg). Consigned by Taylor Made Sale Agency, agent. Back Ring Buzz (Hip 356): Two-year-old daughter of Hard Spun won her most recent start at Gulfstream on June 27 despite a troubled trip. Consigned by Taylor Made Sale Agency, agent. Perfect Figure (Hip 357): Stakes placed at two, she's a half-sister to multiple stakes winner Wizard of Westwood from the family of Grade/Group 1Iwinners Danon Kingly and West Coast. Her third dam is champion Caressing. Consigned by Elite, agent. Victory Music (Hip 359): Two-year-old daughter of Maclean's Music won her debut at Churchill Downs from the rail on June 29 in wire-to-wire fashion. Consigned by Paramount Sales, agent. Waco (Hip 360): Stakes placed at Oaklawn at three last year, he is a half-brother to multiple graded stakes placed Flying Private. Consigned by Mulholland Springs, agent for the Estate of D. Wayne Lukas. Going Steady (Hip 361): Three-year-old winning daughter of Constitution is out a half-sister to stakes winner and stakes producer Stronger Than Ever. Her female family includes GISWs Rail Trip, Palace Malice, and Justin Palace. Consigned by Mulholland Springs, agent for the Estate of D. Wayne Lukas. These entries will also be available in the Equineline sales catalogue app. Printed versions will be available on the sales grounds at sale time. The post D. Wayne Lukas Estate Offerings Included Among Supplemental Entries for F-T July Selected HORA Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A memorial service for Barry Hills, one of Britain's most successful, skilled and respected trainers, who died last week at the age of 88, will be held at St Michael and All Angels Church in Lambourn on Tuesday, July 8. The service will begin at 11am, with additional parking available on Crowle Road, opposite Windsor House Stables. The post Details Announced for Barry Hills Memorial Service appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The version of President Trump's “Big Beautiful Bill” passed by the Senate earlier this week contains a tax provision that could see gamblers pay more in taxes than they win-a change that could have ramifications for horse racing's bottom line. In the Senate's version of the bill, deductions for gambling winnings will be limited to 90% of annual losses. Currently, gamblers can deduct 100% of wagering losses (below a net profit) for any given year. As NBC Sports describe it, “$100,000 in winnings against $100,000 in losses will be treated for tax purposes as if the losses were only $90,000.” The specific language in the bill can be found at section 70114, “Extension and modification of limitation on wagering losses.” “It is a big deal,” said Tom Rooney, CEO and president of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), who pointed to the possible impacts on horse racing revenues through gambling dollars throughout the sport, and especially those jurisdictions with no supplemental revenues. Rooney said he's working with representatives from other key gaming entities to petition lawmakers on the issue, including the American Gaming Association. “We've let it be known to our friends on the hill that our sport is generated by the people that play the horses. And, if they're dissuaded in any way to do that, it's going to hurt our sport,” said Rooney. The House is currently voting to concur their version of the bill with the Senate. While no new language can be added, verbiage can be stripped. A previous version of the bill in the House contained key tax provisions that would have been detrimental to many horse racing stakeholders. But Rooney said that they were able to remove that through lobbying efforts. “Whether or not they can change language this late in the game is very tough,” said Rooney, about efforts to strip the latest gambling tax language from the current iteration of the bill. “People ask, why are they moving this gambling tax from 100% to 90%, it's because of revenue, and just trying to find money wherever they can,” said Rooney. Independent analysis of Trump's Big Beautiful Bill found it would increase the national debt by $3.3 trillion over the next ten years. This story will be updated… The post Gambling Tax Changes in “Big Beautiful Bill” Could Hit Bettors, Racing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has urged the sport to collectively lobby the Government to back British racing and axe a proposal from the Treasury which could hit racing's finances to the tune of £66m in lost income. Those figures were published by the BHA for the first time on Wednesday, highlighting the potentially catastrophic consequences of the proposal to hike tax on horserace betting by bringing existing online betting duties into one single rate. At a time when affordability checks and the lack of a sustainable central funding model are already posing a significant threat to racing's finances, it is feared by the BHA that a tax hike for bookmakers in the Autumn Budget would further jeopardise the future of the sport in Britain. “Economic analysis commissioned by the BHA shows that aligning the current 15% tax rate paid by bookmakers on racing with that of online games of chance – currently taxed at 21% – by harmonising all remote gambling duties, could hit racing's finances to the tune of £66m in lost income via the Levy, media rights and sponsorship,” read a press release issued by the BHA. “This is because operators are likely to seek to mitigate significant tax rises through cutting bonuses, reducing advertising and marketing budgets and increasing prices. “Should the Treasury seek to raise the proposed single duty rate further to help balance the books, the impact on racing's finances would be devastating, with a projected £97m loss at a tax rate of 25%, a £126m loss at 30% and a £160m loss at 40%.” The release added, “This would put thousands of jobs at risk and severely impact towns and rural communities across the country. It would also hamper British racing's world-leading work on equine welfare.” This rallying cry comes ahead of the launch of 'Axe the Racing Tax', a BHA-led public campaign against the proposal which will be rolled out over the summer. In the meantime, the BHA is encouraging everyone involved in the sport to write to their local MP to call on Ministers to urgently rethink proposals. The Treasury's consultation closes on July 21, before it considers its options ahead of the Budget this autumn. Brant Dunshea, acting CEO of the BHA, said, “It is vital that everyone working in racing, the media and bettors fully support and promote this campaign. The Government's consultation on harmonising online betting duties, if followed through, poses one of the gravest risks to racing the sport has ever seen. “It will punch a huge hole in racing's finances, risk thousands of jobs across Britain and threaten the future of the country's second most-popular sport and a cherished national institution. “From now until the Budget we will be hammering home a very simple message to MPs, Peers and the Government on behalf of millions of racing fans. It's time for the Government to back British racing and axe the racing tax.” The post BHA Issues Rallying Cry Against ‘Devastating’ Tax Hike Proposals appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article