Wandering Eyes

The one-mile turf test for 3-year-olds bred or sired in California ended with an upset as the son of Lucky Pulpit ran like a horse possessed in the stretch, winning by 1 3/4 lengths. View the full article

Team Valor International and Gary Barber's Belvoir Bay (GB), like many from the barn of trainer Peter Miller, has found a sweet spot sprinting on the grass, particularly down the Santa Anita Park hillside turf course. View the full article

Horses' test results April 28 View the full article

Restricted Maiden races open to young raced imports View the full article

With his sons Justify, Mendelssohn, Flameaway, and Combatant all slated to start in the first leg of the Triple Crown, the impact of the late Scat Daddy lords over the Kentucky Derby this season. View the full article

Young sires in North America and Europe are showing potential with progeny headed into the upcoming classics, which are coming in May and June. View the full article

Despite drifting out to the middle of the track in the lane, Anne and William Scott's Summer Sunday remained undefeated at Woodbine, scoring by 1 3/4 lengths in the $125,000 Fury Stakes April 29. View the full article

Reigning champion 2-year-old filly Caledonia Road returned to racing April 29 and won her season debut by 3 1/2 lengths at Belmont Park. View the full article

European champion Cracksman returned to the track in style April 29 with a convincing success in the €600,000 Prix Ganay - Prix de l'Inauguration de ParisLongchamp (G1) at ParisLongchamp. View the full article

With his sons Justify, Mendelssohn, Flameaway, and Combatant all slated to start in the first leg of the Triple Crown, the impact of the late Scat Daddy lords over the Kentucky Derby this season. View the full article

Hofburg was the lone Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) hopeful on the Churchill Downs grounds to put in a timed work April 29, going in company with Villamay during a half-mile breeze in :48 1/5. View the full article

The Jockey Club, in announcing its 2017 financial results on Sunday, reported a ninth successive year of revenue growth and its largest-ever contribution to prizemoney last year. The Jockey Club, which invests all profits back into racing, brought in revenues of £201.1-million last year, up 5.2% from 2016. Increased revenues were reported in the areas of general admission, media, hospitality and commercial partnerships. The Jockey Club generated its largest-ever operating profit before prizemoney of £44.8-million, and contributed a record £22.9-million (up 10.1%) to purses at its 15 racecourses. This year, The Jockey Club plans to increase its contribution to prizemoney to £27.1-million, causing total prizemoney at its courses to exceed £53-million. Simon Bazalgette, group chief executive of The Jockey Club, said, “I’m very pleased we were able to make a record financial contribution to British Racing in 2017 as a result of achieving a ninth successive year of commercial growth. Looking ahead, we are increasing prize money further in 2018 and we are continuing to invest in the experience we offer to customers and participants, whether that’s recently completing Europe’s largest installation of free public Wi-Fi, further enhancing facilities for racehorse owners and trainers or launching the new Britbet betting service for our racing customers this summer. We’re working hard to build The Jockey Club brand to create more value to benefit British Racing, including through the record partnership revenues we’re now achieving, and we’re now making some good strides in terms of our efforts to engage more people across the country in our sport, which is vital for the future.” View the full article

Caledonia Road (f, 3, Quality Road–Come a Callin, by Dixie Union), off since capping her championship season with a win in the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies last November, reported home an easy three-length winner of a one-mile allowance at Belmont Park Sunday. Sent off at 1-5 while facing four rivals, the bay filly was stalked the pace in third while under a tight hold through fractions of :24.29 and :48.40. She moved up to challenge for the lead under her own steam nearing the stretch and put away a stubborn Total Control (Bellamy Road) with a furlong to run before drawing away. She completed the mile in 1:38.06. Total Control just held off the late-closing Crimson Frost (Stormy Atlantic) for second. A debut winner at Saratoga last September, Caledonia Road was second in the Oct. 8 GI Frizette S. before her 3 1/4-length tally in the Breeders’ Cup. Lifetime Record: GISW, Ch. 2yo Filly, 4-3-1-0, $1,277,800. O-Zoom and Fish Stable, Inc., Charlie Spiring and Newtown Anner. B-Vegso Racing Stable (Fl). T-Ralph Nicks. View the full article

Humble and understated as he is, even John Size must shake his head where it comes to his stable’s domination of this year’s 1200-metre features at Sha Tin. Heading into Sunday’s G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize, the barn had won each of the previous five group races, had filled the top three on two occasions and two of the top three on two others. That he would saddle the trifecta in Sunday’s race is scarcely surprising, even if the least exposed of his entrants Ivictory (Aus) (Mossman {Aus}) would prove best of the lot, defeating G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint hero Mr Stunning (Aus) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) and Beat the Clock (Aus) (Hinchinbrook {Aus}). Once beaten and making the step up into Group 1 company off a record-setting Class 2 win at Happy Valley, Ivictory showed good speed here as well, but was content to take back into the box seat when William Buick rolled forward on Blue Point (Ire) (Shamardal) to put Peniaphobia (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) to the sword. That eventuality would have had Zac Purton salivating, and he took full advantage, getting first run on the dueling pacesetters before staving off late bids from his more accomplished barnmates. Fine Needle (Jpn) (Admire Moon {Jpn}) was a gap away in fourth. “It’s a big jump actually, from a Class 2,” Size told journalist Steve Moran. “I’m thrilled and relieved to see the first three favourites in the finish. Ivictory had given us all the signs. He’d won six of seven before today and his past two were emphatic including a track-record time at the Valley, but there was still the possibility it might be one run too early for him. But as it turned out he got the run of the race and showed that he was up to it.” WATCH: Ivictory makes the grade in the CSP Pedigree Notes: Ivictory is the 39th black-type winner, 25th graded winner and sixth Group 1 winner for his sire (by Success Express) and is out of a daughter of SW & MGSP Tyrolean, also the dam of MGSP Echo Effect (Aus) (Reset {Aus}). Inca Lagoon is responsible for the once-raced juvenile filly Ancient Aztec (Aus) (Albrecht {Aus}) and was sold for A$6,000 in foal to Star Witness (Aus) at the 2016 Inglis Weanling and Broodmare sale in 2016. That produce, a colt, fetched A$55,000 from Kristen Buchanan Racing at this year’s Inglis Sydney Classic Yearling Sale. Inca Lagoon foaled a Reset (Aus) colt in 2017, but missed to Dissident (Aus) for the current breeding season. Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong CHAIRMAN’S SPRINT PRIZE-G1, HK$16,000,000 (£1,464,825/€1,683,955/A$2,698,593/US$2,039,221), Sha Tin, 4-29, 3yo/up, 1200mT, 1:08.63, gd. 1–IVICTORY (AUS), 126, g, 4, by Mossman (Aus) 1st Dam: Inca Lagoon (Aus), by Hussonet 2nd Dam: Tyrolean (Aus), by Danehill 3rd Dam: Yodells (Aus), by Marscay (Aus) *1ST GROUP 1 WIN. 1ST GROUP WIN. 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. (A$67,500 Wlg ’14 MMNWNL; A$80,000 Ylg ’15 MMGCYS). O-Michael T H Lee & Dr Henry Chan Hin Lee; B-J Woods (NSW); T-John Size; J-Zac Purton; HK$9,120,000. Lifetime Record: 8-7-0-0, HK$14,159,250. Click for the eNicks report & five-cross pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: C. 2–Mr Stunning (Aus), 126, g, 5, Exceed and Excel (Aus)–With Fervour, by Dayjur. (A$110,000 Wlg ’13 INGGSW; NZ$250,000 Ylg ’14 NZBPRE). O-Maurice Koo Win Chong; B-; T-John Size; HK$3,520,000. 3–Beat the Clock (Aus), 126, g, 4, Hinchinbrook (Aus)–Flion Fenena (Aus), by Lion Hunter (Aus). (A$70,000 Ylg ’15 INGMEL; NZ$200,000 2yo ’15 NZBRTR). O-Merrick Chung Wai Lik; B-Miss J Henderson (NSW); T-John Size; HK$1,600,000. Margins: HF, NK, 3 1/4. Odds: 17-10, 17-5, 13-10. Also Ran: Fine Needle (Jpn), Lucky Bubbles (Aus), Peniaphobia (Ire), Amazing Kids (NZ), Thewizardofoz (Aus), Blue Point (Ire). Click for the HKJC.com chart, PPs and sectional timing. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. View the full article

Juddmonte Farms’ Hofburg (Tapit) completed his serious preparations for the GI Kentucky Derby with a four-furlong breeze in company in :48.20 at Churchill Downs Sunday morning–the lone Derby contender to drill at the Louisville oval Sunday. Meanwhile, Solomini (Curlin) worked six furlongs in 1:14.60 and Instilled Regard (Arch) worked five furlongs in 1:00.80 at Santa Anita. Working under exercise rider Penny Gardiner, Hofburg broke off behind workmate Villamay (Animal Kingdom), a debut winner at Tampa Bay for Juddmonte and trainer Bill Mott last month, and clicked off splits of :13.20, :24.60 and :36.20, according to Churchill Downs clockers, with gallop-out times of 1:01.20 for five-eighths and 1:14.80 for six furlongs. “He looked like he went off well and he joined his company a little bit early–the company was maybe going a little slow the first eighth of a mile–but he looked smooth as silk coming by me,” Mott said. “Approaching the wire he looked really good, switched leads, went into the turn and galloped out well around the turn.” Mott continued, “He has a lot of energy. That’s not something we made him do, we just let him do it. We wanted him to work out pretty good around the turn and keep going and just have a steady gallop-out, which is what he did and he does that as well as anything.” Back at Santa Anita, Solomini–owned by Zayat Stables and the Coolmore partners–worked in company, with Solomini maintaining an advantage on the inside of workmate Once On Whiskey (Bodemeister). Santa Anita clockers recorded gallop-out times of 1:28.20 for seven-eighths and one mile in 1:42.80. “He worked really well,” Zayat Stables racing manager Justin Zayat said afterwards. “Bob told me he was happy with him and Martin really liked the work, which is always a good sign. The plan was to not do anything too stressful with him. Bob was just letting him stretch his legs a little bit.” Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer was similarly pleased with Instilled Regard’s work. “It was a very good move for my horse,” he said. “Very good. Drayden was up and he’s worked him before for me and we gave him a target to run at. He ran him down and looked good doing it.” View the full article

One of the surprise packages of the current racing season in Hong Kong has been Beauty Generation (NZ) (Road to Rock {Aus}), and the hard-knocking gelding added Sunday’s G1 Champions Mile to his previous victories in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile and the G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m). In scoring by a deceptively easy one-length margin. Within the context of Time Warp’s subpar performance in the QE II Cup, the former Anthony Cummings galloper has tossed his hat into the ring for local Horse of the Year honors. A bit slow to muster from gate one, Beauty Generation gradually worked his way to the front and, as has been his custom this season, galloped his rivals into the ground. He joins the likes of Good Ba Ba, Able Friend (Aus) and Maurice (Jpn) to complete the Hong Kong Mile/Champions Mile double. “I’m not sure I’d put him in the same group as those horses, but he is a good horse and he has done everything right,” trainer John Moore, now a seven-time Champions Mile winner, told HKJC’s Andrew Hawkins. “If he is able to get to the front, he is a real grinder at the very highest level. What more can he do than win races? He’s not brilliant like Able Friend, but he’s a top horse in his own way.” WATCH: Beauty Generation too strong in the Champions Mile Pedigree Notes: Beauty Generation is out of a half-sister to SW & MGSP Victory Trump (Aus) (Euclase {Aus}) and to SW & GSP Savage Attack (Aus) (Made of Gold). He has a 2-year-old half-brother by Echoes of Heaven (Aus) and a weanling half-sister by Tavistock (NZ). Stylish Bel was most recently covered by Tarzino (NZ). Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong CHAMPIONS MILE-G1, HK$18,000,000 (£1,647,735/€1,894,561/A$3,035,686/US$2,294,091), Sha Tin, 4-29, 3yo/up, 1600mT, 1:34.31, gd. 1–BEAUTY GENERATION (NZ), 126, g, 5, by Road to Rock (Aus) 1st Dam: Stylish Bel (Aus), by Bel Esprit (Aus) 2nd Dam: Stylish Victory (Aus), by Durham Ranger 3rd Dam: Romantic Peace (Aus), by Mikado (Aus) (NZ$60,000 Ylg ’14 NZBSEL). O-Patrick Kwok Ho Chuen; B-Nearco Stud Ltd; T-John Moore; J-Zac Purton; HK$10,260,000. Lifetime Record: G1SP-Aus, 22-9-3-4, HK$41,930,720. *Formerly Montaigne (NZ). Click for the eNicks report & five-cross pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. 2–Western Express (Aus), 126, g, 5, Encosta de Lago (Aus)–Alsatia (Aus), by Marauding (NZ). (A$80,000 Ylg ’14 INGMEL). O-Larry Yung Chi Kin; B-F Peisah (NSW); T-John Size; HK$3,960,000. 3–Southern Legend (Aus), 126, g, 5, Not a Single Doubt (Aus)–Donna’s Appeal (Aus), by Carnegie (Ire). (A$280,000 Ylg ’14 INGEAS). O-Boniface Ho Ka Kui; B-Corumbene Stud (NSW); T-Caspar Fownes; HK$1,800,000. Margins: 1, 3/4, NO. Odds: 9-10, 20-1, 15-1. Also Ran: Beauty Only (Ire), Singapore Sling (SAf), Pingwu Spark (NZ), Seasons Bloom (Aus), Blizzard (Aus). Scratched: Helene Paragon (Fr). Click for the HKJC.com chart, PPs and sectional timing. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. View the full article

5th-LLD, €18,000, Mdn, 4-29, unraced 2yo, 5 1/2fT, 1:13.63, gd. BAYLAGAN (FR) (c, 2, Toronado {Ire}–Al Waghaa {Fr}, by Muhtathir {GB}) was sharply into stride and raced prominently from flagfall in this newcomers’ test. Joining the front rank at the top of the straight, the 51-10 chance came under pressure to gain a narrow advantage approaching the final furlong and kept on gamely under whipless rousting to deny Alissachope (Fr) (Kheleyf) by a short head in a bobbing finish, becoming the first winner for his Haras de Bouquetot-based freshman sire (by High Chaparral {Ire}). Kin to a yearling colt by Planteur (Ire), he is the first foal produced by Al Waghaa (Fr) (Muhtathir {GB}), who is a full-sister to the dual stakes-placed Maroon Machine (Ire), and a half-sister to the dual stakes-placed Place Vendome (Fr) (Dr Fong), who in turn is the dam of G1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains-winning sire Style Vendome (Fr) (Anabaa) and stakes-winning G1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains and G1 Criterium International placegetter Prestige Vendome (Fr) (Orpen). Sales history: €45,000 Ylg ’17 AROCT. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, €9,000. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. 1ST-TIME STARTER. O-Al Shaqab Racing; B-Faisal bin Khalid Al Thani (FR); T-Simone Brogi. View the full article

European champion Cracksman returned to the track in style April 29, with a convincing success in the €600,000 Prix Ganay - Prix de l'Inauguration de ParisLongchamp (G1) at ParisLongchamp. View the full article

A career that has featured as many stops and starts as a post-race expressway journey from Sha Tin back to Hong Kong Island reached a pinnacle Sunday afternoon for ‘TDN Rising Star’ Pakistan Star (Ger) (Shamardal), who punched through between horses entering the final 300 metres of the G1 Audemars Piguet QE II Cup and flashed home to scoop Hong Kong’s second-richest prize by three resounding lengths. It was a coming-out party two years in the making. From day one, when he produced a last-to-first rally to post a highly improbable debut success, Pakistan Star has always had the inherent talent necessary to scale heights such as this one. Except over and over, he’s proved his own worst enemy, dancing to the beat of his own drummer. Dating back to his under-tack breeze prior to the 2016 Hong Kong International Sale–where he fetched HK$6 million from businessman Kerm Din–Pakistan Star made it clear he intended on doing things his own way, damn the consequences. He nearly refused to work on that occasion, and that particular quirk had raised its ugly head again and again, both in trackwork and in races, forestalling a true opportunity for him to realise his considerable talent and for his worldwide fan base to revel in it. As recently as nine days ago, he had to trial to the satisfaction of local stewards after his rogue behaviour was on display in the Apr. 8 G2 Chairman’s Trophy. It took all of Joao Moreira’s persuasion to keep Pakistan Star running that afternoon and somehow he managed to fly home to finish fourth. In the aforementioned trial, the oft slow-starting gelding made the running beneath Tommy Berry, but got bored or otherwise disinterested and nearly pulled himself up in the stretch before finishing with renewed vigour. Both Berry and trainer Tony Cruz, who went so far as to recruit the ‘horse whisperer’ Monty Roberts to work with the horse in December, insisted all would be well in the QE II Cup. They were not wrong. WATCH: ‘TDN Rising Star’ Pakistan Star kicks clear in the QE II As if his playing up weren’t enough of a story line, there was even drama involving just who would be in the saddle Sunday. Silvestre de Sousa, who was in the irons for runner-up efforts in last year’s Hong Kong Derby and for this event, was originally booked, but had to back out earlier in the week. Kerrin McEvoy was tabbed to replace de Sousa, but he was restricted from flying from Australia owing to an ear infection, and Cruz reached out to visiting jockey William Buick. Pakistan Star hopped at the break from gate one, but he was still able to ease onto the back of the pace, set ultimately by favoured stablemate Time Warp (GB) (Archipenko), but who was forced do some work to clear Japanese raider Danburite (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}). Last year’s G1 Satsuki Sho hero Al Ain (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) was well spotted early, while second favourite and 2018 Derby hero Ping Hai Star (NZ) (Nom du Jeu {NZ}) raced last but one with only Gold Mount (GB) (Excellent Art {GB}) behind. Time Warp, front-running winner of the G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup and G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup over the course and distance previously, was allowed to do his thing and took them down the back and into the turn, as positions behind were unchanged, even as the field bunched up entering the final half-mile. Time Warp led on the swing for home, but Danburite ultimately proved the fly in his ointment and the chalk was one of the first beaten. Meanwhile, Buick was patient atop Pakistan Star, praying for the gap to come and hoping his charge could produce his trademark acceleration. Both happened simultaneously at the 300m, and Pakistan Star put the race to bed in the next few strides before strolling home a comfortable winner. Gold Mount weaved his way through to complete a 1-2 for the Cruz yard, while Eagle Way (Aus) (More Than Ready) ran with credit in third. Ping Hai Star came down the centre to be fourth. “He’s showed his class today, he was very straightforward through the race, got a beautiful run and the only thing going through my mind was if the split was going to come or not,” Buick told HKJC’s David Morgan. “As soon as it came, he was fast to go in there and won very well, he felt like a very fast horse.” While the May 27 G1 Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) is a logical option for Pakistan Star, Cruz may look further afield. I’ll work out with his owner where else we might take him– Royal Ascot or something,” the local legend commented. “He needs racing, he’s only had four races–he’s had more barrier trials!” Pedigree Notes: Bred by Gestut Wittekindshof, Pakistan Star caught the eye of the HKJC’s Mark Richards at the 2014 Arqana August Yearling Sale and plucked him out for €180,000. Despite those aforementioned antics at the HKIS breeze-up, he realised a nice profit for the Club and was turned over to Cruz. The winner’s dam is a multiple stakes-winning daughter of Group 1 winner Next Gina, while third dam Night Petticoat won the 1996 G2 Preis der Diana and was responsible for highweight and 2002 G1 Deutsches Derby hero Next Desert (Ire) (Desert Style {Ire}) as well as four other black-type earners. A Mastercraftsman (Ire) half-sister to Pakistan Star fetched €235,000 from Bertrand Le Metayer at last year’s BBAG September Yearling Sale–third-highest price at the auction–and Nina Celebre foaled a filly from the first crop of Golden Horn (GB) in 2017. Pakistan Star is the 115th stakes winner, 59 graded winner and 19th individual top-level scorer for his sire, a son of the late Giant’s Causeway. Other Group 1-winning sons of Shamardal in Hong Kong include Able Friend (Aus) and Dan Excel (Ire), each of whom won the Champions Mile. Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong AUDEMARS PIGUET QEII CUP-G1, HK$24,000,000 (£2,196,403/€2,525,042/A$4,047,211/US$3,058,828), Sha Tin, 4-29, 3yo/up, 2000mT, 2:00.21, gd. 1–PAKISTAN STAR (GER), 126, g, 5, by Shamardal 1st Dam: Nina Celebre (Ire) (MSW-Ger, SP-Ity), by Peintre Celebre 2nd Dam: Next Gina (Ger), by Perugino 3rd Dam: Night Petticoat (Ger), by Petoski (GB) ‘TDN Rising Star‘ *1ST GROUP 1 WIN. 1ST GROUP WIN. 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. (€180,000 Ylg ’14 ARQAUG; HK$6,000,000 HRA ’16 HKIS). O-Kerm Din; B-Gestut Wittekindshof; T-Tony Cruz; J-William Buick; HK$13,680,000. Lifetime Record: 15-4-5-0, HK$29,956,200. Click for the eNicks report & five-cross pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: A+. 2–Gold Mount (GB), 126, g, 5, Excellent Art (GB)–Dolcetto (Ire), by Danehill Dancer (Ire). (10,000gns Ylg ’14 TATOCT). O-Pan Sutong; B-Mrs L H Field; T-Tony Cruz; HK$5,280,000. 3–Eagle Way (Aus), 126, g, 5, More Than Ready–Wedgewood Eagle (Aus), by Lure. (A$200,000 Ylg ’14 INGEAS). O-Siu Pak Kwan; B-Segenhoe Thoroughbreds Australia Pty Ltd (NSW); T-John Moore; HK$2,400,000. Margins: 3, 1 1/4, 1. Odds: 19-5, 33-1, 21-1. Also Ran: Ping Hai Star (NZ), Al Ain (Jpn), Dinozzo (Ire), Danburite (Jpn), Time Warp (GB). Click for the HKJC.com chart, PPs and sectional timing. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. View the full article

Blamed, winner of the Sunland Park Oaks, has been withdrawn from consideration for the May 4 Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) after a hairline fracture in her right hind pastern was discovered the morning of April 29. View the full article

The Kentucky Derby Museum’s new stable area will be named in honor of Penny Chenery, the owner of GI Kentucky Derby winners Riva Ridge and Secretariat. The Helen B. “Penny” Chenery Stable will house the Museum’s resident Thoroughbred and companion animal and will be built as part of the Museum’s $6.5 million dollar expansion project. The announcement came during the Museum’s 3rd annual Fan Fest Day with Penny’s daughter, Kate Tweedy, in attendance. “Our family is both humbled and thrilled with the Kentucky Derby Museum naming this wonderful new barn in our mother’s honor,” said Tweedy. “Mom was truly in her element in any horse barn, and she would have been delighted to share her legacy with such a worthy endeavor providing enjoyment to horse lovers and sparking interest in racing for generations to come.” Construction on the stable and the rest of the Museum’s expansion will get underway mid-May. Construction will be completed by Breeders’ Cup held at Churchill Downs in November 2018. The Museum will remain open throughout the entire project. The Museum also opened its latest exhibit, Winning Colors: Famous Fillies. This year marks the 30th anniversary of Winning Colors’ Kentucky Derby win in 1988. The exhibit showcases the emergence of the Kentucky Oaks as a premiere race and highlights the careers of several famous fillies, including the only other two fillies to win the Derby, Regret (1915) and Genuine Risk (1980). View the full article

Six days ahead of the Run for the Roses, Instilled Regard covered five furlongs in 1:00 4/5 at Santa Anita Park. View the full article

Chocolate Martini, a $25,000 claim at Fair Grounds Feb. 2, takes aim at the $1 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) for trainer Tom Amoss and Double Doors Racing's David Walker and Amanda DaBruzzo. View the full article

Rainbow Line (JPN) got through between horses in the final yards to win the Tenno Sho (Spring) (G1) April 29 at Kyoto Racecourse, narrowly defeating Cheval Grand (JPN) and Clincher (JPN). View the full article

TDN International Editor Kelsey Riley will be riding in the Mongol Derby in August 2018, and will be regularly blogging about her preparations and ultimately, her 1000-kilometer, 10-day ride across Outer Mongolia. Every rider chooses a charity for which they raise money as part of the process. Kelsey has chosen the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation’s Second Chances Program at the Blackburn Correctional Complex in Lexington, KY. To learn more about Blackburn, click here. “Don’t worry, you won’t even notice how bad you smell until you get back to the city.” That was just one of the pearls of wisdom afforded me last week by 2013 Mongol Derby veteran Shelley Bates, shortly after she informed me that my plan of three clothing changes over my 10 day, 1000 kilometre journey across the Mongolian steppe was far too many–one at most, maybe none, but a change of socks every day, she suggested. What luxury. While in England last week for the event of the year–no, not the Craven meeting, but rather the wedding of my friends Matt and Amanda Prior–I took the opportunity to travel down to Surrey to meet the woman known simply among Derbyists as The Guru: endurance trainer Maggie Pattinson, who operates On The Hoof Distance Training and has been at the forefront of the Derby organization and crew since the event was inaugurated nine years ago. Maggie has been sending us Derbyists invaluable guides on what to wear and pack as well as how to train physically, mentally and health-wise. My training up to this point has revolved around galloping racehorses, which has undoubtedly been fantastic for strength, fitness and dealing with, ahem, strong-willed horses, but I was eager to test my stamina. Fortunately, Maggie was happy to let me saddle up her quarter horse cross Cheyenne and go for a ride with Shelley, who is preparing for a 100-mile ride in three weeks’ time. Our ride took us around the scenic Hankley Commons military training grounds, which has also been used for movie sets– including James Bond films The World is Not Enough, Die Another Day and Skyfall–and around the top of the Devil’s Punch Bowl, a nature area punctuated by a deep crater in the earth (Go Pro video). We went through wooded areas, down roads, along the bottoms of deep ditches and across a few flat straights. All the while, I pestered Shelley with questions pertaining to Derby survival: what is the food like? How do I manage chafing? And, most importantly, what about those wild dogs notorious for chasing Derbyists?? “Turn the horse to face them, and they will most likely back off,” she said. “And if they don’t, make sure you hold your feet up high enough that they can’t get them.” Hold your feet up high. An ominous task for a 5′ 8″ rider on a 12-hand pony. My day with Shelley and Maggie was a fantastic opportunity to pick their brains about all things Derby and to get a gauge on my stamina in the saddle. “How far did we go?” I asked after jumping off Cheyenne at the end of the afternoon. Surely 50 kms? 60? Hell, it could have been 100!’ Shelley, cheerily: “about 20kms!” Twenty kilometers: that’s 2% of the Derby distance. Great. On the bright side, I bounced out of the ride in great form with no soreness, so am therefore thrilled with my fitness level just over three months’ out. My goal for the next few months will be to fit in a few 40 km rides–the Derby is made up of 25 40-km legs, and I think going into the adventure knowing what 40 kms feels like will be an advantage mentally. They say your body can handle just about anything, it’s your mind you have to convince. Psychological training will be just as pertinent as physical over the coming months. My week in England also allowed me to spend a few mornings riding out with my good friend, trainer John Berry. The last time I had visited John it was the dead of winter, and Newmarket felt like a ghost town as we trotted the trails rarely seeing another horse and rider. This time, I got to make my debut on the Newmarket Heath during Craven week, the official opening of the flat season in racing’s Headquarters. I was surely gawking like the tourist I was at the giant strings passing all around us and the amazing views across Warren Hill–a very different sight than the flat ovals of American racetracks! (Go Pro video) On the fundraising side, donations for the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation’s Second Chances Program at the Blackburn Correctional Complex have continued to trickle in steadily. We are at nearly $11,500 and while I’m thrilled, we still have work to do. Head on over to my fundraising page and show some love to the horses at Blackburn and a great program that supports ex-racehorses and the local community in Lexington. View the full article