Wandering Eyes

Byron King's Top 12 on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, presented by Spendthrift Farm.View the full article

Whether you consider it just a random squeaking of the hamster wheel, or evidence of some latent order awaiting our discovery, these Thoroughbreds certainly know how to make us stop and think about the strange operation of life. Last Friday it was announced that Miss Macy Sue (Trippi) had died at 22. The very next day, her son Liam's Map produced a Derby contender in GIII Holy Bull Stakes winner Burnham Square. The 20 starting points banked there, moreover, matched those earned two weeks previously in the GIII Lecomte Stakes by Disco Time, a new star for Not This Time–Miss Macy Sue's still more successful son, who famously owes his name to the lucrative success of his half-brother by Unbridled's Song. (“Not this time” being Dennis Albaugh's response when asked whether the mare's latest yearling, by Giant's Causeway, should follow Liam's Map to the sales.) Miss Macy Sue closely combined two of just five named foals out of Ta Wee, the champion sprinter who joined her half-brother Dr. Fager in the Hall of Fame: Ta Wee's daughter by Secretariat, Tweak, as third dam; and her son by Minnestoa Mac, Great Above, as damsire. Some familiar Tartan Farm brands there–and it was actually the farm's general manager, Bryan Howlett, who bred Miss Macy Sue with its trademark inbreeding to dominant females. The best example of that strategy was Quiet American, who shared both a third dam (Cequillo) and a damsire (Dr. Fager) with his own sire Fappiano. And the Albaugh family evidently kept that philosophy in mind when choosing a son of Unbridled for Miss Macy Sue: Unbridled's third dam was a Buckpasser half-sister to Dr. Fager and Ta Wee, and we just noted how Unbridled's sire Fappiano was out of a Dr. Fager mare. That said, Giant's Causeway conveyed no Tartan Farm duplications and perhaps the priority, all along, was simply to complement Miss Macy Sue's Florida speed (sufficient to have secured her a Breeders' Cup podium) with Classic, two-turn influences. Many breeders have sought that kind of balance and ended up with the worst of both worlds, but this mare has twice achieved an optimal, speed-carrying blend. But Liam's Map is himself counterweighted, in Burnham Square, by the work of another remarkable family program. For this gelding represents a third consecutive generation of graded stakes winners homebred by Whitham Thoroughbreds as a result of the $150,000 purchase at the 1992 Keeneland November Sale, through the family's great friend and counselor Frank Penn, of a young Secretariat mare named Listen Well. Liam's Map | Sarah Andrew She had only won a maiden, in a light career, but her dam and two half-sisters were graded stakes winners and she was pregnant to Night Shift. That first foal turned out to be GI Hollywood Oaks winner Listening, but the mare was just getting started. Her next foal, a Storm Bird filly, was unraced but produced GII Amsterdam Stakes winner Listen Here (Gulch) plus the dam of GI Queen Elizabeth Challenge Cup winner La Coronel (Colonel John); while a later daughter by Spinning World was beaten a neck in the GI Del Mar Oaks. In between, moreover, Listen Well came up with GII Santa Ana Handicap winner Beautiful Noise (Sunny's Halo). In turn Beautiful Noise did produce another Grade II winner on turf (Mrs. Revere Stakes) in Linda (Scat Daddy) but otherwise had a fairly thin production record. And Linda, in turn, had made a modest start as a producer–three starters (two by Whitham stallions Fort Larned and McCraken) all bumping along in claimers, with a solitary success between them–by the time she was culled for $55,000 to Springwood at the Keeneland January Sale last year. Her next foal, however, has turned out to be Burnham Square. The Derby trail will have to be its own reward, then: the horse himself has been castrated, his dam sold, his two half-sisters claimed. But he represents a program that has punched far above weight, over the years, and the gratification available in this latest adventure can be judged from the Whithams' fidelity to those horsemen who have served their cause over the years: when Carl Nafzger retired, for instance, they stayed with his assistant Ian Wilkes–who trained Linda, and is now nurturing Burnham Square. These folk come from rural Kansas; the Albaughs from Iowa. Both have quietly developed a formula for repeating talent, conflated in Burnham Square, that we would all do well to emulate–not least their shared priority of horses that can run, rather than merely sell. If Liam's Map and Linda both slipped into other hands, programs like these have wider legacies: most obviously Not This Time, now one of the world's top stallions and already with several sons extending the dynasty founded by Miss Macy Sue. And perhaps destiny has reserved a fitting memorial for that mare for the first Saturday in May, with a stretch duel between Burnham Square and Disco Time. A WIN-WIN SCENARIO Scat Daddy's daughters haven't quite emulated him in terms of producing sire sons of their own–albeit 200 mares for Pappacap in his debut book have given him a rather startling opportunity to do something about that. In the meantime Burnham Square's castration has left him in the same boat as Whitmore, while the portfolio of fillies out of Scat Daddy mares continues to expand. A week after Take Charge Milady (Take Charge Indy) stated her claims as Kenny McPeek's next Oaks filly, in the Martha Washington Stakes, Eclatant (Into Mischief) cut her rivals for the GIII Forward Gal Stakes. Eclatant is out of Downside Scenario, who was claimed by Steve Asmussen for just $40,000 on the final of eight starts (had won a Fair Grounds maiden). She was then sold at the 2018 Keeneland January Sale, to BlackRidge Stables for $250,000, carrying a first foal by Into Mischief. That foal turned out to be Mutasaabeq, a $425,000 yearling purchase by Shadwell who went on to win the GII Bourbon Stakes. (Confusingly her owners gave the same name to an Invincible Spirit (Ire) colt from the same crop, over in Britain, who became a still more accomplished runner and is now standing at the National Stud in Newmarket.) Downside Scenario was duly returned to Into Mischief prior to her return to the same ring in the 2021 November Sale, where she was acquired by Stonestreet for $1.15 million. The filly she was carrying in utero that day was Eclatant. But Into Mischief had already been summoned to the service of this page, having barely started when producing Downside Scenario's older half-sister back in 2015. Catching Diamonds failed to make much impact on the track, despite starting favorite for each of her three starts, and was in fact sent by her owners at Spendthrift straight from her final disappointment for a date with their $6,000 cover Race Day. Their son was sold for $7,500 as an OBS short yearling, and for $40,000 back in the same ring as a juvenile. His name, of course, is White Abarrio–who has just completed his latest revival in the GI Pegasus World Cup. White Abarrio is obviously a wild outlier, by the standards of his sire. But his dam and Downside Scenario have another notable sibling in Cool Cowboy, whose two Group wins in Dubai qualify him as one of the very top earners by Kodiak Kowboy. So it does seem as though some kind of genetic potency must be in play. White Abarrio | Lauren King Their dam Grand Breeze (Grand Slam) is a half-sister to an important mare in Brazil, and their mother in turn is out of Faneuil Lass (Somebody II {Aus}), runner-up in the GI Hollywood Oaks and sibling to GI Matron Stakes winner Fiesta Lady (Secretariat). But around here this becomes a family conspicuous primarily for its cosmopolitan origins, plus a collector's item in Grand Breeze's fourth dam Miss Newcastle, one of the few foals mustered by Coaltown. Co-Horse of the Year in 1949, Coaltown broke a series of world records before unfortunately proving subfertile. Too long ago to be relevant, no doubt. It was certainly a different era: Miss Newcastle made 130 starts across seven campaigns! HUMOR MARES ALWAYS NEED TAKING SERIOUSLY Distorted Humor's late start at stud didn't prevent him being blessed by far greater longevity than Scat Daddy and his daughters have taken significant advantage in widening his legacy. Though Arrogate left us tragically soon, Constitution and Practical Joke are other top guns out of Distorted Humor mares, while younger prospects like Life Is Good, Arabian Lion and Happy Saver are among those that could be contributing in the coming years. It will certainly be a resonant cross that Citizen Bull (Into Mischief) eventually takes to stud, though we didn't learn much about the champion on his return, indulged as he was in the GIII Robert B. Lewis Stakes. His connections must have been just as pleased with their less experienced runner-up, the May 20 foal Rodriguez, who regrouped smoothly after somehow losing his position and switching out. He could prove an important horse for Into Mischief's son Authentic, who has endured such a giddy plunge in fee after his tepid start last year. Citizen Bull | Benoit Incidentally, two others that shaped well in defeat on their sophomore resumption are both out of Distorted Humor mares: Tappan Street (another Into Mischief) pulled nine lengths clear of the third once headed in the Holy Bull, having somewhat set things up for the winner; while Sandman (Tapit) closed much the best on Speed King in the GIII Southwest Stakes. Distorted Humor's sons don't look like they will quite match the legacy of his daughters, but Maclean's Music has one to watch in River Thames, who followed up his TDN 'Rising Star' debut in an allowance at Gulfstream at the weekend. Out of a Discreet Cat mare, we'll have to see how far he can stretch but he's obviously quite a dasher. CAPTAIN COOK'S EPIC WHITNEY VOYAGE The premature loss of John Hendrickson last year could yet have a poignant sequel for his friend Vinnie Viola, who bought a $410,000 Practical Joke colt (through agent Steve Young) from the dispersal at the Keeneland last November. Captain Cook had made his debut just days previously, a troubled midfield in a Churchill sprint, and promptly broke his maiden with a TDN 'Rising Star' romp at Aqueduct at the end of the year. He has now put himself in the Derby picture with his win in the Withers, the extra distance enabling him to draw on one of the deepest families bequeathed by Hendrickson's late wife Marylou Whitney. Captain Cook | Sarah Andrew His third dam is Bird Town (Cape Town)–and if you rewind to her GI Kentucky Oaks success in 2003, you may recall that she already had a further five generations of Whitney homebreds dividing her from an Idle Hour mare named Boys I'm It, who seems to have arrived at Greentree via the famous syndicate deal (along with King Ranch and Ogden Phipps) for the E.R. Bradley estate after his death in 1946. It's just as we said at the outset, then, regarding the dam of Liam's Map and Not This Time. Whether from Macy Sue or Marylou, and whether by the accidents or design of fate, the Derby trail this year is already allowing us to cherish some great legacies. The post Breeding Digest: Lamented Mare Mapping Out the Derby Trail appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A five-time winner in Iowa in 2024, Seventeen Black was named the Iowa Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association Horse of the Year and top older colt/gelding.View the full article

Following a successful return to the races, 2-year-old champion male Citizen Bull widened his lead on stablemate Barnes in the second week of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association's Top 3-Year-Old poll, released Feb. 4.View the full article

A total of 373 3-year-olds, led by champion 2-year-old male Citizen Bull, were made eligible to this year’s Triple Crown series with a $600 early nomination payment that was due Jan. 27. This year’s total represents a 7.8% increase from last year.View the full article

The WhatsApp group titled TDN Europe was abuzz on Wednesday evening of last week, after the Charlie Appleby-trained Opera Ballo (Ire) had announced himself as potentially something out of the ordinary with a jet-propelled performance in the first division of the one-mile maiden at Kempton. “Big day for Ghaiyyath!!” pinged the first message from Brian Sheerin, barely seconds after Opera Ballo had powered past the line in a different postcode to his eight rivals, becoming the second first-time-out winner for his Kildangan Stud-based sire in the space of a few hours. It prompted a call to Eamon Moloney the next day which saw Darley's nominations manager confirm what most of us had already deduced from an SP of 4/9. “I know that the Godolphin team thinks an awful lot of Opera Ballo and they expect big things,” he said. “He's started out on that journey in the best possible way.” Certainly, debuts don't come much more impressive than that produced by the son of Ghaiyyath (Ire), so there was an inevitability about Sean Cronin's later message in said WhatsApp group, confirming that 'TDN Rising Star' status had been achieved. It sees Ghaiyyath stand alone as the only stallion to have provided more than one such horse on the all-weather this winter, after his Chantilly maiden winner Mandanaba (Fr) got him off the mark back in November. Now, after that first leg of Opera Ballo's journey has already been so well covered in TDN, it's the job of Winter Watch to consider what comes next. Specifically, could this be the horse we've been looking for all winter, a bona fide Classic contender to row in behind this spring? Blistering Sectionals from Opera Ballo The boring answer is that it's simply too early to be sure, but then Opera Ballo is already one step ahead of stable-mate Notable Speech (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), who made a successful debut in the second division of the same maiden last year on his way to 2,000 Guineas glory. The difference is that, whilst Notable Speech arrived at Newmarket as a 'TDN Rising Star', it took him until his third start on the all-weather to earn that billing. Opera Ballo scaled that peak on debut with a performance of rare authority, even if it's possible to pick holes in the bare result. It was probably a limited bunch of horses who opposed him, admittedly, while the overall time was around 1.6 seconds slower than the second division which followed. However, what's key is that they went a fairly steady gallop in the early stages of the contest won by Opera Ballo. Not only is that not conducive to fast times, but it's also typically harder to win by a wide margin when a race is run in that manner. What set this colt apart was his ability to quicken off slow fractions as he completed the final two furlongs in just 22.12 seconds–including a sub-11-second penultimate furlong–when the next fastest was 23.44 seconds. At the line Opera Ballo was eight and a half lengths clear of his closest pursuer, doing all of the damage with those rapid closing sectionals, and despite jockey Billy Loughnane resorting to no more than hands-and-heels riding. Moloney indicated that the Godolphin team are minded to follow a similar path to what they did in 2024 with Notable Speech, which makes it likely that we'll see this colt back in action at Kempton before the end of the month in the run race last year as the “European Road To The Kentucky Derby” Conditions Stakes. That ought to be a deeper contest and it will give us a clearer idea of where we stand with a horse who was introduced at 20-1 for the 2,000 Guineas after his debut romp. Impressive debut! @loughnane_billy guides €600,000 purchase Opera Ballo (Ghaiyyath) to a debut success for Charlie Appleby in the race won last year by Notable Speech @godolphin @UnibetRacing | @kemptonparkrace pic.twitter.com/fUs0oHHc1M — Racing TV (@RacingTV) January 29, 2025 The Padre in the Shop Window? Opera Ballo, bred by Ecurie de Cachene out of a full-sister to the dual Group 3 winner Lockwood (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), was the second most expensive yearling by Ghaiyyath to sell in 2023 when fetching €600,000 at the Arqana August Sale, whereas the sire's Dundalk winner the same day, The Padre (Ire), failed to find a buyer at 60,000gns when offered at Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale. That meant that The Padre sported the colours of his owner-breeder John Halley when he returned an SP of 33-1 for the maiden run over an extended 10 furlongs, with another paternal sibling, Waterford Flow (Ire), being sent off the 7-4 favourite. In the event, it was The Padre who came away with the family bragging rights, and in emphatic fashion, too, with his waywardness in the final furlong clearly not slowing him down as he pulled clear to win by two and three-quarter lengths. To continue the family theme, The Padre is trained by Halley's son, Josh, who told Racing TV afterwards that such a decisive win wasn't as much of a surprise to him as the odds might suggest. “I was hoping he'd do that,” the trainer said, before providing a coy reply when it was put to him by interviewer Fran Berry that the colt had put himself in the shop window with that performance, adding with a laugh, “We'll see what tomorrow brings.” Wherever and for whomever The Padre races next, he's certainly one to keep on the right side with a pedigree which suggests it wouldn't be a bolt from the blue should he turn out to be a black-type performer. He is one of eight winners from nine runners out of the G1 Prix de l'Opera scorer Shalanaya (Ire) (Lomitas {GB})–who was sold by the Aga Khan Studs for €55,000 at the 2019 Arqana December Breeding Stock Sale–with the others including the G3 Premio Ambrosiano third Shalamba (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}). Impressive The Padre (Ghaiyyath) springs a surprise on debut to win convincingly at 33/1 under Wayne Lordan for Josh Halley @DundalkStadium pic.twitter.com/KKfh53yZGw — Racing TV (@RacingTV) January 29, 2025 Farrell Family Keeps on Giving Joseph O'Brien was out of luck with Waterford Flow, a 220,000gns purchase at Book 2 of the October Yearling Sale, but he made no mistake with another three-year-old on Friday's evening card at Dundalk, with the newcomer Snapaurum (Ire) running out a comfortable winner of the one-mile maiden. Like his stable-mate, Snapaurum was well touted beforehand and this one was never in much doubt as he rewarded favourite backers at odds of 6-4. He was still travelling well within himself when moving up to challenge the leaders with less than two furlongs to run and from there he quickly asserted to win readily by three and a half lengths. Already gelded, JP Farrell's homebred Snapaurum is from a family that O'Brien knows very well, having trained the dam, the dual Group 3 runner-up Snapraeceps (Ire) (Canford Cliffs {Ire}), as well as several of her siblings, including the three-time Listed winner and G2 Beresford Stakes third Snapraeterea (Ire) (Buratino {Ire}). With Coolmore castoff Ten Sovereigns (Ire) as the sire, Snaupaurum's pedigree is one of contrasts, being by a sprinter and out of a mare who showed her best form at around a mile and a half. The way he cruised through this contest suggests you wouldn't be in a hurry to move up in trip and, with further improvement on the cards, he could perhaps emulate Snapraeterea by developing into a useful miler for his powerful yard in 2025. Debutante Snapaurum shows a lovely change of gear to win going away for @JosephOBrien2 in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Maiden, under @declanmcdonogh @IrishEBF_ | @DundalkStadium pic.twitter.com/GmdgCZ2nZU — Horse Racing Ireland (@HRIRacing) January 31, 2025 Balding Eyeing Opera Ballo Clash The ammunition at Andrew Balding's disposal in 2025 would be the envy of many trainers, headlined by the high-class older filly Kalpana (GB) (Study Of Man {Ire}) and exciting three-year-old Cool Hoof Luke (GB) (Advertise {GB}), the only horse to have beaten the subsequent dual Group 1 winner Shadow Of Light (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}} when landing last year's G2 Gimcrack Stakes. It might be asking a lot to expect Quai De Bethune (Fr) to shoulder his way into that company, but the son of Persian King (Ire) certainly isn't one to sleep on following his victory in the second division of the one-mile maiden at Kempton on Wednesday, as mentioned, in a quicker time than the first won by Opera Ballo. Beaten over eight lengths when finishing third on his debut at Sandown in September, when the electric winner Cosmic Year (GB) (Kingman {GB}) earned 'TDN Rising Star' status, Quai De Bethune had nothing of that calibre in opposition on his second start as he completed a routine success at odds of 2-5. Shaken up to lead entering the final furlong, he just needed to be kept up to his work thereafter to score by two and three-quarter lengths. It would be fair to say that his performance on the clock–the overall time was also at least 1.5 seconds faster than both class 5 handicaps staged on the same card–provides more substance to the form than the horses who chased him home, while assessing the relative merits of this colt and Opera Ballo will be made much easier should Balding follow through with his plan to target the same conditions race run at Kempton later this month. Quai De Bethune's connections certainly have no reason to shy away from that clash with their €75,000 purchase at the BBAG September Yearling Sale. He is the first foal out of an unraced Wootton Bassett (GB) mare who, in turn, is out of an unraced half-sister to the three-time Group 1 heroine Ervedya (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}), the dam of the G2 Prix Daniel Wildenstein winner and sire Erevann (Fr). Price Tag Lottery at Dunstall Park Before we move on to Godolphin's latest big-money purchase to make a successful debut at Wolverhampton on Monday, it's worth giving an honourable mention to another recent winner at Dunstall Park who was picked up by trainer Jack Jones for just 1,600gns in last year's Tattersalls Online August Sale. Jones has already made quite the impression since sending out his first runners with a licence in May 2022, notably winning last year's Weatherbys Super Sprint with 24,000gns buy Caburn (Ire) (Twilight Son {GB}), and Enola Holmes (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) looked another speedy sort cut from the same cloth when landing the six-furlong maiden at Wolverhampton on Saturday. Raced just once as a juvenile when trained by Ollie Sangster, Enola Holmes immediately looked a shrewd purchase in opening her account at the second attempt at odds of 12-1, scampering clear in the final furlong to win by two and a half lengths with plenty in hand from one who came into the race with a BHA rating of 75. Clearly, this is a filly with a good level of ability, speedier too than most on the distaff side of her pedigree. She is the first foal out of the Nathaniel (Ire) mare Jane Marple (GB), who gained her sole career victory over a mile and a half and is a full-sister to the G3 Bronte Cup winner Precious Ramotswe (GB). As for Godolphin's Alpine Trail (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}), who cost them €550,000 at the same sale where they forked out €600,000 for Opera Ballo, he too is blessed with plenty of stamina on the dam's side of his pedigree as a son of the G3 Prix de Royaumont winner Pollara (Ire) (Camelot {GB}). Pollara herself is a half-sister to the multiple Listed scorer Stormina (Gulch), the dam of the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac heroine Silasol (Ire) (Monsun {Ger}). Sent off the 4-9 favourite for the novice run over an extended nine furlongs at Wolverhampton, Alpine Trail duly obliged in fairly straightforward fashion, impressing most with his strength at the finish after it had taken a while for the penny to drop. This three-length winner is already crying out for a mile and a half and he has the makings of a smart performer at around that trip. One for the boys in blue! The well-bred Alpine Trail wins with a fair bit in hand on debut for Charlie Appleby and @The_Doyler at @WolvesRaces! pic.twitter.com/b2NfCC0Qkd — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) February 3, 2025 Winner in Waiting Lady Lilac (Ire) Inns Of Court (Ire)–Lilac Mist (GB), by Spectrum (Ire) An SP of 100-1 suggests very little was expected of Lady Lilac in the maiden won by Snapaurum at Dundalk, which isn't untypical for one trained by Joseph Murphy, whose horses usually improve for the run. The fact that she ended up being beaten a little over seven lengths in fourth, having made steady headway from her position in rear, was a notable effort under those circumstances, certainly promising plenty for the future. Her half-sister by Gale Force Ten (GB), Galtee Mist (Ire), was a Listed winner for Murphy over seven furlongs, and this filly is one to watch next time when she's unlikely to be a three-figure price. Dancing Teapot (Ire), runner-up at Dundalk (November 22) since publication Padua (Ire), seventh at Kempton (December 4) since publication Marhaba Ghaiyyath (Ire), winner at Lingfield (December 3) since publication Safe Idea (GB), third at Wolverhampton (December 21) since publication Indian Springs (Ire) Spanish Voice (GB) Noble Horizon (GB) Dixieland Blues (GB) City Of God (Ire), winner at Southwell (January 17) since publication War And Love (GB), runner-up at Chelmsford (January 11) since publication Cupola (GB) The post Winter Watch: Opera Ballo Makes Big Statement at Kempton appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

From Havana Grey (GB) to Blue Bresil (Fr), the whole gamut of sires is represented among the youngsters on offer at the Goffs February Sale, which takes place this Wednesday and Thursday. Flat and National Hunt yearlings, stores, horses in training and broodmares will all come under the hammer, with one of the earlier offerings including an unraced Shaman (Ire) half-sister to Group 3 winner and G1 Irish 1,000 Guineas runner-up A Lilac Rolla (Ire) (Harry Angel {Ire}), who is consigned for breeder John Cullinan by Baroda Stud as lot 27. Spurred on by a decent result at this sale last year, Whatton Manor Stud is taking just one horse to Ireland: a yearling colt from the first crop of Baaeed (GB) out of the three-year-old winner Anasheed (GB) (Frankel {GB}). “Under someone else's name we sent a Havana Grey colt last year out of How High The Sky and he came close to topping it,” said Ed Player of Whatton Manor Stud. “Our clients were keen to give it a go. He's a lovely horse who has really pulled himself together in the last few weeks and there are a lot of people looking so hopefully he can shine and sell well.” He continued, “The other thinking was that a lot of pinhookers were short on numbers last year and this was an opportunity with a sexy sire. His brother last year, a gorgeous colt by Night Of Thunder, made 260,000gns as a yearling so they've got a chance of an update so we just thought we'd test the market. “We're all for trying to think outside the box a bit more and hopefully it will work. Obviously my brother-in-law Nick [Nugent] is here and we love trying to support Goffs, they do a great job. Most of ours get sold at Tattersalls but we like to support Goffs as well.” Also of note from the Castlebridge Consignment is a colt (lot 239) by European champion sire Camelot (GB) who is a half-brother to three-time Group 3 winner Shamida (Ire) (Australia {GB}). Meanwhile, Ballynure Park Stud offers a yearling colt by Ghaiyyath (Ire) as lot 104, whose dam Entertainment (GB) (Halling) was runner-up in the Listed Cheshire Oaks and is a half-sister to the GI Arlington Million winner Debussy (Ire) (Diesis). Moyglare Stud Farm is the breeder and consignor of the sole yearling by Study Of Man (Ire) in the sale, lot 267, a colt out of the Listed-placed Titanium Sky (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) who has already produced the two-year-old winner and G3 EBF Naas Juvenile Sprint Stakes runner-up Sparkling Sea (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}). Moyglare also consigns a colt by Blue Point (Ire) from the immediate family of Classic winner Homeless Songs (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) as lot 266. The dual Derby winner Harzand (Ire) was represented by his first Grade 1 winner over hurdles at the Dublin Racing Festival over the weekend when Hello Neighbour (Ire) won the Spring Juvenile Hurdle, and there will doubtless be some interest in the yearling colt by the stallion (lot 100) who is offered by The Glebe Farm. The late May foal is out of the eight-time winner and Grade 2-placed hurdler Ejayteekay (GB) (Big Bad Bob), who is herself out of a half-sister to the GI Yellow Ribbon Stakes winner Janet (GB) (Emperor Jones). A colt from the second crop of Space Blues (Ire) features as lot 230 from Charel Park Stud and he is well related to some decent National Hunt runners, notably the multiple Grade 1-winning hurdler Appreciate It (Ire) (Jeremy). Action gets underway at Goffs at 11am on Wednesday and 10am on Thursday. The post Annual Curtain Up at Goffs as February Sale Gets Underway appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The 2025 Spring Meet Gala, presented by Payson Stud, Inc. benefitting Stable Recovery will be held Saturday, April 19 at Fasig-Tipton in Lexington, KY, the organization announced Tuesday. The evening will celebrate the power of philanthropy, recovery and the transformative work Stable Recovery does in helping individuals rebuild their lives. “We're honored to sponsor the Stable Recovery Gala this year,” said Payson Stud's Christian Erickson. “Their approach to recovery, especially their work with horses and the thoroughbred industry, gives individuals a sense of purpose and helps them find lasting employment. I know Virginia Payton, a trailblazer in the thoroughbred world, would have truly valued this partnership.” The Gala, which serves as one of the organization's major fundraising events, brings together industry leaders, philanthropists and supporters to enjoy a night of dinner, live entertainment and an exciting auction with all proceeds directly benefitting Stable Recovery's programs and its life-changing work. “Christian and Payson Stud Inc. have been supporter of Stable Recovery since its inception, and we are deeply grateful,” said Stable Recovery's Robert Osbourn. “This event will be a remarkable opportunity to showcase the progress and accomplishments of our program participants while shaping a brighter future for our organization.” Interested parties can contact Robert Osbourne here for more information and to RSVP. The post Stable Recovery To Host 2025 Spring Meet Gala Fundraiser appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Eclipse Champion Juvenile Citizen Bull (Into Mischief) tops a list of 373 total 3-year-olds who were made eligible to this year's Triple Crown series, Churchill Downs announced Tuesday. This year's total represents a 7.8% increase from last year's 346 early nominations. Additionally, a record 69 Japan-based horses, trained by 33 different conditioners, were nominated, which shattered last year's record of 47. Sixty of the nominees have already won stakes races, including the top 10 point leaders on the Road to the Kentucky Derby: Citizen Bull, Speed King (Volatile), Coal Battle (Coal Front), Burnham Square (Liam's Map), Disco Time (Not This Time), 'TDN Rising Star' Captain Cook (Practical Joke), Built (Hard Spun), Gaming (Game Winner), 'TDN Rising Star' Getaway Car (Curlin) and 'TDN Rising Star' Jonathan's Way (Vekoma). The list also includes Grade I winners and 'TDN Rising Stars' Chancer McPatrick (McKinzie) and East Avenue (Medgalia d'Oro). Seven fillies were also nominated including: Beauty Reigns (Into Mischief), Mistress (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), Necessity (Constitution), Promised Gene (Jpn), Queen's Chocolat (Jpn), Velvet Devil (Kantharos) and Vilja Lied (Jpn). The nominations feature several of the sport's top conditioners, led by Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher, who has 32 horses nominated. Other leading trainers include Bob Baffert (21), Brad Cox (14), Chad Brown (13) and Kenny McPeek (12). The post Champion Juvenile Citizen Bull Tops 2025 Triple Crown Nominations appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Coteau Grove Farms was represented by two winners Feb. 1 on the 22nd Louisiana Premier Night at Delta Downs, highlighted by Touchuponastar winning the LA Bred Premier Night Champion Stakes for the third year in a row.View the full article

Hosted by the Keeneland Association, the Organization of Racing Investigators (ORI) annual training and networking conference is marked for Sunday, Mar. 2 through Wednesday, Mar. 5. Central to ORI's mission is the pursuit of integrity and education for its members. By sharing best practices, interactions among investigators creates lasting relationships between jurisdictions. Representatives from every state racing entity will be in attendance, as well as regulators from national and international entities. With sponsors such as the AQHA, Breeders' Cup, NYRA, Parx Racing, PENN Gaming, The Stronach Group and Woodbine, this year's conference in the Bluegrass boasts topics which will cover a range of hot button issues. Both Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse case studies are on the agenda as members will look to expand their own toolkits. The 2025 ORI meeting is chaired by Dr. Stuart Brown, who has served as Keeneland's Vice President of Equine Safety since 2020. “ORI's annual conference brings together investigators from across the sport of horse racing as guardians of the integrity of this global industry,” said Dr. Brown. “The aim is to bring a dynamic program of speakers that will share their perspectives on many of the issues facing these investigators each and every day. We are excited to be able to host this year's conference at Keeneland.” Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from the following: Regulation of Horse Racing in France: Samuel Fargeat, Head of Raceday Stewarding & Integrity Section, France Galop; Update on the EIA Cases in Quarter Horse Racing: Angela Pelzel-McCluskey, National Equine Epidemiologist, USDA Inspection Services; Present Day Threats on Wagering Security–Update on CAW's: Pat Cummings, Executive Director, National Thoroughbred Alliance; Biometric Sensor Technology & Timing Devices: Kyle McDoniel, President & Chief Operations Officer, Equibase; USTA Integrity Initiatives: T.C. Lane, Chief Operations Officer, United States Trotting Association; Integrity Programs in Quarter Horse Racing: Janet VanBebber, Chief Racing Officer, American Quarter Horse Association; Role of the Investigator on Big Days in Racing: Dora Delgado, Executive Vice-President, Breeders Cup and Will Farmer, Equine Medical Director, Churchill Downs; Jockey Health and Wellness Programs/Research Approach to Jockey Safety: Matt Ward, Paramedic, Alpha Event Medical and Kimberly Tumlin, University of Kentucky, SMRI; Livestock Investigators Toolkit: Sarah Coleman, Executive Director, Kentucky Horse Council; Jockey Club Traceability Programs: Kristin Werner, Deputy General Council, The Jockey Club; Update on Equine Drug Testing in North America: Michael Hardy, Executive Director, Racing Medication Testing Consortium; Veterinary Forensic Investigations in Horse Racing: Alina Vale, Consultant in Veterinary Forensic Investigations; Southern District of New York Servis & Navarro Investigation: Shaun Richards, Director of Intelligence and Strategy, HIWU; Keeneland Integrity Protocols on Raceday: Pat McBride, Assistant Director of Security and Mike Keyser, Training Manager of Security, Keeneland Association; Keeneland Barn Surveillance System: Kassandra Creed, Equine Safety Compliance, Keeneland Association and TJ Dooley, Limitless Integrations; Reputational Risk for the Equine Investigator: Laura D'Angelo, Esquire Dinsmore & Shohl LLP. Click here for more information about ORI's 2025 Training Conference. The post Investigators To Convene Annual Training Conference At Keeneland, Mar. 2-5 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Throughout the course of Scott Shepherd's life, his mind had always been plagued by chronic, inescapable fear and doubt. His negative thoughts became a constant cycle of “what ifs,” fear of failure and concern over letting those in his life down. That all changed during his first morning meditation session as part of the Stable Recovery program, when he stroked the nose of a mare on layup named Princess Warrior (Midshipman). After this encounter, his mind became peacefully quiet. “I'll never forget when I saw her. It was like all of the past regret, all of the fear of the future, everything just went away. For the first time in my life, my full attention was right there. It was like I didn't have all of this going on. It was magic,” said Shepherd. However, 22 years ago Shepherd, overwhelmed by all of that noise in his head, chose a different path to achieve peace. At 13 years of age, he took his first pain pill. “From that moment, that's all I focused on. Taking the pain pills, I wasn't nervous, I felt a part of [something]. I could breathe,” he recalled. “I hated myself as a kid. I don't know why. My mind never stopped. I was always worried about everything and just hated me, hated who I saw in the mirror, and the drugs helped that.” Shepherd is the first to admit he had a great childhood. Growing up in Northern Kentucky, he was surrounded by family, friends and opportunities. But there was something internal, deep down inside of him, that wouldn't allow Shepherd to be fulfilled by any of it. And once the pain pills came into the picture, it was the euphoria of the numbing effect they provided that washed away the fear, and consequently fractured relationships with people in his life. “Back then, I didn't need money. I could order a pizza and pay with pills. I could go to the gas station and pay for my gas with pills. Everybody used them and they were so easy to get. And then, when [law enforcement] cracked down on pain pills, that's when the heroin started,” he said. Though the addiction made Shepherd feel like he was finally afloat, reality soon sunk in and sunk him. He spent time in and out of jail after being arrested for a variety of charges. Despite the shame and guilt that comes with being incarcerated, Shepherd acknowledged there were some benefits to it, such as the substance abuse program. However, the most personal benefit for him was meeting Jo Martin. “She started a non-profit offering free tattoo removal for people who are incarcerated. I met her when I was in jail and she saw something in me that I couldn't. She tutored me, encouraged me to get my GED, helped me get into treatment and found me a job when I got out. If it wasn't for her, I would have never made it,” said Shepherd. But entering treatment was just the first step as Shepherd struggled with finding purpose in an experience he described simply as 'sitting somewhere and having someone tell me how to stay clean.' “I wasn't planning on making it [to treatment]. I was planning on dying before I got there. I told myself I was either going to really do something different, do it to the fullest, or I'm going to go out and die,” said Shepherd. After spending time in a majority of the treatment centers in Northern Kentucky, his breaking point hit after a heated argument with his then girlfriend. It was that incident that drove him to take a walk with a darker purpose, as his hand dialed the number of his sponsor while his mind zeroed in on finding the next high. At the time, Shepherd had been sober for nine months. “In my mind I thought, 'I'm going to call him, I'm going to call my sponsor before [I do it]. He's not going to answer me, but at least I can say I tried.' It was the first time I ever called my sponsor first and he answered,” said Shepherd. That sponsor was Mike Lowery, someone Shepherd had met during treatment, who had gone on to participate in and graduate from the Stable Recovery program and Taylor Made's School of Horsemanship. It was Lowery and Josh Franks, in the Stable Recovery program at the time, that stepped up for Shepherd when he needed support the most. “Mike and Josh drove to Shelbyville to pick me up, the same day that Josh's mom died. I remember sitting in the backseat and this guy is saying his mom passed away, but he's here trying to help me. It really stuck with me, those two coming to help me the day Josh's mom passed away, and I think it helped Josh a lot, too.” Shepherd started his new chapter at Stable Recovery on August 25, 2022. For the first time, he felt like he wasn't just being told how to stay clean, but instead, truly being shown how to live sober. “Getting clean is not our problem. I did not have a drug problem; I had a drug solution. I was the problem,” said Shepherd. That change in lifestyle resonated most with Shepherd during his time spent in the barn in the company of the horses. Within months, he transitioned from working on the farm to joining trainer Will Walden's team at the track. It was Walden's influence that helped build Shepherd into a horseman. “Anywhere that I've been on the racetrack, none of the owners ever came up to me and asked me about my background. They didn't ask anything about my past. They only asked me about the horses.” Scott Shepherd with co-workers Jillian Rush, Siobhan Gavigan, and Logan Hopper | Sara Gordon From his time at the track to the broodmare and foaling divisions he worked in upon his return to Taylor Made, Shepherd dealt with his fair share of dark moments. However, there was one constant that kept him going, and that was the horses. “I decided to do a foaling season which is probably hands-down the coolest thing in the industry I've ever done. I loved it. It was crazy that Juju's Map's first foal [in 2024] was my first foal. Mike and I were there foaling Flightline's first foal ever, two ex-junkies, and they're trusting us to do that. It's hard to put into words what that meant,” said Shepherd. But the “right words” aren't necessary when it comes to understanding the profound impact the program, and the horses, have had on Shepherd. Sitting across from him in the conference room at Taylor Made, you can feel the gratitude and newfound hope emanate from him as he shares his story. “People coming from my background, we have all kinds of trust issues. We don't trust anybody. But outside of the stall, I learned that I don't have to trust everybody in the world, I just need to be somebody that people can trust,” said Shepherd. “[The horses] really taught me how to be in the moment. Trying to keep their fear in mind has helped me so much because I'm not worried about my fear, I'm focused on them.” Last year, Shepherd made the transition from the barn to the office, where the 35-year-old father of two now works full-time as the Public Sales Operations Assistant. The role revolves around setting up and organizing the consignment at every sale, and though his professional priorities have shifted from looking out for the horses to looking out for the people on his team, Shepherd appreciates the responsibility. “It's easy for me when I've got six barns to set up, all the welcome centers, all the stuff I have to order and everyone's needing a million things, to feel like it's just me that it's hectic for, but it's hectic for everybody. In this position, I feel like I can try to make it a little easier on everyone,” said Shepherd. Where words fall short, Shepherd's actions don't. From his time in jail to his experiences in the treatment centers, to his time in Stable Recovery and each role he's held in the industry, Shepherd has finally found a passion that fuels him in every aspect of his life. And this year, on March 28, he will celebrate three years of sobriety. “I've been to many treatment centers, but it's the perfect balance of people and the horses [here at Stable Recovery]. It's different,” he said. “[Josh] once told me, 'I want everybody to have a look on their face like you did when you first saw Princess Warrior.' But you can't force that. I feel like in a weird way, that's how God works. I'm not a religious person by any means, but I do know that there is something out there that has kept me level-headed and brought me to these horses.” Stable Recovery is a recovery housing program in Lexington, Kentucky that offers men in the early stages of recovery access to 12-step meetings, life skills training and-through the Taylor Made School of Horsemanship-the opportunity to develop a trade in the equine field. To learn more about Stable Recovery, click here. The post The Road Back: Horses Guide Shepherd Back From The Brink appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sam Agars PODIUM - R1 (8) Big run last time out and looks perfectly placed to win again tonight Jay Rooney PODIUM - R1 (8) In top form for David Eustace this term and looks tough to beat Jack Dawling VIEW OF THE WORLD - R9 (5) Progressive galloper can continue his rapid rise despite wide draw Phillip Woo PODIUM - R1 (8) Finished strongly to just miss last start and can go one better Shannon (Vincent Wong) PODIUM - R1 (8) Made a lot of ground when second over C&D and looks hard to beat in this contest Racing Post Online HAYDAY - R2 (2) Narrowly beaten last start and gets the chance to make amends here Tom Wood A AMERIC TE SPECSO - R9 (7) Nearly won last start and drops three pounds tonightView the full article

Michael Halford, trainer of Group 1 winner Casamento (Ire), is to depart from the Irish training ranks prior to the start of the Flat turf season. Formerly a sole licence holder, he has been training in partnership with Tracey Collins for the last two years. Halford, 62, who has been training for four decades and has saddled more than 1,000 winners, announced his impending retirement in a statement on Tuesday. He said, “Over the last 40 years I've been lucky enough to train for some of the world's leading owners and there have been many highlights along the way, with Casamento's Racing Post Trophy victory and Portage's Royal Ascot success among them. “Certerach's win on Dubai World Cup night was a really special day for us all as his owner Paul Rooney has always been such a tremendous supporter of the yard.” He continued, “Being entrusted with horses for the Aga Khan for the best part of 20 years has also been a huge honour and I leave the training ranks with no regrets. I've enjoyed every minute of it and I'm hoping to stay involved in racing but for the moment I've no plans in terms of what is next.” The victory of the Yulong-owned Platinum Warrior (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G3 Gallinule Stakes of 2018 brought up an important milestone for Halford as his 1,000th winner. He moved from his long-term base at Copper Beech Stables to join forces with Collins at Conyngham Lodge on the other side of the Curragh and the training partners have sent out 44 winners over the past two seasons. In a heartfelt interview in TDN last September, Halford spoke of regaining his confidence after a tumultuous time in his professional and private life. However, he cites a decline in the number of horses in the stable as the catalyst for his decision to step back from training. “Unfortunately our numbers aren't what they once were and I'm not getting any younger, so before the 2025 season gets underway it felt like the right time to bow out and give my excellent staff and loyal owners a chance to move elsewhere before the season gets underway,” he said. “To everyone who has supported us since the early 1980s I extend my heartfelt thanks and gratitude. It's been a great journey and I wouldn't have swapped it for anything. We have a great industry in Ireland and one that we can be very proud of and I hope that I can play some part in this wonderful industry over the coming years.” The post ‘It Felt Like the Right Time to Bow Out’: Michael Halford to Relinquish Training Licence appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Significant changes have been approved to all three of next year’s Young Gun Finals at Alexandra Park. It’s been agreed that the Delightful Lady Classic for the 2YO Fillies and the North Island 2YO Trot Series Final will join the Cardigan Bay Stakes for 2YO Colts and Geldings in being worth $100,000. Previously they were at $70,000 and $50,000. All three series in 2026 will also see a change in dates. The Cardigan Bay Stakes and the Delightful Lady Classic will move from their May slot this year to Friday, March 20 while the North Island Series Final will be held on Rowe Cup night on May 1, a week earlier than this year. The first lot of heats for the Cardigan Bay and the Delightful Lady will be programmed for late January 2026 with the trotters’ heats getting underway in late March. “We think the changes are significant on a number of fronts,” says HRNZ’s Head of Racing and Wagering, Matthew Peden. “It is part of HRNZ’s ongoing strategy around utilisation of horses, with a view to having these 2YOs in our system sooner.” “It also highlights the volume and calibre of two-year-old racing there is now and that’s especially timely ahead of the upcoming yearling sales.” The NZB Standardbred National Yearling Sales kick off at Karaka on Saturday, February 15 before moving to Christchurch three days later (Tuesday, February 18). Of the three Young Guns finals the Cardigan Bay has the longest history. It dates back to the late 1970s and has been won by the likes of Chokin (1991), Il Vicolo (1993) and Merlin (2022) while Under Cover Lover (1997), Dream About Me (2015) and Spanish Armada (2016) have been among the gun fillies to win the Delightful Lady. For more information contact : matthew.peden@hrnz.co.nz View the full article

There are four horse racing meetings set for Australia on Wednesday, February 5. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the best bets and the quaddie numbers for Sandown, Warwick Farm & Happy Valley (HK). Wednesday’s Free Horse Racing Tips – February 5, 2025 Sandown Racing Tips Warwick Farm Racing Tips Happy Valley (HK) Racing Tips As always, there are plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans. Check out all the top horse racing bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on February 5, 2025 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. Neds Code GETON 1 Take It To The Neds Level Neds Only orange bookie! Check Out Neds Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit today. “GETON is not a bonus code. Neds does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. Full terms. BlondeBet Signup Code GETON 2 Punters Prefer Blondes BlondeBet Blonde Boosts – Elevate your prices! Join BlondeBet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. WHAT ARE YOU REALLY GAMBLING WITH? full terms. 3 Next Gen Racing Betting Picklebet Top 4 Betting. Extra Place. Every Race. Join Picklebet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Full terms. Recommended! 4 It Pays To Play PlayUp Aussie-owned horse racing specialists! Check Out PlayUp Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Full terms. Dabble Signup Code AUSRACING 5 Say Hey to the social bet! Dabble You Better Believe It Join Dabble Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? Full terms. Bet365 Signup Code GETON 6 Never Ordinary Bet365 World Favourite! Visit Bet365 Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. GETON is not a bonus code. bet365 does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. What’s gambling really costing you? Full terms. Horse racing tips View the full article

Tony Pike has used the Gr.2 Legacy Lodge Waikato Guineas (2000m) as a launchpad to Derby success on several occasions and he hopes to continue that trend with a pair of contenders on Saturday at Te Rapa. The Cambridge horseman has won the three-year-old feature twice with Rangipo and Field Of Gold, the former going on to take out the $1 million Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m). The iconic race has been a long-term goal for Golden Century, a son of Pierro who was purchased by Australian syndicators OTI Racing after showing early promise. While he is a maidener after four starts, Golden Century (NZ) (Pierro) hasn’t been out of the first three and came desperately close to winning the Listed Gingernuts Salver (2100m) at Ellerslie last month, missing the top spot by a nose to Mustang Morgan. “He’s a progressive staying three-year-old, his racing manners have obviously let him down from time to time, but he’s improving with each run,” Pike said. “That (Gingernuts) was his biggest test to date and he did very well, he’s improved again in his trackwork and I’m more than happy with him heading into Saturday. He’s got more improvement to come once he gets up to the mile and a half of the Derby, which he’s bred to do.” Pike traditionally follows the route of Waikato into the Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (2100m), run at Ellerslie on February 22, two weeks before the big dance on Champions Day. “Generally, my Derby runners race in both, Rangipo and Sherwood Forest did that,” he said. “At this stage, he’ll run on Saturday and then the Avondale Guineas, obviously it’s another look around Ellerslie as well before the grand final, which is always an advantage.” Stablemate Amazing Fluke (The Autumn Sun) could stamp some Derby credentials of his own in the $275,000 contest, having collected his maiden before Christmas before finishing fourth when resuming at Tauranga last week. “Saturday’s going to tell if the Derby is coming too soon for him,” Pike said. “He’s a lovely big staying horse but we had to give him a short break after he won his maiden, he was fresh-up on the tight Tauranga track and it was a reasonable first-up run, he’ll take improvement from that. “He is going to get to a reasonably high level, whether it’s this prep or not, we’ll find out on Saturday.” A stacked Te Rapa card will also feature the $350,000 Sir Patrick Hogan Karāpiro Classic (1600m), a race for maideners at the start of the current racing season. Pike’s progressive galloper Lanikai (NZ) (Ocean Park) is eligible for the feature and comes into it in a rich vein of form, having won his second race last Saturday at New Plymouth. “After he ran so well at Wellington for second, and it was a shame he didn’t win that day, we were worried that he may not make the field for this race, hence going to Taranaki last Saturday,” Pike said. “He’s a lovely big striding horse so I thought Saturday’s win had plenty of merit, considering the tight track and the way the race was run. “It’s not ideal backing up a week later, but he seems to have bounced through the run in great order and it’s a massive stake for this class of horse.” Group One performer Impendabelle and last-start winner Slipper Island will complete Pike’s representatives in the Dr John South Memorial Vase (1200m). Impendabelle (Impending) was a high-class three-year-old and enters a new preparation on Saturday after trialling at Pukekohe, while Slipper Island (No Nay Never) rewarded Pike for his faith with an impressive showing at Trentham on Cup Day. “Slipper Island bounced through Trentham really well, he’s hopefully gained a fair bit of confidence from that and I do think he’s a much better horse left handed,” he said. “He’s stepping up in grade to Rating 75, but he’s a horse that, although he’s been an enigma, we’ve always thought he had plenty of ability so hopefully he can go on with it and perform well. “She (Impendabelle) trialled up really nicely, the 1200 may be a on the sharper side for her and she’ll be carrying a fair bit of weight, but it’s a nice race to get the preparation underway with. “I think she’ll run a competitive race, obviously with improvement to come once she gets over further second-up.” View the full article

Manifique (NZ) (Savabeel) finished fourth in a quality line-up in last year’s Listed Clubs NZ Wairarapa Thoroughbred Breeders’s Stakes (1600m), and she will be bidding to improve on that mark at Tauherenikau on Thursday. Last year’s edition was taken out by subsequent Group One placegetter Town Cryer, with Saturday race rival Sugah Sweet and subsequent Group One winner and Saturday’s Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) favourite Snazzytavi filling the minor placings. “It was a strong field (last year) and she (Manifique) really hustled home late, and another few strides she would have got up. It was a good effort,” trainer Peter Didham said. Manifique hasn’t flattered since last year’s running, finishing unplaced in four of her five starts, and Didham is hoping she can return to form on Waitangi Day following a short freshen-up. “She was a bit disappointing last start (when eighth in the Gr.3 Trentham Stakes, 2100m), so we just freshened her up again and we are back to a mile,” he said. “We couldn’t find anything wrong with her, we still can’t. I just need her to string a bit of consistency together. “I have been happy with her work. I took her to Otaki and galloped her on the grass on Friday. She worked with Kana and worked well.” Stablemate Danjuro (NZ) (Saxon Warrior) will be seeking back-to-back victories when he contests the Central ITM Wairarapa Cup (2050m), and Didham believes a big future is instore for the gelding once his racing manners improve. “He has been doing a few things wrong and he probably beats himself sometimes. He is one of those horses where a year on he is going to be a handy stayer,” Didham said. “He has always had a tonne of ability. He wasn’t far away in the Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m) at Christchurch. We sent him down there to try and grow up, but he will still hang and try to run off on the corner and miss the jump. “He just gets himself into a bit of trouble and hopefully one day the penny will drop.” Didham will take seven other runners to Tauherenikau on Thursday, including juveniles War Princess (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) and Shameless Star (NZ) (Shamexpress), who make their debuts in the Pope & Gray Contractors Maiden 2YO (1000m). “They are two really nice two-year-olds that were bought for a syndicate that wanted to have a go with some two and three-year-olds,” Didham said. “I think they both go well.” Meanwhile, Didham will head to Te Rapa with just the one runner on Saturday, with Omega Boy (NZ) (Time Test) set to try and claim the lion’s share of the $350,000 purse on offer in the Sir Patrick Hogan Karapiro Classic (1600m). “I didn’t think I would get in on 65 points, but he is well in at number nine,” Didham said. “It is probably not as strong as what some people thought it might have been. He is a very consistent horse. He won on the poly way back in September, so he has been up a while, but for $350,000, we will have a shake.” View the full article

The champ Mr Brightside resumes in the Group 1 Orr Stks this weekend at Caulfield. Co-trainer JD Hayes joined Mitch Manners this morning on Racing HQ. JD Hayes 04.02.2025 – Racing HQ with Steve Hewlett – Apple Podcasts View the full article

Willydoit looks to be a horse out of the box. Shaun Clotworthy joined RSN on Tuesday to share the latest on the promising stayer for all you need to know about the NZ Derby favourite who is set to join Ciaron Maher’s stable. All you need to know about the NZ Derby favourite who is set to join Ciaron Maher’s stable – Racing Pulse with Michael Felgate – Omny.fm View the full article

Sugah Sweet (NZ) (Zacinto) came desperately close to winning last year’s Listed Clubs NZ Wairarapa Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) and on Thursday she’ll get another chance at the Tauherenikau feature in a similar vein of form. The seven-year-old mare has been carefully handled with no more than six starts per season, a method that has paid dividends for trainer Bryce Newman, with her record also boasting five wins and a pair of fourth placings in the Gr.2 Manawatu Challenge Stakes (1400m) and Gr.3 Anniversary Handicap (1600m). Those two races preceded Sugah Sweet’s attempt at the race 12 months ago, where she fought subsequent Group One performer Town Cryer all the way down the straight, only missing by a head at the post. This campaign, Newman opted to resume his mare in late December in the Poverty Bay Turf Club Cup (1400m) at Taupo, where she second rated a tidy field. She then headed to Trentham and recorded the fastest 800, 600 and 400m sectionals in a race won by Our Echo, a performance that gave Newman good confidence as she steps up to a mile. “The Taupo run was a good way to resume and we were really happy with her at Trentham, we rode her quite quietly and she got home really well,” he said. “She was probably looking for the 1600m there, but it was a stepping stone towards the Breeders. “We’ve always had this race in mind, we probably thought that she’d come to the end of her preparation when we arrived there last year and she only just got beaten by a very small margin to a very good horse in Town Cryer. “We decided we would change it a little bit this year and try to get her in there more on the up, going into as the first time at 1600m (this preparation) seems to be her go.” Stablemate Lets All Boogie (Sooboog) has drawn an outside gate in the NZB Mega Maiden Series Maiden (1600m) later in the card, while Treat Yourself (Kuripuni Sports Bar and TAB Maiden 2050) and Vavoom (Herbert Morton Accoutants R65 1000) complete Newman’s representatives. “Lets All Boogie will go another good, honest race I think, but she’s drawn out, so we’ve got a decision to make there,” he said. “She may end up at Otaki on Sunday. “The other two are runner’s chances.” View the full article

Exciting three-year-old bids to maintain his unbeaten record at Happy Valley on Wednesday.View the full article

What Happy Valley Races Where Happy Valley Racecourse – Wong Nai Chung Rd, Happy Valley, Hong Kong When Wednesday, February 5, 2025 First Race 6:40pm HKT (9:40pm AEDT) Visit Dabble Hong Kong racing returns to Happy Valley Racecourse on Wednesday evening, where a massive nine-part program awaits locals. The rail reverts to the A position throughout the entire circuit, and with no rainfall set to hinder proceedings, punters can expect a genuine Good 4 surface. Racing under lights is scheduled to get underway at 6:40pm HKT. Best Bet at Happy Valley: Sky Jewellery Sky Jewellery was sensational debuting at this course and distance on January 15, justifying a wealth of support with horse racing bookmakers prior to the jump. The Autumn Sun gelding launched through a gap under the Hugh Bowman drive, securing a dominant one-length victory to start his Hong Kong career. He cops a 2.5kg penalty heading into this second-up assignment and Hugh Bowman may need to drag back in search of cover from gate 11; however, Sky Jewellery should simply prove too classy for this lot regardless of tactics. Best Bet Race 3 – #1 Sky Jewellery (11) 3yo Gelding | T: John Size | J: Hugh Bowman (61kg) Next Best at Happy Valley: Moments In Time Moments In Time was one of the hard luck stories in the Group 3 January Cup (1800m) on January 8, with the five-year-old cast wide in the early stages before making a sustained run for the lead with 800m left to travel. It left the Danny Shum-trained gelding running on empty in the final furlong, with race rival Helene Feeling clearing out to score by 1.3 lengths. Zac Purton gets legged aboard this time round, and although he’s drawn the widest of eight runners in this Class 2 contest, watch for Moments In Time to cross to the lead before giving a bold sight at a good price with BlondeBet. Next Best Race 4 – #1 Moments In Time (8) 5yo Gelding | T: Danny Shum | J: Zac Purton (61kg) Best Value at Happy Valley: Mission Strike The Mark Newnham-trained Mission Strike was unplaced in his Sha Tin debut on December 22, with the Dundeel gelding run off his feet over the 1400m journey. He couldn’t stay in touch with his rivals as the sprint went on, however, he was clearly doing his best work late to suggest a step up to the 1800m should be ideal. His trial at Conghua on January 20 suggested he’s ready to hit top gear second-up, and with the three-year-old unlikely to be fancied after his first-up disappointment, punters can expect a good each-way price about Mission Stike in this Class 4 contest. Best Value Race 6 – #4 Mission Strike (3) 3yo Gelding | T: Mark Newnham | J: Luke Ferraris (59kg) Wednesday quaddie tips for Happy Valley Happy Valley quadrella selections February 5, 2025 2-3-4-7 1-2-4-5-6 2-3-4-5-10 1-2-3-5-6 Horse racing tips View the full article

What Warwick Farm Races Where Warwick Farm Racecourse – 2 Hume Hwy, Warwick Farm NSW 2170 When Wednesday, February 5, 2025 First Race 2:55pm AEDT Visit Dabble Metro racing returns to Warwick Farm Racecourse on Wednesday afternoon, with a quickfire six-part program set down for decision. The rail moves out +3m the entire circuit, and although the surface is rated a Soft 5 at the time of writing, punters can expect an upgrade into the good range courtesy of sunny skies forecast on Monday and Tuesday. The opening event is scheduled to get underway at 2:55pm AEDT. Best Bet at Warwick Farm: Sakima The Peter Snowden-trained Sakima returns after a 136-day spell and brings some elite form to this first-up assignment. The daughter of Snitzel contested some key three-year-old spring features last preparation, including the Group 2 Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on August 24, chasing to within 2.2 lengths of Ameena. Her latest trial at Rosehill on January 23 suggests she hasn’t missed a beat in her time away from racing, and with her only victory coming first-up last campaign, expect Sakima to be ready to fire in this BM72 contest. Best Bet Race 3 – #6 Sakima (2) 3yo Filly | T: Peter Snowden | J: Kerrin McEvoy (56.5kg) Next Best at Warwick Farm: It’s A Knockout It’s A Knockout burst onto the scene at the end of last preparation, recording a dominant 1.5-length victory at Rosehill on August 31 before being sent to the paddock. The Ciaron Maher-trained mare never missed the frame in her three starts and based on her recent piece of work at this course on January 20, punters can expect that trend to continue. Tim Clark will attempt to make every post a winner as he elects to stick aboard the talented four-year-old, and provided he can tick-over a soft sectional in the middle stages, It’s A Knockout should justify the short price with horse racing bookmakers. Next Best Race 6 – #5 It’s A Knockout (8) 4yo Mare | T: Ciaron Maher | J: Tim Clark (59kg) Best Value at Warwick Farm: Emilia Jane Emilia Jane caught the eye breaking her maiden status at the end of last preparation, producing a slashing victory at Newcastle on September 3. The daughter of Derryn was the widest galloper turning for home, showing a stunning turn-of-foot to get the verdict in the shadows of the post. Braith Nock gets legged aboard from barrier 10 as Emilia Jane returns from a 22-week spell, and with any luck slotting in for cover throughout the journey, this talented mare should be figuring in the finish. Best Value Race 4 – #9 Emilia Jane (10) 4yo Mare | T: Joseph Pride | J: Braith Nock (a3kg) (55kg) Wednesday quaddie tips for Warwick Farm Warwick Farm quadrella selections February 5, 2025 4-5-6 1-5-7-9-10 1-3-4-5 1-4-5 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

What Sandown Lakeside Races Where Sandown Racecourse – 591-659 Princes Hwy, Springvale VIC 3171 When Wednesday, February 5, 2025 First Race 3:40pm AEDT Visit Dabble The Lakeside circuit at Sandown is set to host eight races this Wednesday afternoon. With scorching temperatures forecast in the leadup, an upgrade to a Good 3 at some stage is a near certainty. The rail will be out 9m for the entire circuit, with the first race set to jump at 3:40pm AEDT. Best Bet at Sandown: Climb The Ladder Climb The Ladder caught the eye on debut at Mornington when charging home from the rear of the field over 1200m. The three-year-old gelding went down by 1.8 lengths on that day, but the step up to 1400m looks ideal for the son of Ardrossan. Damian Lane will likely have the Chris Waller-trained runner in the second half of the field from barrier seven, and if he gets a bum to follow in the home straight, Climb The Ladder should be overhauling his rivals late. Best Bet Race 2 – #2 Climb The Ladder (7) 3yo Gelding | T: Chris Waller | J: Damian Lane (59kg) Next Best at Sandown: Truffle Finder Clinton McDonald’s Truffle Finder was only beaten a half-length by the smart Untapped at Pakenham last time out. The five-year-old gelding was last on the home turn and made up a stack of ground late. If he replicates that same finish, there is no reason Truffle Finder cannot salute in the quaddie opener. Next Best Race 5 – #6 Truffle Finder (4) 5yo Gelding | T: Clinton McDonald | J: Ben Melham (59.5kg) Best Value at Sandown: Active Duty Active Duty is racing in fine form and presents great value with horse racing bookmakers. The son of National Defense was only nosed out in the final stride at Moonee Valley last time out, but his BM64 victory by 4.3 lengths the start prior suggests he is right in this. Fred Kersley will give him the run of the race from barrier one, and if the gap comes at the right time, Active Duty can salute. Best Value Race 7 – #3 Active Duty (1) 4yo Gelding | T: Lindsey Smith | J: Fred Kersley (58kg) Wednesday quaddie tips for Sandown Sandown quadrella selections Wednesday, February 5, 2025 5-6-7 1-2-4-7 2-3-5-8 5-6-9-10 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article