Wandering Eyes

Longtime horsemen Tom Hamm and Bobby Langley have launched Top Tier Thoroughbred Management, which will provide a variety of bloodstock and racing management services to its clients, from private and auction purchases, to mating and conformation analysis. Hamm, a native of Youngstown, Ohio, has over three decades of hands-on Thoroughbred experience, starting on the racetrack as an assistant trainer for his brother, Tim Hamm, in the mid-1990s. He later transitioned to the bloodstock realm, where he rose to become general farm manager at Taylor Made Farm and general manager of breeding operations at Woodford Thoroughbreds. He most recently worked at Three Chimneys Farm, joining the company as director of stallion nominations and later becoming chief commercial officer and overseeing Three Chimneys Racing Stable. “Over the past 30 years, I have gained extensive knowledge of the Thoroughbred Industry, and what it takes to be successful in this business,” Hamm said. “I'm at a point in my career where I feel like it's time to go out on my own and utilize the experience and knowledge that I have gained over the years. I am looking forward to the opportunity and challenges of starting my own business with Top Tier Thoroughbred Management.” Langley, a Louisville native, is an experienced blacksmith, spending 40 plus years working with some of the most notable and top Thoroughbred farms in the industry. He started in the industry working under the legendary Joe Taylor. Among some of the high-profile horses under his care were Hall of Famers American Pharoah, California Chrome, Curlin, and Justify. He has been instrumental in conformation evaluation and corrective farrier services for many top Thoroughbred farms throughout Central Kentucky. Both Hamm and Langley will be based in Kentucky. To learn more about Top Tier Thoroughbred Management, visit https://toptierthoroughbreds.com/. The post Hamm, Langley Launch Top Tier Thoroughbred Management appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame is seeking auction items from the Thoroughbred industry, as well as businesses around Saratoga Springs ahead of its third annual “Countdown to the Triple Crown” fundraising event, scheduled for Feb. 1. Businesses who donate an item, experience, or gift card will be promoted leading up to the event through the museum's social media channels and through database distribution. The museum will also provide contributing businesses with two complimentary tickets to the event. Guests can attend the event in person at the museum from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. or bid on special packages online. The early-bird event at the museum will feature beer, wine, soda, light refreshments, and entertainment. Cost to attend the event is $20 for museum members and $35 for non-members. To purchase tickets, click here or call (518) 584-0400. The post Museum Seeks Auction Items for Countdown to Triple Crown Fundraiser appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Masked Marvel (GB) anchors the Haras d'Etreham National Hunt roster for 2025, the stud announced on Tuesday. The sire of several Grade 1 winners and 23 black-type performers will stand at an unchanged fee of €12,500. Young sire Goliath Du Berlais (Fr) is now leading first-season sire once again, with his first 3-year-olds on the racecourse. He is in second place overall among sires of 3-year-olds, just behind Doctor Dino (Fr), with 11 winners already and among them, five French black-type performers. Goliath du Berlais's fee is €12,500 in 2025. Group 1 winner Latrobe (Ire) will be available for €4,000. A true-breeding bay, the son of Camelot (GB)'s eldest foals will be 3-year-olds of 2025. Paradiso (Fr), the first son of Kapgarde (Fr) at stud, welcomed his first foals this year. He will remain at €5,000. As part of an association with the Haras de Cercy, Wonderful Moon (Ger) has taken the place of Pretty Tiger (Ire) at Haras de la Tuilerie for the 2025 season. His fee stays at €2,500. Nicolas de Chambure said, “We are delighted to offer varying profiles of stallions so that all breeders may find the best match for their broodmares. The quality of the French jumps stallion ranks continues to develop and it is in this dynamic environment that we wish to position ourselves and continue to invest. I would also like to remind you of our strict stallion limitation policy, which protects and enhances breeders' investment. Finally, it is very satisfying to witness the success of Goliath du Berlais, who we launched in association with breeders via the operation of breeding rights.” The post Haras d’Etreham Jumps Roster Revealed appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The G1 Prix de Diane winner Sparkling Plenty (Fr) has been added to the Arqana Breeding Stock Sale as a wildcard entry. The daughter of Kingman (GB) will sell on the Saturday of the auction as lot 200 through Haras de Bouquetot to dissolve the partnership between Al Shaqab Racing and Sparkling Plenty's breeder Jean-Pierre Dubois. The filly was first offered as a yearling at Arqana in August 2022 and was unsold at €600,000. In June, the day after her Classic victory in the colours of Dubois, she was offered during the Goffs London Sale. She was again bought in, at £8,100,000, before a private sale was agreed at £5,000,000, with Al Shaqab taking a 50% share. Unbeaten in both her starts at two for Patrice Cottier, Spakling Plenty earned her first black type in the listed Prix Delahante on her second outing. Victory in the G2 Prix Sandringham preceded her Diane triumph. A full-sister to the G3 Jersey Stakes winner Noble Truth (Fr), Sparkling Plenty is out of the unraced Frankel (GB) mare Speralita (Fr), a half-sister to the outstanding Stacelita (Fr) (Monsun {Ger}), whose six Group/Grade 1 wins also includes the Prix de Diane. Stacelita has in turn become an accomplished broodmare in Japan and produced Frankel's first Grade 1 winner, Soul Stirring (Jpn). “We are delighted to present a Prix de Diane winner at the upcoming Arqana Vente d'Elevage,” said Benoit Jeffroy, manager of Haras de Bouquetot. “A Classic winner with such a pedigree represents a rare opportunity and an exceptional racing and breeding potential.” Arqana president Olivier Delloye added, “It's an exceptional opportunity to be able to offer a Classic winner at the end of her three-year-old season. Sparkling Plenty has demonstrated her class since her debut and has fantastic opportunities on the racecourse at four, being just as brilliant over a mile as she is over 2,100 metres. Sparkling Plenty also comes from one of the finest European families that includes Stacelita, Sauterne and Soul Stirring, that have shone at the highest level both in Europe and Japan. She is an absolute rarity at public auction and we are honoured to be able to offer her in the Arqana ring on December 7.” The post Sparkling Plenty Added to Arqana Breeding Stock Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Breeders' Cup winner Starlust (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}) and Grade I runner-up The Foxes (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) have both been supplemented to the Longines Hong Kong International Races, the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) announced on Tuesday. The former won the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint in the colours of Fitri Hay and trainer Ralph Beckett. A winner of the G3 Sirenia Stakes in September of 2023, the colt wound up third in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint at Santa Anita two starts later. This term, Starlust managed a listed victory at York in July, and he was also third in the G1 Nunthorpe Stakes in August during a 10-start campaign. He has been supplemented to the G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint over 1200 metres. King Power Racing's 4-year-old entire is rounding back into form after some time in the wilderness. Successful in the G2 Royal Lodge Stakes as a juvenile, he would take the G2 Dante Stakes, and run second in the GI Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes last summer. Unplaced in his first four starts of 2024, he ran out a three-length winner of the Listed Churchill Stakes over the all-weather at Newcastle over proven Group 1 yardstick Dubai Honour (Ire) (Pride Of Dubai {Aus}) on Nov. 16. Trained by Andrew Balding, The Foxes joins the G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup field. The post Starlust, The Foxes, Supplemented To Longines HKIR appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Stuart S. Janney, III, will step down from his position as chair of The Jockey Club, effective August 2025, the organization announced Tuesday morning. On Janney's recommendation, the board of stewards has chosen Everett Dobson to be his successor. The leadership transition will commence over the coming months, and Janney will remain on the board of stewards through his term, which will end in August 2026. Janney, a prominent Thoroughbred owner and breeder for several decades, was elected vice chair of The Jockey Club in 2010 and became chair in 2015. During his tenure, The Jockey Club expanded its commercial businesses and used those proceeds to make substantial investments in support of the sport. Janney was awarded the Eclipse Award of Merit earlier this year. He is chairman emeritus of Bessemer Trust. “I consider it a privilege to be associated with the accomplishments The Jockey Club has achieved over the past several years, including our many initiatives to sustain and grow the sport, and of course the passage of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act,” Janney said. “These accomplishments, and so many more, are because everyone at The Jockey Club puts the horse first, and I'm proud to be a member and to have served as chair.” A longtime Thoroughbred owner and breeder, Dobson is the owner of Candy Meadows Farm, a broodmare farm located in Lexington and he races under Cheyenne Stables. He is on his second term as a steward of The Jockey Club. He serves on the executive committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association and is immediate past chairman of the American Graded Stakes Committee. Dobson serves as a member of the Breeders' Cup, in addition to being a trustee of the Keeneland Association. A native and resident of Oklahoma, Dobson is the executive chairman of Dobson Fiber, a telecommunications company based in Oklahoma City. He is also an investor in the Oklahoma City Thunder NBA team and serves on its board of directors. “I am honored to follow Stuart as chair of The Jockey Club,” Dobson said. “I will continue to ensure that The Jockey Club remains true to its mission of being dedicated to the improvement of Thoroughbred breeding and racing.” The other stewards of The Jockey Club are Barbara Banke, Louis A. Cella, William S. Farish Jr. (vice chair), Gary Fenton, Terry Finley, Ian D. Highet (treasurer), William M. Lear (secretary), David O'Farrell, R. Alex Rankin, and Vincent Viola. The post Janney to Retire as Chair of The Jockey Club, Dobson Chosen His Successor appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Multiple Australian listed winner Bold Bastille (Aus) (Brazen Beau {Aus}) changed hands for A$810,000 to Yulong under the Walnut Farm banner during Tuesday's Inglis Digital Online Sale. Offered by Lindsay Park Racing for an ownership group that included Ozzie Kheir, John O'Neill and partners, the O E & D R Pope, Pty., Ltd.-bred filly is the eighth horse to realise A$500,000 or more on Inglis Digital this year and the 104th to realise A$100,000 or more on the platform in the same time frame. She was originally an A$270,000 Inglis Premier yearling when picked up by Lindsay Park Racing and Group 1 Bloodstock from the Blue Gum Farm draft in 2023. Yulong chief operating officer, Sam Fairgray indicated the daughter of the group-placed Chloe In Paris (Aus) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) would remain in training with Ben Will and JD Hayes, and told The Thoroughbred Report, “We've seen what they've done over the past couple of years. They're a fantastic training organisation, and they have a facility that they can mix it up and do different things, and come up with different ideas. “They're great with innovations and what they've done with their horses in the past. We've had a good relationship with them, and we look forward to hopefully continuing that with Bold Bastille. We've got a couple of ideas with what we might do with her, which we'll talk about in the next couple of days. “Longer term she's got great residual value and she'll be easy to mate with any of our stallions. The likelihood is that next year she'll retire and go to stud, and we know those fillies with their precocity as 2-year-olds pass it on to their progeny.” Bold Bastille's dam is a half-sister to the Brazen Beau stakes winner Ideas Man (Aus), the group-placed The Original (Aus) (Dehere), the winning dam of Group 3 heroine She Dances (Aus) (Street Boss), and another half-sister is responsible for stakes winner Larimer Street (Aus) (Brazen Beau {Aus}) and the G3 Zeditave Stakes and G3 Telstra Phonewords Stakes second Brockhoff (Aus) (Lonhro {Aus}). “Yes, [Bold Bastille has good pedigree], and we own her half-sister already, Rue Vivienne (Aus), who is a Lonhro (Aus). She had an Alabama Express (Aus) foal this year,” Fairgray added. “So it's a family that we like, and her pedigree is going to work well with a couple of our stallions. “That was one of the ideas of getting her. Eventually she'll end up in the breeding barn, and we can breed her to one of our stallions.” Added Group 1 Bloodstock's Mat Becker, “All the owners are over the moon, we're so happy with the outcome, everybody is just really pleased. “It's great to see her end up at that price, she really deserved it and it was very exciting to watch the bidding that final half hour or so, it really soared.” The post Listed Winner Bold Bastille Sells For A$810,000 To Walnut Farm On Inglis Digital appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Georges Rimaud, the director of the Aga Khan Studs in France for a quarter-century, will retire at the end of 2024. He will be succeeded by Pierre Gasnier, who has assisted Rimaud for the past two years. Trained at the Irish National Stud in 1980, Rimaud worked at Spendthrift Farm and later managed Hurricane Hall–both in Kentucky–and also managed Virginia's Audley Farm. Named manager of Haras d'Etreham in 1991, he joined the Aga Khan Studs in June of 2000. Since then, horses carrying His Highness The Aga Khan's distinctive silks have won 83 Group 1 races under a management team led by Princess Zahra Aga Khan and supported by Rimaud, Pat Downes and Nemone Routh. During Rimaud's tenure, the breeding operation of Jean-Luc Lagardere was integrated in the Aga Khan Studs after being acquired in 2005. The current Haras de Bonneval roster features four stallions, all homebreds–Siyouni (Fr), Zarak (Fr), Vadeni (Fr) and Erevann (Fr). Rimaud, currently the chairman of Arqana Holding, will continue in that position, with Constantin de Lencquesaing, chief financial officer for the Aga Khan Studs, will also remain a member of the Arqana board. “The entire Aga Khan Studs team extends their warmest and most sincere sentiments to Georges as he approaches his retirement,” the Aga Khan Studs said in a statement. “His Highness the Aga Khan and Princess Zahra Aga Khan express their deepest gratitude to him for his expert management of the French studs over the past 25 years. His contribution will impact the Aga Khan Studs and thoroughbred families for generations to come.” Gasnier will be the point of contact regarding the stallions and studs in France. De Lencquesaing will be in charge of the stallion syndicates. Enquiries regarding horses-in-training in France should be directed to Routh, director and racing manager, who is also the main contact for the press, while Downes, director of the Aga Khan Studs in Ireland, remains the point of contact for enquiries regarding Sea The Stars (Ire) and the studs and horses-in-training in Ireland. The post Georges Rimaud To Retire After 25 Years With The Aga Khan Studs appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Michelle Cuozzo Borisenok, who was named to the board of directors of the New York Race Track Chaplaincy in December, has been elected vice president of the organization, filling the vacancy left by the late Nancy C. Kelly, who passed away in February. The announcement was made by Terry Finley, the chairman of the chaplaincy. “Michelle is always looking for ways to improve the quality of life for members of the backstretch community and we know she will do a great job in this new role,” said Finley. A Thoroughbred owner entrepreneur and philanthropist in the Saratoga Springs area, Borisenok operates Brown Road Racing, a boutique Thoroughbred racing organization which aims to empower women, foster a sense of camaraderie, and give back to the community through a combination of racing, education and philanthropy. The stable won the 2021 Cicada Stakes with Just Read It. Since 2016, Borisenok has also co-owned the Thoroughbred breeding farm Old Tavern Farm with her husband, Walt Borisenok. The New York Race Track Chaplaincy (www.rtcany.org) ministers to the needs of the backstretch community at the New York Racing Association racetracks, as well as surrounding farms through a wide variety of programs. They include enrichment programs for children, teen mentoring, women's enrichment, social service, and recreational programs, as well as educational opportunities, and non-denominational religious services. The post Michelle Borisenok Elected Vice President of New York Racing Chaplaincy appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sam Agars ROMANTIC SON - R9 (8) Has had to wait an extra week because of a typhoon but can break through here Jay Rooney SILO - R7 (7) Has gone close in his past three and should be hard to beat in his Valley debut Jack Dawling EASON - R9 (3) Promising third first up and may take a step forward from gate two Phillip Woo APOLAR FIGHTER - R2 (4) Can salute from a proper draw after two positive runs Shannon (Vincent Wong) NINJA DERBY - R2 (10) Kept on well enough for fourth last start and can score with Purton aboard Racing Post Online TRIUMPHANT MORE - R5 (1) Ran wide throughout on his debut win and can score again tonight Tom Wood RAGING BLIZZARD - R8 (7) Excellent run last start considering how slowly he beganView the full article

Te Akau Racing will be hoping Group 2 winner Wild Night (NZ) (Vanbrugh) can start his Australian campaign on a strong note in Saturday’s Listed Cranbourne Cup (1600m), after the stable reported the ‘cool, calm and collected customer’ had ‘settled in beautifully’ at their Cranbourne base. “He arrived last Wednesday … they often arrive sort of a week-and-a-half before their run, it gives them time to settle in,” said Ben Gleeson, who is Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson’s assistant trainer. “He’s got a really good attitude.” The team utilised Southside Racing’s gallops morning to get the five-year-old gelding accustomed to the scene of his Listed-level tilt this weekend. “We’ve just brought him here for his first and only gallop this morning, just a leisurely look around, nothing too strenuous. “He handled it brilliantly, he just took it all in his stride. “We couldn’t be happier with him heading into Saturday.” The half-brother to Gr.2 winner and Karaka Million 2YO runner-up Play That Song has won both starts over 1300m this preparation in New Zealand. The gelding is looking to return to the trajectory of this three-year-old campaign, which saw him put together five victories in a row, before only racing a handful of times in his four-year-old year. “He’s got pretty good form, he’s run behind horses like Prowess,” Gleeson noted. “He’s always been a horse in mind, even this time last year when we first opened, he was a horse that we mentioned may come over here. “He’s just had a few setbacks along the way, it’s taken him time to mature and get over those speed humps. “Sam and Mark and the team at home have got him in fine fettle now, he’s sound and obviously he’s won his last two. “Mark’s really strong on the opinion he’s going to keep developing into a really nice horse, whether that be a mile or further.” The chestnut galloper will once again rise in trip for Saturday’s contest, with further Australian targets to be determined while he makes Cranbourne home. “I think he’s an exciting horse for us to program and hopefully head into the autumn with,” Gleeson said. “Hopefully he can run a good race on Saturday and verify the opinion of the team at home that he’s worthy of coming over. “If he can run a top three race, he’s certainly on track for Listed and better races and there’s a really nice program between Melbourne and Sydney in the autumn for him.” View the full article

Alan Switzer has been named chief financial officer for the British Horseracing Authority (BHA). He joins the executive team after having been with the BHA for several years and having held the role of interim CFO since August 2024. During that time he has overseen “a comprehensive review of the organisation's structure and operational functions, and more recently supporting the delivery of British racing's industry strategy”. Switzer worked for Deloitte for over 25 years as part of the company's Sports Business Group and during the Covid pandemic was seconded to Sport England, where he helped establish and manage the British government's Sports Survival Fund. He said, “I'm delighted to be appointed to the Chief Financial Officer role. I have worked with the BHA and British racing throughout my career, and have huge admiration for the knowledge, experience and passion that exists across the organisation and wider racing industry. “British racing's financial challenges are well documented, with the sport facing significant headwinds and not always best served by the fragmented and complex nature of our funding model. “But these problems are far from insurmountable, especially if we can commit to working collectively in the long-term interests of the sport. As someone who wants to see racing not only survive, but thrive, I look forward to playing my part to support the sport we all love.” Julie Harrington, outgoing BHA chief executive, added, “[Alan] is widely respected and brings a wealth of commercial experience from across racing and the sporting sector more generally. His ability to build strong relationships, coupled with a proven track record of success, will continue to be a significant asset. “Not only will Alan seek to ensure that the BHA remains on a sound financial footing so that it can continue to provide good value and high-quality services for participants, but he will also lead cross-industry efforts to look at our income and funding models and how we can make better use of resources. This will be crucial as we work to secure a more sustainable financial future for British racing.” The post BHA Appoints Alan Switzer as Chief Financial Officer appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It’s on again – a date has been confirmed for the NZB Standardbred Harness Racing Awards in Christchurch. On February 8 the sport’s best performers, both equine and human, from 2024 will be recognised at Addington Raceway. More details will be released in coming weeks but don’t forgot to circle the date – February 8 – because it promises to be epic. View the full article

By Adam Hamilton Classy Kiwi pacer Tact McLeod has joined the Mark Jones stable and will bring some Kiwi flavour to the Inter Dominions in New South Wales. Jones, who has enjoyed huge recent success in NSW with dual Group 1 Ladyship Mile winner Stylish Memphis, confirmed connections had paid a late nomination fee to tackle the series. It has revived NZ interest in the series after trainer Cran Dalgety scratched Republican Party last Saturday. The Inter Dominion starts with heats at Newcastle on Friday week, moves to Bathurst on December 4 before the last round of heats (December 7) and finals (December 14) at Menangle. Jones said former champion Kiwi driver Anthony Butt, now based in Victoria, would drive Tact McLeod through the series. It gives Butt the chance to become the most successful driver in Inter Dominion history. He currently sits second with 38 Inter Dominion race wins (heats, consolations and finals combined), just one behind fellow Kiwi driver Tony Herlihy. Butt has won four finals, the 2009 pacing final on Mr Feelgood, along with trotting finals on Lyell Creek (2000) and Take A Moment (2001 and ’03). Jones liked what he saw of Tact McLeod when seventh in last week’s IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup and fifth in the Allied Security NZ Free-For-All three days later. The Cup run was monstrous after missing away from the standing start and coming wide, while Tact McLeod would’ve finished in the top three with any racing room last Friday. “He’s nice progressive horse and he’s still building,” he said. “Trevor’s (Proctor) has been training him, so I’ve got to know the horse really well. The plan was always for him to stay with me after Cup Week. “Those runs against the big boys will really bring him on again. “When I heard Swayzee wasn’t running and then Leap To Fame came out, it looked like a really good option to take him across. “Better Eclipse isn’t there, either. He ran second in last year’s final. “It looks a very even series and knowing the upside this horse has, I think he’ll be very competitive. “He’s the sort of horse who just thrives on racing and the big track at Menangle will really suit him. Tact McLeod has raced just 22 times for eight wins, five placings and banked $138,408. View the full article

By Joshua Smith, Trackside.co.nz Last week will live long in the memory of northern race caller George Simon. On New Zealand Trotting Cup Day at Addington Raceway, he became a Group One-winning standardbred breeder when Marketplace took out the Woodlands Stud Sires’ Stakes Series Final (1980m), and four days later he called Talentoso, who he bred and part-owns with his wife Maryanne, to victory at Tauranga. “It was an unbelievable week,” Simon said. “I was calling Te Aroha last Tuesday and I just sat in the commentary box and watched the race from Addington and cheered him (Marketplace) home.” With Marketplace’s victory, Simon has become a dual code Group One-winning breeder, having bred three-time elite-level thoroughbred victor and now stallion Turn Me Loose in partnership with his wife Maryanne. While known as the northern voice of thoroughbred racing in New Zealand, Simon also has a passion for harness racing, having called the code for a number of years at Alexandra Park following Alby Gains’ retirement, and also enjoyed competing in the sulky himself in the amateur ranks. “I have raced a lot of harness horses over the years, and I really enjoy the harness racing side of things too. I was an amateur driver for a few years before it got too busy, I love it,” he said. Marketplace is out of five-win Christian Cullen mare Cullen Who, who has been Simon’s first foray into standardbred breeding. “We bought the dam, Cullen Who, after she had won her first start at Forbury Park. She won five races and over $50,000 on the track,” he said. “There are four mates involved with her – Gordon McKenzie, Tony Barron, Tony Clark, and I. “She is the first one we have bred from. She was probably the best-bred horse that we have raced.” The now 11-year-old mare has had five foals to date, all by champion standardbred sire Bettor’s Delight, with the ownership group electing to sell each of the resulting progeny at New Zealand Bloodstock Standardbred’s National Yearling Sales. “We have sold three for about $100,000 each on average, and Marketplace was the latest one,” Simon said. “Who’s Bettor was the first one and then Who’s Delight, who has been flying, and then Marketplace, who has been the standout.” “Maryanne, my wife, and I went to watch him go through the ring down at Christchurch the year he sold, and he was a lovely yearling. “Tony Barron had prepped him for the sale, as he does with all of our horses (standardbreds). He sold for $100,000 and went to some good judges (Philip and Glenys Kennard), and we have been following his progress all the way through. “Early reports that we got back from the stable (trainer Regan Todd) were that he was a very promising horse. “What he has done in his last five starts, culminating with the Group One win the other day, is just incredible to watch, it was a great thrill.” They say good things come in threes, and that is definitely the case for Simon, with both Marketplace and Turn Me Loose being third foals out of their respective dams. Like Cullen Who, Turn Me Loose’s dam Indomitable was Simon’s first foray into breeding in the thoroughbred code, and he and Maryanne struck the jackpot at just their second mating, with Indomitable already having had one foal prior to the couple leasing her. “We decided that we would get into the breeding side of things and we leased a mare off Sir Peter Vela and his late brother Philip,” Simon said. “She was a Danehill mare called Indomitable and they very kindly allowed us to lease her. We started breeding from her and her third foal turned out to be Turn Me Loose. “We sold him as a ready to run sale horse. We put a reserve of $25,000, we got $52,500 for him and we thought we were geniuses. He won $1.7 million in stakes and we have sent two mares back to him at Windsor Park Stud and that has cost us $20,000 a pop.” Turn Me Loose has been the standout graduate of the Simons’ Mana Park, with the three-time Group One winner holding pride of place at the couple’s home. “I always talk about there is going to be a big night at Iggy’s,” Simon said. “Iggy was our nickname for Turn Me Loose when he was a young horse here. He was the very first horse that we put our Mana Park brand on. “Maryanne wanted a swimming pool and I wanted a man cave, so my man cave is called Iggy’s as a nod to Turn Me Loose. So, everyone that is watching (trackside) and is thinking ‘what is he going on about with Iggy’s?’, that is my man cave.” There have been many a celebration at Iggy’s, and it experienced another on Saturday night following Talentoso’s win at Tauranga. The Simons bred the now four-year-old gelding and race him with a group of friends out of trainer Shelley Hale’s barn. “Iggy’s got a few victims on Saturday night after Talentoso’s win,” Simon quipped. The son of Tarzino is out of a half-sister to Turn Me Loose, and Simon was rapt to call his horse home on Saturday to cap the memorable week in style. “He was probably the easiest winner of the day, he was never going to get beaten – he put himself there and it was a lovely ride by Tayla Mitchell,” Simon said. “We have always had an opinion of him, but he has just been unlucky throughout his career so far. “He is by Tarzino out of a Rip Van Winkle mare, which we bred, Dormez Vous, she is a half-sister to Turn Me Loose. She is one of three in our broodmare band. “We kept him back from the sales. I like racing horses, so we thought we would keep him back and just have a bit of fun with him ourselves and roped in some good friends of ours. “One of them, Gary Thomas, it is his first horse he has ever had, so he thinks this game is easy.” Simon said the colours Talentoso carried to victory hold great sentimental value. “The colours that Maryanne and I race our horses in, the pink and mauve colours, are the colours of my late father-in-law Jim Mead,” Simon said. “He was a wonderful man and when he died, Maryanne got the colours, and we registered and race all of our horses in his colours. “They are very easy colours to see, especially when they are three lengths in front going for the line. “We have had a fair bit of success in those colours too. We had our own stakes winner last year, Denby Road, who won the Cambridge Breeders’ (Gr.3, 1200m). He has been off with injury. “We try and sell our horses, but through circumstances they are sometimes not ready for a sale or don’t make the grade, so we keep them back and we generally race them ourselves and have a bit of fun.” The Simons started breeding just over 15 years ago and Simon said it didn’t take long for their breeding numbers to expand. “It’s a vicious circle. We started with one mare, and we leased another off Sir Peter called Miranda Miss, she was a Reset mare and left a stakes winner we bred called The Soultaker,” he said. “After several years we had about 18 horses that we owned 100 percent ourselves at one stage. Once it’s in your blood it is there. We enjoy it. “We foal them down ourselves, so it is Maryanne and I out in the paddock at 3am in the morning, and we have done that for a number of years. “They become a part of your family. You have your ups and downs, and it is not a game for the weak of heart, but when you have a win, we enjoy it.” While he has enjoyed plenty of success as a breeder, Simon is quick to pass the accolades onto Maryanne with their thoroughbreds, and Gordon McKenzie and Tony Barron with their standardbreds. “I don’t take any of the credit for it, it is all Maryanne’s work as far as the gallopers are concerned, she is the breeding guru,” he said. “Gordon McKenzie and Tony Barron have always advised Tony Clark and I of what we are going to be doing with Cullen Who. We follow what we have been advised to do by the boys. They are good mates of ours and we listen to the experts.” Simon is still basking in Group One glory after last week’s success, and said the win was comparable to his previous elite-level achievements with Turn Me Loose. “It is the elite of the elite,” he said. “You dream about competing in a Group One race, whether that be as an owner, trainer, jockey, driver or breeder. For me it is quite a dream. “We had experienced the thrill of a Group One race through the deeds of Turn Me Loose all those years ago and now to do it in the harness racing game was so unique, it gave me a real buzz, and to do it with good friends is even better.” While unable to be trackside last week due to his northern calling commitments, Simon was able to head down a day later to spend some time with Marketplace at trainer Regan Todd’s property, and he is excited for what the future holds for the gelding following the visit. “After the Te Aroha races, I flew from Auckland to Christchurch and I popped out to Regan Todd’s stable, who very kindly allowed me to go out and have a look at the horse,” Simon said. “I spent the morning with Regan Todd and Craig Ferguson (driver) and saw Marketplace up close and personal. I hadn’t seen him since the day we sold him as a yearling, and gee he is a nice horse. “Indications are that they believe he is going to be a nice three-year-old and time will be his friend, so what he is doing now is fantastic to see. To see him get a Group One was unbelievable.” It was a timely win by Marketplace, with his breeders set to offer a full-sister to the exciting juvenile at next year’s yearling sales. “The full-sister that is going to the sale next year, she really fills the eye,” Simon said. “Tony Barron has been very positive in his reports about her. “The mare, Cullen Who, had another filly foal last week, so that was just great to see.” – Trackside.co.nz View the full article

Every month HRNZ picks at random an owner and breeder of the month. The only proviso is that their horse must have won a race during the month. For October Josh Lester was given the owner’s award after Brother Love’s win at Addington on October 3 while breeder of the month was Alan Edge, after Off The Edge’s win at Addington on October 16. Owner of the month : Josh Lester It’s rare for Josh Lester not to be at the races to urge his horse home but he wasn’t at Addington to see Brother Love win on October 3. “Normally we make every effort to be at the track as that’s what we are in this game for but it was a Thursday and we couldn’t make it.” Based in Geraldine, an hour or so’s drive south of Christchurch, Lester manages the Gray Goats Syndicate, who are part of Brother Love’s ownership group. “Our syndicate comprises four family members – my wife Katherine, sister Ange and niece Zakiaya. We just wanted to find a cost effective way to enhance a day out at the races through ownership. “We just looked on social media at what stables had purchased what post the yearling sales, then got in touch with Gavin (Smith) … and in the end jumping on board with Brother Love.” The Love You five-year-old has had 44 starts, his win at Addington last month was his fifth. “It’s been a good journey to this point, plenty don’t even make it to the track so to win five with our syndicate’s first horse has been great.” The syndicate has since had an involvement with Olives Dream, a cheap buy off Gavelhouse. Their 10 per cent share cost just $70 and she won twice at Timaru (Nov 2023) and Winton (February 2024). “The buzz of seeing a $700 horse finding a home in racing and win certainly was satisfying for everyone involved.” They are also involved with an Always B Miki colt at Brent and Tim White’s stables in Ashburton. Breeder of the month : Alan Edge For October Alan Edge won the Breeder award after Off The Edge’s win in an amateur drivers’ race at Addington on October 16, driven by partner Cheree Wigg. Many of his horses carry the “Edge” name. Off the Edge is by Art Official out of Ella Fitzgerald. Fittingly Off The Edge has been one of Edge’s best performers in a long and successful stint in the sport. He has won nine races and nearly $100K. Edge is a high profile personality. In business he heads up Southern Demolition and his interest in horse racing horse goes way back. “I was at the New Zealand Cup in 1961 to see my uncle (Steve) win with Invicta.” Since then Edge has been a prolific owner – “One year I bought 14 at the weanling sales in Auckland!” “I own 28 at the moment and have 17 in work.” This year he will bred four foals. He also has a youngster he’s looking forward to getting to the races. “A two-year-old we will call Celebrity Edge – named after the cruise ship.” Costing $1b the Celebrity Edge is an award-winning cruise liner that was launched in 2018. Congratulations to both of October’s winners and your plaques are on their way. View the full article

A detailed review will be held into New Zealand Cup week with industry leaders saying initial signs have been largely positive. The sport’s biggest week wound up on Friday after the Cup and Show Day races at Addington and Ashburton’s “meeting of emerging talent” on Thursday. “We knew Show day needed a good shake up and what was delivered was fantastic,” says New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club Chair John Hartnell, “and the turnover on Friday reflected that.” Turnover was $4.3m on 13 races on Show Day Twilight, up by around a quarter on the $3.3m on 12 races the year before. Leading the way were the two brand new slot races – the Hill, Lee and Scott THE VELOCITY won by Better Knuckle Up ($437,358) and the Majestic Horse Floats LP THE ASCENT ($399,734), which was taken out so impressively by Australian sensation Keayang Zahara. Show Day Twilight followed a successful IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup Day where turnover was $7.2m for the 12-race programme. For the first time the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup and the Renwick Farms Dominion Trot were held on the same day, with the Cup attracting turnover of $1.8m while the Dominion was at around $600K, up nearly 40 percent on last year. “We would love to see that total figure top $8m ideally but it was a very good result,” says HRNZ Chief Executive Brad Steele, “one we will build on.” Total turnover for Ashburton’s lower grade meeting was up from $1.22m on 11 races last year to $1.68m on 14 races. “Cup week is the culmination of a lot of hard work by a lot of people and it was a job well done,” says Steele. Summary : NZ Cup Day, Show Day Twilight, and Ashburton Turnover – $13,073,740 this year, $11,557,608 last year (13.1% increase) NZ Cup day – $7.27m, up from $6.81m last year Show Day Twilight was $4.38m, up 25.1% Year on Year with 1 extra race Ashburton was $1.68m, up 32.7% with 3 extra races View the full article

By Jonny Turner Success on and off the track continued for Southland breeder-owner Megan Reidie when Macandrew Markup completed back-to-back wins at Winton on Sunday. The pacer had run into all sorts of bad luck before breaking through at Wyndham a week prior. Macandrew Markup then showed his fortunes had completely turned around when scoring again in the Winton’s Middle Pub Mobile Pace for Reidie’s partner, trainer Jeremy Douglas, with his son Hayden in the sulky. “He had been knocked over a couple of times and had plenty of bad luck but now he’s switched on to things and been able to get the job done quite nicely,” Reidie said. Like many of the pacers Reidie has raced, Macandrew Markup’s ownership is a family affair. “We have got the same base group that has raced most of our horses – my dad, my two brothers and I.” “But in this syndicate, we have also got my uncle and my dad’s best mate, too.” Megan, Mark, Andrew and Jamie Reidie also race open-class pacer Macandrew Aviator alongside the Kiwi Connection Syndicate. The horse made a strong start to his New Zealand Cup campaign before disappearing off the scene after suffering a hoof injury in the Hannon Memorial. Macandrew Aviator is close to putting the incident behind him and will be on his way back to Canterbury soon. “He is fully sound, the hoof just needs to grow out a little bit more,” Reidie said. “He will head back up the road soon, but we want to make doubly sure he is right before he goes so Jeremy, Brendon Bell and I are keeping a close eye on him.” Through her interest in breeding and racing, plus her day job as a veterinarian, Reidie is involved in a huge number of aspects of the harness racing industry. One of them is through her role as president Southland branch of the Standardbred Breeders Association. The group recently hosted an evening in Invercargill to promote breeding, with Harness Racing New Zealand CEO Brad Steele speaking. “It was a really good evening, the idea came from a couple of our committee members who had heard that bookings to stallions were a bit slow,” Reidie said. “So we needed to do a bit of a promotion.” “We had some great prizes including some stallion services donated which was awesome.” “We have had heaps of positive comments after the night.” Reidie is literally hands-on in the breeding industry, with her vet work including caring for newborn foals and getting mares in foal. Despite record rainfall in Southland this spring, Reidie reports that so far she has encountered few issues with foalings and good success rates with mares getting in foal. View the full article

New Zealand Bloodstock’s 2024 Ready to Run Sale is just moments away, set to take place on 20 and 21 November at the iconic Karaka Sales Centre. Inspections and parades and well and truly underway, and the grounds are busy with many guests also staying onsite at the DoubleTree by Hilton Karaka hotel situated just a minutes’ walk from the complex. Various international buyers will be met by an astute line up of Kiwi judges to provide strong competition in the sale ring, all looking to secure their next champion from the world’s best sale of two-year-olds. NZTR will also auction a single slot for the 2025 edition of the NZB Kiwi race tonight, with 50% of the Above Reserve Fee ($125k) to be donated to Rodney Animal Rescue. The slot will go up for bidding at 5pm on Tuesday 19 November. As usual, NZB will provide a world-class sale broadcast for the duration of the 2024 Ready to Run Sale. The Sale will be televised live in New Zealand on Freeview Channel 200, Sky Chanel 64, as well as on NZB’s website, online bidding platform and Facebook page. Viewers can tune in from as early as 10.30am (NZT) prior to the Sale to catch the daily preview show hosted by presenter Michael Guerin, with the review show also being broadcast at the closure of selling each day. View the full catalogue and sale information online here. View the full article

The past year has been a tough one for Matamata horseman Gary Hennessy, but he got plenty of satisfaction out of watching Mystic Park (NZ) (Ocean Park) take out Saturday’s Listed Stewards’ Stakes (1200m) at Riccarton. Hennessy bred the five-year-old gelding, who is by his five-time Group One winner and Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) hero Ocean Park, and out of unraced Dubawi mare Spirit of Karlu. “It was terrific. I have followed him all the way through, and I have his dam set to foal any day to Ocean Emperor,” Hennessy said. “It is a great little family. He has got a lot of brilliance. He is a lovely, big horse and has got some quality about him. He is out of a Dubawi mare and has a nice background.” Hennessy sold Mystic Park as a weanling to Kilgravin Lodge’s Eion Kemp and veterinarian Ronan Costello, with the pair offering him through the former’s 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft, where he was purchased by trainers Michael and Matthew Pitman for $40,000. He has gone on to win seven and place in three of his 12 career starts to date, culminating in Saturday’s stakes victory. Saturday’s win was a tonic for Hennessy, who has battled health issues over the last 12 months, which forced him to call an end to his training career. “Last year I got very crook, so I have stopped training,” he said. “I woke up one morning and I was completely paralysed and couldn’t dress myself for three days. You end up being very tired and your shoulders ache. You have some days that are good days and others that are not. “I also need an ankle replacement, so that will make it difficult working with horses. I am probably going to be in a moonboot for up to six months. “We have just sold the racing stable block. We have still got Weowna Park, which is 50-odd acres, and we have three or four broodmares there. I have got three nice two-year-old colts that we will probably put into work with somebody. “I have also got a three-year-old Ocean Park filly that I have kept that is a half-sister to Trust In You. We will have one or two racing and enjoy that.” Hennessy said he will now place his focus on his breeding endeavours, with Spirit of Karlu now becoming an increasingly important cog in his breeding wheel. As well as being the dam of Mystic Park, she has also left former promising juvenile Pluck That, and race winners Karlu Dreaming and Poitin. “She has had five to the races and four have been winners,” Hennesy said. “I bought her in Australia and she was in-foal to Pluck and the resulting foal we sold at the ready to run sale to Baker-Forsman and he was called Pluck That. He won a couple of trials and won two starts as a two-year-old before being sold to Hong Kong and he has won a couple up there. “Karlu Dreaming, she is a full-sister to Mystic Park, and we sold her in the Melbourne sales, and she has won three, while Poitin is another one that we sold at the ready to runs to Allan Sharrock for $50,000, and he has also won. View the full article

New Zealand has an exciting group of apprentice jockeys coming through the ranks, and last season’s standout performers were recently recognised at the Northern, Central Districts and South Island Apprentice Awards. On Monday night, the Milan Park Northern Apprentice Jockey Awards acknowledged the achievements of the region’s rising stars, with Niranjan Parmar awarded the Premier Apprentice Jockey Award as the highest-achieving Northern apprentice on the premiership table. Parmar, who was apprenticed to Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, recorded 50 winners last term, finishing second to Lily Sutherland in the premiership. Among his half-century were three stakes victories, including the Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1400m) aboard Pendragon, the Gr.3 White Robe Lodge WFA (1600m) on Perfect Scenario, and the Listed Champagne Stakes (1200m) with Discretion Rules. The 27-year-old was honoured to receive the top award, particularly as not all had gone as planned with several suspensions through crucial periods in the season. “It means a lot to win this award, especially as I was quite on-and-off throughout the season and spent more time on the sidelines than on the track,” Parmar said. “I received great support from all over the country, I just took it day-by-day and kept showing up. “Winning my first Group Two for Pam Gerard was very special and it gave me a massive boost, my name came up and I got some nice rides here and there after that. It really helped my confidence. “Also winning the Group race at Wingatui, that was really good, and Team Te Akau had a strong hand in my premiership. “My agent, Micky Coleman, he helped me a lot, as well as my new boss, Paul Richards. He has supported me through my career, so a big thank you to all of them.” Parmar is nearing another milestone, with less than 20 winners before outriding his claim in New Zealand, and he is hoping to take opportunities across the Tasman, should they arise. “My goal is to outride my claim, I’m sitting on 122 so I just need 18 more winners, which I can hopefully get through this season,” he said. “After that, I’m looking to see if I can go to Australia for a small stint next year, even for six months to a year. I haven’t spoken to anyone yet, but it’s something I’m hoping to do.” A relatively fresh face on the scene is Rihaan Goyaram, who was announced as the Most Promising First Year Apprentice. Indentured to Ralph Manning, Goyaram debuted in early June, and swiftly picked up five winners over the remaining six weeks in the season. The remainder of the accolades were awarded to Ngakau Hailey (Most Improved Apprentice Jockey), Jessica Allen (Most Outstanding Female Rider), Maria Sanson (Bill Simon Trophy for Most Outstanding Ride), Ace Lawson-Carroll (Most Dedicated To Succeed) and Sarah Fisher (Best Presented At Scales). At the Central Apprentice Academy Prizegiving, held in conjunction with RACE, Lily Sutherland was further congratulated for her outstanding performance to win the 2023/24 National Apprentice Premiership, with 52 winners placing her 14th overall among her senior counterparts. Apprenticed to Kevin Myers, Sutherland won the Listed Wanganui Guineas (1200m) on Chantilly Lace, Listed Pegasus Stakes (1000m) with Not Guilty, Gr.3 Anniversary Handicap (1600m) aboard Churchillian, and the Listed Warstep Stakes (2000m) partnering No Rain Ever. Lemmy Douglas was recognised as the Head Pupil, for all-round dedication to their profession, and Jim Chung was Most Improved Apprentice Jockey, highlighted by his fifth-placing on the Apprentice Premiership. In the South Island, Yogesh Atchamah was awarded the Top Apprentice Jockey after recording a career-best of 24 winners last term. Indentured to Andrew Carston, Atchamah narrowly edged out fellow Southern rising stars Donovan Cooper and Denby-Rose Tait. Kendra Bakker, formerly in the North, was awarded the Most Promising Junior Rider, and Ruvanesh Muniandy won the Ashlee Mundy Jockey’s Choice Award, chosen by the South Island Senior Jockeys. View the full article

Last week will live long in the memory of northern race caller George Simon. On New Zealand Trotting Cup Day at Addington Raceway, he became a Group One-winning standardbred breeder when Marketplace took out the Woodlands Stud Sires’ Stakes Series Final (1980m), and four days later he called Talentoso, who he bred and part-owns with his wife Maryanne, to victory at Tauranga. “It was an unbelievable week,” Simon said. “I was calling Te Aroha last Tuesday and I just sat in the commentary box and watched the race from Addington and cheered him (Marketplace) home.” With Marketplace’s victory, Simon has become a dual code Group One-winning breeder, having bred three-time elite-level thoroughbred victor and now stallion Turn Me Loose in partnership with his wife Maryanne. While known as the northern voice of thoroughbred racing in New Zealand, Simon also has a passion for harness racing, having called the code for a number of years at Alexandra Park following Alby Gains’ retirement, and also enjoyed competing in the sulky himself in the amateur ranks. “I have raced a lot of harness horses over the years, and I really enjoy the harness racing side of things too. I was an amateur driver for a few years before it got too busy, I love it,” he said. Marketplace is out of five-win Christian Cullen mare Cullen Who, who has been Simon’s first foray into standardbred breeding. “We bought the dam, Cullen Who, after she had won her first start at Forbury Park. She won five races and over $50,000 on the track,” he said. “There are four mates involved with her – Gordon McKenzie, Tony Barron, Tony Clark, and I. “She is the first one we have bred from. She was probably the best-bred horse that we have raced.” The now 11-year-old mare has had five foals to date, all by champion standardbred sire Bettor’s Delight, with the ownership group electing to sell each of the resulting progeny at New Zealand Bloodstock Standardbred’s National Yearling Sales. “We have sold three for about $100,000 each on average, and Marketplace was the latest one,” Simon said. “Who’s Bettor was the first one and then Who’s Delight, who has been flying, and then Marketplace, who has been the standout.” “Maryanne, my wife, and I went to watch him go through the ring down at Christchurch the year he sold, and he was a lovely yearling. “Tony Barron had prepped him for the sale, as he does with all of our horses (standardbreds). He sold for $100,000 and went to some good judges (Philip and Glenys Kennard), and we have been following his progress all the way through. “Early reports that we got back from the stable (trainer Regan Todd) were that he was a very promising horse. “What he has done in his last five starts, culminating with the Group One win the other day, is just incredible to watch, it was a great thrill.” They say good things come in threes, and that is definitely the case for Simon, with both Marketplace and Turn Me Loose being third foals out of their respective dams. Like Cullen Who, Turn Me Loose’s dam Indomitable was Simon’s first foray into breeding in the thoroughbred code, and he and Maryanne struck the jackpot at just their second mating, with Indomitable already having had one foal prior to the couple leasing her. “We decided that we would get into the breeding side of things and we leased a mare off Sir Peter Vela and his late brother Philip,” Simon said. “She was a Danehill mare called Indomitable and they very kindly allowed us to lease her. We started breeding from her and her third foal turned out to be Turn Me Loose. “We sold him as a ready to run sale horse. We put a reserve of $25,000, we got $52,500 for him and we thought we were geniuses. He won $1.7 million in stakes and we have sent two mares back to him at Windsor Park Stud and that has cost us $20,000 a pop.” Turn Me Loose has been the standout graduate of the Simons’ Mana Park, with the three-time Group One winner holding pride of place at the couple’s home. “I always talk about there is going to be a big night at Iggy’s,” Simon said. “Iggy was our nickname for Turn Me Loose when he was a young horse here. He was the very first horse that we put our Mana Park brand on. “Maryanne wanted a swimming pool and I wanted a man cave, so my man cave is called Iggy’s as a nod to Turn Me Loose. So, everyone that is watching (trackside) and is thinking ‘what is he going on about with Iggy’s?’, that is my man cave.” There have been many a celebration at Iggy’s, and it experienced another on Saturday night following Talentoso’s win at Tauranga. The Simons bred the now four-year-old gelding and race him with a group of friends out of trainer Shelley Hale’s barn. “Iggy’s got a few victims on Saturday night after Talentoso’s win,” Simon quipped. The son of Tarzino is out of a half-sister to Turn Me Loose, and Simon was rapt to call his horse home on Saturday to cap the memorable week in style. “He was probably the easiest winner of the day, he was never going to get beaten – he put himself there and it was a lovely ride by Tayla Mitchell,” Simon said. “We have always had an opinion of him, but he has just been unlucky throughout his career so far. “He is by Tarzino out of a Rip Van Winkle mare, which we bred, Dormez Vous, she is a half-sister to Turn Me Loose. She is one of three in our broodmare band. “We kept him back from the sales. I like racing horses, so we thought we would keep him back and just have a bit of fun with him ourselves and roped in some good friends of ours. “One of them, Gary Thomas, it is his first horse he has ever had, so he thinks this game is easy.” Simon said the colours Talentoso carried to victory hold great sentimental value. “The colours that Maryanne and I race our horses in, the pink and mauve colours, are the colours of my late father-in-law Jim Mead,” Simon said. “He was a wonderful man and when he died, Maryanne got the colours, and we registered and race all of our horses in his colours. “They are very easy colours to see, especially when they are three lengths in front going for the line. “We have had a fair bit of success in those colours too. We had our own stakes winner last year, Denby Road, who won the Cambridge Breeders’ (Gr.3, 1200m). He has been off with injury. “We try and sell our horses, but through circumstances they are sometimes not ready for a sale or don’t make the grade, so we keep them back and we generally race them ourselves and have a bit of fun.” The Simons started breeding just over 15 years ago and Simon said it didn’t take long for their breeding numbers to expand. “It’s a vicious circle. We started with one mare, and we leased another off Sir Peter called Miranda Miss, she was a Reset mare and left a stakes winner we bred called The Soultaker,” he said. “After several years we had about 18 horses that we owned 100 percent ourselves at one stage. Once it’s in your blood it is there. We enjoy it. “We foal them down ourselves, so it is Maryanne and I out in the paddock at 3am in the morning, and we have done that for a number of years. “They become a part of your family. You have your ups and downs, and it is not a game for the weak of heart, but when you have a win, we enjoy it.” While he has enjoyed plenty of success as a breeder, Simon is quick to pass the accolades onto Maryanne with their thoroughbreds, and Gordon McKenzie and Tony Barron with their standardbreds. “I don’t take any of the credit for it, it is all Maryanne’s work as far as the gallopers are concerned, she is the breeding guru,” he said. “Gordon McKenzie and Tony Barron have always advised Tony Clark and I of what we are going to be doing with Cullen Who. We follow what we have been advised to do by the boys. They are good mates of ours and we listen to the experts.” Simon is still basking in Group One glory after last week’s success, and said the win was comparable to his previous elite-level achievements with Turn Me Loose. “It is the elite of the elite,” he said. “You dream about competing in a Group One race, whether that be as an owner, trainer, jockey, driver or breeder. For me it is quite a dream. “We had experienced the thrill of a Group One race through the deeds of Turn Me Loose all those years ago and now to do it in the harness racing game was so unique, it gave me a real buzz, and to do it with good friends is even better.” While unable to be trackside last week due to his northern calling commitments, Simon was able to head down a day later to spend some time with Marketplace at trainer Regan Todd’s property, and he is excited for what the future holds for the gelding following the visit. “After the Te Aroha races, I flew from Auckland to Christchurch and I popped out to Regan Todd’s stable, who very kindly allowed me to go out and have a look at the horse,” Simon said. “I spent the morning with Regan Todd and Craig Ferguson (driver) and saw Marketplace up close and personal. I hadn’t seen him since the day we sold him as a yearling, and gee he is a nice horse. “Indications are that they believe he is going to be a nice three-year-old and time will be his friend, so what he is doing now is fantastic to see. To see him get a Group One was unbelievable.” It was a timely win by Marketplace, with his breeders set to offer a full-sister to the exciting juvenile at next year’s yearling sales. “The full-sister that is going to the sale next year, she really fills the eye,” Simon said. “Tony Barron has been very positive in his reports about her. “The mare, Cullen Who, had another filly foal last week, so that was just great to see.” View the full article

Ellerslie is set to host two World Pool meetings in early 2025. Photo: Nicole Troost In a coup for the New Zealand racing industry, the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) have announced the arrival of World Pool to two New Zealand thoroughbred meetings in early 2025. In an unprecedented development for the New Zealand racing industry, the Karaka Millions meeting at Ellerslie in Auckland on January 25 will be the first of the two World Pool meetings in New Zealand, with the second taking place on the newly created Champions Day on March 8, also at Ellerslie. Champions Day is home to four Group One races, including the New Zealand Derby (2400m), Bonecrusher Stakes (2000m), NZ Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) and Sistema Stakes (1200m), as well as the inaugural running of the $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m), the richest race for three-year-olds in the Southern Hemisphere. The presence of World Pool leads to increased international viewership as well as providing much larger pools for New Zealand’s TAB customers to bet into. Lachlan Fitt, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Entain Australia and New Zealand, the operators of New Zealand’s TAB, said the announcement reflects the progress made in New Zealand racing in the past 18 months. “World Pool is an exciting opportunity to share the very best of New Zealand racing internationally,” Fitt said. “The benefits of having the thoroughbred racing world firmly focused on New Zealand for these two meetings cannot be underestimated. As well as the advantages that our TAB customers will see, World Pool meetings are a confirmation that New Zealand racing is making its mark on the global stage.” Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, the hosts of World Pool, was delighted to welcome New Zealand as a World Pool partner. “New Zealand has a long and rich horseracing history with an outstanding record of producing champion horses, jockeys and trainers on the international stage,” he said. “Not only is New Zealand a proven nursery in terms of equine and human racing talents, but it also boasts a vibrant and respected domestic racing structure crowned by world-class Group One races.” New Zealand-bred thoroughbreds hold a great record in Hong Kong, with the likes of Sunline, Beauty Generation, Vengeance Of Rain, Aerovelocity, Lucky Sweynesse and Werther performing to the highest level in the leading racing jurisdiction. New Zealand-sourced gelding Golden Sixty has been crowned Hong Kong Horse of the Year for the last three seasons, while Kiwi-bred sprinting sensation Ka Ying Rising is proving to be one of the most exciting prospects in Hong Kong ahead of the renowned Hong Kong International Races next month. New Zealand horsemen have also made their mark in Hong Kong, with leading jockey James McDonald currently plying his trade there on a short-term contract following a standout spring in Australia. “New Zealanders James McDonald, Shane Dye, Paul O’Sullivan and Jamie Richards are synonymous with racing excellence and also strongly linked to Hong Kong and it is upon this foundation our World Pool partnership is founded,” Engelbrecht-Bresges said. “New Zealand becomes the ninth racing jurisdiction to have its elite Group One races included in the World Pool operation and, from a personal viewpoint, it is wonderful reflect on the close racing ties shared between New Zealand and Hong Kong. “New Zealand occupies a special place in the international racing ecosystem due to its excellence in breeding and, as a like-minded partner, the New Zealand TAB has been a strong supporter of international commingling, joining the HKJC pools for local races and other international World Pool events since 2019. We very much looked forward to a continuation of this collaboration.” Auckland Thoroughbred Racing Chief Executive Paul Wilcox is excited by the extra international attention the World Pool will bring to two of the Auckland track’s feature meetings. “We can’t wait to host these two meetings, and all the attention that World Pool brings,” he said. “With the addition of World Pool, we’ll be building on the hard work that delivered a game-changing TAB Karaka Millions in 2024 and producing a stunning new raceday on Champions Day.” New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing chairman Russell Warwick has welcomed the announcement and said it will be a great addition to the local industry. “To have World Pool operating on not one but two meetings in New Zealand is a great boost for the industry,” he said. “These meetings were already promising to be world-class affairs, and the arrival of World Pool takes them to another level.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Happy Valley Races Where Happy Valley Racecourse – Wong Nai Chung Rd, Happy Valley, Hong Kong When Wednesday, November 20, 2024 First Race 6:40pm HKT (9:40pm AEDT) Visit Dabble The bright lights of Happy Valley Racecourse await punters on Wednesday evening, with a bumper nine-race program set for decision. The rail is in the C course for the meeting, and although there is some light rainfall expected to hit the course proper, it shouldn’t deteriorate from the current Good 4 rating. All the action is scheduled to get underway at 6:40pm HKT. Best Bet at Happy Valley: Storming Dragon The Jamie Richards-trained Storming Dragon continues to be a costly commodity, finding the frame in six of his seven starts without a victory. The son of Star Turn went within a nose of justifying the short price with Neds at this course and distance on November 6, with Beauty Destiny narrowly getting the upper hand in the shadows of the post. James McDonald will do the steering from gate five this time around and should give Storming Dragon every chance to repay the faith for favourite backers. Best Bet Race 5 – #2 Storming Dragon (5) 4yo Gelding | T: Jamie Richards | J: James McDonald (61kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Happy Valley: Silo Silo finished off best of the beaten brigade at Sha Tin on November 9 and appears set to peak heading to Happy Valley for the first time. The Mark Newnham-trained gelding relished the step up to 1600m on that occasion, closing off impressively behind the progressive Voyage Samurai. Luke Ferraris should lob into a handy position from barrier five, and with a strong tempo engaged in this Class 3 contest, watch for Silo to be storming down the centre of the course. Next Best Race 7 – #7 Silo (5) 4yo Colt | T: Mark Newnham | J: Luke Ferraris (58kg) Bet with Picklebet Best Value at Happy Valley: Gluck Racer Gluck Racer was forced to sustain a long run turning for home at Sha Tin on October 20 and did a good job to close within three lengths of Majestic Express. The son of Super One maps to get a soft run in transit from stall one, and with fitness on his side third-up, punters can expect a peak performance. He’s on the verge of a class drop, but if Gluck Racer can find his peak at the bottom of Class 4 company, this guy will represent terrific each-way value with horse racing bookmakers. Best Value Race 4 – #12 Gluck Racer (1) 7yo Gelding | T: Cody Mo | J: Vincent Ho (54.5kg) Bet with Dabble Wednesday quaddie tips for Happy Valley Happy Valley quadrella selections November 20, 2024 1-4-5-6-8 7-8-12 4-6-7-8-9-12 2-3-4-5-8 Horse racing tips View the full article

Pair of riders get their last chance to qualify for next month’s prestigious competition at city circuit.View the full article