Wandering Eyes

Seven New York-bred 2-year-olds were sent to the post for the $45,000 Tin Cup Chalice Stakes at Finger Lakes Nov. 18 and after a thrilling stretch run, it was Cast a Coin who would tenaciously come out the victor.View the full article

This week, ahead of this week’s sales, Michael is at the Ready to Run Breeze Ups, for a behind the scenes look, chat, and deeper dive into them. And what now for the likes of Alabama Lass and Captured By Love after the 1000 Guineas? Guerin Report – Ep. 12, Ready To Run Sales Preview View the full article

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 TAB 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 Trackside 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.” For more information: worldpool.hkjc.com View the full article

Wentwood Grange savoured a trans-Tasman double at the weekend and the Hawkins family will be looking for further reasons to celebrate at this week’s New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale. They bred and race impressive Tauranga winner Miss Bo Peep (NZ) (Astern) and also bred and sold Group performer Harlow Mist (NZ) (Contributer), successful at the feature Newcastle meeting. Wentwood will be hoping that roll continues into the two-year-old sale when they offer a pair of youngsters by Hello Youmzain and Almanzor deep into Thursday’s session at Karaka. Astern four-year-old Miss Bo Peep was untested on Saturday to account for her Rating 65 rivals over 1200 metres and now has consecutive wins from three outings for trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott. She is a daughter of Wentwood’s Gr.1 Railway (1200m) winner Miss Raggedy Ann, who unfortunately died foaling Miss Bo Peep. “It was a great shame, but she gave us a lovely filly and when she was born, she was obviously never going to go to a sale,” Dean Hawkins said. “Lance and Andrew got her for obvious reasons because they trained the mother.” Miss Bo Beep had won her previous start at New Plymouth, a venue where Miss Raggedy Ann broke her maiden and subsequently joined elite level company with her boil over win in the Railway. “She came down the outside, Tasha Collett rode her, and she paid about 100-1 and we had a little bit on her,” Hawkins said. Contributer four-year-old Harlow Mist has now won four of her 13 starts from John Sargent’s Randwick stable and was also third in last season’s Gr.3 Wakeful Stakes (2000m). “She’s a quality mare and showed a lot as a spring three-year-old and it was great to see her win that Midway so impressively,” Hawkins said. She is out of the late Cullen mare Sila Jasak, who won on three occasions and was twice placed at black type level. She was a daughter of the three-time Group One winner Grand Archway and a half-sister to stakes winning siblings Stand Tall and Seul Amour. Harlow Mist was sold by Wentwood to Tricolours Racing & Syndications at Karaka for $85,000. “It was a shame to have also lost Contributer, we had a share in him,” Hawkins said. They do have a daughter of Sila Jasak in the Preferment mare Preferential, who has won three times for trainers Ben, Will and JD Hayes and will join their broodmare band at the end of her career. Meanwhile, Wentwood’s pair of juveniles will be offered during the second session of the Ready to Run Sale through the draft of Pertab Racing. “We’ve got a Hello Youmzain colt and an Almanzor gelding and Kurtis has done a great job with them, so we’ll see how they go,” Dean Hawkins said. The Hello Youmzain, Lot 335, boasts a pedigree close to Wentwood hearts with her dam the Stravinsky mare Crescendo, a half-sister to Gr.3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m) winner Leigh Valley who produced the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) winner Valley Girl. The son of Almanzor, Lot 392, is a half-brother to the multiple winner and Gr.1 Diamond Stakes (1200m) placegetter O’Rachael with their dam the Snippetson mare Guessed. View the full article

The Waikato Thoroughbred Racing (WTR) board has announced that members have agreed to undertake further work towards securing a single fit-for-purpose site for racing and training in the Waikato. This announcement follows endorsement by WTR members at its AGM yesterday and is the result of extensive feasibility studies and independent assessments to identify a sustainable option that will meet the long-term needs of the racing industry. “A Greenfield site will not only centralise our operations but also futureproof the entire racing ecosystem in the Waikato region,” WTR board chairman Bruce Harvey said. Harvey said the options considered under the feasibility study included various combinations of racing and training locations, with the Greenfield site emerging as the most realistic and beneficial option. “The decision to pursue a Greenfield site was influenced by several factors, including the financial operation of the current sites, the challenges of training at Cambridge into the future due to new housing developments, and the need for a self-sustaining operation,” he said. The Board identified several other factors that contributed to the decision to go for an entirely new site, including: bringing together the expertise and strength of the local racing fraternity into one centralised location creates a fit-for-purpose venue designed for training and racing provides a ‘super-hub’ for other horse-related activities and users creating a modern functions and events centre as part of the development that can be used to generate additional income. The new Greenfield site is likely to be located within a triangle between Hamilton, Te Awamutu and Cambridge and work will begin immediately to narrow down options that could potentially meet WTR needs. “The criteria for the Greenfield site includes having excellent access to major transport routes, flat land with good soil and a reliable water supply,” Harvey said. WTR is running an open process to find the best opportunity for a Greenfield site and has engaged Bayleys to lead this process. A shortlist of possible options is expected to be considered in the first quarter of 2025. A due diligence process will be undertaken on the preferred site. As part of this process a formal business case will be prepared around de-risking the project and there is still significant work to be undertaken to be able to address the total project funding. This business case will be presented to members for consideration in October 2025. Harvey said a new site would eventually replace the racing and training venues in Te Rapa, Cambridge and Waipa. View the full article

Longtime track superintendent Juan Meza will be retained by Woodbine Entertainment as a Racing Surfaces Consultant, the track said on Monday. Meza served as the track superintendent at Golden Gate Fields for over two decades up until the track ceased operations this past June. Like Woodbine, Golden Gate Fields held racing on a Tapeta (all-weather) racing surface, installing the synthetic track in 2007. Meza's brings an extensive knowledge in Tapeta to Woodbine and has worked closely alongside the surface manufacturer (Tapeta Footings). “The safety and well-being of both our equine athletes and human participants is our top priority,” said Bill Ford, Executive Vice President of Racing, Woodbine Entertainment. “We are pleased to have Mr. Meza available to assist in our ongoing efforts and commitment to maintain the highest safety standards. We will continue to work closely with the HBPA and AGCO to ensure the safest possible conditions for all involved.” Meza will work in coordination with Ryan Stafford, Director of Racing Surfaces, to maintain the safe condition of the Tapeta surface and support the Racing Surfaces team. Following a pair of horse deaths on the Nov. 9 program, Woodbine officials were forced to cancel the last two races, including the GIII Autumn Stakes, which was postponed to this past weekend. As a precautionary measure, the live card scheduled for the following afternoon was canceled. Discussions and evaluations took place during the week and the track was given the go-ahead to resume racing Nov. 14 and it continued through the weekend. In a separate incident deemed unrelated to track conditions, a horse was eased during the Saturday finale at Woodbine and was ultimately euthanized. The post Meza To Consult On Racing Surfaces at Woodbine appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Senor Buscador (Mineshaft), whose career was highlighted by a win in this year's $20-million G1 Saudi Cup, will join the stallion ranks in 2025, but, first the owners plan to race him twice more before he heads to stud. He is slated to run in the Dec. 7 GII Cigar Mile H. at Aqueduct and then the Jan. 25 GI Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream before beginning his stallion career. The story was first reported by Horse Racing Nation. “The horse is training really well,” breeder and majority owner Joey Peacock said. “We thought he ran a creditable race in the Breeders' Cup Classic. He beat nine very talented horses. He just couldn't catch the other four. The Beyer figures came back pretty nice, at a 103 for him. He's been training really well and these races are coming up pretty fast. We thought it would be worthwhile to give him the opportunity to keep going forward and get in a couple more nice races. Things can always change with a horse. If we wake up one morning and say this doesn't feel right then we won't push things. We never have with him. This is the same path he took last year. He ran in the Breeders' Cup and then the Cigar and then the Pegasus. He just seemed to be getting better at this time of year. The horse is doing great. We'd just like to give him two more chances to go out and run in two big races.” Wins in the Cigar Mile and Pegasus will not mean that Senor Buscador will remain in training. “He's going to be seven and although he was fairly lightly raced for a 7-year-old because he missed so much of his 3- and 4-year-old years,” Peacock said. “I just feel that after Pegasus there's not anything immediately in front of us other than going to the Middle East again. To do that again would be asking too much of the horse at this stage in his career.” Peacock said he has not yet reached an agreement with a stud farm, but believes he is getting close. “We've already started buying mares for him,” Peacock said. “We're excited about his next career and looking forward to seeing what his babies can do for us. I think we're getting pretty close and are in discussions with some farms but nothing we can announce at this point.” During the recently concluded Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale, an entity called Senor Buscador Mares purchased eight horses for $477,000, with a top price of $95,000. Senor Buscador, who is trained by Todd Fincher, has been a modern day Silky Sullivan. He has no early speed, usually drops back several lengths behind the leaders and then makes a run. Sometimes it got him to wire first and sometimes it did not. “This horse has taken us all over the U.S. and then halfway around the world to compete on the world stage with the best horses on the planet,” Peacock said. “It doesn't get any better than that. It's been a phenomenal ride. He's the type of horse who always put a solid effort in. His running style is a heart attack for the owners. But it's a lot of fun to watch when it works. It's always thrilling, it's always dramatic, it's always fun. But we know he makes things hard for himself because of his running style.” To this point in his career, Senor Buscador sports a record of 7-2-3 from 22 starts and earnings of $12,941,427. His other graded wins came in the GII San Diego H. and the GIII Ack Ack S. He was also third in this year's G1 Dubai World Cup. The post Senor Buscador To Have Two More Starts Before Being Retired appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Dual-surface Grade I winner War of Will (War Front–Visions of Clarity {Ire}, by Sadler's Wells), the sire of 14 individual winners from his first crop to the races in 2024, will stand the 2025 breeding season for $20,000 LFSN, officials at Claiborne Farm announced Monday. Victorious in the GI Preakness Stakes on the dirt and the GI Maker's Mark Mile on the grass, War of Will is the second-leading freshman sire by turf winner and earnings and has been represented to date by three stakes horses She's Got Will, My Emmy and Garden of War. War of Will is the sire of seven juveniles that sold in excess of $100,000 during this season's breeze-up sales, including a colt out of Sunday Sonnet (Any Given Saturday) that was hammered down for $400,000 at OBS April. Members of his second crop include a daughter of Star Silver (Aldebaran) who was purchased by Ken McPeek for $230,000 at Fasig-Tipton October. The post War of Will To Stand for $20,000 In 2025 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Victory Racing Partners' More Than Looks (More Than Ready–Ladies' Privilege, by Harlan's Holiday), who most recently stormed home from the back of the field to win the GI FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile at Del Mar, has been retired from racing and will enter stud at William S. Farish's Lane's End in 2025. He will command an introductory fee of $15,000, live foal, stands and nurses terms. Bred in Kentucky by Hinkle Farms, More Than Looks was acquired by Victory Racing Partners for $135,000 at the 2021 Keeneland September sale and was turned over to trainer Cherie DeVaux. A maiden winner in his first start going long over the Gulfstream synthetic surface at his second career appearance in March 2023, More Than Looks was the impressive winner of the GIII Manila Stakes in his black-type debut that July and, following a third to 'TDN Rising Star' Carl Spackler (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) in the GIII Hall of Fame Stakes, rolled home in the Jefferson Cup Stakes at Churchill Downs. Dealt a miserable draw for the 2023 Breeders' Cup Mile, the dark bay came with a flying finish to miss by two lengths in a bunched finish. More Than Looks made his 4-year-old debut against Carl Spackler in the GI Fourstardave Handicap at Saratoga, racing freely off the layoff before charging home into second. A troubled runner-up to his arch-rival in the GI Coolmore Turf Mile Oct. 5, More Than Looks got his revenge at Del Mar Nov. 2, jumping out of the ground in the final furlong to take it by three-parts of a length while posting a career-best 105 Beyer Speed Figure. “He's an eye-catching horse that showed elite ability from day one,” said DeVaux. “His explosive turn of foot and competitive nature led to consistency at the highest level, and ultimately resulted in him becoming a Breeders' Cup champion.” The most recent of his much-missed sire's 27 international Grade I/Group 1 winners, More Than Looks is out of a stakes-winning full-sister to three-time graded winner Takeover Target who was purchased by Hinkle Farms for $575,000 at Keeneland November in 2019 with More Than Looks in utero. The Grade I-winning dirt distaffer Critical Eye (Dynaformer) appears under the third dam. More Than Looks is now available for inspection at Lane's End. Contact Chris Knehr (cknehr@lanesend.com) or Jill McCully (jillmac@lanesend.com) to set up an appointment or for additional information. The post Breeders’ Cup Mile Winner More Than Looks Retired To Lane’s End, To Stand For $15,000 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After all the Group 1 action and the prestige of Addington’s biggest carnival of the year there’s a change of pace for the next week, though no shortage of harness racing action. There will be seven meetings in six days right across the country, with Manawatu hosting the first of its two meetings tonight with the feature being the $20,000 Wairarapa Cup. Sandwiched between the two meetings is Rangiora on Wednesday with Invercargill and Auckland on Friday. The meeting at Alexandra Park will feature the latest round of the $16,000 Northern Metro heats for the Pacers and Trotters. There will be two heats of each before the $30,000 Finals at the Park on Friday November 29. Timaru will see the running of the Timaru Nursery Stake for the two-year-olds on Saturday before the week finishes on the grass at Motukarara on Sunday. Arna Donnelly has big hand in Wairarapa Cup By Brigette Solomon Country Cups racing continues in the north and Cambridge trainer Arna Donnelly has a trio of runners set to contest the Connie Stewart NZ Sotheby’s Int Realty $20,000 Wairarapa Cup today at Manawatu. Her three runners Rough And Ready, Bad Medicine, and Red Rackham, all who have good form on the track. “They’re all well and I think they should all go good races,” says Donnelly, “they’ve all been racing well and Rough And Ready has enjoyed a freshen up after some tough racing in Auckland.” A winner of 15 races, Rough And Ready has a strong record with two wins and four placings from his six starts at the Central Districts track. He starts tonight from barrier four and is driven by in-form junior driver Crystal Hackett. “I guess you could say he’s a bit of a course specialist here, he’s nice and fresh and he’ll certainly appreciate the drop back in class to what he’s been racing in Auckland,” says Donnelly, “I think he’s possibly my best chance tonight.” Bad Medicine, driven tonight by Jay Abernethy, is another who boasts an excellent record in the CD and was the winner of the 2023 Wairarapa and Manawatu Cups. The Bettor’s Delight gelding finished second here in his last start after sitting parked for the majority of the race and was beaten a length by Gotta Elect Bill who also starts in the Wairarapa Cup tonight. “He’s another with a good record on this track and he’s such an honest horse that always tries his best, so I expect he’ll give a good performance,” says Donnelly. Donnelly’s third runner is Red Rackham, a horse who has recently come into his own having won five times in his last eight starts. The Vincent gelding has had just one start at Manawatu where he finished third on November 4. Driven tonight by Andre Poutama, Red Rackham starts from barrier six. “It will be tricky for him tonight from the draw and he’s racing horses that have a fair bit more experience than him and are pretty seasoned,” says Donnelly, “but he did race well last week and if he gets a good drag into the race he should still give a good account of himself.” Racing gets underway tonight at 5.08pm with the Connie Stewart NZ Sotheby’s Int Realty Wairarapa Cup (R4) at 6.29pm. View the full article

Tourist (Tiznow–Unbridled Melody, by Unbridled's Song), upset winner of the 2016 GI Breeders' Cup Mile, has been sold to Fazli Yurdabak and will continue his stallion career at Izmit Stallion Complex in Turkey in 2025. The deal was brokered by Bowling Bloodstock's Matt Bowling and Murat Sancal. Also victorious in the GI Fourstardave Handicap, the 13-year-old entered stud at his part-owner's WinStar Farm in 2018, accounting for nine stakes winners from his five American crops of racing age, including GIII Valedictory Stakes winner Wentru. He is also the sire of Chilean Group 3 hero El Mentalista (Chi). Tourist relocated to Rockridge Stud in Hudson, New York, for the 2023 breeding season. Tourist will do a period of quarantine at Sancal Racing at Elmendorf Farm in Lexington prior to his export. The post Dual Grade I Winner Tourist Moving To Turkey appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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Well, that was good. The jam-packed car parks at Kildare Paddocks translated into rip-roaring trade on the opening day of the November Foal Sale as the momentum gathered up towards the end of the yearling season carried over into what proved a memorable Monday for vendors at Goffs. And the €90,000 top lot by Blue Point (Ire)? It came at a time where the vendor needed it most. Rob Tierney might be best known as the face of Noel O'Callaghan's Mountarmstrong Stud. Together, the pair have enjoyed many good days. But Monday's sale-topper was consigned by Tierney under his own Mayfield Farm and he already has a home for the money–literally. “My wife Ciara and I are actually building a house this year so I'm not buying foals this year–we're trying to get money in rather than spending it! This touch is timely. We're delighted,” Tierney beamed. The Blue Point colt hails from Exceed And Excel (Aus) mare Emerald Isle (Fr), who Tierney sourced at Goffs in 2016 for just €12,000. Her latest offspring was snapped up by Guy O'Callaghan of Grangemore Stud. He continued, “I'm delighted-it's a great day. Look it, I've had some great twists with Noel over the years but you'd never get ahead of yourself and it's brilliant when it happens. This foal was very busy. We liked him a lot at home and we were hoping he'd be popular. But for him to make what he did, sure it's only a dream. I have to say that the trade there at Goffs today was unbelievable. You know, for what is meant to be one of the lesser days of trade, it was exceptionally strong and it was brilliant to see it.” O'Callaghan described trade at Goffs on Monday as “very strong” and admitted to being a huge fan of Blue Point after adding the top lot to his team. He explained, “Very good-looking horse by a brilliant stallion and out of an Exceed And Excel mare. Hoping for the best. Trade is very good and if you have a good horse you get very well paid. The market is very good. We've traded a few Blue Points well over the years and David [O'Callaghan] and I have the dam of Charyn (Ire) in foal to him so we're believers.” Of the 232 offered on Monday, 168 were sold at a clearance rate of 72%. The turnover stood at €3,834,500, the average at €22,825 and the median rested at €18,000. Talking points One of the first Perfect Power (Ire) foals to hit the market was well-received by Michael Fitzpatrick of JC Bloodstock, who went to €60,000 to secure the Tinnakill House-drafted filly early in the session. Lot 56 is out of a Cape Cross (Ire) mare Cairncross (Ire), who has already produced a black-type performer in Thunder Of Niagra (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}). The only other offering by the stallion on Monday, another filly, sold to Moanmore Stables for €18,000. Tally-Ho Stud were the leading buyers on day one and added a Showcasing (GB) colt to the team from Windsor Stud for €88,000. The colt hails from Frankel (GB) mare My Only One (GB) and the result left Windsor Stud's Frank O'Callaghan visibly delighted. He said, “Delighted with how we got on today. A lot of the right people were on him and Tally-Ho ultimately won. He's gone to a great home and Tally-Ho have been great supporters of ours. Dad and Tony are brothers so we like to support them and they've supported us. He's been a dream to prepare–he'd a dote and is an unbelievable walker. Anyone who saw him loved him. He walked all day and I think he'd about 170 views. Delighted. We'd our fingers crossed–we thought we might do okay but delighted by how it went.” It was a pretty strong day overall for Cotai Glory (GB). The Tally-Ho Stud-based stallion was responsible for four of the top 10 yearlings sold on Monday and, all told, averaged €29,267 for 15 sold. First Foray Into Breeding Works A Treat For Forge Bloodstock Rory and Dan Maher of Forge Bloodstock | Goffs Rory and Dan Maher of Forge Bloodstock are rightly regarded as shrewd pinhookers and the brothers' first foray into breeding didn't go too badly, either, when selling a Cotai Glory colt to Paul McCartan under the banner of KM Bloodstock for €85,000. Consigned by Philip O'Dwyer of Ardreigh Stud, the Cotai Glory colt is the first foal out of the Oasis Dream (GB) mare Cantata (GB), who the brothers picked up at the December Mares Sale at Tattersalls for just 2,5000gns. Rory said, “He is a lovely foal–lovely mover, shape and blessed with a great attitude. A simple foal. He's gone to a good judge in Paul McCartan and fair play to Paul, he's operating at the top end and is one of the best at what he does. Best of luck to him. “For us, we usually buy a couple of foals every year but we purchased a couple of mares a few years ago and that has to work, too, as there are nominations to be paid. That's how this fella found himself here today. We knew he was a nice foal who would be accepted well at the sales so we decided to enter him to see where we were at and he sold above our expectations.” Maher added, “We bought the mare for 2,500gns at Newmarket. She was a maiden mare when we bought her and went to Cotai Glory because we're fond of him. But the mare is a big-walking mare and we knew she'd suit him. The mare is back in foal to Good Guess (GB). We actually only have two mares and the other is in foal to Mehmas (Ire). A special thanks to our good friend Philip O'Dwyer of Ardreigh Stud, who consigned him for us.” Buy of the day Roger O'Callaghan told TDN Europe on Sunday that Tally-Ho Stud's modus operandi when sourcing foals at the sales is a simple one; buy the ones that you think will run. In the shape of lot 137, a colt by the stud's own Cotai Glory (GB), the outfit looks to have filled that brief. At €62,000, Tally-Ho sourced a belting foal out of a Stakes-performing mare [Lady Beware (Ire) (Dragon Pulse {Ire})]. Doubtless this is a horse that will be turned into money. Whether that be as a yearling or down the breeze-up route, only time will tell. Thought for the day Regardless of what way you look at it, there is a distinct lack of mile-plus foals that hit the market. Barring the odd exception, like Aughamore Stud paying €20,000 for a colt foal by Maxios (GB), most pinhookers and end users seem to prefer investing in speed and precocity at the foal sales. Such an observation is hardly a new one but it would be good to see some more variety to the market at times. The post ‘We’re Building A House So It’s Timely’ – Blue Point Colt Heads Strong Opener At Goffs appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

When graded stakes winner Wit (Practical Joke–Numero d'Oro, by Medaglia d'Oro) went through the ring at 2024 Keeneland April Horses of Racing Age Sale, Andrew Cary, the bloodstock advisor for Keith and Ginger Myers' Coteau Grove Farm in Sunset, Louisiana, knew he wanted the horse, but not as a racing prospect. Cary's client and partner Whispering Oaks Farm in Carencro, Louisiana, saw the 'TDN Rising Star' as a perfect fit for the Louisiana breeding program. For the purchase price of just $100,000 they brought home a horse they believe will fit in nicely in the Pelican State, which is one of the sport's healthiest regional markets. “They decided to sell him in April,” Cary said. “It was good timing for us because it was too late for the breeding season and we weren't looking to run him. The timing was a bit odd. Maybe they were hoping that a South American farm would buy him. There was some interest there, but luckily for us, he kind of fell into our laps and we were very happy to get him.” Cary is always on the lookout for quality stallion prospects that are a good fit in Louisiana. Coteau Grove also owns No Parole (Violence) in partnership with Whispering Oaks, which stands the team's stallions. No Parole was a nice coup for the partnership as he is a rare Grade I winner to stand in Louisiana. No Parole won the 2020 GI Woody Stephens Stakes. In Wit they saw another horse with an impressive record on the track. Trained by Todd Pletcher, he won the GIII Sanford Stakes by eight lengths at Saratoga before finishing second in the GI Hopeful Stakes. Subsequent to winning the GIII Bay Shore Stakes on the dirt in the spring of 2022, Wit made a successful transition to the turf, winning the Better Talk Now Stakes at Saratoga, finishing runner-up in the GII Hall of Fame Stakes and GIII Bryan Station Stakes and a close third in the GI Hollywood Derby. “We have a high-quality broodmare band and we thought it was the right time to invest in a new stallion,” Cary said. “Not only would that give our mares a good option in the state, but also one that we have ownership in and can develop the horse. We already own No Parole in partnership with Whispering Oaks, so this is the same partnership. We just thought he was a very high-caliber horse with Grade I talent and a big profile that was a prominent 2-year-old. It's pretty rare to get that kind of horse here. When we saw the opportunity in April to do it, we took a shot. It made a lot of sense.” Cary has high hopes for Wit, in part because he and his partners will provide him with a quality broodmare band. “We've been pretty active,” Cary said. “We bought eight mares at Keeneland in November and we also moved quite a few mares that were based in Kentucky. They're now going to be foaled in Louisiana. He will have an incredible group of mares. A nice bunch of stakes mares, young mares, ones with quality pedigrees. He's going to get every shot.” Wit will–from Coteau Grove broodmare band alone–be bred to 30 mares. Cary said he envisions that Wit will be bred to about 60 mares in his first year at stud. Louisiana may not be Kentucky, but it is among the best regional breeding markets in the business. Stars on the racetrack this year include 18-time stakes winner Free Like a Girl (El Deal), who has made over $2 million, and Touchuponastar (Star Guitar), whose nine career stakes wins include four victories against open company. Louisiana-bred Tumbarumba (Oscar Performance) finished fourth in this year's GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, having won the GIII Fred Hooper S. at Gulfstream Park. They are always finding ways of beefing up the state's racing and breeding programs. “There is a new governor in office, Jeff Landry, and he is pro-racing and pro-breeding,” Cary said. “He understands that you have to have incentives for people to breed and race in the state. Our breeders awards are very competitive with the best states in the country. Not just for stakes horses, but for allowance horses, maidens, even claimers. It definitely helps when it comes to rewarding breeders on the back end for all the investment they've put in. Purses are going the right way, going up every year and, hopefully, they will continue to so for years to come. “Wit is a big beautiful horse,” Cary added “He was the highest-priced Practical Joke yearling of his year. (He sold for $575,000 at the 2020 Keeneland September sale). He has a nice female family, won first time out at Belmont, then won the Sanford and was second in the Hopeful to Gunite (Gun Runner). He was a very high-level horse and we're thrilled to get a chance to stand a horse like that right off the track.” The post Wit Joins Stallion Lineup At Louisiana’s Whispering Oaks Farm appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority announced the addition of three new members to its Anti-Doping and Medication Control Standing Committee: David Ingordo, David Sykes, and Jonathan Coyles.View the full article

Nietzsche Has (Fr), runner-up in Sunday's G1 Prix Cambacérès at Auteuil, will stand for a fee of €7,000 when he retires to Haras de Montaigu as a National Hunt stallion in 2025, the stud announced on Monday. Bred by Scea Hamel Stud, the son of Zarak (Fr) carried the colours of Edward James and his Highbourne Stud, having been bought by bloodstock agent Guy Petit for €240,000 at last year's Arqana Deauville Summer Mixed Sale. In six starts over hurdles at Auteuil, he also won the G3 Prix Aguado in May and finished third in last month's G2 Prix Georges de Talhouet-Roy. Nietzsche Has is a half-brother to Niko Has (Fr) (Great Pretender {Ire}), a dual Listed-winning chaser and fourth in the G1 Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris. Their dam is a full-sister to the Prix Cambacérès winner Nirvana du Berlais (Fr) (Martaline {GB}) and a half-sister to Triana du Berlais (Fr) (Presenting {GB}), winner of the G3 Prix Edmond Barrachin, and Aubusson (Fr) (Ballingarry {Ire}), who produced one of his best efforts when third in the G1 Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot. The post Nietzsche Has to Stand for €7,000 at Haras de Montaigu in 2025 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Arqana's Autumn Sale attracted plenty of international interest on Monday with Australia's Best Bloodstock and American owner Mike Repole among the buyers of some of the day's more expensive horses in training. Heading down under is the day's leading light, the listed Prix Vulcain winner Newlook (Fr) (New Bay {GB}), who was sold for €480,000 from Carlos and Yann Lerner's stable to Jarred Magnabosco of Best Bloodstock. “I wasn't the only one bidding, he's attracted the attention of several Australian trainers,” said Magnabosco of lot 443. “He's been very impressive in recent wins, he hasn't raced much and can still improve a lot. In my opinion, he has the profile to succeed in Australia and be a contender for the Caufield Cup next year.” Included in the sale as a wildcard entry, the three-year-old gelding has won his last three starts for owner Ecurie des Charmes, all over a mile and a half, from just seven lifetime starts. He's a half-brother to three black-type performers including the G1 Prix de Diane runner-up La Parisienne (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}), who was also trained by the Lerners. Another of the wildcard entrants was the Andreas Wohler-trained Westminster Moon (Ire) (Sea The Moon {Ger}), who will have a shorter onward journey to make than Newlook as he is off to Ireland next to be trained by Tony Martin after being bought by Toby Jones of TJ Bloodstock for €260,000. Sold as lot 427 through Anna Sundstrom's Coulonces, Westminster Moon is returning home, having been bred in Ireland by Kenilworth House Stud, who sold him as a foal for 45,000gns. He was a loss maker as a pinhook for Glenvale Stud when sold as a yearling for £15,000 but the four-year-old has lived up to that early promise with placings this year in the G1 Grosser Dallmayr-Preis and three other group contests in Germany. “He will be trained by Tony Martin in Ireland with the aim of a mixed Flat and jumps career,” said Jones. “We liked a lot of things about him: he is very good looking, moves well and he has already shown great potential on the track.” The dual winner and listed-placed Elbaz (Fr) piqued the interest of Mike Repole, who was bidding online from the States and had the final bid of €210,000 for lot 452. The three-year-old Siyouni (Fr) colt was sold from the Aga Khan Studs and has gained listed back type in both his seasons of racing when trained by Francis. Graffard. The smartly-bred Elbaz is out of Elennga (Ire), an Exceed And Excel (Aus) half-sister to Classic winner Ervedya (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}), who is in turn the dam of young Aga Khan Studs stallion and Group 2 winner Erevann (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}). From a smaller session to the comparable day last year, 19 fewer horses were sold and the turnover dropped by 33% to €4,660,000. The clearance rate was only marginally down at 81% for 150 horses sold from the 186 offered at an average price of €31,067 (-24%). The median was €12,500, down from €18,000. With Flat yearling and horses-in-training sessions now complete, the mixed sale continues over the next two days with the focus on two-year-old stores and National Hunt yearlings. A National Hunt breeding stock session brings the sale to a close on Thursday. Action begins each day in Deauville at 11am. The post Newlook Heads From Arqana to Australia For €480,000 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

All post-race test samples taken from contenders in the 2024 Breeders' Cup World Championships Nov. 1-2 at Del Mar have been cleared by the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit.View the full article

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance announced that $4.14 million in grants will be awarded to 83 Thoroughbred aftercare organizations that currently hold accreditation status for 2024. View the full article

Edited Press Release David Ingordo, David Sykes and Jonathan Coyles have been added to the Horseraicng Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA)'s Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Standing Committee, HISA said in Monday release. A horse owner and bloodstock agent, Ingordo currently heads up Ingordo Bloodstock LLC and manages the Belladonna Racing Partnership among other equine-related roles. Sykes is an Australian-based veterinary consultant with strong ties to international racing and currently serves as the head of anti-doping for the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia and consults for Racing Victoria on the Melbourne Cup Carnival equine welfare initiatives. He has also held senior roles in equine health with the British Horseracing Authority and Emirates Racing Authority. Coyles is vice-president of drug, health and safety programs for Major League Baseball, overseeing the league's drug prevention and treatment programs. “These new members bring vital expertise and perspectives to the ADMC Standing Committee, strengthening our efforts to promote transparency, safety and fair competition within horseracing,” said Charles Scheeler, Chair of the ADMC Standing Committee. As HISA welcomes these new members, the organization also expresses gratitude to Dr. Lynn Hovda, Barry Irwin and Kathleen Stroia, who are stepping down from the committee at the end of their terms and after years of dedicated service. “We are incredibly grateful to Dr. Lynn Hovda, Barry Irwin and Kathleen Stroia for their contributions to the ADMC Standing Committee,” said Lisa Lazarus, CEO of HISA. “Their commitment and insights have been instrumental in shaping the early years of the ADMC Program, and their legacy will have a lasting impact on the integrity and welfare of our sport.” The ADMC Standing Committee is required by federal law to be composed of four independent members and three industry representatives. The committee plays a key role in advising and assisting HISA with the establishment of comprehensive rules and protocols for its ADMC Program, including the Prohibited Substances List, laboratory testing standards, in-competition and out-of-competition testing programs, and ADMC research and educational initiatives. The daily operations of the ADMC Program are managed by the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU), a subsidiary of Drug Free Sport International, which works to ensure horseracing is conducted in accordance with the ADMC Program and that the welfare of horses is always prioritized when it comes to the implementation of medication rules. The post Three New Members Added to ADMC Standing Committee appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

All post-race test samples taken from contenders in the 2024 Breeders' Cup World Championships Nov. 1-2 at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club have been cleared by the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU), the Breeders' Cup announced Monday and purse distribution has begun accordingly. 2024 marked the second year the Breeders' Cup World Championships were run under the full jurisdiction of the Horseracing Integrity & Safety Authority (HISA), including the Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program, which took effect in May of 2023 and is implemented and enforced by HIWU. As was the case under Breeders' Cup's anti-doping and medication control rules that were in place before HISA's ADMC Program was implemented, medication is prohibited within 48 hours of the 14 Championship races and the undercard. All potential Breeders' Cup competitors were also subject to out-of-competition testing for banned substances leading up to the event. The post All 2024 Breeders’ Cup Post-Race Samples Cleared By HIWU appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Welcome to Winter Watch, the new column with the unenviable task of trying to fill the void that now exists after Emma Berry penned her final Seven Days column of 2024, not to return until we hand the baton over again next spring. It's a daunting act to try and follow, but then at least we're in solidarity with the horses who will be the subject matter of this column over the coming weeks and months. The Berry boots might be big ones to fill, but so too are those of Notable Speech (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), the new poster boy for winter all-weather racing after the latest edition of the 2,000 Guineas saw him become the first colt to win that Classic without having raced at two since 1938. Instead, the explosive turn of foot that characterised his success at Newmarket, and in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood, was first showcased in the low-key surrounds of Kempton where he was three from three earlier in the year. Between his debut victory on January 27 and his coronation as an unbeaten Classic winner, it was just 14 weeks, the sort of fast-track education that would have been unheard of not all that long ago. Oh, how connections of Rosallion (Ire) must have pined for the days when all-weather racing was considered the poor relation. Without the growth in this sector, and the changing attitudes of trainers towards it, then it surely would have been he who went down in the history books as our 2,000 Guineas winner of 2024. In the event, the son of Blue Point (Ire) had to settle for the runner-up spot behind Notable Speech, a horse who was given all of the time he needed at two to fill into this frame, a patient approach Charlie Appleby was able to adopt in the knowledge that there would be plenty of opportunities available to him when he was ready to begin his racecourse education. Of course, Notable Speech is not the only Seven Days alumni of recent years whose first day of school came on the all-weather, hence why this column feels like a good fit in its stead for the winter. The brief will be to keep a watchful eye on the many novices and maidens open to late-maturing juveniles between now and the end of 2024, as well as those for three-year-olds just ready to start in the new year, picking out points of interest and, hopefully, a Classic pretender or two along the way. We'll embark on a whistlestop tour of the all-weather action in Britain and Ireland since November 1 in this bumper first edition, before moving to a weekly format thereafter. Class is in Session at Clarehaven Look away Mick Appleby, but there has arguably been no finer exponent of the new and improved all-weather programme in the last decade than the Gosden stable, home to a handful of Classic/Group 1 winners who learned the ropes at the likes of Kempton and Newcastle in the depths of winter. It's an illustrious roll of honour we'll perhaps delve into in a later edition of Winter Watch when time allows, but for now it's well worth highlighting a pair of recent winners from Clarehaven in Life Is Beautiful (GB) and Elements Of Fire (GB), both of whom have the potential to make the step up when the times comes for them to be tested in deeper waters. On November 6, Lady Bamford's homebred Life Is Beautiful looked another two-year-old filly to follow for Night Of Thunder (Ire) when winning a one-mile Kempton maiden by three quarters of a length. That was about as promising a debut as one could have hoped for, especially as the manner of her victory (doing her best work late on) and her pedigree both suggest that she's a filly who will come into her own when she tackles middle-distances as a three-year-old. She's the third winner from as many runners out of the G3 Royal Whip Stakes scorer Beautiful Morning (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) who, in turn, is out of the Listed-placed Date With Destiny (Ire), best known as the sole offspring produced at stud by the 2,000 Guineas hero George Washington (Ire). As for Elements Of Fire, he won his seven-furlong novice at Chelmsford on November 9 by just a short head, but veteran jockey Rab Havlin always appeared confident that his mount had matters in hand, resorting to little more than hands-and-heels riding. Owned by Isa Salman Al Khalifa of Economics (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) fame, the son of Too Darn Hot (GB) was a 320,000gns purchase at Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale and is out of a three-parts sister to the Listed Windsor Castle Stakes winner Southern Hills (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}). He should prove capable of much better in due course. Winning start Life Is Beautiful (Night Of Thunder x Beautiful Morning) makes a nice debut for team Gosden at @kemptonparkrace pic.twitter.com/ukspxK866X — Racing TV (@RacingTV) November 6, 2024 Appleby Up and Running Notable Speech isn't the only high-profile all-weather graduate of recent years for Charlie Appleby, with the others including the Group 1-winning siblings Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Measured Time (GB) (Frankel {GB}), and the team at Moulton Paddocks delivered an early strike last week when Present Times (GB) won division one of the one-mile novice run at Lingfield on November 13. Gelded long before his debut at Newmarket in September, Present Times is more Rebel's Romance than Notable Speech in that respect, but he looks to have a bright future regardless judged on his Lingfield effort, putting his experience to good use as he made all to win by a length and three-quarters with a bit in hand. Don't be surprised if that novice throws up plenty of winners–the time was around half a second faster than the second division–and Present Times certainly has more to offer as his stamina is drawn out further, in keeping with his smart middle-distance pedigree. Bought for 625,000gns at Book 1 of the October Yearling Sale, the son of Sea The Stars (Ire) is the first foal out of the G3 Darley Stakes winner Feliciana De Vega (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), a half-sister to this year's Irish Derby fourth Matsuri (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), while his second dam is the Listed-winning Oratorio (Ire) mare Along Came Casey (Ire). The Kameko Filly with Kentucky Roots American Gal (GB) might not come with a six-figure price tag like Present Times, but she's definitely not one to underestimate as an unbeaten filly by leading first-season sire Kameko. She is out of the winning Grand Slam mare Granny Franny, the dam of seven winners from nine runners, with the others including the GI Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes heroine Kitten's Dumplings and GIII Colonel E. R. Bradley Handicap winner Granny's Kitten, both by Kameko's sire, Kitten's Joy. Trained by Ed Walker, American Gal is well named with those bloodlines rooted in Kentucky, albeit she herself is British-bred by the Granny Franny Partnership who came together to buy the mare for 155,000gns at the 2019 Tattersalls December Mares Sale. Her first two foals to race in Britain managed only one win between them, but American Gal looks cut from the same cloth as her classy American-bred siblings, having followed up her debut win at Kempton with a five-length demolition at Wolverhampton on November 15. Admittedly, she didn't face much in the way of meaningful opposition on the last occasion, but few would argue that this filly already looks very shrewdly bought by the Mildmay Racing team who picked her up for just 25,000gns at Book 3 of the October Yearling Sale. Flawless two from two! The daughter of Kameko, American Gal bolts up at @WolvesRaces for @edwalkerracing and @loughnane_billy… pic.twitter.com/JLo4NdOdU3 — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) November 15, 2024 Naughty Eyes, the History Maker Nobody Wanted If American Gal was a shrewd buy at 25,000gns, then what is there to say about Naughty Eyes (Ire), the recent Wolverhampton winner who failed to find a buyer when she was the last lot through the ring at the Guineas Breeze-up Sale, with the bidding never getting past 1,500gns? There obviously must have been a reason for the relative indifference to this filly at the time–and this is an easy thing to say with the benefit of hindsight–but what a missed opportunity that looks now after her emphatic victory in the six-furlong maiden run on November 11, proving in a different league to her rivals despite looking far from the finished article. Naughty Eyes, who was initially sold by breeders Tally-Ho Stud for 12,000gns at the Tattersalls Somerville Yearling Sale, certainly looks like the sort of filly who will give owner Maddi Bishop-Peck plenty of sport and, whatever she does from here on in, her place in history is secured as the horse who provided her sire, Mehmas (Ire), with a record-breaking 62nd individual two-year-old winner of 2024. She's unlikely to be the last to appear in this space between now and the end of the year, either. Sticking with the theme of bargain buys, Immediate Effect (GB), a €4,000 purchase when offered by Kirsten Rausing's Staffordstown at the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale, also deserves a mention as a gelding who is perhaps unlucky not to be unbeaten in two starts for the Sir Mark Prescott stable. A debut winner at Wolverhampton last month, the son of Study Of Man (Ire) probably should have followed up under a penalty when contesting a seven-furlong novice at Southwell on November 13, doing well under the circumstances to be beaten just three quarters of a length given he endured a rough passage in the straight. He's just the type his trainer excels with, with a step up to middle-distances promising to eke out more improvement. Stick or Twist with Dundalk Winners? Fresh from winning the G3 Mercury Stakes for the second consecutive year, this time with the 66-1 shot Ostraka (Ire) (Profitable {Ire}), County Kildare trainer Danny Murphy returned to Dundalk the following week to introduce another promising sort in Perfect Pacemaker (Ire), a striking winner of the five-furlong maiden on the card staged on November 1. One of only two newcomers in the field, Perfect Pacemaker showed his inexperience at both ends of the race, taking a while to find his stride in the early stages and then hanging left when produced to challenge inside the final furlong, but he was ultimately well on top at the finish in beating the Aidan O'Brien-trained Smiling (Ire) (No Nay Never) by a length and a quarter. The son of Arizona (Ire) is owned by Rose Day and Karl Kirwan and it will be interesting to see what the future holds for him now. He's speedily bred–his dam is a half-sister to the G1 Prix Morny winner Unfortunately (Ire)–and it's likely to be just a matter of time before overseas buyers come calling, if they haven't already. Similar comments apply to another recent Dundalk winner in the John Feane-trained Forza Toro (GB) (Aclaim {Ire}), who won a seven-furlong maiden on November 13 for the Twist Of Magic Partnership who own and bred him. Fourth on his debut at Gowran Park in September, Forza Toro proved much sharper with that experience under his belt and barely needed to come off the bridle in beating inferior rivals by four lengths. The Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden at Dundalk goes the way of Perfect Pacemaker under Billy Lee for the Daniel Murphy yard! @DundalkStadium | @wjlee24786 pic.twitter.com/1ACI3UDeXb — Horse Racing Ireland (@HRIRacing) November 1, 2024 Three Winners In Waiting Dancing Teapot (Ire) Camelot (GB)–Lady Adelaide (Ire), by Australia (GB) Fishdance homebred Dancing Teapot, a full-sister to this year's Poule d'Essai des Poulains runner-up Dancing Gemini (Ire), ran a race full of promise when making her debut in a seven-furlong maiden at Dundalk on November 8, doing her best work at the finish to be beaten just a head by the Ger Lyons-trained Misappropriation (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}). She holds an entry in the Irish Oaks and is surely a filly we'll be revisiting later in this series should Joseph O'Brien choose to try and find a winnable opportunity for her in the coming weeks. Padua (Ire) Magna Grecia (Ire)–Heart Power (GB), by Poet's Voice (GB) Another good middle-distance prospect for the future is Hughie Morrison's Padua, runner-up in division two of the maiden at Lingfield on November 13 after Present Times won the first. The first foal out of a half-sister to the G3 Bronte Cup Fillies' Stakes winner Precious Ramotswe (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}), 125-shot Padua conceded both experience and first run to the winner, Cape Breton (GB) (Frankel {GB}), so it's to his credit that he managed to get within a short head of that rival. He can go one place better before long to take a small bite out of the 70,000gns it cost to buy him at Book 1 of the October Yearling Sale. Marhaba Ghaiyyath (Ire) Ghaiyyath (Ire)–Zam Zoom (Ire), by Dalakhani (Ire) Bought for just 26,000gns at Book 2 of the October Yearling Sale, Marhaba Ghaiyyath is a half-brother to the Ebor winner and G1 Irish St Leger runner-up Fujaira Prince (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}), as well as the dual Listed winner Nichols Canyon (GB) (Authorized {Ire}), who went on to win eight Grade 1 races over hurdles. That all points to stamina being Marhaba Ghaiyyath's strong suit, so too how he shaped when making his debut in a Wolverhampton maiden on November 16, staying on strongly over the extended mile to be beaten just half a length. That was a most encouraging start to his career and he's one to be with next time. The post Winter Watch: Welcome Aboard appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Applications for The Jockey Club's paid internship program for college students and recent college graduates and its five academic scholarships opened Monday. The eight-week internship program in Lexington, KY will accommodate up to three interns and is now available in the summer or fall based on the intern's preference. Interns will gain exposure to all companies and departments within the organization, and they will have the opportunity to spend additional time in areas that they find to be of particular interest. The Jockey Club scholarships will apply to the 2025-2026 academic year and are as follows: The Jockey Club Scholarship ($15,000; $7,500 per semester) is for those enrolled full time as an undergraduate or graduate student at a college or university in academic pursuit of majors for future employment in the equine industry. Open to any equine breed or discipline; preference will be given to candidates with the expressed desire to secure employment in the Thoroughbred industry. The Jockey Club Advancement of Women in Racing Scholarship ($20,000; $10,000 per semester) is open to women pursuing a career in the equine industry who are enrolled full time as an undergraduate student at a college or university. Open to any equine breed or discipline; preference will be given to candidates with the expressed desire to secure employment in the Thoroughbred industry. The Jockey Club Vision Scholarship ($20,000; $10,000 per semester) is open to students from a minority racial or ethnic group who are pursuing a career in the equine industry. Applicants must be enrolled full time as an undergraduate student at a college or university. Open to any equine breed or discipline; preference will be given to candidates with the expressed desire to secure employment in the Thoroughbred industry. The Jockey Club Nancy C. Kelly Benevolence Scholarship ($15,000; $7,500 per semester) is a need-based award for members of the Thoroughbred racing industry who have experienced financial hardship to enable attendance at a full-time program at a college, university, or trade program. Applicants are not required to be pursuing a career in the equine or Thoroughbred industries. The Jockey Club Jack Goodman Scholarship ($6,000; $3,000 per semester) is open to students enrolled in the University of Arizona's Race Track Industry Program (RTIP). Goodman was a resident of Tucson, a longtime member of The Jockey Club, and one of three founders of the RTIP. Applications for all five scholarships are open through January 3, 2025. Click here for more information and links to applications for the scholarships. The recipients of each scholarship will be announced in the spring of 2025 in advance of the initial distribution of funds for the fall 2025 semester The post Applications Open For Jockey Club’s Internship And Academic Programs appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will award $4.14m in grants to a total of 83 accredited aftercare organizations for 2024, the TAA announced Monday. This financial support is designed to assist organizations in delivering exceptional care and rehabilitation services for retired racehorses. Since its inception in 2012, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance has seen significant growth, expanding from 23 to 83 accredited organizations and increasing its annual grants from $1 million to $4.14 million. In total, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance has awarded over $36.04 million in grants–allocated specifically for equine care. These accredited organizations have successfully retrained, retired, and rehomed approximately 18,500 Thoroughbreds across 175 facilities. “Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is thrilled to announce grant awards to our 83 accredited organizations this year,” said TAA's Director of Accreditation & Grants Janice Towles. “The funding we provide is essential for these organizations to continue their incredible work and protection for retired Thoroughbred racehorses as they transition into second careers. We are extremely proud of each organization's commitment and diligence in supporting these horses, ensuring they receive the best possible futures beyond the racetrack.” TAA Operations Consultant Stacie Clark-Rogers added: “Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is grateful to continue increasing the total grant amount each year to support accredited aftercare organizations. With a new record of over $4 million in grants awarded this year for the first time, it underscores our commitment to long-term equine welfare. We extend our sincere gratitude to the donors who go above and beyond the minimum giving levels. These generous contributions have made it possible to meet our annual funding targets, helping even more retired Thoroughbreds find the safe, fulfilling futures they deserve. As we move forward, it is essential that we continue to receive support so we can maintain and expand these efforts, ensuring that we can help even more horses in need.” The post Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Grants $4.14m To 83 Accredited Organizations In 2024 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article