Wandering Eyes

'TDN Rising Star' Captain Cook (Practical Joke), a runaway maiden winner going seven furlongs in the Aqueduct slop Dec. 28, delivered as the 7-5 favorite stretching to 1 1/8 miles in Saturday's Withers Stakes at the Big A, good for 20 points on the road to the GI Kentucky Derby. Longshot Surfside Moon (Malibu Moon) was second. Omaha Omaha (Audible) was third. The 7-5 favorite sat a tracking trip in an outside third, revved up three deep on the far turn and took care of business from there to score by two lengths. The final time was 1:51.83. An eventful sixth in his debut for Norm Casse at Churchill Oct. 27, the bay brought $410,000 from St Elias Stable out of the Estate of John Hendrickson dispersal at the 2024 Keeneland November Horses of Racing Age Sale. His third dam is Marylou Whitney's 2003 GI Kentucky Oaks heroine and champion 3-year-old filly Bird Town. He hails from the extended female family of GI Belmont Stakes winner Birdstone. Sales history: $410,000 '24 KEENOV. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-0. O-St. Elias Stable; B-Marylou Whitney Stables LLC (KY); T-Richard E. Dutrow, Jr. CAPTAIN COOK charts his course to the @KentuckyDerby with a win in the Withers Stakes! He picks up 20 points on the Road to the Derby with @jockeyfranco up for trainer @RickDutrow59. pic.twitter.com/TUrEjTcZj0 — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) February 1, 2025 The post ‘Rising Star’ Captain Cook Dishes Out Withers Win appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Jonny Turner There’s one factor within the control of Commander Ben’s camp and one outside of it as the pacer looks to cap his strong recent placings with a Temuka Transport Waikouaiti Pacers Cup victory at Oamaru today. The five-year-old is in for a rematch with One Change after his third placing in the recent Northern Southland Cup at Ascot Park for trainers Brent and Tim White. The pair will clash with in-form pacers Piccadilly Pete, Tempo Warrior and Tabasco in a competitive 3000m grass track feature at Oamaru at 6.19pm. One Change is a $2.50 favourite, with Commander Ben at $9. Though beaten in his last two starts, Commander Ben couldn’t have produced much more. The pacer stormed home from a hopeless spot when third in the Cromwell Cup before recovering well from a scratchy start in the Northern Southland Cup for his third there. While the White camp can’t control what Commander Ben will do when the tapes are released on Sunday, they have been able to get him back onto his happy place – grass track racing. “He does love the grass and if he is able to step away a bit better this time and stay in front of One Change he should be a good each way chance,” Tim White said. “He has gone three nice races this year, his win at Roxburgh was good and his run at Cromwell couldn’t have been any better.” While getting back onto grass is clearly a plus for Commander Ben, stepping up to the 3000m staying trip looks another. “It is a trip that suits him these days,” White said. “Earlier on in his career distance wasn’t his forte.” “But he has got stronger as he has gone on.” “He is best following and if he can get on a helmet, the 3000m should suit him.” The White stable also start Randel Huston P at Oamaru in Race 4, the Equine Veterinary Services and Belmont Park Trot. The trotter charged back into his best form with a four-length victory on the Oamaru all-weather recently. With that win being penalty-free, Randel Huston P takes on similar opposition on Sunday. “He has won twice on the all-weather there, hopefully he can do it on the grass too.” “He seems to run his best races in front, when he’s further back he gets out of his gait a wee bit and loses interest.” Kimberly Butt takes the reins behind both Commander Ben and Randel Huston P at Oamaru. View the full article

Today marks the start of Harness Racing New Zealand’s annual Team Teal campaign. It’s the eighth year it’s been run, with the focus firmly on raising awareness about ovarian cancer and raising money for research. From February 1 to March 16, money will be raised every time a female driver wins a race in this country. A total of $100 will be donated by HRNZ and individual clubs for each win. The most successful year so far was 2023 when there were 75 wins by female drivers (all wearing their distinctive teal pants), raising around $40,000. In addition there will be six “ambassadors” who will raise extra money through their own sponsorships. The six ambassadors are : Emily Johnson Crystal Hackett Gemma Thornley Kim Butt Neita Balle Kerryn Tomlinson This year will also see the second running of the “Frocks at the Trots” competition. It’s like a Fashion in the Fields Competition – but with a twist. The top two contestants and Best Contemporary at each of four heats will qualify for the Grand Final at Addington on March 14. First prize will be a trip to Australia with flights and accommodation included. The four “Frocks” heats are : Heat 1 – Cambridge Raceway – Monday January 27 – (winner Eleanor Campbell) Heat 2 – Amberley TC at Rangiora Raceway – Thursday February 6 Heat 3 – Gore Harness Racing Club – February 16 Heat 4 – Online Final – Addington Raceway – March 14 The first official Team teal meetings for 2025 will be at Hawera and at Oamaru today. For any further information contact courtney@hrnz.co.nz View the full article

7th-Gulfstream, $73,260, Alw (NW1$X)/Opt. Clm ($75,000), 2-1, 3yo, 1m, 1:36.34, ft, 6 1/2 lengths. RIVER THAMES (c, 3, Maclean's Music–Proportionality, by Discreet Cat), tabbed as a 'TDN Rising Star' with a 94 Beyer Speed Figure on debut going six furlongs at Gulfstream Jan. 11, stayed perfect in style, stretching to a mile here. The rail-drawn, 3-5 favorite forced the issue from an inside second through an opening quarter in :23.89. He appeared to bobble slightly, but recovered quickly to challenge for command entering the far turn. The New York-bred enjoyed a narrow advantage at the top of the stretch and leveled off beautifully from there to score by 6 1/2 lengths. Souper Times (Not This Time) was second. River Thames's dam, herself a debut winner at two at Laurel Park, is a half-sister to four winners, including Miss Interpret (Street Sense), who won a rained-off renewal of the P.G. Johnson Stakes at Saratoga in 2021. Third dam Seeking the Silver produced MGISW Paulassilverlining (Ghostzapper), dam of SW and recent UAE GSP 'TDN Rising Star' Artorius (Arrogate); GISW sire Dads Caps (Discreet Cat); and SP Liza Too (Olmodavor), the dam of the stakes-winning Long Weekend (Majesticperfection). Proportionality was bred to both Liam's Map and WinStar's Nashville for her 2025 foal. Sales history: $200,000 Ylg '23 SARAUG. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $85,200. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-CHC, Inc. & WinStar Farm LLC; B-CTR Stables, LLC (NY); T-Todd A. Pletcher. “RIVER THAMES ($3.40) has a gear the others don't have” – @AnnouncerPete@PletcherRacing trains the Maclean's Music colt for owners @WinStarFarm. @ljlmvel was in the saddle of the undefeated three-year-old. Late Pick 5 starts now: https://t.co/zleTqs7rGG pic.twitter.com/4qTL8xZx2w — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) February 1, 2025 The post ‘Rising Star’ River Thames Stays Perfect at Gulfstream appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Eclipse Award-winning sprinter Straight No Chaser (Speightster) and a pair of important 3-year-old colts were the star turns on the Santa Anita worktab Saturday morning. Last seen sewing up championship honors when taking out the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint over Bentornato (Valiant Minister) at Del Mar Nov. 2, Straight No Chaser turned in his second consecutive bullet work, going five furlongs in :59.20 (1/72) in advance of his expected appearance in the G2 Riyadh Dirt Sprint on the Saudi Cup undercard Feb. 22. There the 6-year-old is expected to face a rematch with the Jose D'Angelo-trained Bentornato, a respectable third behind Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}) and Book'em Danno (Bucchero) in last year's G3 Saudi Derby. Getaway Car (Curlin), winner of last year's GIII Best Pal Stakes, continued to train along towards his sophomore debut when clocking 1:00.40 for his five-furlong move Saturday morning. The $300,000 Keeneland November weanling turned $700,000 Keeneland September yearling was last seen completing the exacta for his sire behind Journalism in the GII Los Alamitos Futurity Dec. 14. 'TDN Rising Star' Bullard (Gun Runner) also breezed five-eighths of a mile Saturday morning, covering the distance in 1:00.20 (14/72) for trainer Michael McCarthy. The dark bay won the first two starts of his career, including Del Mar's GIII Bob Hope Stakes Nov. 17, but was soundly defeated into third by Barnes (Into Mischief) in the GII San Vicente Stakes Jan. 4. The post Straight No Chaser Works Towards Saudi, Prominent 3YOs Also on Santa Anita Tab appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

5th-Gulfstream, $70,000, Msw, 2-1, 3yo, 1 1/16m (AWT), 1:42.82, ft, 3 1/4 lengths. EMERGENCE (c, 3, Uncle Mo–Belle Watling, by Pulpit), let go at 7-1, was shuffled back in traffic into the first turn and settled near the back of the pack down the backstretch. The dark bay colt began inching closer nearing the far turn, rolled up three wide into the stretch and bound to the lead before drawing clear to graduate by 3 1/4 lengths. Daham (American Pharoah) was second. Emergence, a $475,000 KEESEP yearling, is a half-brother to Land Over Sea (Bellamy Road), GSW & MGISP, $746,500; and to War Story (Northern Afleet), MGSW & GISP, $3,271,996. The winner is the last foal out of Belle Watling, who died in 2023. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $42,000. O-Qatar Racing, CHC, Inc. and Trilogy USA; B-Summer Wind Equine LLC (KY); T-Brad H. Cox. The large Uncle Mo (@CoolmoreAmerica) colt EMERGENCE ($17.60) got stronger as they went longer in @GulfstreamPark race 5. The @bradcoxracing trained three-year-old won on debut under @luissaezpty. Get in on the next: https://t.co/RNKSWDl51a pic.twitter.com/CB1kPwMhXa — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) February 1, 2025 The post Uncle Mo’s Emergence Dominates in Gulfstream Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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

Vixen rebounded from a sixth-place finish in the 2024 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1T) with a commanding victory in the $150,000 Sweetest Chant Stakes Feb. 1 at Gulfstream Park.View the full article

Patricia Cooskey began her riding career in 1979, at a time when female jockeys were not only rare, but were often discriminated against. She was the second woman in history to ride in the Kentucky Derby, the first to ride in the Preakness, and was at one time the all-time leading female jockey by victories. “I think the biggest challenge back then was being a woman in a male-dominated sport,” she said. “There were a few women who came before me, who I really consider the pioneers, tough women who broke down the barriers. I like to say that I paved the roads and made them a lot smoother for the women behind me, but still, it wasn't easy.” She was the leading rider at Waterford Park in West Virginia in her first two seasons, and decided if she was going to be a jockey, she should ride in Kentucky, she tells Peterson on the podcast. She was met with resistance from trainers, she said, and went from riding every race back home to mounts that were few and far between. She told the clerk of scales she was considering going back home, and he said he had a better idea. “`I've watched you ride,' he said, `and you've got the talent,'” Cooskey recalls him telling her. “`What's your middle name?'” he asked her. “Joanne,” she said. They agreed to change her name to P.J. Cooksey. “The next proram came out, and now I'm P.J. Cooksey,” she said. “Now, when trainers would call in and need a rider on their horse, he would say, `well, there's this new rider in town, P.J. Cooksey.' And they'd say fine, put him on.” The interview is the second in a series Peterson-a jockey and veterinarian based in Lexington, Kentucky-is producing in the Boundless podcast series, designed to showcase stories of determination and overcoming adversity. The podcast is available on YouTube here, or here on Spotify. The post Patti Cooksey Appears on Boundless Podcast appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Thoroughbred racing community is at a crossroads. Our sport is one of the most exhilarating and cherished pastimes, and the participants are among the finest people one could ever hope to meet. Yet, we find ourselves in a challenging era, particularly in states lacking clear legislative support, where the future looks increasingly uncertain. As a participant in Thoroughbred racing in California, I have closely followed the economics and politics of our sport for the past decade and have witnessed its steady decline. From hotwalkers to the executive staff of Stronach's 1/ST Racing, and from CEOs to board members of nearly every representative group in California, there is unanimous agreement that California racing is in critical condition, with an uncertain future. Everyone desires to see our sport flourish across the state, from the higher echelons to the grassroots level, but the consensus ends there, as opinions on solutions and objectives vary widely. Historical Horse Racing machines (HHRs) represent a potential pillar for future sustainability, but the outcome for HHRs remains uncertain. The reality is that our industry faces significant tension and frustration, making meaningful and productive discussions challenging. Now, more than ever, we must unite under a single vision for California racing, considering the objectives of all sectors. Our strategy must present a united front to garner political support from our legislators, avoiding mixed messages and internal conflicts. Former Kentucky Senator Damon Thayer remarked, “In the next five to 10 years, there are going to be states that have and states that have not. The 'haves' are states like Kentucky, New York, Arkansas, Virginia, Maryland–where they've built relationships with legislators and convinced them of the importance of the horse industry, achieving positive legislative wins. For states to survive, they must cultivate positive relationships with legislators and seek similar successes.” The Stronach Group, or any other entity, does not bear the sole responsibility of “saving racing” for us. While Stronach's involvement is essential, we, too, must contribute and cooperate to preserve our sport. The task of creating jobs, spurring the economy, and preserving our sport's rich history lies with our legislators. Thoroughbred racing deserves bipartisan support, benefiting both legislators and our industry. Fortunately, we have dedicated and talented individuals on our industry boards across California and indeed the country, working tirelessly to find solutions. However, we are not yet united. I urge Aidan Butler, president of 1/ST for Stronach in California, to engage with key stakeholders representing the various organizations in California racing. It is crucial to build unified support and dispel the perception of engaging only with pre-packaged corporate presentations. Thoroughbred racing is at a pivotal moment. We will need to pull it together if we hope to secure a brighter future. Leonard Miranda is an owner based in Southern California and the founder of Integrity Racing LLC. The post Letter to the Editor: A United Front for the Future of Thoroughbred Racing 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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Bloodstock agent Mike Ryan has not ruled out offering his recent Grade II winner Be Your Best (Ire) at a European sales house but explained that priority number one was to bag a victory at the highest level with his homebred daughter of Muhaarar (GB). Ryan is perhaps best known for sourcing many champions on behalf of owners Klaravich Stables and trainer Chad Brown but described seeing Be Your Best, who he bred under his own St Croix Bloodstock, landing the Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf Invitational Stakes as “a huge thrill.” Grade I races are now on the agenda for the five-year-old, who has been transformed since joining the care of trainer Saffie Joseph last autumn. Ryan said, “She's very versatile with regards to the trip but she wants the ground very firm. She has great action and firm ground is her best surface by a long way. She has a high cruising speed and can kick off a high cruising speed given firm turf. I made a trainer switch early September of last year and it has turned out to be game-changing. She is three-from-four with Saffie Joseph and I just think she is a different filly now. She's strengthened, developed and matured in every way. Horacio DePaz did a great job with her previously and she is a really sound filly.” He added, “That's one of the hardest parts of the game right now, keeping horses healthy and sound. Our goal now is to try and win a Grade I with her. She's been second in two Grades Is–both of which was in California, one on good ground and the other on firm. We think she's capable of winning a Grade I and the last three races have been the best of her career. The other day at Gulfstream was a career-best. She stays very well and there is a lot of stamina on the dam's side–her mother is by Medaglia d'Oro, who is a great influence. The second dam [Kotuku (GB)] was a very good mare by A.P. Indy, another good influence, while the third dam [Flagbird] was a top filly in Europe by Nureyev. “It's interesting, she trains so well on the dirt, we've even debated running her on that surface. But that conversation is for way down the road. What she's doing on the grass, there's no need to experiment. She's one of these European horses that reminds me of Rushing Fall (More Than Ready), who trained so well on the dirt. Of course, Rushing Fall was American-bred, but we've had other European-breds like In Italian (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Newspaperofrecord (Ire) (LopeDe Vega {Ire}). They all trained very well on the dirt as well.” Ryan has toyed with the idea of selling Be Your Best on multiple occasions. He resisted offering her as a foal or a yearling and she has been withdrawn from the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky November Sale in 2022 and 2023 respectively. However, Be Your Best could well be offered under the hammer at Fasig-Tipton later this year, with the 'Night of the Stars' and the Sceptre Session at Tattersalls put forward as possible destinations for the upwardly mobile filly. “It is extra special with her being a homebred,” he explained. “I never took her to a sale because Muhaarar wasn't really flavour of the month at the time. His first two crops sold very well but the bloom went off the rose, so to speak. But I liked this filly and said, 'you know what,' let's keep her and put her in training with a view towards helping the mare. The mare had a very nice Too Darn Hot (GB) who we sold to Richard Brown last year.” Ryan added, “Be Your Best's dam has a really outstanding yearling filly by Baaeed (GB). I actually have two Baaeed yearlings and they are here in America. The other Baaeed filly is out of Sassy Little Lila (Artie Schiller), another mare we raced. I really like Baaeed and am breeding two mares back to him this year. “Be Your Best's mother is in foal to Cody's Wish and she's going to go back to Nyquist. The plan is to run Be Your Best throughout the year but, if an offer came in, you'd have to give it serious consideration. But we'll leave all options open. We could go to Fasig-Tipton or she could also go to Tattersalls–the Night Of Stars and Sceptre Sessions are very much global markets. More immediately, our hope is to get that Grade I win. She'll get a break now and one of her objectives is the Jenny Wiley Stakes at Keeneland.” The post ‘It’s Extra Special With A Homebred’ – Ryan Has Grade I Plan For Be Your Best appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Racing & Bloodstock made a visit to Newmarket on Thursday, 30th February, visiting John & Thady Gosden's Clarehaven Stables, the British Racing School, the National Stud and Tattersalls, where they received presentations and enjoyed lunch on the first day of the Tattersalls February Sale. The group, which included MPs Nick Timothy, Dan Carden and Jack Rankin as well as Baroness Harding, Lord Herbert and Baroness MacIntosh, were given presentations by Tattersalls Finance Director Caroline Scott along with the TBA's Chief Executive Claire Sheppard and Kevin Needham, Chair of the Racehorse Transporters Association. The visit to Newmarket was organised by the BHA along with the TBA with both organisations represented during the day. The TBA's Claire Sheppard highlighted the increasing costs and difficulties facing small breeders in Britain along with the declining number of horses being bred and the impacts that is having on the industry. Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony commented, “We were delighted to welcome the APPG members to Tattersalls and engage in meaningful discussions about the key issues impacting our clients and industry. Ensuring that the racing and breeding communities have a voice in Parliament is crucial, and it is vital that MPs gain a clear understanding of the challenges we face.” The post Tattersalls Welcome Parliamentary Group For Racing And Bloodstock appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Dr. Heinrich Anhold, the former CEO of Stablelab, the world's first horse-side testing platform, is a man in demand once again following the launch of two new tests through his latest start-up, sidekick. With the start of the Thoroughbred breeding season just around the corner, TDN's Adam Houghton caught up with Anhold to find out more about life as an entrepreneur and what makes his new IgG and progesterone tests different to anything else on the market. TDN: Tell us a bit about your background. I understand that you grew up on a farm in Sligo surrounded by horses, so would it be fair to say that your love of horses long preceded this entrepreneurial journey you've been on? HA: When you love horses they seem to precede everything. I showjumped all the way through my childhood and my teens. I then did it professionally for a year, before I went to university. I thought about taking up a career as a rider, but I decided to take up a career in science, which I also enjoy. I always really liked science and, at the end of my PhD [in biochemistry], I decided I'd have a go being an entrepreneur for a couple of years because it felt like I had nothing to lose. TDN: Is it true that you sold one of your horses to raise money for your first start-up business, Stablelab? HA: That is true, yes. He was a horse I'd bred and produced who was starting to jump Grand Prix level when I made the decision to sell him to fund the business. I only breed one foal a year–I'm a small breeder–but I've been doing it for a long time. Now and again, I'll keep one and produce it myself. TDN: Stablelab is described as “the world's first horse-side testing platform”. For those who might not be familiar with the work you did with Stablelab, tell us a bit about the genesis of the idea and what made it unique at that time. HA: I went along to a couple of lectures at university that were talking about point-of-care–or patient-side–diagnostics. It triggered a thought in me that it would make complete sense for horsemen and I basically got stuck into the idea from there. I suppose it was seeing what they were doing in the human field and realising that it would have a direct application for horse vets. Because of my background in horses, I didn't even have to think about that–I just knew it would make complete sense. My first idea was actually to test white blood cells because that's what most people assumed they wanted in a horse-side blood test. I ran a research project that I published with Professor Bill Amos from the University of Cambridge, which showed that white blood cells were not as useful in understanding if a horse was sick or not as inflammatory biomarkers. Specifically, we honed in on serum amyloid A (SAA) as a biomarker of infection. For our study I worked at a racing stable with two-year-olds who were in training for the first time. We had 42 cases of tying up and, while SAA was considered at the time to be a marker of inflammation, none of the horses that tied up had an elevated SAA, so it didn't add up for me. That made me look into it a bit deeper, so I ran a second research project at the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute in Kentucky, with a genius called Dr. Nathan Slovis. We basically looked at cases that came in through the door at the hospital and what we saw after 100 cases was black and white. The horses who had an infection had an elevated SAA and the horses who didn't have an infection, but still had inflammation, did not have an elevated SAA. Nobody had figured that out before, so we patented that, the idea to use SAA to diagnose infection. We went on further to show that the level of SAA, and the rate at which it goes up or down, tells you whether the antibiotics are working or not. They were our two big discoveries. TDN: It's one thing having an idea but quite another to get the support and funding required to really get the business off the ground. How challenging was that process, trying to demonstrate to people the potential in what you'd found? HA: It was extremely difficult at the beginning to find investors. Essentially, you don't have a track record of credibility as an entrepreneur when you do this for the first time. It didn't matter that I had a PhD and it didn't matter that I had an equine background. You basically have to go out and sell it like you would sell anything else. It took me two years to get my first investment and that was just from building relationships over a period of time and then demonstrating to those investors that I was able to do what I was saying. It was very small steps at the beginning because I didn't have any money. I had a bit from selling my horse and from a couple of small grants, but that was it–I was working on a shoestring budget. Eventually, I managed to raise my first round, which was for €500,000, and that got me going. TDN: What were your next steps in setting Stablelab on the path to what it is today? HA: We worked day and night with the investment we had to develop a handheld blood test. For about two years I hardly left the lab. There were mainly three of us in it; myself and my first two employees, Ruth Candon and Di-Sien Chan. They both joined me as graduates and they're still working with me. We started making the tests ourselves in the lab and I went out to sell it. I was willing to try and find out where the best market was, so at the beginning I sold it everywhere I could, and in as many ways as I could, to see what would work. I sold it to trainers in Ireland, people who owned yards, vets, etc. I went up to Scandinavia and sold it there, I went down through France, everywhere from showjumping to trotting yards. After that I flew to America, then to Australia and back home again. It was in America that I realised there was a really good market in selling it exclusively to horse vets. I found that the distribution partners we took on in America were excellent and they were also able to sell the product without me being present, so we cut everything else out and focused entirely on selling it to horse vets in America. We did that for three years, before it was acquired by Zoetis. TDN: I guess at the start you had oversight of everything, but that's more difficult when you're operating on a global scale and it's impossible to be everywhere at once. That must bring its own challenges. HA: Absolutely. As you grow your company the challenges change. Over time it becomes a lot less about doing things yourself. It's about managing people and everything else that comes with it. It's a whole different skillset. There's the technical side of things at the start and you have to learn how to fundraise and how to recruit staff. Then there's the marketing, branding, sales, finance and HR–all of those things. The skillset changes many times as you go through the steps in an entrepreneur's journey. TDN: How do you reflect on that journey now and all of the success that you've had? HA: It's definitely been a life-changing experience, in many ways. It's given me the opportunity to go on and do all kinds of things in life that I wouldn't have if I hadn't decided to go for entrepreneurship. It's a very worthwhile career journey if it's for you, but it comes with a lot of sacrifices. There's risk involved and, in hindsight, if I was to do it all again, I'd try and enjoy it more because I was very attached to the outcome and that makes it stressful. I did get there but, if I were to do it again, I would probably not give myself such a hard time because it's really tough. TDN: You've led me on nicely to what was going to be my next question about the advice you'd give to anybody who has ambitions of starting a business in the equine industry. HA: The first things I ask people who come to me for advice on a start-up are, 'Do you have kids? And do you have a mortgage?'. I was 27 when I started and I didn't have any kids at the time, nor a mortgage. I wouldn't start a career as an entrepreneur now that I have a family, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who does. It's very different when it's your second time around and you have built a team around you. I also think, with a business in the equine industry, it's important to assess the size and scale of the opportunity properly before you go into it. You really have to start with the business, who it is you're going to sell to and where it's going to end up. I really like the equine veterinary industry. It's a market where you can sell your products based on real science that the customer understands and values. If I think someone has a product that veterinarians will like I always recommend them to go there first and to start in America. My main job right now is in human diagnostics. The equine market was a fantastic place to begin. Horse people are generous with their time and they're accessible, even the top sports people. It helped that I knew the industry and I found the Irish diaspora particularly helpful. Irish people I didn't even know at the time have been tremendously supportive. And because it's niche you don't need a huge budget to get into it and you can go sell to people directly. It's small enough to be able to do that yet wealthy enough to be able to make a success from your business. I found some of my best investors through connections in the horse world. All of those things offer great opportunity within the equine market, but I would say that it's important to put the business first, not the lifestyle, and to make sure that the opportunity you're addressing is large enough. TDN: Tell us more about the licencing deal you reached with Zoetis and your reasons for going in that direction. HA: It was the obvious thing for us to do. Whilst we grew very fast and the market opportunity was big, it's difficult to really grow into that market and compete with the really big companies. We didn't sell our entire company to Zoetis, we licensed our patents for the use of our products. Essentially, it was a partnership where they have taken the product forward to grow it, which they have done very successfully. We did a good job in the US market, but we didn't have the resources to grow it elsewhere, which they did. It's worldwide now–there's a Stablelab test used somewhere in the world every three minutes. TDN: You're now running another start-up business in the field of equine diagnostics called sidekick, through which you've launched two new tests, both the first of their kind. What can you tell us about them and how they're different to anything else on the market? HA: So, we've just the launched two tests for breeders, an IgG test and a progesterone test. We decided to focus on them because we basically saw a gap in the market that hadn't been addressed. Foals are born without any antibodies and the IgG test is a means of measuring the amount of antibodies that they've received from the mare's first milk which is called colostrum. You do it after they nurse for the first few times and, if their antibody levels are too low, you basically need to give them supplementary colostrum or plasma. They can only absorb colostrum in the first 24 hours. After that it needs to be plasma and you need to be quick. The IgG test is different to anything else out there because it's horse-side and it gives a number within five minutes. It addresses a very specific need and it does it really well. The vets seem to love it and the uptake has been huge. We launched the IgG for the first time last year and we sold out, so we've made tons of tests for this season. It's a very different sell to Stablelab. Stablelab was new and required a lot of education for people to understand exactly what it did. But every vet knows what IgG does and they know the value of having an immediate number. The progesterone test is the same. The main use for that is when you scan a mare and find that she's pregnant. You can measure her progesterone level immediately to determine whether or not she has enough to retain the pregnancy. And if she doesn't, then you'd need to supplement her progesterone. Of course, then you can monitor her during her pregnancy to determine when to take her off progesterone supplementation, or just to know that she's fine. TDN: It sounds like you're going to be incredibly busy with the start of the Thoroughbred breeding season just around the corner. And yet you said that your main job now is in human diagnostics. HA: That's right. Once I did the licensing deal with Zoetis–I still own all of the original patents on the technology and the biomarkers–I started a new company called AbacusLabs which is focused on human healthcare. I found it so much easier to raise funds the second time around. The success I had with Stablelab gave the original investors seven times their money back which was a really strong return for them. Based on that and having done it once, it was a totally different story to raise funds the second time. Abacus really got off the ground very well and that's mainly what I'm doing now, running a human diagnostics start-up. But I'm still running sidekick because we saw that gap in the market. That [the equine industry] is where I started, it allowed me to get my first win under the belt. At times things didn't work out and other things worked out better than we expected. You work hard, and you might work smart–most of the time I was just working hard–but you still need some luck, you really do. The post Q&A with Equine Entrepreneur Dr. Heinrich Anhold appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Group 1 winner Laws Of Indices (Ire) (Power {Ire}) has returned home to Ireland and will stand at Kiltown Stud this year. Best known for landing the G1 Prix Jean Prat when in the care of Curragh-based trainer Ken Condon, Laws Of Indices showed high-class form as a juvenile, beating Lucky Vega (Ire) in the G2 Railway Stakes. He had spent the latter years of his career in Australia, the majority of which was spent with trainer Annabel Neasham, for whom he ran creditably in a number of races at the highest level Down Under. All told, Laws Of Indices amassed well over €1.3 million in career earnings and achieved an official rating of 119 in his pomp. Martin Walsh of Kiltown Stud commented, “I was struck as to how good-looking and correct he is. Laws Of Indices has excellent conformation and is a lovely size–he's over 16.1hh on the stick. He's a Group 1 winner and was the champion of his generation in France. He's everything you would want in a stallion. He was tough, genuine and sound on the racetrack and in time will let down into a lovely stallion.” The post Group 1 Winner Laws Of Indices Back In Ireland And Will Stand At Kiltown Stud appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After seven placings in his last eight starts, Bunker Hut broke through with a dominant return to winning form in Saturday’s A$160,000 Captivant @ Kia Ora Handicap (1350m) at Rosehill. The Savabeel gelding has rarely run a bad race in his career, but he went into Saturday’s Benchmark 78 handicap with a win drought dating back to September of 2023. Bunker Hut’s connections kept the faith, however, and their patience was rewarded with an emphatic performance on Saturday. After taking up a handy position in third along the rails, Bunker Hut and jockey Chad Schofield cruised up behind the leader but briefly found themselves boxed in at the home turn and had nowhere to go. Schofield found some room to angle his mount off the heels of the front-running Infatuation and into clear air. Bunker Hut produced a turn of foot that belied his 60.5kg weight, bounding to the lead in the final 100m to win going away by a length and three-quarters. “He rarely runs a bad race and this prep he has been in super form without winning,” trainer Michael Freedman said. “It has been frustrating more than anything, because you see what he can do at home, then you come here race day. “The way Chad rode him today, with that nice ‘suck’ run up behind the leader, it worked out perfectly for him. When he has that one sharp dash at them, it’s when he races best.” Bunker Hut was originally raced by a China Horse Club and Newgate Farm syndicate, having been sold at the Easter Yearling Sale, where he was offered by Sledmere Stud on behalf of breeders Waikato Stud, for A$520,000. Bunker Hut posted two wins and four placings from 10 appearances before he was secured by Darby Racing for A$155,000 online. His career now spans 24 starts for four wins, 11 placings and A$374,450. Bunker Hut is out of the Pins mare Pretty and is a half-brother to seven winners including stakes winners Bonny O’Reilly and Pretty To Sea. Another half-sister, Dahooil, is the dam of Group One winner Espiona. View the full article

High-flying Kiwi-bred Name Dropper continued his unbeaten summer with a record-breaking victory in Saturday’s A$130,000 Sportsbet Handicap (1400m) at Sandown. The five-year-old’s time of 1:21.74 broke the Sandown Lakeside record for 1400m, which Group One-winning sprinter Swick set back in 2006 with his time of 1:22.00. Name Dropper has a fair way to go to match the deeds of that elite performer, but Saturday’s win was his fourth from only eight career starts and took his career earnings to A$225,500. Trainer Richard Laming has previously tried Name Dropper up to 2040m, but his five starts at 1400m have now produced four wins and a placing, and returning to that trip this summer has reaped rewards. The Tavistock gelding won impressively fresh up at Flemington on January 11, and Saturday brought a repeat result. Name Dropper broke well from the inside starting gate and showed good early speed, but jockey Dean Yendall was happy for Sassy Boom to move across in front of them and take up the lead. Name Dropper trailed Sassy Boom up to the home turn, then angled to his outside and began to wear him down. Name Dropper lengthened stride and finished over the top of that rival, pulling away to win by three-quarters of a length from the fast-finishing Impending Link. “I just popped out when I wanted to in the straight, and the horse has done a very good job to kick on,” Yendall said. “It’s a long way up that straight, but it was a very tough effort today. I think there’s a lot more in store for him, especially if he can get up to the mile and open up a few more options there.” Laming has been pleased to see Name Dropper start to deliver on his potential in this campaign. “Second-up was my worry today, but I’m pleased he’s put that to bed,” he said. “He’s always shown lots of promise. We’ve had to wait for him, and now he’s repaying us and has a bright future in front of him. “He’s bred to stay, which we’ve tried to do with him in previous campaigns. But it’s obvious now that he’s better over these shorter trips. We’ll keep him fresh and race him over 1400m to the mile. “Horses that roll along like he does make their own luck. They’re always going to be hard to run down when they get their own way.” Bred by Gene Tsoi’s Standard 2080 Ltd, Name Dropper is by the late Tavistock out of the O’Reilly mare Mandy O’Reilly, whose three winners from four foals to race include the Group Three-placed Miss Mandito. Mandy O’Reilly is a half-sister to the stakes performers and black-type producers Dating and Miracle Miss. View the full article

Former quality three-year-old Grand Impact has roared back into top form as a five-year-old this summer, stringing together back-to-back wins including Saturday’s A$160,000 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale Handicap (1200m) at Rosehill. The New Zealand-bred son of Satono Aladdin made an outstanding start to his career in 2022 with victories in all of his first three starts including the Gr.3 Blue Sapphire Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill. He was plagued by soreness through the second half of his three-year-old season and an OCD (osteochondritis dissecans) in a shoulder was identified as the issue, where a lesion of cartilage flakes off. That resulted in Grand Impact having 16 months away from racing before a sub-par preparation last autumn. Trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr have turned his fortunes around as a five-year-old, resuming with a fourth at Moonee Valley in late November and a third at Pakenham in December before winning a Benchmark 100 handicap at Wyong on January 11. Grand Impact carried on to Rosehill on Saturday and delivered a repeat result in the hands of 3kg claimer Anna Roper. The apprentice jockey took up a position on the outside of the leader before pouncing at the home turn. Grand Impact took command and dug deep when challenged through the final 200m, holding on to win by half a length. “He wanted to overdo it a little bit in the middle stages, but I dropped my hands on him a little bit and he relaxed nicely,” Roper said. “He really towed me around the turn, and once I let go, he really went. It was a great feeling.” Grand Impact has now had 12 starts for five wins, a placing and A$355,700 in prize-money. “He’s taken a lot of time,” Price and Kent’s Sydney representative Ben Elam said. “I have to give credit to the farriers in Melbourne and Sydney. This horse has had a mountain of gear changes and things like that. “The ownership group has had to be very patient, but I think we’ve got him right again now. He’s a happy horse. “We just told Anna to keep him comfortable and keep him flowing, and if she could get outside the leader, that would be perfect. He was a bit wayward in the straight, but it’s been a while since he’s been in front for that long. “The horse is going terrifically well.” Bred by Ross and Corrine Kearney’s Okaharau Station, Grand Impact is by outstanding young Rich Hill Stud stallion Satono Aladdin out of the Swiss Ace mare Serena Slam. Grand Impact was initially trained in New Zealand by Stephanie Tierney for whom he had two trials, winning over 800m at Ellerslie before his sale to Australia. Satono Aladdin had a successful week at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales at Karaka, particularly in Book 2, where he sired three of the six top-priced lots including the $260,000 sale-topping filly out of Sparkling Rose. View the full article

By Mike Love Crystal Hackett will be looking to continue her good form in the cart on day two of the Hawera meeting on Sunday after driving three winners on the first day. Hackett’s winners on day one were Aradne, Herb, and Kourtney Kardash – with the latter being the only of the trio she will reunite with in Race 6, the Revital Fertilisers Taranaki Cup Mobile Pace. The five-year-old Bettor’s Delight mare, trained by Shane Butcher, has hit a purple patch of form – looking for four wins on the bounce. “She has a bit of a niggly draw, but we are following one out with gate speed. It doesn’t really matter where she sits, she can get cover or do some work if we need to,” said Hackett. “You can’t beat a nice mare in form and hopefully she can make it four on the grass.” Hackett experienced all sides of driving on day one when being tipped out of the sulky in a racing incident on Jahi. The four-year-old Art Major gelding, trained by Stephen Doody, lines up in Race 8, the Hygain Revell Douglas Memorial Series Heat 3. “Well he shouldn’t be too tired! We will look to take cover so he doesn’t jump anything. He’s been going really well and finally has a nice draw.” Jahi jumped a patch of dirt on the track and galloped and when coming back through the field locked wheels with another runner resulting in Hackett being tipped from the cart. In a display of brilliant skill, Hackett held tight to the reins and was dragged some 100 metres but managed to pull up Jahi and return him safely back to the stables with both unharmed in the incident. Hackett also rates maiden trotter Aldebaran What in Race 1, the Auto Shoppe Hawera Handicap Trot for trainers Michelle Wallis and Bernie Hackett. “He went massive the first day. He has got a big motor. He’s here on an experience trip to get some ringcraft.” “If he does things right he will have a good chance.” Hackett’s other drives are : Race 2 – Moonlight (Andrew Stuart) Race 4 – Jetasi (Stephen Doody) Race 7 – Rough And Ready (Arna Donnelly) Race 9 – High Energy (Barry Purdon & Scott Phelan) Race 1 gets underway at 11:55am. The feature is Race 7, the $20,000 DTS Hawera Cup at 3:10pm where the Benjamin Butcher-trained Barbarossa again lines up after upsetting at huge odds ($58) in the Taranaki Steelformers Stratford Cup Handicap Pace on Friday. He’s currently at $16, with Boudica the favourite at $4.60. View the full article

El Vencedor romps to a five-length win in the Fulton Family Stakes at Ellerslie. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Despite carrying a gruelling 61kg while all but one of his rivals had 53kg, Ellerslie specialist El Vencedor was in a class of his own in Saturday’s Listed Fulton Family Stakes (1500m). A runaway victory in the $100,000 open handicap was El Vencedor’s third black-type win from only four appearances at Ellerslie. The gelding had previously scored outstanding wins in last year’s Group 1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) and Group 3 Balmerino Stakes (2000m). His only defeat at the Auckland track was a brave third behind Snazzytavi and La Crique in the Group 1 Zabeel Classic (2000m) on Boxing Day. That Zabeel Classic placing was a notable turnaround for the son of Shocking, who had finished last among a 13-horse field in the Group 1 Mufhasa Classic (1600m) at Trentham only three weeks earlier. El Vencedor is right back at the peak of his powers again now, following up his Zabeel Classic performance with a six-length trial win on January 14 and Saturday’s weight-carrying heroics. Trainer Stephen Marsh was mainly using the Fulton Family Stakes as a final tune-up for a return to weight-for-age racing in next Saturday’s Group 1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa, but El Vencedor’s star quality stunningly shone through. After racing in third behind Merchant Queen and Short Shorts, El Vencedor ambled up alongside those leaders in the home straight with jockey Rory Hutchings almost motionless in the saddle. Hutchings pushed the button at the 300m mark and the race was all over. El Vencedor dashed clear and opened up a winning margin of five lengths over Hasstobeawinner and Merchant Queen. “He travelled so well all the way,” said Hutchings, who had his first ride on El Vencedor in the Zabeel Classic and then guided him to last month’s trial win. “He let down the way I’m becoming used to him doing. He probably waited for them in the last bit, but it was all over by then. Stephen and the team have got him flying. Bring on the Herbie Dyke next week. “He normally leads over 2000m, but we expected a bit of speed over the shorter trip today. We took a sit and he travelled beautifully. I waited until the straight before exposing him, because that way he wouldn’t have to feel the 61kg too much. He let down like he didn’t have any weight on his back at all. “His performance on Boxing Day probably shows that he needs to find a little bit more for the Herbie Dyke, but the feel he’s given me in his trial and again today, I think he’s going better now. It’s going to be a very interesting race.” Horse racing betting sites now rates El Vencedor an $8 fourth favourite in a Herbie Dyke market that is headed by quality mares Snazzytavi ($1.80), Orchestral ($3.50) and La Crique ($6). “I couldn’t have asked for more as a Herbie Dyke lead-up,” Marsh said. “Now we’ll just keep him happy for seven days and head to Te Rapa. “I was a bit nervous before the race today, but he’s a great horse who just keeps on winning. Jeez, he loves Ellerslie. “It all panned out beautifully. When Rory angled him out in the straight and hadn’t even moved, you had the feeling the race was over a fair way from home. We’re thrilled.” Horse racing news View the full article

Hinekaha scores a stylish black-type win in the Oaks Prelude. Photo: Megan Liefting (Race Images) Highly touted three-year-old Hinekaha justified some heavy support from punters as she showed her enormous promise in the Listed Oaks Prelude (1800m) at New Plymouth on Saturday. The Andrew Forsman-prepared filly has been identified as a stayer of real potential by a number of pundits and is the $5 Fixed Odds second favourite with horse racing betting sites for the Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) on March 8 behind Willydoit ($2). She also fills the same position in the Fixed Odds market for the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham at a $4 quote behind current favourite Leica Lucy ($3.20). With Willydoit reinforcing his Derby credentials with a three-length romp in Rating 75 company over 1600m less than ten minutes before Hinekaha stepped out, the daughter of Savabeel lost nothing in comparison as she came out of the trail to hunt down pacemaker Eye Candy in the home straight for a comfortable victory by half a length in the hands of Craig Grylls. Grylls admitted he had a few concerns before securing his home straight passage on the filly. “They didn’t go real hard as I thought they would, but that might have been the lack of numbers in the field,” Grylls said. “It had me sweating on a run for a while but I could see when we straightened up that the horse outside the leader was starting drop off so I just had to wait for that to happen. When I angled one-off, she did it pretty easily after that. “She has a lot of class and it is very exciting to be on a filly of this quality. She has the best attitude and when we were coming back I couldn’t even get her to trot. She was just walking along and taking it all in. “She just has that lovely, relaxed demeanour about her.” While entered for both three-year-old blue riband staying events, trainer Andrew Forsman indicated during the week that his preference is for his charge to contest the New Zealand Derby. Horse racing news View the full article

Bunker Hut returns to winning form at Rosehill. Photo: bradleyphotos.com.au After seven placings in his last eight starts, Bunker Hut broke through with a dominant return to winning form at Rosehill. The Savabeel gelding has rarely run a bad race in his career, but he went into Saturday’s Benchmark 78 handicap with a win drought dating back to September of 2023. Bunker Hut’s connections kept the faith, however, and their patience was rewarded with an emphatic performance on Saturday. After taking up a handy position in third along the rails, Bunker Hut and jockey Chad Schofield cruised up behind the leader but briefly found themselves boxed in at the home turn and had nowhere to go. Schofield found some room to angle his mount off the heels of the front-running Infatuation and into clear air. Bunker Hut produced a turn of foot that belied his 60.5kg weight, bounding to the lead in the final 100m to win, going away by 1.75 lengths. “He rarely runs a bad race and this prep he has been in super form without winning,” trainer Michael Freedman said. “It has been frustrating more than anything, because you see what he can do at home, then you come here race day. “The way Chad rode him today, with that nice ‘suck’ run up behind the leader, it worked out perfectly for him. When he has that one sharp dash at them, it’s when he races best.” Horse racing news View the full article

Name Dropper scores a record-breaking victory at Sandown. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli High-flying Kiwi-bred Name Dropper continued his unbeaten summer with a record-breaking victory at Sandown. The five-year-old’s time of 1:21.74 broke the Sandown Lakeside record for 1400m, which Group One-winning sprinter Swick set back in 2006 with his time of 1:22.00. Name Dropper has a fair way to go to match the deeds of that elite performer, but Saturday’s win was his fourth from only eight career starts and took his career earnings to $225,500. Trainer Richard Laming has previously tried Name Dropper up to 2040m, but his five starts at 1400m have now produced four wins and a placing, and returning to that trip this summer has reaped rewards. The Tavistock gelding won impressively fresh up at Flemington on January 11, and Saturday brought a repeat result. Name Dropper broke well from the inside starting gate and showed good early speed, but jockey Dean Yendall was happy for Sassy Boom to move across in front of them and take up the lead. Name Dropper trailed Sassy Boom up to the home turn, then angled to his outside and began to wear him down. Name Dropper lengthened stride and finished over the top of that rival, pulling away to win by three-quarters of a length from the fast-finishing Impending Link. “I just popped out when I wanted to in the straight, and the horse has done a very good job to kick on,” Yendall said. “It’s a long way up that straight, but it was a very tough effort today. I think there’s a lot more in store for him, especially if he can get up to the mile and open up a few more options there.” Laming has been pleased to see Name Dropper start to deliver on his potential in this campaign. “Second-up was my worry today, but I’m pleased he’s put that to bed,” he said. “He’s always shown lots of promise. We’ve had to wait for him, and now he’s repaying us and has a bright future in front of him. “He’s bred to stay, which we’ve tried to do with him in previous campaigns. But it’s obvious now that he’s better over these shorter trips. We’ll keep him fresh and race him over 1400m to the mile. “Horses that roll along like he does make their own luck. They’re always going to be hard to run down when they get their own way.” Horse racing news View the full article

Herbert scores a home-town triumph in the Taranaki Cup. Photo: Megan Liefting (Race Images) Local runner Herbert claimed the biggest win of his career to date when he raced clear in the final stages of the feature event at New Plymouth on Saturday, the Group 3 Taranaki Cup (1800m). Trainer John Wheeler has never lost faith in the four-year-old gelding, who he part-owns with a pair of fellow New Plymouth locals including former Taranaki Racing Incorporated Chief Executive Carey Hobbs, even when the son of Sweet Orange recorded five runner-up finishes before breaking his maiden status at his eleventh trip to the races. Herbert has now gone on to win four of his next ten starts, with Saturday’s three-quarter-length victory unlikely to be his last. Rider Harry Grace had his mount travelling sweetly in the trail behind pacemakers Opawa Jack and Solidify before angling two off the fence rounding the home bend. Grace asked for an effort and Herbert bounded clear to down the late-closing Matamata visitor Midnight Blue, while another local Loch In Ora finished close up in third. Hobbs was finding it hard to conceal his delight as he described the feeling of winning his local Cup. “That takes a lot to beat as to win your hometown Cup is unbelievable,” Hobbs said. “Wheels has had massive faith in this horse, but he hasn’t always delivered. He’s just a big kid and what a huge thrill.” Grace was delighted with how his mount performed after behaving perfectly on his way to the start. “The team have obviously done a great job with him as when he was going around to the gates, he was half asleep,” he said. “He had a good win last start and that obviously brought him on for today. “It felt like there was plenty of tempo on, which was perfect, as it didn’t give him the chance to think too much until he straightened up and he already had the job done by then.” Horse racing news View the full article

Grand Impact strings together back-to-back wins. Photo: bradleyphotos.com.au Former quality three-year-old Grand Impact has roared back into top form as a five-year-old this summer, stringing together back-to-back wins including Saturday’s $160,000 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale Handicap (1200m) at Rosehill. The New Zealand-bred son of Satono Aladdin made an outstanding start to his career in 2022 with victories in all of his first three starts, including the Group 3 Blue Sapphire Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield. He was plagued by soreness through the second half of his three-year-old season and an OCD (osteochondritis dissecans) in a shoulder was identified as the issue, where a lesion of cartilage flakes off. That resulted in Grand Impact having 16 months away from racing before a sub-par preparation last autumn. Trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr have turned his fortunes around as a five-year-old, resuming with a fourth at Moonee Valley in late November and a third at Pakenham in December before winning a Benchmark 100 handicap at Wyong on January 11. Grand Impact carried on to Rosehill on Saturday and delivered a repeat result in the hands of 3kg claimer Anna Roper. The apprentice jockey took up a position on the outside of the leader before pouncing at the home turn. Grand Impact took command and dug deep when challenged through the final 200m, holding on to win by half a length. “He wanted to overdo it a little bit in the middle stages, but I dropped my hands on him a little bit and he relaxed nicely,” Roper said. “He really towed me around the turn, and once I let go, he really went. It was a great feeling.” Grand Impact has now had 12 starts for five wins, a placing and $355,700 in prize-money. “He’s taken a lot of time,” Price and Kent’s Sydney representative Ben Elam said. “I have to give credit to the farriers in Melbourne and Sydney. This horse has had a mountain of gear changes and things like that. “The ownership group has had to be very patient, but I think we’ve got him right again now. He’s a happy horse. “We just told Anna to keep him comfortable and keep him flowing, and if she could get outside the leader, that would be perfect. He was a bit wayward in the straight, but it’s been a while since he’s been in front for that long. “The horse is going terrifically well.” Horse racing news View the full article