Wandering Eyes

NBC Sports will broadcast eight live races, four from Gulfstream Park and three from Santa Anita, Saturday from 4-6:00 p.m. as part of the “1S/T Racing Tour presented by MyRacehorse”, the Florida track announced Friday evening. Coverage will include the GIII Holy Bull and GIII Forward Gal Stakes as well as the Listed Swale and Kitten's Joy Stakes at Gulfstream Park. The Santa Anita coverage will comprise of the GIII Robert B. Lewis, GIII Mergahertz, and GII Santa Monica Stakes. It will be hosted by Britney Eurton, Jerry Bailey, Randy Moss, Michelle Yu and Matt Bernier. The post CNBC to Broadcast Eight Live Races Saturday from Gulfstream, Santa Anita appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

As impressive as Kopion was in her La Brea Stakes (G1) score a month ago, it'll be no walk in the park for the Omaha Beach filly in her 4-year-old debut in the Feb. 1 $200,000 Santa Monica Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park. View the full article

Trainer Juan Arriagada, who currently ranks second in wins at the Tampa Bay Downs meeting, will be suspended for 15 days for a controlled medication violation.View the full article

Known for its summer turf racing, Colonial Downs will shift its racing focus to dirt over three days from March 13-15 as part of its expanded, 44-day 2025 racing schedule.View the full article

Race 3 SKYCITY 1200m FOXGLOVE (G Rooke) – Co-trainer Mr. A Scott reported to Stewards, the stable was satisfied with the post-race condition of FOXGLOVE, and it is their intention to carry on with the gelding’s current preparation, where they may look to nominate FOXGLOVE for the Matamata RC meeting on Saturday 15 February. The post Auckland Thoroughbred Racing @ Pukekohe Park, Sunday 19 January 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Last year's recently crowned 2-year-old champion Citizen Bull (Into Mischief) will kick off his 2025 season in the GIII Robert B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita, one of three GI Kentucky Derby preps on tap Saturday. The 2024 GI FanDuel Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner will take on just four rivals, including a pair of Bob Baffert-trained stablemates and last-out maiden winners–'TDN Rising Star' Rodriguez (Authentic) and the rail-drawn Madaket Road (Quality Road). Rodriguez romped in his two-turn debut at second asking at Santa Anita Jan. 4, good for a field-best 101 Beyer Speed Figure. Madaket Road, second on debut in the GIII Bob Hope Stakes Nov. 17, went one better cutting back to six furlongs on the opening day program in Arcadia Dec. 26. All three are owned by the high-powered partnership headed by SF Racing, Starlight Racing and Madaket Stables. “The Bull, he's a horse that may need a race or two,” Baffert told colleague Bill Finley earlier this week. “I'd rather race them than just train them, train them, train them. You have to get races into these horses.” 'Rising Star' Ferocious (Flatter), a troubled fifth behind Citizen Bull in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, headlines the GIII Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park. Last term's GI Hopeful Stakes and GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity runner-up adds blinkers for trainer Gustavo Delgado for his sophomore debut. “The horse has a lot of talent. If you take a look at the numbers, he's one of the most qualified horses in the race,” assistant trainer Gustavo Delgado, Jr. said. “My dad is of the opinion that the horse is still between 75, 80 percent ready for this race, but it's a start. You don't want them to peak at this moment.” The field of seven also includes speedy Mucho Macho Man Stakes winner and 'Rising Star' Guns Loaded (Gun Runner), who makes his first start around two turns for trainer Jose D'Angelo; and the highly regarded Tappan Street (Into Mischief), a debut winner for Brad Cox going seven furlongs at Gulfstream Dec. 28. “It's a strong field and every horse is still improving,” D'Angelo said. The downgraded 1 1/8-miles Withers Stakes attracted a field of seven, led by 5-2 morning-line favorite and 'Rising Star' Captain Cook (Practical Joke), a runaway maiden winner at second asking going seven furlongs in the slop at the Big A Dec. 28. 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. He is trained by Rick Dutrow, Jr. Global Steve (Bucchero) brings a perfect two-for-two record to the table for trainer Butch Reid following a win in the Parx Future Stars Stakes Dec. 30. Reid upset last year's Withers with Uncle Heavy (Social Inclusion). Mo Quality (Mo Town) enters the Withers off a runner-up finish in the Smarty Jones Stakes at Oaklawn Jan. 4. Points on the road to the GI Kentucky Oaks will be on the line in Saturday's GIII Fasig-Tipton Forward Gal Stakes at Gulfstream and Sunday's GIII Fasig-Tipton Las Virgenes Stakes at Santa Anita. The deep field of 11 for the Forward Gal is topped by the Saffie Joseph, Jr.-trained duo of 16 1/4-length debut winner and 'Rising Star' Rojo Rita (Volatile) and 2024 GIII Adirondack Stakes winner The Queens M G (Thousand Words); and the turning- back Cox pair of Tempted Stakes winner Stunner (Girvin) and GII Golden Rod Stakes third Eclatant (Into Mischief), respectively. Tenma (Nyquist), last year's GI Del Mar Debutante Stakes and GII Starlet Stakes heroine, is the 2-5 morning-line favorite for the five-horse field in the Las Virgenes. Graded action this weekend also includes Saturday's GII Santa Monica Stakes, GIII Megahertz Stakes and GIII Thunder Road Stakes at Santa Anita; and the GIII Endeavour Stakes and GIII Tampa Bay Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs. The scratched-down field of four for the Santa Monica features GI La Brea Stakes upsetter Kopion (Omaha Beach). The post Champion Citizen Bull Returns in Robert B. Lewis, One of Three Derby Preps Saturday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A New York Racing Association (NYRA) executive confirmed on Friday that the massive-scaled, $455-million rebuild of Belmont Park is on schedule for its planned grand opening in the fall of 2026. Glen Kozak, NYRA's senior vice president of operations and capital projects, provided a construction update during the Jan. 31 meeting of the New York State Franchise Oversight Board (FOB), which is the governor-appointed entity that represents the interests of New York State in the real estate at Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course. “At this point 95 [to] 98% percent of the demolition and crushing is complete on the [old] building,” Kozak said. “They're going right now with the excavation [for] the basement of the entire new facility. Half of the concrete has been poured for the western portion of the facility. [There are] two simultaneous contractors that are working, one doing the [civil site work], another one doing the concrete that will be [the] superstructure here. “What helped us was that one contractor was very familiar with the property doing all the [civil site] work for the arena and also the retail village on the state property here, so they hit the ground running and really got a good jump start on the project,” Kozak said. Despite some recent cold weather, Kozak explained, “because of the soils that we're working on over here, the contractors have been able to continue with the work that's required here. The two contractors positioned us very well for where we're at this point, so we're on track schedule-wise, for sure,” Kozak said. “If you're looking at the site, half the deck is already going in for the first floor, [and] they're working from west to east at high level. We're looking to get the deck, the concrete, and the structural steel done by this fall to [the fourth quarter of 2025] to try and get this thing dried-in” by the first quarter of 2026, Kozak said. “The next big milestone for us is with the crushing complete and a bunch of the utility work that's already been in place, is using that crushing to set up a tracking pad for the crawler crane that will be positioned here. That's going to be a substantial piece of equipment that'll be here for quite some time to be able to set all the steel for this building,” Kozak said. “As far as the contracts that have been awarded, I believe it's right around 65% of the contracts that have been awarded for the works,” Kozak said. Kozak said that obtaining industrial items that take a relatively long lead time to procure, like boilers, chillers, escalators and elevators, plus steel for the superstructure, are also proceeding according to schedule. “The other big-ticket item is the curtain wall for the glass enclosure,” Kozak said. “Because as you all are all aware, we are on a tight timeline for this [to] stay on track. “The other two [big] items are the roof and the generator,” Kozak said. “A generator lead time for this size facility is trending almost a year's time out. So those are the big components that are being procured right now.” Kozak said the jobs to be contracted for interior items like paint, drywall and finish work are still in “active” negotiations. The target date for completion of all Belmont Park construction is Sept. 11, 2026. This would dovetail with the conclusion of that year's Saratoga season, making fall 2026 the first full race meet at the new facility. NYRA, however, is keeping open the option of running the 2026 GI Belmont Stakes back downstate at the new facility instead of at Saratoga like in 2024 and 2025. If the race does get moved from its temporary home in Saratoga in 2026, it would be under a festival-meet scenario in which all four Belmont racing surfaces (dirt, synthetic, two grass courses) would be ready, but the grandstand and clubhouse might not be fully finished. The post Belmont Rebuild Still On Schedule for Fall ’26 Grand Opening appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Grade 2 stakes winner Gigante sold to Clark Brewster and L and N Racing for $610,000 in a one-horse flash sale on Fasig-Tipton Digital. View the full article

Tenma, racing under the Chu's Baoma banner, gives the couple a chance at possible Kentucky Oaks (G1) glory in May when she enters the starting gate for the Feb. 2 Las Virgenes Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita Park.View the full article

The first reported foals for multiple group winner Lusail (Ire) have arrived, Al Shaqab Racing revealed on Friday. A filly out of Evertogether (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) was the initial arrival and was bred by Haras de Castillon. She is from the family of group performers Mind Of Madness (Ire) (Azamour {Ire}) and Dragon Pulse (Ire) (Kyllachy {GB}). SCEA des Prairies welcomed a filly out of War Story (Fr) (Sunday Break {Jpn}), who is a stakes producer. Breeder Thomas Jeffroy said, “War Story's Lusail filly is splendid. Given the mare's previous production, Lusail has brought the desired attributes: substance, a strong physique, and good bone.” The stakes winner and multiple group-placed Baileys Showgirl (Fr) (Sepoy {Aus}) foaled a filly at Haras des Trois Chapelles, while Shalfah (Fr) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), a daughter of Group 1 performer Rjwa (Ire) (Muhtathir {GB}), produced a filly, as well. Also placed in the G1 St James's Palace Stakes and G1 Prix Jean Prat, the son of Mehmas (Ire) stands for €5,000 at Haras de Bouquetot in 2025. The post Lusail Welcomes First Foals appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

When Mo Quality (Mo Town) failed to meet his reserve as a 2-year-old, Gary Broad's Walmac Farm opted to race the colt in their own silks and send him on to trainer Chris Davis. Looking back now, Davis is just fine with how it all played out as the son of Mo Town is set to start in this weekend's Withers Stakes at Aqueduct on the road to the Kentucky Derby. A $50,000 Keeneland September purchase for Walmac, Mo Quality didn't get much action when he was offered at last year's OBS June Sale, but as soon as he arrived at Davis's barn at Turfway Park, the trainer liked what he saw. “Walmac typically buys colts for stallion prospects and some well-bred fillies and they'll run a few of them through the sale, but if they don't meet reserve they will just keep them,” explained Davis. “I think he kind of fell under the radar a bit, which is lucky for me. He was always just a dude, I mean a straightforward, classy horse. He actually came together quicker than I thought he would for being a big, strong horse. Once he started working, he got fit fast.” Davis didn't initially intend to debut Mo Quality at Keeneland last fall, but the colt was training so well in the mornings that he called an audible. After brushing a rival at the gate, Mo Quality dropped back to eleventh in the 6 ½ furlong contest but then closed late to place second behind Touchy (Nyquist), who was already stakes placed in the Tremont S. earlier in the year. “I didn't think he would make up that much ground first time out,” said Davis. “He's not a horse that I really geared to have ready to win first time out because I think he wanted to go two turns.” After breaking his maiden a month later at Churchill Downs, where he was able to race closer to the pace, Mo Quality stepped up to stakes company in the Smarty Jones Stakes on Jan. 4. Davis said that while the race didn't play out quite as hoped, the colt still showed plenty of potential in his runner-up performance behind multiple stakes winner Coal Battle (Coal Front). “I think we should have let him go a little bit quicker, have the pace a little bit more honest, and he was still just a little bit green down the lane,” Davis admitted. “It was his first time routing and he was kind of late changing to his right lead. Then once he did, he galloped out really well. He really wasn't tired post-race. He cooled out in about five minutes, drank half a bucket of water and was done. I think with a little bit of a more honest pace, we would have been right there.” That performance at Oaklawn gave Davis the confidence to send his trainee to another Kentucky Derby challenge series event. The winner of this weekend's Withers Stakes will receive 20 qualifying points. “I don't think the distance will be an issue,” said Davis. “He's proven around two turns already. Timing wise, it's a little quick back, but if he wins this he'll have 25 points and then I can just let him relax and give him six weeks before either the Jeff Ruby or the Blue Grass or maybe come back for the Wood Memorial.” Kendrick Carmouche gets the mount on Mo Quality for the Withers, which drew a field of seven. “I think the horse is going to break a little bit sharper than he did at Oaklawn,” reported Davis. “I'm not going to tell Kendrick to send him to the lead or take him back, but let the horse get into a comfortable rhythm and see wherever that puts him.” Mo Quality arrived at Belmont Park earlier this week and will be the second horse to race at Aqueduct for Davis, who launched his career at Arlington Park in 2016. When Arlington closed, Davis shifted his base to Turfway. Last year marked a career-best season for Davis when he amassed 38 wins. Richard Perkins homebred Windy Walk (Munnings) accounted for seven of those victories, including a score in the Rampart Stakes at Gulfstream. Politicallycorrect (Violence) was another stable star last year, claiming the Bashford Manor Stakes and placing second in the Ellis Park Juvenile Stakes. After a winter layoff, the 3-year-old colt co-owned by Walmac Farm, Five Fillies Stable and Ryan Ritt is set to return to training in the coming weeks. Politicallycorrect scores in the 2024 Bashford Manor Stakes | Coady Walmac Farm has been a steady supporter of Davis's stable since owner Gary Broad, who is based in California, purchased the historic Walmac property in Lexington in 2018 and expanded his racing stable to Kentucky. “Gary was like my second or third client,” recalled Davis. “They were transitioning from California and for whatever reason, they gave me an opportunity. It has been a really good relationship over the years. He's about the easiest client to deal with. It's all about the horse and you don't really get pressured into running if they're not right. You just do your job, take care of the horse, and hopefully it'll work out.” Davis admitted that there was an initial struggle when he had to move his stable following the closing of Arlington Park, but he credits some of his stable's recent success to his adapting to the new circuit. “I think we're placing horses better,” he said. “We always did well in Chicago because I just kind of had better stock than the local people up there. Horses that couldn't make it in Kentucky would come to me in Chicago and they would be standouts. When Arlington was shutting down, I had to make that transition to Kentucky and it was a big learning curve. I had to revamp my thinking and placing of some of these horses. The water is so much deeper in Kentucky. You're running for big, big money and people are going to be aggressive. It's tough to win races in Kentucky.” While he does maintain a small string at Palm Meadows in Florida, Davis said that this year he has focused on racing at Turfway rather than shifting to Gulfstream during the winter racing season. “For whatever reason I'm really comfortable training on synthetic,'” he explained. “That Tapeta up there has been nothing but flawless and my horses transition to the dirt really well. I had the best dirt season probably of my career last year and all the horses trained on the synthetic.” With a promising colt on the Kentucky Derby trail, it's possible that 2025 might just be Davis's best year yet. “No kidding,” he said with a chuckle. “But it's just great to be in the game.” The post Davis Looking for a Derby Hopeful in Withers-Bound Mo Quality appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Multiple Group 1-winning juvenile Native Trail (GB) has sired his first reported foals, Darley announced this week. The G1 Irish 2000 Guineas hero's first reported arrival was a colt out of Bourbonesque (GB) (Kingman {GB}) which arrived at Elevage de Tourgeville on Jan. 22. The mare is a half-sister to Group 1 winner Aqlaam (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) and her foal was described as “a magnificent colt” by her breeders. Native Trail's second arrival was a “lovely filly” out of Dealer's Choice (Ire) (Exchange Rate) for Tactful Finance, Ltd., born on Jan. 23 at Kiltinan Castle Stud. Jon Shack indicated the stakes-producing mare would return to the G1 National Stakes/G1 Dewhurst Stakes winner. Ecurie de Sud welcomed a bay filly out of Treaty (Fr) (Dunkerque {Fr}) on Jan. 25. Fernando Laffon said she was a “gorgeous, strong filly.” The mare is a half-sister to a trio of black-type horses. There was also a chestnut colt out of Amore Bello (Ire) (Bated Breath {GB}) which arrived at Woodford Stud. Brian O'Neill said that he was “a quality colt with a great hip.” The mare is a half-sister G3 Prix Miesque heroine More Than Love (More Than Ready). A total of 179 mares visited the son of Oasis Dream (GB) in 2024. Also successful in the G2 Superlative Stakes and G3 Craven Stakes, the bay will stand for €16,000 at Kildangan Stud in Ireland this year. The post Native Trail Sires First Reported Foals appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In this continuing series, we take a look ahead at US-bred and/or conceived runners entered for the upcoming weekend at the tracks on the Japan Racing Association circuit, with a focus on pedigree and/or performance in the sales ring. Here are the horses of interest for Sunday running at Kokura Racecourse: Sunday, February 2, 2025 5th-KOK, ¥11,850,000 ($76k), Newcomers, 3yo, 1200mT FOCUS LIGHT (JPN) (f, 3, City of Light–Zest, by Tapit) was acquired by K I Farm for $420,000 when offered in utero at the 2021 Keeneland November Sale. The Feb. 18 foal is the first from her dam and the filly shares her GI Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic-winning second dam Life Is Sweet (Storm Cat) with SW & GSP Batucada (Union Rags) and MSP Candy Grey (Twirling Candy). The stakes-winning and Grade I-placed third dam Sweet Life (Kris S.) also produced Eclipse Award-winning juvenile filly Sweet Catomine (Storm Cat); SW & MGSP Calimonco (Storm Cat); and the dam of MGSW sire Modernist (Uncle Mo). O-Lord Horse Club Co Ltd; B-K I Farm; T-Tatsuya Yoshioka The post City of Light Firster Features Wygod Luminaries at Kokura appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Guineas hero Chaldean (GB)'s first foals have arrived, Juddmonte announced on X. The first is a colt out of Group 3 heroine Paris Peacock (Ire) (Muhaarar {GB}), while Redressed (GB) (Le Havre {Ire}), group-placed herself and out of a full-sister to Group 1 winner Midday (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) also had a colt. The third new arrival is a colt out of Via Lazio (GB) (Lawman {Fr}), an unraced half-sister to multiple Group 1 winner Admire Mars (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}) and listed winners Via Firenze (Ire) (Dansili {GB}) and Via Pisa (Fr) (Pivotal {GB}). Chaldean, who is standing his second season at a fee of £25,000 this year, covered 173 mares in 2024. A winner of both the G1 Dewhurst Stakes and G1 2000 Guineas, the chestnut son of Frankel also won the G2 Champagne Stakes and the G3 Acomb Stakes. At Royal Ascot in 2023, he was second in the G1 St James's Palace Stakes. The post First Foals For Chaldean All Colts appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Graded winner Miss Macy Sue (Trippi), an accomplished racemare and the dam of MGISW Liam's Map (Unbridled's Song) and GSW & GISP Not This Time (Giant's Causeway), has died at the age of 22, Taylor Made announced Friday afternoon. The 2007 winner of the GIII Winning Colors Stakes at Churchill Downs, and runner-up in her title defense a year later, competed in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint at Monmouth Park in 2007, finishing third when it was still a Listed stakes. Upon retirement, she left an even greater mark on the breed via her aforementioned sons–half-brothers Liam's Map and Not This Time. In between those two she produced SW & GSP Taylor S (Medaglia d'Oro) and her last to the races was MSW & GSP Matera (Tapit). Miss Macy Sue hailed from the female line of two-time champion sprinter Ta Wee (Intentionally), herself a half-sister to the great Horse of the Year and multiple champion, Dr. Fager. “We would like to express our condolences to the Albaugh Family on the passing of Miss Macy Sue,” said Mark Taylor. “Many great mares have spent their careers with us here at Taylor Made, but none have left a legacy like this incredible mare. There is no doubt she will continue to shape the breed through her sons, Liam's Map and Not This Time. Mares like Miss Macy Sue are truly once in a lifetime horses.” “Miss Macy Sue was one of the first horses we ever owned,” said Albaugh Family Stables managing partner Jason Loutsch. “She was our first graded stakes winner and took us to Saratoga and to the Breeders' Cup. Without Macy, there would be no Albaugh Family Stables.” “She was remarkable both on and off the track and has changed all of our lives. She meant so much to the entire Albaugh family and we will miss feeding her peppermints on our visits to Taylor Made.” The post Miss Macy Sue, Dam of Not This Time and Liam’s Map, Passes Away at 22 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Podcast will air live at 2 p.m. ET on YouTube (www.youtube.com/@bloodhorse) and on ESPN Louisville+ and then will be available for download at BloodHorse.com, the BloodHorse YouTube channel, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart, and at espnlouisville.com.View the full article

With the bidding closed, graded winner Gigante (Not This Time) changed hands for $610,000 to Clark Brewster & L and N racing in a one-horse flash sale, announced Fasig-Tipton Digital via a press release. The 5-year-old was consigned by Lane's End from Fair Grounds with bidding reportedly 'healthy' for the millionaire who claimed the 2023 GII Secretariat Stakes at Colonial Downs. There were 1,793 unique potential buyers from several continents who looked at Gigante's page more than 10,000 times. “Fasig-Tipton showed us once again how a quality horse is well received by the market on their digital platform,” said Allaire Ryan, sales coordinator for Lane's End. “The flash sale provided an efficient, customized opportunity for us to offer Gigante on behalf of his owners, and he is an exciting, turnkey prospect for his new racing connections. Bidding was healthy from start to finish and we are grateful to the Fasig Digital team for facilitating a fantastic sale.” The next scheduled digital sale is in February, which will open Feb. 20 and close Feb. 25 with nominations for the online auction closing Feb. 5. “The Gigante flash sale produced a 'home run' result,” said Leif Aaron, Fasig-Tipton director of Digital Sales. “With bidders from multiple continents, the international reach of our platform was on full display once again. Gigante's $610,000 sale comes on the heels of selling Tuscan Sky for $450,000 a couple weeks ago, proving that Fasig-Tipton Digital is the number one digital platform to sell a racehorse.” The post Gigante Sells for $610,000 in Fasig-Tipton Digital Flash Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Eclipse Awards Steering Committee issued a press release Jan. 31 noting that statistics for apprentice jockey J.G. Torrealba were incorrect in the supplement issued to assist voters with their decisions on champions.View the full article

My Wish scores an emotional victory Jan. 31 for jockey Luke Ferraris, who joins his father as victors in the prestigious Hong Kong Classic Mile at Sha Tin Racecourse.View the full article

Godolphin homebred First Conquest (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}) made it three wins on the bounce after claiming the G3 Dubai Millennium Stakes sponsored by Emaar at Meydan on Friday. The victory was the 12th for a Godolphin runner in the race named after one of their former top-liners, who sired only one crop of foals before succumbing to grass sickness. Allowed to be the rear marker as Dolayli (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) led the way out of the chute and onto the backstretch, the bay proved a touch keen for the first half-mile. First Conquest remained last while in a good rhythm until William Buick said go 600 metres from home and the gelding soon swung seven deep into the stretch. He steamed up the center of the course with a burst of late speed to win by 1 1/4 lengths over Cairo (Ire) (Quality Road), who had taken over for the pacesetter in the lane. Highbank (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) was 1 1/2 lengths back in third. A maiden winner at Newmarket last April, he found his way again with a pair of handicap victories two starts later at that course in June and July. Given some time off, he re-emerged to take a Meydan handicap by open lengths on Jan. 10, before testing the waters at group level on Friday, and coming through with flying colours. Pedigree Notes Darley's Teofilo now has 118 stakes winners (68 group) with the victory of First Conquest on Friday. He has 24 Group/Grade 1 winners worldwide, and the cross of Teofilo with a Dubawi mare has yielded the likes of G1 Melbourne Cup hero Without A Fight (Ire), as well as Group 2 winners Eternal Hope (Ire) and Naval Power (GB). First Conquest is the third Group 3 winner for this cross after Taany (Ire) and Tantheem (GB). Dubawi (Ire) mare Patroness (GB) hit pay dirt with her first two foals–G1 Jebel Hatta hero and G1 Caulfield Stakes second Blair House (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}) and listed winner Key Victory (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire})–and First Conquest arrived as foal number eight. Overall, the placed mare has seven winners to her credit from nine runners. Her latest progeny is 2-year-old Picture Palace (Ire) (Pinatubo {Ire}), who has yet to race. Patroness is herself a full-sister to the late G1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes winner and sire Poet's Voice (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). Friday, Meydan, Middle East DUBAI MILLENNIUM STAKES (SPONSORED BY EMAAR)-G3, AED700,000, Meydan, 1-31, 3yo/up, 2000mT, 2:00.69, gd. 1–FIRST CONQUEST (GB), 127, g, 4, by Teofilo (Ire) 1st Dam: Patroness (GB), by Dubawi (Ire) 2nd Dam: Bright Tiara, by Chief's Crown 3rd Dam: Expressive Dance, by Riva Ridge 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. 1ST GROUP WIN. O/B-Godolphin (GB); T-Charlie Appleby; J-William Buick. AED420,000. Lifetime Record: 6-4-0-0, AED810,995. *1/2 to Blair House (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}), G1SW-UAE, G1SP-Aus, $588,444; and a full to Key Victory (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), SW-Eng, $144,058. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. 2–Cairo (Ire), 127, h, 5, Quality Road–Cuff (Ire), by Galileo (Ire). O-Refai Alghraiban; B-Coolmore (IRE); T-Alice Haynes. AED140,000. 3–Highbank (Ire), 127, g, 5, Kingman (GB)–Bristol Bay (Ire), by Montjeu (Ire). 'TDN Rising Star'. 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (750,000gns Ylg '21 TATOCT; AED850,000 HRA '24 EMI MAR). O-Hamdan Sultan Al Subousi; B-Lynch Bages & Camas Park Stud (IRE); T-Simon & Ed Crisford. AED70,000. Margins: 1 1/4, 1HF, HD. Also Ran: Asaassi (Fr), Stormy Ocean (GB), See Hector (Ger), Mozart (Den), Hans Andersen (GB), Dolayli (Fr). Scratched: Sean (Ger). Click for the ERC chart & video. The post An Even Dozen Dubai Millennium Stakes For Godolphin appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

5th-FG, $58K, Msw, 3yo, f, 1 1/16mT, 4:15 p.m. ET. Whisper Hill homebred STRAIGHT FORWARD (American Pharoah) makes her first start for Mandy Pope and trainer Steve Asmussen. The filly's dam, Aloof (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), was acquired by the farm at the 2014 Keeneland November Sale for a cool $3.9 million. Herself out of English Group 1 winner Airwave (GB) (Air Express {Ire}), Aloof is a half-sister to the dam of full-siblings MG1SW Churchill (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and G1SW Clemmie. Set for her unveiling is another homebred, Good Going (Mendelssohn), who was sent by Klein Racing to trainer Cherie DeVaux. The bay is a out of a multiple stakes winning mare named Good Deed (Broken Vow). A half-sister to MGSW Cash Control (Pioneerof the Nile) and MSW Country Day (Speightstown), Good Going's dam is also responsible for Coronation Cup Stakes heroine Goin' Good (Congrats) TJCIS PPS 7th-GP, $96K, OC75k/N1X, 3yo, 1m, 3:05 p.m. ET. A $200,000 buy for CHC, WinStar and Maverick Racing at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Yearling Sale, River Thames (Maclean's Music) certainly earned his keep on debut with a 4 3/4-length score at Gulfstream Park Jan. 11. Named a 'TDN Rising Star' based on that effort, the colt now tries optional claimers while stretching out to a mile for trainer Todd Pletcher. The first and only foal to date for Proportionality (Discreet Cat), River Thames hails from an extended female family which includes MGISW Paulassilverlining (Ghostzapper)–the dam of 'TDN Rising Star' Artorius (Arrogate)–and MGISW Dads Caps (Discreet Cat). TJCIS PPS The post Saturday’s Racing Insights: Whisper Hill Homebred Tries Two Turns In Turf Debut At Fair Grounds appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

New York Racing Association stakes coordinator Andrew Byrnes plans to retire from that role in September at the end of the 2025 Saratoga Race Course summer meet.View the full article

America's Best Racing's Patrick Read provides notable informaton about each Holy Bull (G3) entrant and insights into betting the race.View the full article

The progressive My Wish (Aus) (Flying Artie {Aus}) sat a trip handy to the pace, took over with 200 metres left to run and held off a rails rally from the outposted Divano (Aus) (Brave Smash {Jpn}) to take out the first leg of the 4-year-old Classic series in Hong Kong, the HK$13-million Hong Kong Classic Mile on Friday's Chinese New Year program at Sha Tin. It was a first feature win in the ultra-competitive environment for Australian ex-pat trainer Mark Newnham in his second season and for South Africa's Luke Ferraris, riding his third year in Hong Kong. Out of the top three just once in his seven previous starts, My Wish won consecutive races in Class 3 company in November and December over 1400 metres and stepped up to the mile last time, finishing a close third while giving 10 and seven pounds, respectively, to the pair that finished ahead of him Jan. 1. Easily the smallest horse in the 14-strong field at just 990 pounds, My Wish bounced alertly from barrier eight and took up a spot in the first third of the field, a couple of lengths behind Glory Elite (Aus) (Russian Revolution {Aus}) with cover down the back. Traveling nicely on the circle, My Wish was eased into the three-wide line leaving the 600 metres and had dead aim on the leaders turning in. Favoured Packing Hermod (Aus) (Rubick {Aus}) made a run in tandem with My Wish into the final furlong, but the latter kicked on smartly and prevailed narrowly. Divano, the ride of Blake Shinn, was snagged back to the tail from gate 14 and was ridden for luck in the straight. All the gaps came and he flashed home up the fence in a race-best :21.93 to touch Packing Hermod out of second. Mickley (Ire) (Soldier's Call {GB}), last year's Brittania Handicap hero, attacked the line for a sound fifth after striking some interference in the straight, while 2023 Windsor Castle Stakes runner-up Johannes Brahms (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) dropped out to finish at the tail. Ferraris is the 23-year-old son of former trainer David Ferraris, who called the shots on the career of Hong Kong Derby and G1 Dubai Sheema Classic hero Vengeance of Rain (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}). The elder Ferraris won the 2012 Classic Mile with Sweet Orange (War Front), a race Luke Ferraris remembers well. “Tonight, when I sit down it will kick in when I get the messages from my family,” said Luke Ferraris, who rode a treble on the day to take over fourth spot in the jockeys' premiership. “Watching this race as a child and now this–it's surreal. I'm pretty grateful to Mark and his team.” Newnham, a former Gai Waterhouse assistant who exercised the likes of G1 Golden Slipper hero Pierro (Aus) (Lonhro {Aus}) and G1 Melbourne Cup victor Fiorente (Ire) (Monsun {Ger}), saddled 31 winners in his maiden season in 2023/2024, and is winning with better than 10% of his runners this term. “The horse is very game, Luke's done a great job with him and my team at home has done a super job because when he first arrived, he was a high-energy horse and wasn't easy to handle,” said Newnham, who has trained better than 400 winners since going out on his own in 2016. Pedigree Notes: My Wish is the ninth black-type winner for his sire, whose daughter Asfoora (Aus) won the 2024 G1 King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot before finishing runner-up in the G2 Qatar Stakes at Goodwood and a close fourth in the G1 Nunthorpe Stakes at York. Flying Artie was victorious in the 2016 G3 Blue Diamond Prelude Stakes, second in the G1 Blue Diamond Stakes itself and third to Capitalist (Aus) in that year's G1 Golden Slipper Stakes. Set The Tone was not covered from 2020 through 2022, but is the dam of a weanling full-brother to My Wish and was most recently bred to Hawaii Five Oh (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}). Friday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong HONG KONG CLASSIC MILE-LR, HK$13,000,000, Sha Tin, 1-31, NH/SH4yo, 1600mT, 1:33.98, gd. 1–MY WISH (AUS), 126, g, 4, by Flying Artie (Aus) 1st Dam: Set The Tone (Aus), by Reset (Aus) 2nd Dam: Celtic Courage (Aus), by Giant's Causeway 3rd Dam: Late Night Fun (Aus), by Handy Proverb (Aus) 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. O-Ada Che Xiao Hong, Suki Tang Xianfang & Ruby Hui Like Sea; B-J Langridge (NSW); T-Mark Newnham; J-Luke Ferraris; HK$7,280,000. Lifetime Record: 8-4-1-2, HK$10,754,700. 2–Divano (Aus), 126, g, 4, Brave Smash (Jpn)–Been Scene (Aus), by Bianconi. 1ST BLACK-TYPE. (A$90,000 Ylg '22 INGFEB). O-Chen Chun Man; B-Aquis Farm, Ariel Arnott (Qld); T-Francis Lui; J-Blake Shinn; HK$2,730,000. 3–Packing Hermod (Aus), 126, g, 4, Rubick (Aus)–Black Tulip (Aus), by Lonhro (Aus). 1ST BLACK-TYPE. (A$300,000 Ylg '22 INGFEB). O-Roletta Lee Man Ching; B-Bird Rock Thoroughbreds (Vic); T-Francis Lui; J-Zac Purton; HK$1,495,000. Margins: NK, NK, 1. Odds: 6-1, 47-1, 9-5. Also Ran: Fast Network (NZ), Mickley (Ire), Rubylot (Aus), Lucy In the Sky (Aus), Top Gun (NZ), Talents Ambition (Aus), Glory Elite (Aus), Markwin (Aus), Cap Ferrat (Aus), Call Me Glorious (Aus), Johannes Brahms (GB). Scratched: Sky Trust (Aus), Bundle Award (Aus). Click for the HKJC chart, PPs and sectional timing. The post My Wish Gives Newnham, Ferraris Landmark Wins in Classic Mile appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Grand National-winning owner John Hales has died at the age of 85. The owner of Neptunes Collonges (Fr), who landed one of the tightest finishes to the National in 2012 when beating Sunnyhillboy (Ire) by a nose, was associated with a string of great jumpers, including another special grey, One Man (Ire). The latter was one of three Queen Mother Champion Chase winners for Hales, along with Azertyuiop (Fr) and Politologue (Fr), and recently he had extended his racing interests to a successful partnership with fellow leading owners Sir Alex Ferguson, Peter Done and Ged Mason. Paul Nicholls, trainer of some of Hales's top horses, announced the news of the owner's death on social media on Friday. He said, “It is with great sadness to report that John Hales passed away last evening. A great man and a fantastic owner and friend for many people. Thoughts with his wife Pat and his wonderful family. He will be missed by so many in racing. RIP John.” Hales was the co-founder of the Golden Bear Toys company, which produced toys associated with children's shows such as Teletubbies, Basil Brush and Thomas the Tank Engine. A former president of British Showjumping, Hales also had a close association with Olympic showjumper Nick Skelton and his sons, Dan and Harry, now a leading National Hunt trainer and top jump jockey respectively. He owned Skelton Sr's legendary showjumping stallion Arko III and most recently enjoyed success on the track with Protektorat (Fr), who won the Fitzdares Fleur de Lys Chase at Windsor earlier this month and is owned in partnership with Ferguson, Done and Mason. Protektorat's trainer Dan Skelton said, “John was there that day. He hasn't been very well and it's been a bit up and down for him recently, but he looked great at Windsor and we had an absolutely fantastic day. “The Hales family have been unbelievable supporters of all horse sports – his contribution to showjumping shouldn't ever be underestimated either. “He was one of the first supporters out of the blocks for me when I started my career and he's always supported Harry and my father and [sister-in-law] Bridget [Andrews].” He continued, “He's had all those great horses, but he's got those great horses because people have wanted to do so well for him. He inspired people to do well and trusted people.” The post Leading Jumps Owner John Hales Dies at 85 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article