Wandering Eyes

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 this Saturday running at Kyoto Racecourse. The horses of note entered for Sunday will appear in Saturday's TDN: Saturday, February 1, 2025 3rd-KYO, ¥10,600,000 ($69k), Maiden, 3yo, 1400m MAGNA DOMUS (JPN) (c, 3, American Pharoah–Competitionofideas, by Speightstown) becomes the first starter for his dam, winner of the 2018 GI American Oaks and later sold to Shadai Farm for $1.3 million at the 2020 Fasig-Tipton November Sale before being bred and exported. Magna Domus shares the Grade III-winning second dam Devil By Design (Medaglia d'Oro) with John Gunther's Sea To Sky (Ire) (Without Parole {GB}), third in a heavy-ground renewal of the Listed Highclere Thoroughbred Racing Stakes at Newbury last October. O-Shadai Race Horse Co Ltd; B-Shadai Farm; T-Yoshito Yahagi 5th-KYO, ¥11,850,000 ($77k), Newcomers, 3yo, 1400m JUSTIN TRUENO (c, 3, Into Mischief) is the first foal out of Pink Sands (Tapit), winner in succession of the GIII Rampart Stakes in late 2019 and the GII Inside Information Stakes the following month. Retired at the end of that season, the $625,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling visited this sire and was offered at the 2021 Keeneland November Sale, where her $2.3-million pricetag with this colt in utero was the second-dearest transaction of the auction. Pink Sands is a daughter of GISW Her Smile, herself a $1.5-million KEENOV purchase by KatieRich Farms and the dam of Timing Now (Tapit), who accumulated better than $500,000 while racing in Japan. O-Masahiro Miki; B-EM Planning LLC (KY); T-Haruki Sugiyama LADY NINJA (JPN) (c, 3, Nyquist–Lady Ninja, by Majesticperfection), whose dam won the GIII L.A. Woman Stakes in 2019, was acquired in utero for $360,000 at KEENOV in 2021. The March foal, sold on for just over $45,000 at the 2023 Hokkaido Summer Yearling Sale, is out of a half-sister to eight additional winners, including the stakes-placed Underdressed (Keen Ice). O-Katsutoshi Nagayama; B-Chiba Stud; T-Yoshiaki Sugiyama The post Into Mischief Colt From $2.3M Pink Sands Gets Going at Kyoto appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After securing a narrow, front-running victory in the Mucho Macho Man Stakes Jan. 4, 'TDN Rising Star' Guns Loaded (Gun Runner) will be the one to catch while making his two-turn debut in Saturday's GIII Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park. The 1 1/16-mile Holy Bull attracted a talented field of seven, including 9-5 morning-line favorite 'Rising Star' Ferocious (Flatter), a last-out fifth with trouble in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile; and the Brad Cox-trained Tappan Street (Into Mischief), a promising debut winner going seven furlongs at Gulfstream Dec. 28. The Holy Bull offers 42 (20-10-6-4-2) qualifying points on the road to the GI Kentucky Derby. “It's a strong field and every horse is still improving,” trainer Jose D'Angelo said. “You can see it in the Mucho Macho Man that he's still a little green. Our plan is to try to make the Derby. We hope that he continues to learn and improve and that we have him the right way on the first Saturday in May.” Guns Loaded, an $800,000 Keeneland September Yearling purchase campaigned in partnership by Morplay Racing, Joey Platts and Lady Sheila Stable, will be piloted by leading rider Irad Ortiz, Jr. for the first time in the Holy Bull. Luis Saez, aboard Guns Loaded in all three of his previous starts, has opted for the aforementioned Tappan Street. “(Saez) decided to ride the Brad Cox horse,” D'Angelo said. “He told me that he gave the call immediately after he won the maiden. That's OK, we have Irad; he worked him and really liked the horse. I think we're in good shape for this race.” Guns Loaded shot out to the front from his rail draw and had things his own way through fractions of :24.54 and :47.61 in the one-turn mile Mucho Macho Man. He kicked for home in complete command, and, after showing some immaturity down the lane, dug down gamely to hold off Treaty of Rome (Uncle Mo) by a neck. He made two previous attempts, finishing a respectable second on debut after stumbling at the start going seven furlongs at Saratoga Aug. 31, then earned his 'Rising Star' badge with a powerful, wire-to-wire victory at second asking while cutting back to six furlongs at Churchill Downs Nov. 16. The latter performance was good for a career-best 88 Beyer Speed Figure. One of 16 'Rising Stars' for leading young sire and GI Breeders' Cup Classic Winner Gun Runner, Guns Loaded is out of the MGSP Bernardini mare Sky My Sky, who was a two-time winner going 1 1/16 miles on grass. Bred in Kentucky by John Oxley, Guns Loaded hails from the extended female family of MG1SWs Nebraska Tornado (Storm Cat) and Westover (GB) (Frankel {GB}). “I always thought that he was a two-turn horse, that's why I ran him first time out going seven furlongs,” D'Angelo said. “When he showed me his speed, I cut him to six (furlongs) and he won impressively. After that we went to the one-mile Mucho Macho Man and he had a good gallop out–the other horse never passed him. The way that he trains says he can do it. We are very positive and optimistic for Saturday.” Bentornato (Valiant Minister), meanwhile, a fantastic second at 28-1 in the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint at Del Mar Nov. 2, will be given some time off, per D'Angelo. Last year's GII Gallant Bob Stakes winner and G3 Saudi Derby third-place finisher was scratched from the GI Malibu Stakes at Santa Anita Dec. 26 due to a foot abscess. “He had a strong campaign last year,” D'Angelo said. “We did a PET scan and he had some bone bruising, so we decided to give him time off. He deserves a rest. We're gonna give him the right amount of time and we'll point for the Breeders' Cup Sprint. He's doing good–he's still at the barn.” #1 GUNS LOADED ($4.60) held on to win the $165,000 Mucho Macho Man Stakes at @GulfstreamPark. The 3YO Gun Runner (@Three_Chimneys) colt was ridden by @luissaezpty for @JFDAngelo. The Ginger Brew Stakes is up next. Tune in to coverage presented by @ClaiborneFarm on @FanDuelTV! pic.twitter.com/bUHCSbBd2r — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) January 4, 2025 The post ‘Our Plan is to Try to Make the Derby’ – Guns Loaded Gets Two-Turn Test in Holy Bull appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Racing last year for the first time since a pair of 2017 hurricanes decimated St. Thomas's Clinton E. Phipps Racetrack in the U.S. Virgin Islands, at least six Thoroughbreds were euthanized over the course of three carded days at the track. Another horse suffered a breakdown during a workout, bringing the total to seven. Those are just some of several major issues plaguing the St. Thomas/St. John Horse Racing Commission (STT/STJ HRC), who is charged with the responsibility of regulating racing on the island. Compounding horses dying on the track, racing in St. Thomas was being conducted while anti-doping rules were suspended by the island's Legislature because of the storms, unregistered Thoroughbreds were allowed to compete, the Clinton Phipps track surface was not cleared by experts and there were at least two horses who ran Dec. 22 that were banned at Gulfstream Park after they tested positive for illegal substances. When the TDN reached out to the STT/STJ HRC for an explanation, Vice-Chairman Dr. Laura Palminteri, VMD said the Commission was alarmed, but she was quick to place the blame on the Legislature who suspended the anti-doping laws. “The number of breakdowns in the 2024 season was unacceptable and concerning to the Commission,” said Dr. Palminteri. “At this time, the track is being evaluated and stateside experts are being consulted prior to any further racing. The Commission will be requesting the Legislature to reinstate anti-doping laws and no racing is scheduled for now. The search process is ongoing for a permanent racetrack promoter and we are hopeful for a successful 2025.” Dr. Laura Palmiteri, DVM | courtesy of the VI Legislative Assembly Dr. Palminteri said that during the construction phase at the track there was increasing public pressure to begin horse racing again, even though the drug testing facilities were not complete. Beginning May 3 of last year, racing at the government-owned Clinton Phipps facility began during what are called the 'Carnival Races.' With the track 85% complete by Southland Gaming Virgin Islands who financed the structures, the 11-year-old Thulean (Giant's Causeway) broke down May 5, according to sources close to the situation who did not wish to be named for fear of retribution. The former Ron Potts trainee was last seen running stateside as the runner-up in a claiming race at Tampa Bay Mar. 24, 2019. During a routine workout in October, 5-year-old Axxerator (Exaggerator) was euthanized. The gelding reportedly raced at the claiming level under trainer Jason Lisboa until Mar. 15 at Camarero Race Track in Puerto Rico. On a race day Nov. 3, Call Bros (Sky Mesa) broke down at the Clinton Phipps track. According to Equibase, the 7-year-old Florida-bred was last reported as being trained by Carlos Sostre in Puerto Rico in mid-April. The Clinton Phipps track hosted a seven-race card Dec. 22, which they called a “Festive Finish at the state-of-the-art track.” In the second race–a 7 1/2-furlong race for three native horses with a purse of $7,500–Downbebay had to be euthanized. He was never registered with the Jockey Club of America and is dubbed locally a “graded horse” since he has no value to professional racing. In the fourth race that afternoon with a purse of $10,000, Barrabas Key (Arg) (Key Deputy) suffered a breakdown. The 10-year-old chestnut gelding faced four others in the 7 1/2-furlong race for Class C horses. Going a mile for Class B and C runners with a purse of $11,500, the fifth race saw Black Label Racing's Macuco's Choice (Cairo Prince) win with Joshua Rodriguez in the irons. Afterwards, the 6-year-old had to be euthanized. Macuco's Choice had not competed since December of 2022 in Puerto Rico for conditioner Alexis Rivera. Run On the Trail (Union Rags) also passed away after the race. The 5-year-old gelding raced for trainer Luis A. Robles at Camarero back in March. Racing on 'Festive Finish Day' Dec. 22 | Darryl Jones The featured race, the $20,000 Winter Solstice Handicap at a mile and a sixteenth, included Quincy Café (Mendelssohn) and Pure Speight (Speightstown). As reported by TDN's Dan Ross in the Stewards and Commissions Rulings for Nov. 14-20, these are the same horses who tested positive for Formestane and 4-Hydroxytestosterone–both banned steroidal substances–after winning at Gulfstream Park Mar. 13 and Apr. 21, respectively. They were supposed to be in the care of trainer Paul Valery, who after they were taken down was eventually issued a suspension by HISA for a total 108 months, which concludes May 14, 2033. Pure Speight, whose owner is now St. Croix's Knight Racing Stables, won the race with jockey Sunday Diaz aboard. It was the gelding's fourth score since he was allowed to race in St. Thomas. In a press release dated Jan. 17, Virgin Islands Senator Franklin D. Johnson, who sits on the Sports and Parks Committee, urgently called for stronger regulatory protections for horses at home. The Senator cites the failure to pass Amendment No. 35-292, which was intended to reinstate anti-doping laws for horses and ensure safety, fairness and transparency in the sport, as a major disappointment. The amendment failed after eight senators voted against it, with one abstention. Jay Watson, the chairman of Intra-Caribbean Thoroughbred Equine Association (ICTEA) which includes members from Puerto Rico, Trinidad, Jamaica and Barbados in the West Indies, and a former chairman of the STT/STJ HRC, said that the racing surface at the Clinton Phipps facility is a major culprit and needs a complete reassessment. “I find the statements made by the Commission in the wake of these deaths to be disingenuous,” said Watson. “I can't believe that anyone would agree that racing without an anti-doping program in place would be acceptable. Look at the results. We shouldn't be racing and putting these horses in jeopardy on a surface that has not been tested properly.” He also said that “graded” horses like the ill-fated Downbebay need to be kept out of racing in the Virgin Islands. “They don't have any place in racing since they are not registered with the Jockey Club,” said Watson. “This is bush racing and that is certainly not appropriate for the animals and stakeholders who want professionalism in the ICTEA.” With a background in law enforcement and in leading investigations, Watson says that members of the Commission are fully aware of the rampant unregulated medication, which he said he believed includes Performance Enhancing Drugs. When the Anti-Doping statute was put into abeyance so the doping of racehorses could continue the former chairman said the Commission was silent. Jay Watson | courtesy of the VI Legislative Assembly He also explained that members know that horses who are banned elsewhere, like the ones from Gulfstream Park, are imported through U.S. Customs. “The need to use medication on injured horses to race them was testified to before the Senate by the leadership of the St. Croix and St. Thomas Horsemen's Associations,” Watson said. “If you medicate injured horses in order to race them, then catastrophic injuries are inevitable. I tried to address these issues six years ago and they ran me out. It's time for us to turn off the tap and if that means an end to racing, then so be it. Horse populations deserve better.” Watson said that a new generation of horsemen who are properly educated is what is needed. He also said that the Clinton Phipps racetrack surface needed to be regularly studied, which simply has not happened in the rush to get the site ready for racing in 2024. “I said a long time ago that adopting ARCI [Association of Racing Commissioners International] Model Rules is the way to go,” he said. “But this goes way deeper. Just like in American racing, we need representatives who have the political will and leadership to do what is ethically and morally right for the majority. Not for the benefit of a select few.” Despite the territorial connection to the U.S., Thoroughbred racing at the St. Thomas track falls outside the jurisdiction of the Horseracing and Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) and Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU). Oversight also is not possible since there is no export signal. The ICTEA, which Watson helped found, is meant to provide stakeholders across the Caribbean with a united and organized structure that focuses on island racing districts. “I'm looking forward to input from all of the stakeholders,” said Watson. “So, what happened at Clinton E. Phipps doesn't replicate itself once again elsewhere. What happens here in the outer rim affects the entire industry.” The post After Breakdowns Last Year, Lack Of Oversight Puts Horses In Jeopardy In U.S. Virgin Islands 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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By Jonny Turner Georgia Goodman took the pressure of driving a red-hot favourite in her stride when winning her first race in the sulky at Ascot Park yesterday. The 21-year-old produced a no-panic steer as Secret Agent Man dispatched his opposition in style in the Selling? Call Craig at Harcourts Junior Drivers Mobile Pace to create a memory the junior driver will never forget. Though winning her first race was already special, the reinswoman got an extra kick out of getting on the board with one of the favourite horses she works with at Nathan Williamson’s barn. “It is amazing,” Goodman said. “He has always been one of my favourites, so it’s really cool.” Having her family on track to greet her in the winner’s circle with Secret Agent Man also added another nice touch to Goodman’s win. “That was really cool, my mum and my brother were there to greet me.” “That was a big thrill, they have been big supporters of mine ever since I started out.” Goodman got keen on harness racing through her father Ian training horses at Winton. What started as a part-time job at Nathan Williamson’s stable has developed into a career. “I have always been horse mad ever since I was young.” “When I was still at school I did a bit of after-school and holiday work for Nathan and I have been there ever since, really.” “It is great working with quality horses all the time, it is a great thrill.” “Nathan is great to learn off, he has all the knowledge.” Goodman admitted that driving a $1.50 favourite brought some extra pre-race pressure. But the junior driver stayed cool, sitting parked before Secret Agent Man dispatched his rivals. “It made me a little bit more nervous but at the end of the day I know the horse and you always get a little bit nervous anyway.” Goodman could add another victory to her resume at the upcoming New Zealand Harness Racing Awards. The horsewoman has already competed in the national cadet of the year competition, with the winner to be announced at the awards evening. “I won the Southland cadet of the year and went and competed in Christchurch against three other winners.” “So I will find out at the New Zealand Harness Racing Awards coming up.” Goodman had racked up seven placings before breaking through in her 19th drive yesterday. To see Georgia Goodman speaking about his first victory click here View the full article

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Shaking off a more experienced and favored rival at the top of the Gulfstream stretch, Blueberry Hill (Munnings) powered home in eye-catching fashion Thursday to become the latest 'TDN Rising Star' for Coolmore's Munnings. The 3-1 second choice behind third-time starter Keepsake (Into Mischief), the Todd Pletcher trainee led from the jump but never got too comfortable up front as her rival stalked just off her hip through much of the running through fractions of :22.43 and :45.43. As the top pair opened up a gap back to the rest of the field off the turn, Blueberry Hill was set down for the stretch run by Irad Ortiz, Jr. and responded in kind, leaving Keepsake a far-back solo second to come home an easy, geared-down winner on debut by 5 3/4 lengths. Keepsake had to settle for second as the beaten favorite for a third-straight time while second-time starter and 6-1 shot Taratel (Candy Ride {Arg}) was a further four lengths back in a close finish for the show. The 3-year-old fillies completed the seven furlongs in 1:23.25. The 15th 'Rising Star' for Munnings, who was named one himself in his 2008 Saratoga unveiling, Blueberry Hill is the third winner from four to race out of GIII Pure Romance Bourbonette runner up Sloane Square (Giant's Causeway) who last RNA'd for $375,000 at KEENOV in 2015. Out GI Matron Stakes winner Marylebone, herself a $725,000 KEEESEP yearling who raced for owner Michael Tabor and trainer Todd Pletcher, the mare is a full-sister to stakes winner Bow Bells and to the dam of MGSP Hug and a Kiss (Thewayyouare). She is also a half to the dam of Kent Stakes winner and GIII New Kent County Virginia Derby third Desvio (Yoshida {Jpn}). Sloane Square has a 2-year-old full-brother to Blueberry Hill and a yearling filly by Uncle Mo. She returned to Munnings for 2025. #5 BLUEBERRY HILL ($8.80) ran away with the sixth race at @GulfstreamPark. The three-year-old filly by @CoolmoreAmerica's Munnings broke her maiden under Jockey @iradortiz for trainer @PletcherRacing. pic.twitter.com/F0PNLHERmm — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) January 30, 2025 6th-Gulfstream, $70,000, Msw, 1-30, 3yo, f, 7f, 1:23.25, ft, 5 3/4 lengths. BLUEBERRY HILL, f, 3, Munnings 1st Dam: Sloane Square {GSP}, by Giant's Causeway 2nd Dam: Marylebone, by Unbridled's Song 3rd Dam: Desert Queen, by Wavering Monarch Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $42,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart and VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree. O-Michael B. Tabor; B-Chelston (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher. The post Blueberry Hill Sweet In Victory To Be Latest ‘TDN Rising Star’ For Munnings appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Pegasus Day at Gulfstream is one of my most enjoyable days at the races. The melding of great entertainment, world-class horses, and a great vibe shows racing at its best. It is expensive to put on and showcases our sport in the highest light. It is also the most ironic considering the recent announcement regarding the closing of Gulfstream and seeking development absent horse racing. I was perplexed to listen to Belinda Stronach on Pegasus Day speak of the non-compatibility of racing in an urban environment, despite all of the major racetracks worldwide being domiciled in such urban centers, almost without exception. Furthermore, her citing a crowning achievement of her tenure as the exit of Maryland racing was confusing at best. This is not a personal attack on 1/ST Racing, but merely an acknowledgment that avarice and 'land values' are now the driving force of the company, and not the future of Thoroughbred racing. Contrary to the ethos of founder Frank Stronach, whose goal was to place corporate holdings into a trust to preserve and protect racing, the properties are now meant to be used for their 'highest and best use.' The interpretation of such is that return on investment and profitability are primary motives and the acknowledgment that we do not meet this standard has been settled within the corporate ranks. It is incumbent upon all stakeholders to recognize this new reality and plan for a future without 1/ST Racing. Our 'partner' seeks a divorce and we can and must protect our interests post-divorce. Without a concession that allows for racing and development to co-mingle, we have no future at Gulfstream, nor at Santa Anita. To date, we have an unwilling 'partner' and the inexorable march to the inevitable closure of both stares back at us. The above racing properties have always had a higher and best use as urban density if your determination is that of profitability and land value versus a recognition that' we' bought racetrack properties in urban environments and their purpose is that of Thoroughbred racing. That is their tradition and a disregard for the impact these closures will have upon our industry is callous and self-centered, absolving any responsibility to the business that created this windfall opportunity, as well as to the chaos it thrusts us into through the loss of two iconic and historically important racetracks. We must negotiate the best divorce we can and I implore those parties that can and do have influence to align in order to create permanence and a certainty for our sport. The idea that 1/ST Racing would exit the racing business, then consider building another racetrack to reenter a business they just exited defies credibility. Suspend reality for a moment and accept the statement as true. If so, we are certain to face the same scenario once again when this new location becomes too valuable to conduct racing. We cannot accept decoupling in Florida and build our own gallows. Accepting the casino license committed Gulfstream to offer horse racing as a primary premise–not an arbitrary premise that they can eliminate for further profit. The same goes for horsemen's rights and the independence of a horsemen's group to protect their interests independent of the racetrack. The idea that a 'horsemen's group' would support or be neutral on the issue of decoupling suggests either collusion or an inability to understand any semblance of a fair deal. To give up more than six million annually in purse enhancements in return for a promise of three years of racing challenges the absurd, despite any corporate help offered during this time frame. If the threat of a reduction of racing dates and the inevitable retribution of any who opposed decoupling comes to fruition, so be it. Horsemen are tough and resilient; these are requisites for the life we live. Please get involved in the fight and do not wait for a savior, as one is not coming to our rescue. No concession without concession, no compromise without compromise must be our united stance. We must determine our own future and bring to bear political influence and the financial resources of individual and industry groups to ensure racing has a home in these important centers. The post Letter To The Editor: Gulfstream, Santa Anita, And Decoupling appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Robert. B. Lewis Stakes (G3) is a Southern California Kentucky Derby prep race that has been dominated in recent years by Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, who has won the last six editions among his 12 victories in this Santa Anita Park race.View the full article

I was feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness May 7, 1984. It was my first day at Daily Racing Form, hired to report on the breeding industry, farm news, and horse sales. At the time, the paper's Midwest offices were located at Keeneland, in fact on the ground floor of the clubhouse in what were some of the original stalls when the track first opened in 1936. I was not long removed from having earned a degree in Journalism from the University of Kentucky, where I was a rare student who requested morning classes. That way, I would not miss a single day of racing at Keeneland. For several years while a student, I was also employed during the race meets by Turf Catering, where I worked in the main kitchen and routinely snuck out to place wagers. A job with Daily Racing Form–which I began reading at age 11–and an office at Keeneland–my favorite place to be–well, life couldn't get much better for a 24-year-old. Until on the first day of employment by DRF I met James E. “Ted” Bassett III. Introduced to Bassett, he shook my hand, slapped me firmly on the back, and closed the door to his office so we could chat. “You related to Lance Liebman,” Bassett inquired. “Yes sir, first cousin,” I informed him. “Worst damn decision I ever made,” Bassett said, laughing. I knew the story … and Bassett would devote two pages to it in his autobiography, published in 1999. In 1958, my cousin Lance was about to graduate from Frankfort High School. Having applied to Yale, he was required to be interviewed by a Yale alum … in his case, Ted Bassett. Bassett informed the school he thought Lance, being from a small town in Kentucky, might not adjust well to life at Yale. Luckily, Bassett recounted in his book, the school ignored his recommendation. Ted Bassett celebrates his 95th Birthday during the Keeneland Fall Meet in 2016 | Keeneland/Photos by Z The day I met Bassett, he reeled off my cousin's accomplishments: graduated summa cum laude from Yale; M.A. in history from Cambridge; magna cum laude from Harvard Law School; law clerk to Supreme Court Justice Byron White; worked as assistant to New York Mayor John Lindsay; professor and later Associate Dean of the Harvard Law School; Dean of the Columbia School of Law; Director of the American Law Institute. Ted Bassett and I had an immediate and life-lasting connection. About 20 years ago, I informed Ted that Lance and his wife, Carol, were going to be visiting our farm near Frankfort. Bassett surprised Lance by showing up for lunch and the two of them spent a wonderful afternoon reminiscing. As we were leaving his office that Monday in 1984, Bassett turned around and took a key from his office desk. “You will find your job is not Monday to Friday, nor is it just during regular working hours,” he said. “Here is a key to the Keeneland offices so you can always have access to the library.” The Keeneland Library, arguably the best of its kind in the world, was then housed at the end of the second floor of the track's general offices. I routinely used its extensive collection of materials to research information for stories and columns. Over the years, I had countless conversations, discussions, track kitchen breakfasts, etc., with Ted Bassett. About six months after I was hired at Daily Racing Form, the office chief, the late Logan Bailey, informed me I had one of only six votes for the Eclipse Award winning breeder (today, all voters choose the breeder as they do all the other categories). Actually only five ballots were cast because the head of the committee, Bassett, would poll the voters and his vote was never required. Logan and I would do considerable research each year of the leading breeders, which we would share with the other voters. When we had chosen the winner we would also meet with Bassett to discuss our choice. Ted always thanked us for our tireless efforts in making the difficult decision of who stood out that year among the many breeders and breeding partnerships. My late father always told me during this journey we call life, you will encounter many people, but only a few will truly have a lasting impact. For me, Ted Bassett was one of those people. I once asked Ted why he always used “we” when describing something that had happened … never “I.” His explanation took 30 minutes. Basically, however, it was that anything one accomplishes only happens because of the work of others. A simple lesson, but one I have followed … and still do. Every text or email sent about my business says “we will do this,” or “we will do that.” As part of my duties for Daily Racing Form, I wrote an advance and recap of every sale session for Keeneland and Fasig-Tipton (as well as Kensington when it was holding auctions). One year I was walking through the Keeneland sale pavilion during one of the final sessions of a two-week September marathon. “Come outside with me,” Bassett said, grabbing my arm. We exited the front of the pavilion and walked down to the lower parking lot. “See all those trailers,” Bassett said. Before us were parked dozens of two- trailers, three- trailers, and four-horse trailers. Ted Bassett | EquiSport “Look at the license plates,” Bassett said. “Iowa, New Mexico, Kansas, Illinois, Louisiana, Ohio, Texas. “Everyone sees the headlines, the million-dollar yearlings, but it is just as important to us to fill these trailers. We must be here for the consignors selling in the final days and the buyers buying in the final days. If someone drove their trailer here, that trailer needs to leave here with horses in it.” A nugget of Bassett wisdom … and I never thought about a horse sale the same ever again. One year, the National Turf Writers Association (now National Turf Writers and Broadcasters) wanted to add a writing competition for stories written about the Breeders' Cup races. I was asked to approach Bassett with the idea, Ted having then left Keeneland's active management team to serve as president of Breeders' Cup. He loved the idea and agreed to support it wholeheartedly, even offering to attend the group's annual dinner and present one of the awards. One year, I received a call from Bassett. He could not attend that year's NTWA banquet. I told him I was upset, that he said he would always support us. “We've never had a cross word, but we're about to,” Bassett said. I knew I was in trouble. “I've been invited to a dinner that same night with the keepers of the stud books of every major country that breeds Thoroughbreds,” Bassett said. Before he could say more, I began apologizing. When I spotted him at the Breeders' Cup, I was ready to apologize more. Ted saw me striding toward him. He smiled, shook my hand firmly, and slapped me on the back. Anyone who ever met Ted Bassett knew of his Marine background, a flag he proudly waved until he died Jan. 23 at age 103. It was as if he never left the service, because he always gave you a strong handshake and then slapped you hard on the back or shoulder. What I wouldn't give today for one more Bassett smile, one more Bassett handshake, one more slap on the back. I will always be grateful for the sage advice, the private moments, the enduring friendship. The post Letter To the Editor: In Gratitude For Ted Bassett appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Markus Klug, a four-time German champion trainer, will retire on Feb. 28, according to Galopp Online. He has spent 22 years in the role, 13 of them as a private trainer for Gestut Rottgen, before training from Krefeld beginning in 2024. “After 22 years as an owner and public trainer, I have decided to end my active career on Feb 28,” Klug said in a statement released on Thursday. “I started as a self-employed trainer with anticipation and motivation at the beginning of last year. Unfortunately, however, the joy of horse racing has been steadily taken away from me in recent months… “I was already at this point [to retire] in the fall of last year, at that time many confident conversations initially persuaded me to continue. However, since then, announced horses have never come and in return, other horses, which were firmly assured to me, were picked up. That's why my decision is now final and there is no alternative.” The 48-year-old was named the top trainer in Germany in 2014 and 2016-2018. Some of the top horses to have passed through his care including G1 Deutsches Derby heros Sea The Moon (Ger) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) (2014), Windstoss (Ger) (Shirocco {Ger}) (2017), and the latter's half-brother Weltstar (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}) (2018). Diamanta (Ger) (Maxios {GB}) claimed the G1 Preis der Diana for Klug in 2019. He added, “Of course, training will continue normally until the end of February, so that all owners have over a month to plan with their horses in peace. I would like to thank my team, which has taken care of the welfare of the horses with great commitment and heart and soul. My special thanks go to all those who have accompanied me on my way over the last 22 years, first as owner-trainers and then as public trainers, and who have placed their trust in me. I am grateful for the time and the successes I have been able to experience in horse racing. There will certainly be a few more opportunities to comment on this in more detail in the next few weeks.” The post Champion Trainer Markus Klug To Retire At The End Of February appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

His lone try on dirt inconclusive, Di Scola Boys Stable's grade 3 winner He's Not Joking will get another chance to prove himself over the main track in the $265,000 Holy Bull Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park.View the full article

Joe Saumarez Smith is stepping down as the British Horseracing Authority chair with immediate effect due to a deterioration in his health, British racing's governing body said Jan. 30.View the full article

When it was announced by The Stronach Group (TSG) earlier this month that it had the blessing of the group representing horsemen in South Florida to push for the decoupling of the track's racing and casino licenses it looked like TSG had scored an important victory. To have the horsemen on its side would no doubt make it easier to convince legislators to make the necessary changes that would allow the track to focus its attentions on building a new, full-service casino on the track grounds and eventually shut down racing. The agreement was made between 1/ST Racing's Gulfstream Park and the Florida horsemen's group. But rather than solidify the future of racing in South Florida, a can of worms was opened that led many to believe that TSG's main priority was cashing in on the value of the land that Gulfstream sits on and forging a future that did not include horse racing. Many Florida horsemen questioned why its horsemen's group would support decoupling, considering that by doing so they would be giving TSG free rein to shut down its horse racing operation. But what if TSG had to deal not with the Florida horsemen's group, but a new one that was very much anti-decoupling and was ready for a fight to save racing at Gulfstream? That may be exactly what is about to happen. Influential owner and former trainer Carlo Vaccarezza has announced that he is among a group of Florida horseman that has founded the South Florida Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association (SFHBPA), which has the backing of the National HBPA. In virtually every state where there is racing, one group is formed to represent horsemen and that one group is recognized by track management, state government and racing commissions. In order for a horsemen's group to be recognized it must show that it has the backing of the majority of the horsemen competing at that track. Vaccarezza believes he can make that happen and early Thursday morning his group launched a website that includes a link to a petition horsemen can sign saying they want to be represented by the SFHBPA. “We're really afraid that they will go for decoupling and that would be detrimental to Gulfstream Park and to the state of Florida,” Vaccarezza said. “When you consider how many people this industry employs and all the agricultural benefits that come from racing, decoupling and shutting down Gulfstream would be devastating. To save this sport, we need to form a group. The group we have right now is useless. They are not educated on issues like legislation, medication, and all the problems we have. They are in way, way over their heads. Their executive director [Herb Oster] makes statements that are completely, completely off the mark. They don't know what to do.” The SFHBPA website was launched Thursday morning with little fanfare and within one hour 140 horsemen had signed the group's petition. While that may not sound like a lot, Vaccarezza said that whenever the rival horsemen's group held elections for its board and its executive positions usually no more than 200 or 300 people total would vote. He said he had no doubt that his group would be able to prove that it had the backing of the majority of Florida horsemen. Gulfstream Park | Horsephotos “Once we get a good amount, maybe a couple of thousand, we can go to Tallahassee and tell them we are now the group that should be representing the horsemen,” Vaccarezza said. “There are 6,500 members who are eligible to vote or sign a petition. We will go to Tallahassee and tell them there are 6,500 members and we have 3,000, 4,000, 5,000, whatever it may be, that have signed on with our group. We will go to Tallahassee and we will make that change. If the other group is smart and if they really care about saving racing in Florida they should just walk away.” Because Florida does not have a racing commission, it's not exactly clear how the SFHBPA can make that happen. But Vaccarezza said he is confident that there is a road that will lead to his group being recognized as the official representative of South Florida horsemen. He said that he was not ready quite yet to announce who will make up the board of the new horsemen's group and who will take over as the executive director, but promised that he has an impressive group of individuals lined up. “I can't divulge yet who they going to be but it is a dream team,” he said. “When we divulge who the board members are going to be and who the executive director is going to be you are going to say 'wow'. These are real players and smart people. They are the cream of the crop of racing.” While the SFHBPA will, if installed as the horsemen's official representative, fight decoupling and work toward keeping racing going in South Florida, it will have its hands full. TSG is on record saying that it has the legal right to close the track any time that it wants and has said that even if decoupling is passed the only promise it is ready to make to horsemen is that the track will continue to race for three more years. The horsemen do not have a lot of leverage. “We want to be in a position where we can say we are now the official representative of the horsemen and you can rescind everything the former group has said and done,” Vaccarezza said. We are the ones now representing horsemen and we are against decoupling. Belinda Stronach will then have to make the next move.” Vaccarezza said that if decoupling is passed and Gulfstream shuts down, his group will look to open a new racetrack somewhere else in South Florida. “So far as where we could run, there is another possibility,” he said. “Let's put it that way. This is not about a hostile takeover. It is about trying to fix the game here.” The post With Decoupling Threats Casting Doubt On Future of Gulfstream Park, Owner Vaccarezza Pushing For New Group To Represent South Florida Horsemen appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Rigney Racing LLC homebred Buchu (Justify–Flowering Peach {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}), a graded winner over the Keeneland turf course at two and three, has been retired from racing and will be bred to leading sire Not This Time in 2025, according to a post on X from Denali Stud's Conrad Bandoroff. Third in a pair of tries on the dirt to begin her career under the care of trainer Phil Bauer, Buchu–who was bought back on a bid of $275,000 at Keeneland September in 2022–was a troubled sixth in her turf debut at Saratoga in August 2023 before impressively breaking her maiden in her next appearance at Churchill Downs. A convincing winner of the GII Jessamine Stakes 16 days later, Buchu was an even sixth to Hard To Justify (Justify) in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf before calling it a season. Victorious in the GII Appalachian Stakes to kick off her 2024 campaign, she was a sound second in the GIII Regret Stakes two starts later and failed to handle an off track when unplaced in the rained-off Pago Hop Stakes at the Fair Grounds Dec. 28. Buchu, one of three graded winners and seven black-type winners bred on the cross of Justify over Galileo, is the first foal out of a winning daughter of dual Grade III-winning turf distaffer Naples Bay (Giant's Causeway), also the dam of Flowering Peach's full-sister First Minister (Ire), who was victorious in the 2023 G3 Prix Hocquart for Michael Tabor and Andre Fabre. Her great-granddam Cappucino Bay (Bailjumper) counts the outstanding MGISW and top sire Medaglia d'Oro among her four winners. The resulting foal would carry 2×4 inbreeding to Giant's Causeway. Buchu retires with a record of 3-1-2 from 14 starts and earnings of $642,270. Full circle moment as Rigney Racing homebred BUCHU returns home to @DenaliStud where she will start her next chapter as a broodmare. A graded stakes winner at 2 and 3, she will visit Not This Time. pic.twitter.com/ahYWrr417Z — Conrad Bandoroff (@CBandoroff) January 30, 2025 The post Buchu Retired, To Visit Not This Time appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

NEWMARKET, UK — It's not everyday you see an order of nuns at Park Paddocks but the sisters from the Community of Our Lady of Walsingham were a very welcome presence and appeared to be enjoying their outing to Tattersalls. Spotting showing legend Katie Jerram-Hunnable riding around the walking ring on the late Queen Elizabeth's 23-year-old Barbers Shop (GB) was another Tattersalls first and, for the royalists among us, the initials 'ER' on the great chaser's paddock sheet were a poignant throwback. Whether it was the nuns' influence or not is hard to say but bright sunshine blessed the pre-sale stallion parade and RoR Showcase and visitors had turned out in their droves for these two spectacles, which included, respectively, Ascot Gold Cup winner Stradivarius (Ire) and Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Native River (Ire). It was a bit early, even for members of the press desk, to partake of the port on offer at the British EBF-sponsored brunch in the Irish bar but Rae Guest was happy to confirm that it was a nice drop. The general consensus from stallion studs visited over the last few weeks has been that bookings for most bar the top-tier stallions are being slower to roll in this year, and that was a view repeated by a number of those who had brought stallions to Tattersalls for this year's parade. No doubt this valuable chance to see them in the flesh will have made up some people's minds. In the ring, Australian trainer Ciaron Maher made his presence felt, even from 10,000 miles away, when he swooped to buy the day's top lot, Galashiels (GB), through agent Colm Sharkey. How could he not? The six-year-old gelding is after all a son of Australia (GB) and looks to have the ideal profile for Cup races down under. “He has the form and pedigree,” said Sharkey, after bidding 220,000gns for the five-time Godolphin winner. “He will be let down first and will probably head out on the next flight.” It was only last April that Galashiels beat Goliath (Ger) to win the Listed Prix Seymour for Andre Fabre and that form now has a strong look to it with the subsequent G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Goliath ending the year as the co-third-top-rated horse in the world. On a day when nine of the top ten lots hailed from the Godolphin draft, Italian agent Alessandro Marconi was the busiest buyer, signing for 17 horses for the same unnamed client, led by Godolphin's Scarlet Princess (GB) at 130,000gns. The three-year-old daughter of Kingman (GB) and G1 Prix de l'Opera winner Lady Marian (Ger) (Nayef) was placed twice for Charlie Appleby to earn a Timeform rating of 79p. “We were lucky buying here in July, and I recommended this sale as I felt it offered good value – that is why we are here,” Marconi said. “My client operates a large, emerging syndicate and is based in the Middle East. There are some big plans and the horses will be based both in Europe and the Middle East. Once the purchases have finished racing, they could be breeding prospects.” Another of those future breeding prospects is Helen Keller (GB), a three-year-old unraced filly from Godolphin by Night Of Thunder (Ire) out of the G3 Sweet Solera Stakes winner Discourse (Street Cry {Ire}), who was secured for 90,000gns. Marconi, who bought last year's Poule d'Essai des Poulains winner Metropolitan (Fr) as a yearling at Arqana as well as G1 Dubai Turf winner Facteur Cheval (Ire) as a foal, also picked up the three-year-old Modernise (GB) (Frankel {GB}) for 90,000gns on Thursday from Juddmonte. “I have to thank the Tattersalls marketing department for putting Metropolitan and Facteur Cheval on the back of the catalogue – it may have helped with my client,” he said with a smile. Modernise, who was third at Southwell a fortnight ago for Harry Charlton, will head next to France. “He is by a great sire, he is unexposed and he seems as though he will develop into a very nice three-year-old over a Classic trip. Hopefully the ground and racing in France will suit him,” Marconi added. Timmy Hillman signed for the three-year-old filly Paradise Springs (GB) on behalf of Windgates Stud for 82,000gns. From the first crop of Ghaiyyath (Ire), she is a three-parts-sister to G1 Platinum Jubilee Stakes winner Naval Crown (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) made just one start last year. He said, “It's a very good family with Naval Crown under the first dam. It goes back to a good Kilfrush line and there's a lot going on as the dam has a couple of Dubawis to come and is going back to him. “Her half-sister Spring Promise is also in foal to Dubawi. This is a good-looking filly, who was well backed when she ran at Newmarket. Plans are undecided but she'll likely stay over here for now.” With an outlay of 533,000gns for 17 lots, Marconi was the leading buyer of the day while the Godolphin draft, with 36 sold for 1,394,500gns, accounted for more than half the turnover of the opening session. This, along with a healthy clearance rate of 87%, led to a major upturn in the figures when compared to this day last year. From 114 horses sold, the average of 22,013gns was up by 56% while the median more than doubled at 14,500gns. The day's aggregate of 2,509,500gns represented a rise of 74%. The second and final session of the February Sale commences at 10am on Friday. The post Tattersalls Top Lot Galashiels to Join Ciaron Maher appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Michael Guerin Steven Reid isn’t doubting Next Level’s class when he resumes at Addington tonight but he admits he isn’t so sure about his preparation. The smart four-year-old is a $2 favourite in the SBSR Tuapeka Lodge/Russell Nevill Mobile Pace at a meeting that will start earlier than scheduled so it can finish inside daylight hours as Addington beds in its new lighting system. Next Level hasn’t officially raced since finishing fourth in the New Zealand Derby on this track in early December, that form usually an indication a horse is heading to the verge of open class. He has actually tried to start in a race since, lining up at Motukarara on December 29 but was knocked over at the start and deemed a non-starter. Reid says he gave the speedy pacer a 10-day break after that and had only intended on trialling him this week. “But when I looked at the programmes for next week they didn’t really cater for him in a mobile race so I have bought everything forward a week,” says Reid. “He was going to trial but I didn’t get a chance to do that. “I took him to Rangiora for fast work the other day and he worked well so he can win this week but I told the owners he can’t be at his peak.” Reid thinks Next Level will end up edging his way toward the big time but he has struggled with tying up issues with him. “Tying up problems are something I haven’t had much experience with but I have changed his training and think we should be fine now.” While it only contains seven runners Race 4 has plenty of talent, with fast mare Amaretto Franco looking certain to enjoy being back at Addington after not handling the southern tracks during her holiday campaign. She too could be an improver after tonight’s run so for a small field, with questions over two of the better horses, it could be an open race. A horse Amaretto Franco looks set to meet if not next week at some stage this campaign is Princess Meritaten, who was scratched from her engagement at Addington last Friday. Trainer Bob Butt had no choice but to pull her out of the Premier Mares Championship after he treated her for a skin infection but she was back at the trials on Wednesday. “She trialled well and hasn’t missed any work so we will still be all go for the Breeders Stakes next week,” says Butt. “She is unbeaten fresh so maybe it isn’t a bad thing going into next week that way.” Butt has the hottest favourite of the night tonight in Pandemic (R7, No.1) and the five-year-old looks to have found the right race to resume in. “It is not a strong field so he really gets his chance,” says Butt. He also has stable newcomer Imperial Laz (R2, No.1), a recent purchase for huge-spending Australian owner Mick Boots. “His form was okay down south but he doesn’t have a lot of standing start practice so I think he will be better for this outing.” The first race today goes at 3.44pm View the full article

By Adam Hamilton Nathan Purdon’s glamour pair Oscar Bonavena and Don’t Stop Dreaming have settled in well after arriving in Melbourne to take on Australasia’s best on Hunter Cup night at Melton. Brooke Wilkins accompanied the pair on the trip across and Mark Purdon will fly in to take the drives on Saturday night. Nathan Purdon’s confidence varies greatly with the pair. “Don’t Stop Dreaming is not the easiest horse to train or get right for big races because he’s got his issues with his feet and joints,” he said. “I also think the NZ Cup run behind Swayzee took a lot out of him and he hasn’t quite been the same since. He gave it everything he had that day. “The signs have been better in recent weeks and that’s why we’ve sent him across, but the draw hasn’t been kind and it’s a bit of a wait-and-see for mine to see exactly where he’s at. “He showed last year what he can do at his best, but he’s got to prove he’s back at that level.” Don’t Stop Dreaming will also need plenty of luck from an outside front row draw (gate seven) in the Hunter Cup at 10.43pm. He will move into six if emergency Hector doesn’t gain a start. “He’s now reliant on a lot of speed and being able to get the right sort of trip. He’ll need a lot to go right now, but if it does, he’s a top three chance in what looks a very strong race,” Purdon said. In contrast to his weariness with Don’t Stop Dreaming, Nathan Purdon is bullish about Oscar Bonavena’s chances in the Great Southern Star, a race he contested once but that was five years ago. “He’s just a marvel,” he said. “Like Don’t Stop Dreaming, he’s had a lot of issues and has been difficult to train, but for some reason, he’s just been fantastic for the past 12 months. “I don’t think he’s ever been sounder or felt better than he has right now. We’re going there expecting big things from him.” The retirement of Just Believe and absence through injury of Callmethebreeze leaves Oscar Bonavena as the real established star of the Great Southern Star. But the nine-year-old faces a challenge from barrier five in the first and strongest of the two heats at 8.30pm, especially with main danger and recent Inter Dominion winner The Locomotive drawn the pole. “We’d love to win the heat, but on paper it’s not going to be easy and we’ve come to win the final,” Purdon said. “He’s got a stack of gate speed if Dad wants to use it, but I suspect with The Locomotive drawn where he is, he may not want to cut him loose in the heat. “He’s just got so much speed, I’m sure he’ll qualify for the final and then we can hope the draws go our way. “Regardless, he’s just in such a great place at the moment, he’s going to be hard to beat.” Purdon confirmed Don’t Stop Dreaming would stay in Melbourne for Saturday week’s $100,000 Group 2 Cranbourne Cup before a final decision was made on a possible trip to Sydney for the Miracle Mile. “We just want to see how he gets through this couple of Melbourne runs before locking in Sydney,” he said. View the full article

Craig “The Whale” Thompson shares his thoughts on Hawera today. View the full article

Athenian Beauty (Corinthian–I'm Out First, by Allen's Prospect), whose 3-year-old son Speed King (Volatile) caused a 14-1, front-running upset in the GIII Southwest Stakes Jan. 25, is among the latest supplements to the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Winter Mixed Sale to be held Monday, Feb. 3 in Lexington. Catalogued as hip 413 and offered by Taylor Made Sales Agency, the 14-year-old mare is out of a winning daughter of four-time stakes winner and Grade III-placed Im Out First, whose MSW & GSP daughter Im A Dixie Girl (Dixie Union) is responsible for GI Met Mile and GI Los Alamitos Futurity-winning sire Mor Spirit (Eskendereya). This is also the family of GI Toyota Blue Grass Stakes hero Great Hunter (Aptitude). Athenian Beauty is being offered in foal to Caracaro. Also supplemented to the sale as hip 411 is the 3-year-old filly Yatta (Yoshida {Jpn}). Offered by Bluewater Sales, agent, as a racing or broodmare prospect, the dark bay daughter of Final Reward (Arch) hails from the female family of Kitten's Joy, Precious Kitten, Dreaming of Anna, etc. Yatta has placed twice at stakes level, including a third in the 2023 GIII Jimmy Durante Stakes. Also added to the sale are mares in foal to Authentic, Honest Mischief, Jackie's Warrior, and Keepmeinmind. The entries may be viewed here and in the equineline sales catalogue app. Print copies will be available on the sales grounds. The post Dam of Speed King Added To Fasig-Tipton February Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Darley nominations manager Eamon Moloney has shared the high opinion that Charlie Appleby has held Opera Ballo (Ire) (Ghaiyyath {Ire}) in all winter and revealed that the colt's impressive victory at Kempton on Wednesday has resulted in a slew of calls from breeders either side of the Irish Sea booking in mares to his sire. Opera Ballo, who fetched €600,000 at the Arqana August Yearling Sale, won the same Kemtpon maiden that Appleby landed with subsequent 2,000 Guineas hero Notable Speech (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) last year. The wide-margin win, which saw Opera Ballo handed a TDN Rising Star, came after The Padre (Ire) ran out an ultra-impressive winner of a 1m2f maiden at Dundalk for trainer Josh Halley, lighting the touch paper for what turned out to be a memorable day for Ghaiyyath supporters. Moloney said, “Everyone had been so positive about these back-end two-year-olds by Ghaiyyath and it had been somewhat expected that they'd come out at three and start to fulfill their potential, but it's a huge relief when it actually happens. I know that the Godolphin team thinks an awful lot of Opera Ballo and they expect big things. He's started out on that journey in the best possible way.” He added, “But since the sales in December, Charlie has been talking about Opera Ballo. He said he's definitely the best of them [the Ghaiyyaths]. We'd have been devastated if he'd have been beaten yesterday. Charlie has won that maiden a good few times and I think he has one eye on a similar route with Opera Ballo to what last year's winner took. I know the horse took time, but Charlie has always said that the horse showed a lot–he just needed to wait for him to come to himself.” All eyes in the Dundalk maiden earlier in the day were fixed on the Joseph O'Brien-trained Waterford Flow (Ire) (Ghaiyyath {Ire}), who was sent off favourite but could only manage third behind the impressive winner The Padre. Not only is The Padre trained by Halley, but he is also owned by his family, and achieved a Timeform rating of 86 for that impressive debut performance. “The day just got better and better,” Moloney continued. “I was actually watching Joseph's in the Dundalk race and there seemed to be great word on him as well. All eyes were on him–he was a gorgeous foal sold by Ballinacurra Stud–and I'd say he is a decent horse. But as Tom Fogarty said to me about The Padre, 'he hacked up!' He looks a genuinely exciting horse in his own right for the Halleys.” Stanhope Gardens (Ire) remains the highest-rated performer by Ghaiyyath with his hard-fought second to Delacroix (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the G3 Autumn Stakes resulting in a mark of 111. While better has always been expected from the progeny of Ghaiyyath at three, the Darley nominations team dropped the world-class multiple Group 1 performer's fee to €20,000 for the upcoming breeding season, which Moloney says has been well-received by breeders. “He had a really solid book but wasn't full. But since 3.30pm yesterday, everyone in England and Ireland has been on trying to book a mare into him. I would nearly be afraid to look at the list to see how full he is. We didn't need a huge amount more to get him where we want him but he's certainly there now. We like to be at 160 to 170 mares for these stallions that are well able to cover those numbers.” Moloney concluded, “In October last year, people were probably being a little bit harsh on Ghaiyyath. There were some people who were maybe expecting a little bit more from him. We said to ourselves, 'let's make him commercial,' and, from Stanhope Gardens onwards, he had a slew of very good maiden winners in Europe. We probably could have left him at €25,000 but we felt we'd give everyone a chance at €20,000. It keeps it very affordable and everyone who supported him so far are rowing back into him. So hopefully we're looking after the people who supported him.” The post ‘Charlie Appleby Said He Was The Best Of The Ghaiyyaths – We’d Have Been Devastated If He Was Beaten’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Full-year statistics for 2024, released on Thursday by Horse Racing Ireland (HRI), showed increases in the key metrics of attendances, commercial sponsorship and on-course betting. Attendance figures for the first six months of 2024 were 1.5% behind the corresponding period of 2023, which HRI attributed to a combination of bad weather, adverse ground conditions and an extraordinary number of rescheduled fixtures. However, the end-of-year figure of 1.24 million is up 0.5%, with strong returns from the Irish Champions Festival, Listowel Festival, Navan Racing Festival and Christmas Festivals at Leopardstown and Limerick contributing to the growth. Meanwhile, commercial sponsorship in 2024 rose by 7.9% to €6.8 million, with EBF sponsorship totalling €2.9 million (up 7.4%). Total on-course betting, including Tote, rose to €84.1 million, an increase of 4.5%, while bookmaker betting on-course went up by 5.6% to €73.7 million. The end-of-year statistics for 2024 also show marginal increases in the areas of prize-money, racehorse ownership, the owner retention rate and the numbers of horses in training. However, total entries, total runners and average field sizes were slightly behind where they were in 2023. One notable dispersal sale in 2023 contributed to a record figure of €231.5 million for bloodstock sales at public auction and this figure fell back to €197.8 million last year on a more normal schedule of sales. Suzanne Eade, CEO of HRI, said, “The early months of 2024 proved to be very challenging with considerable disruption to the fixture list, but we can be happy that many of the significant figures bounced back as the year progressed. “Wet weather had a telling effect on fixtures and the numbers of entries and runners in the first half of the year, while a remarkable absence of rain for a prolonged period in the autumn certainly impacted on those numbers again as the return of significant numbers of horses to the track was delayed. “However, the overall figures once more show that the Irish racing and breeding industry is strong and facing up to any number of challenges. It was good to see how well the attendance figures held up, despite a number of key fixtures being blighted by the weather, and betting figures recovered well having been behind when the six-month figures were published in early July.” Click here for the 2024 Irish Thoroughbred Racing Industry Statistics Table. The post HRI Announce Increases in Attendances and On-Course Betting in 2024 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The first foal by the Grade I-placed 'TDN Rising Star' Loggins (Ghostzapper–Beyond Blame, by Blame), a colt, was born Jan. 23, 2025, at Endeavor Farm in Midway, Kentucky. The bay is the fourth produce from his dam, Coal Creek Farm's 12-year-old My Heart Goes On (Albertus Maximus), a two-time stakes winner of better than $132,000. Third dam One for You (Dayjur) produced a pair of black-type winners, including the filly Una Palabra to the cover of Ghostzapper's 'Rising Star' son McCraken, and was herself a half-sister to two full stakes winners. “He's a really nice and handsome colt with a great frame and build to him,” said Endeavor Farm's Laura Haag. Bred in Kentucky by Popatop LLC, Loggins fetched $460,000 as a Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling in the summer of 2021 and blew the doors off his rivals on Churchill debut in September 2022, graduating by 8 1/2 lengths while covering the 6 1/2 furlongs in a smart 1:15.87, good for a 90 Beyer Speed Figure. Favored in the GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity when trying two turns for the first time on three weeks' rest, Loggins set a strong early pace and fought on tenaciously to finish a neck second to 'Rising Star' Forte (Violence) while posting a 91 Beyer. Forte would go on to take the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile and champion 2-year-old honors. Loggins was raced by a partnership including Spendthrift Farm LLC, Steve Landers Racing LLC, Martin S. Schwartz, Michael Dubb, Ten Strike Racing, Jim Bakke, Titletown Racing Stables, Kueber Racing LLC, Big Easy Racing LLC and Winners Win. Loggins is standing the 2025 breeding season at a fee of $7,500 at Hill 'n' Dale Farms. The post ‘TDN Rising Star’ Loggins Represented By First Foal appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) announced on Thursday that its chair, Joe Saumarez Smith, has made the decision to step down from his role with immediate effect, having been advised by his oncologist that he has leptomeningeal metastases. Senior independent director David Jones, who has previously deputised for Saumarez Smith, has assumed the role as interim chair of the BHA ahead of the formal handover to incoming chair Lord Charles Allen on June 1. Saumarez Smith, who became chair of the BHA in June 2022, having previously been on the Board since 2014, will continue to remain available to assist with the transition of chair process. He said, “I am very disappointed to step down as chair of the BHA board but, now the cancer has spread to my brain and I have been told that my lifespan is pretty limited, I feel it would be very unfair on horse racing if I did not hand over the reins immediately. “I have thoroughly enjoyed both being on the BHA board for over a decade and being chair for nearly three years. It has been an immense privilege to have such a senior role in a sport I have loved since the age of eight. “I did not want to stay on and make decisions that were potentially open to later challenge if questions were raised about whether the cancer had impaired my abilities. “David Jones will do an excellent job in the interim and I think Lord Charles Allen will do a fantastic job with his highly impressive track record and enthusiasm for the sport.” Brant Dunshea, acting chief executive of the BHA, added, “It is a great sorrow to all of us that Joe has had to step down so suddenly because of his ill health. “He has been an outstanding chair and Board member of the BHA for more than a decade. But more than that, he has been a passionate, dedicated and powerful ambassador for the sport and British racing owes him a huge debt. “Having worked with Joe for more than a decade his wise counsel, personal support, and pure love of the sport will be deeply missed.” The post Joe Saumarez Smith Steps Down as Chair of the BHA 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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