Wandering Eyes

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

Letters to the EditorView the full article

Owing to a donation by James and Shari Ough, prize money for the Thoroughbred Makeover will be increased by $25,000 over the next five years, beginning with this year's event, officials at the Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) announced Thursday. This will allow payouts through 10th place for the new championship format that debuts this year, which welcomes back the top 10 highest-placed horses in the Retiring Racehorse division for a championship round of competition. Total prize money for the Thoroughbred Makeover will increase to $139,000 as a result of the Oughs' donation. “We are so very excited to support the Retired Racehorse Project in its efforts to drive demand for retired racehorses,” said James Ough, an entrepreneur, sports information publisher, former sports broadcaster, and a lifelong fan of the Thoroughbred on and off the track. “Helping to incentivize participation in the Thoroughbred Makeover is an obvious choice, and we look forward to October.” Shari Ough is a racehorse owner and breeder. In addition to expanded prize money, opportunities abound for 2025 participating trainers to recoup some of the expenses of participating in the competition. The ASPCA Right Horse Scholarship will offer reimbursement of stabling and first discipline fees for up to 50 eligible horses adopted from Right Horse partner organizations at a total value of $20,250. The RRP has confirmed the return of the Make the Makeover fundraising campaign, through which trainers can earn back their registration fees; over $9,000 of registration fees were refunded to trainers who met their fundraising goal in 2024. The organization anticipates the renewal of an estimated $30,000 in special awards, and several past connections and aftercare organizations, including both adoption groups and businesses, are offering direct incentives for their former horses that are pursuing the Thoroughbred Makeover. “Bringing a horse through the aftercare phase and into its next career is a significant investment, and without demand from capable riders, the whole aftercare ecosystem will stall out,” said RRP executive director Kirsten Green. “Our staff has been working diligently to secure a variety of opportunities to offset costs for the trainers participating in this process, and we're deeply grateful to Mr. and Mrs. Ough for their commitment to this effort.” This year's Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America, takes place at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington from Oct. 8-11. The post Prize Money For Thoroughbred Makeover To Rise appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez and his wife Leona will be honored with the newly renamed John Hendrickson and Marylou Whitney Award by the New York Race Track Chaplaincy (NYRTC). The award recognizes the couple for their longstanding support of the New York backstretch community and will be presented at NYRTC's 18th Annual Fundraising Brunch to be held Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025, at Saratoga National Golf Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. “Johnny and Leona have demonstrated a deep commitment to the backstretch community and they continue to set a tremendous example for others to follow,” said Ramon Dominguez, President of the Board of the NY Chaplaincy. “We are proud to honor them with this prestigious award.” The annual award was originally known as the Marylou Whitney Award but it was renamed by the chaplaincy after the sudden passing of her husband John Hendrickson on Aug. 19, 2024. “Like his late wife, John had a special place in his heart for the backstretch community and we thought renaming the award in this way was a fitting tribute to his legacy of humanitarian spirit,” Dominguez said. Velazquez, who also serves on the board of directors of the NYRTC, has been an active member of The Jockeys' Guild and currently serves as the co-chair of that body. Leona Velazquez has served on the board of the Belmont Child Care Association and her family has been active for several decades in a variety of backstretch organizations. The post NYRTC To Honor John and Leona Velazquez appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Let's acknowledge straightaway that this cursory look at some (and only some) of the major regional programs can represent little more than a gesture of respect. As a rule, after all, we're talking about stallions that serve an almost exclusively local market, and those that do so best will have a corresponding local reputation that scarcely needs amplifying. Moreover the same caveats apply, here, as to our recent survey of Kentucky options: namely, that the one or two we single out are purely subjective picks; and, above all, that you all know your own mare and what kind of partner will complement her best. That said, everyone needs to salute the great job done by so many farms and horse professionals across the nation, who are meeting the same daily challenges as the famous Bluegrass farms, only with lesser resources. FLORIDA Something definitely seems to be afoot with WIN WIN WIN (Ocala Stud $8,500), whose first two crops have averaged $59,200 and $49,500 at the yearling sales, off a $5,000 conception fee. He lit the fuse with his very first yearling into the ring in 2023, a $150,000 colt at the Fasig-Tipton July Sale. Another son then brought $250,000 at Keeneland September. But then Win Win Win reached astonishing heights when a filly blitzed a quarter in :20 1/5 at OBS in March, prompting no less a judge than Donato Lanni to top the sale at $1.8 million for Zedan Racing. As 'TDN Rising Star' Nooni, that filly duly proceeded to win the GIII Sorrento Stakes-on the very same day that a $12,000 filly, Win N Your In, had become their sire's first stakes winner over at Gulfstream. His sales success had already prompted Win Win Win's book last spring to catapult to 140 from 77, so those paying a higher fee this year can expect plenty of action to keep up the value. His stock should keep consolidating, too: having been seduced into stretching out for the Triple Crown trail, Win Win Win won his Grade I in the Forego Stakes at four. This son of Hat Trick (Jpn) could be emerging from left field in meeting the imperative to repatriate Sunday Silence blood. ROGUEISH ($2,500 Solera) made little impact as freshman in 2023, admittedly from a very small footprint. But it was a different story last year, when he had 11 winners from just 16 starters including stakes scorer Naughty Rascal, who has since got his sophomore campaign off to a great start (awarded the Pasco Stakes). Bearing in mind some of the paydays Rogueish has achieved at the juvenile sales–up to $220,000–and his excellent pedigree, perhaps he flashed something pretty significant in the brief window he was allowed (derailed after a sensational debut). He's by Into Mischief out of a graded stakes winner by the notable broodmare sire Rahy, and has a Grade I-placed daughter of Danzig as third dam. AWESOME SLEW ($4,000 Ocala Stud) came up with a flagbearer from his debut crop when Awesome Strong swept three stakes in the Florida Sire series as an unbeaten juvenile, and from his second emerged Hades to win the GIII Holy Bull Stakes a year ago. A hard-knocking millionaire with a bunch of one-turn Grade I podiums, Awesome Slew's first four dams are all stakes winners (three at graded/group level) and producers. Nine black-type performers from an aggregate 99 named foals is terrific at this level, likewise 51 winners from 78 starters to date, and he's author of a $700,000 home run at the juvenile sales. The genes of NEOLITHIC ($5,000, Pleasant Acres) have been upgraded since his retirement by dual Grade II-winning half-sister Travel Column (Frosted) and he's proved very effective at recycling them, with another excellent campaign in 2024. His 50 winners from 76 starters included 11 black-type operators headed by Grade II-placed Tepin Stakes winner Dancing N Dixie. NEW YORK BUCCHERO ($10,000 Ironhorse Stallions) illustrates the limits to this exercise. His fee would put him close to the bargain basement in Kentucky, yet makes him top dollar in New York. So calling him value depends where you're sitting. But it would be churlish not to acknowledge his body of work to date, now extending to a Grade I winner in Book'em Danno. Though best known as a turf dasher, Bucchero was versatile–also a stakes scorer on dirt, he won at 5 1/2 furlongs and past a mile–and is closely related to another sprinter to have straddled different surfaces in World of Trouble (also a son of Kantharos). His pedigree does have plenty of dirt seeding, so it obviously serves his cause for his first millionaire to have won the GI Woody Stephens Stakes, but his stock is proving highly effective on synthetics. Book'em Danno was among half a dozen stakes winners in 2024 for Bucchero, whose overall aggregate stands at 109 winners from 159 starters. He's moved home more than once, but the direction of travel remains onward and upward, with another three-figure book last spring and a synthetic circuit at Belmont set to greet his NY-breds. Nearly as blatant is the promise of HONEST MISCHIEF ($7,500 Sequel), whose first crop included winners of both $500,000 divisions of the New York Stallion Series at Aqueduct in December. And one of those, who was winning his third black-type prize, had already done his job for his breeders by raising $260,000 as a Timonium 2-year-old. There aren't many stallions anywhere with a pedigree superior to this son of Into Mischief and Honest Lady, Toussaud's daughter by Seattle Slew, and the loyalty of 90 mares when “on the bubble” last spring should maintain this early momentum. SLUMBER ($7,500 Rockridge) has achieved some celebrity as sire of two graded stakes winners from tiny volume–Fluffy Socks just retired but was still going strong at six in 2024, with her fourth graded stakes success and fourth Grade I podium–and he duly came up with an unbeaten stakes winner from his latest juveniles. MARYLAND Great Notion continued to rule the roost in 2024, with a seventh consecutive state championship, but there's a younger gun to watch in BLOFELD ($5,000 Murmur Farm). Gun is the word, too, as the son of Quality Road shares a fourth dam with Gun Runner himself. Blofeld is blowing the doors off in his ratios to date, with eight black-type winners and 16 such performers from just 69 starters to date–58 of whom are winners. His five stakes winners in 2024 included unbeaten juvenile Silver Kiss, whose third black-type success in the Best of Ohio John W. Galbreath Stakes was registered by 11 lengths. Blofeld himself was a model 2-year-old-unbeaten through his Saratoga debut and two starts at Grade II level, including the Nashua by five–and while he evidently had his troubles thereafter, he put it all together for a big number in the GII Gulfstream Park Handicap. So here you have a very commercial track profile underpinned by one of the best families around (dam stakes winner by Storm Cat, granddam dual graded stakes winner), duly hitting impressive percentages through his first four crops. MOSLER ($2,500 Country Life Farm) is another with a resonant profile: a seven-figure yearling by War Front, as half-brother to dual Grade I winner Contested (Ghostzapper), he was a useful dirt sprinter even before switching to turf for his stakes wins. Eight of his 65 starters last year earned black type, including Quint's Brew-who hit a 99 Beyer winning a Laurel stakes by six on his recent reappearance. PENNSYLVANIA Lots of action at Mountain Springs Farm, with the arrival from Kentucky of Enticed and state stalwart Uptowncharlybrown. The latter was accompanied by a horse with lower profile in EASTWOOD ($2,000), but he deserves a second look after mustering 11 winners and three black-type horses from just 15 starters across his first three crops. That's obviously a fragile footprint but he'd be entitled to consolidate. By Speightstown out of a Deputy Minister mare (whose half-sister was Grade I-placed), he was a $240,000 weanling (also changed hands for $800,000 as a sophomore) and, while he owed his graded-stakes podium to a short field, showed legitimate caliber as a smart allowance sprinter. Though rookies seldom represent “value,” you have to love a son of Tapit coming to Pennyslvania with none other than Better Than Honour as third dam. TYSON ($3,500 Stone Jug Farm) was a champion in Canada who ran third in the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup despite a messy trip. He's out of a Smart Strike half-sister to the dam of Arcangelo (Arrogate) (herself by Tapit) and looks potentially well found as a $175,000 auction purchase at Keeneland last November. A strange world we live in, where he can be such an accomplished racehorse and yet valued lower than he was ($250,000 RNA) as a yearling! One young sire that maximized limited opportunity in 2024 was PAT ON THE BACK ($3,500 Bonner Hill), the hardy son of Congrats who won the GII Kelso Handicap. He only had four first-crop starters but two of them ended the year pretty freakishly in running 1-2 in the Wait For It Stakes at Parx. At the other end of the spectrum, the venerable WEIGELIA (private, WynOaks Farm) and SMARTY JONES ($3,500 Equistar) have shared a three-in-four winner ratio through their careers, at six percent stakes scorers to named foals. And while very few mares have lately favored veteran RIMROD ($1,500 Castle Rock Farm), he has come up with one or two decent talents over the years and you wouldn't mind keeping a filly by a Danzig half-brother to Selkirk! LOUISIANA AURELIUS MAXIMUS ($2,000 Red River Farms) has seized the moment with first-crop sensation Secret Faith, who dominated state-breds in her six-for-seven juvenile campaign (entered at Delta Downs Sunday). Most emphatic of her five stakes wins was a 14-length rout at Evangeline Downs in August, but she was again in a different league in the filly division of the Louisiana Futurity. And guess what, her only defeat–by a head, miles clear of the third–was by another daughter of the same sire in Blue Fire. With a third black-type winner from just 18 starters to date, Aurelius Maximus is a most intriguing prospect. Failing to meet his reserve at $625,000 as a yearling tells you plenty about both his physique and page, and he showed glimpses of corresponding ability in a staccato career (fourth in the GI Champagne Stakes, neck second in the GII Fayette Stakes as an older horse). He's obviously throwing a nice type–Secret Faith herself made $75,000 as a yearling, Blue Fire $100,000–and his page would be fully deserving of the Bluegrass: by Pioneerof The Nile out of a graded stakes-winning daughter of A.P. Indy and champion Queena (Mr Prospector). (Meaning that his third dam is… Too Chic!) CALIFORNIA No disguising the challenges faced by this circuit, but that should not allow anyone to underplay the work of GRAZEN ($6,000 Eclipse). It might seem pointless to highlight a state champion, but he remains underrated at ringside and should not be confined to “regional” status in the perceptions of programs operating on a wider scale. Once again Grazen edged out his pricier rival Stay Thirsty for the 2024 title by progeny earnings, from considerably fewer starters, and he continues to show metronomic consistency as a stakes sire. Another seven black-type winners brought him to 26 overall, at 9.4% of named foals, and smart juvenile Sabertooth was desperately unlucky not to become his fifth graded stakes winner. Grazen has been joined in the same barn by his son TOUGH SUNDAY ($2,500 Eclipse) who gave a startling hint that he might be an effective conduit for his genes when just five starters in 2024 included four winners-including two at stakes level! One of those, moreover, has just been disqualified for interference after passing the post first in the Cal Cup Derby. The post Regional Value Sires For 2025 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sam Agars YOUNG CHAMPION - R6 (5) Smart galloper is ready to return to winning ways with the blinkers going on Jay Rooney PACKING HERMOD - R8 (1) Ran the fastest final 200m of the day last start and looks well placed here Jack Dawling ENDEARED - R11 (7) Dominant last-start winner can take another step forward from an inside gate Phillip Woo HAPPY TOGETHER - R4 (2) Classy galloper is poised to strike after a big effort last start Shannon (Vincent Wong) EMBRACES - R9 (3) Won impressively over this C&D last start and looks hard to beat Racing Post Online ENSUED - R4 (6) Returns to his winning trip and can produce a victory with Zac Purton aboard Tom Wood YOUNG CHAMPION - R6 (5) Is knocking on the door and has trialled well with the blinkers onView the full article

A productive week of shopping at Karaka has helped to put up-and-coming horseman Nick Kneebone on a path towards New Zealand’s training ranks. Kneebone made eight purchases under the Patella Bloodstock banner during New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale. He secured five yearlings from Book 1, including a Capitalist colt for $460,000, a Satono Aladdin colt for $400,000 and a St Mark’s Basilica colt for $360,000. He followed that up with another three Book 2 yearlings, signing off with a $125,000 colt by Shamexpress late on Thursday afternoon. Patella Bloodstock’s total spend was $1,680,000 across the five days of the sale. “It’s been really good,” Kneebone said. “We’ve managed to secure eight horses, seven colts and a filly, and we’re really happy with what we’ve come away with. “The plan now is to take them down to Cambridge and get them ready, either to be traded on to overseas or to go into training here.” Nick Kneebone signed for Lot 1082 on Thursday, a colt by Shamexpress Photo: Megan Liefting That is a part of the thoroughbred world that Kneebone himself is keen to become immersed in. The 27-year-old is a son of long-time auctioneer and NZB’s director of business development Mike Kneebone, but he has also gained valuable experience in stables across the Tasman. “I spent seven years at Randwick with John Sargent, and then had a stint with Jim and Greg Lee as well. “I’m happy to come here now and give it a crack at a time when it looks like New Zealand racing is on the up. The prize-money increases have been great news for the industry here in recent times and I’m very keen to be a part of it.” Kneebone’s initial target is to prepare some horses for the Ready to Run Sale at Karaka in November. “To kick things off, I think it’s a good idea to trade a few horses,” he said. “I’ll get them ready for the Ready to Run Sale, see how that goes and then take it from there. “I’m hoping to have a property in Cambridge locked in soon, ideally around late March, when the horses are getting broken in and we’ll be looking to start getting them up and running.” – NZ Racing Desk View the full article

After a 14-month absence from the racetrack, It’s Business Time (NZ) (Turn Me Loose) is ready for her return. The Mark Walker stable has decided on a softer first-up for It’s Business Time when the New Zealand mare makes her long awaited racetrack return. Having also been entered for the Group 3 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes (1200m) on Saturday’s Sandown card, It’s Business Time will instead run in the John Moule Handicap (1200m) and bypass a meeting with stablemate Quintessa (NZ) (Shamus Award). Walker’s assistant-trainer in Melbourne, Ben Gleeson, said the decision was based on where the mares are at ratings wise while also noting It’s Business Time had not raced in 14 months. It’s Business Time came to Melbourne to compete last spring, but a number of niggling issues stopped her from starting. “She had an eye issue that come out of nowhere,” Gleeson said. “She hasn’t had a lot of luck since being here, but her owners have been patient, especially as she was up and winning a few a jump-outs and showing that she would have been a spring contender. “She’s been off a long time now, hence she’s had three jump-outs. She’s won two of them impressively, but it will be a big effort if she can win first-up, 60 kilos, off a 14-month break. “She can run a good race, but I think she will be better when she gets to 1400 metres and a mile.” It’s Business Time has won six of her 10 starts, with three minor placings, and Gleeson said the move to Melbourne was about taking the next step. “She came over Stakes placed in New Zealand, and it was all about making that step up over here,” Gleeson said. “If she can run a big race, it will open her up to the Mannerism Stakes and those mares’ races over 1400 metres to a mile over the autumn.” Gleeson is looking forward to the return of Quintessa in the Bellmaine Stakes and hopes she can continue her excellent first-up record. Quintessa won the Group 3 Cockram Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield first-up last campaign. “She’s built up really well and has followed a similar path to last preparation when she won first-up which a lot of people didn’t expect,” Gleeson said. “First-up she’s had four starts, won three and run second once, and at 1200 metres, she’s had four runs and run second. “She’s got very good credentials, but she’s probably going to be ignored in the market because of her big weight.” View the full article

A productive week of shopping at Karaka has helped to put up-and-coming horseman Nick Kneebone on a path towards New Zealand’s training ranks. Kneebone made eight purchases under the Patella Bloodstock banner during New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale. He secured five yearlings from Book 1, including a Capitalist colt for $460,000, a Satono Aladdin colt for $400,000 and a St Mark’s Basilica colt for $360,000. He followed that up with another three Book 2 yearlings, signing off with a $125,000 colt by Shamexpress late on Thursday afternoon. Patella Bloodstock’s total spend was $1,680,000 across the five days of the sale. “It’s been really good,” Kneebone said. “We’ve managed to secure eight horses, seven colts and a filly, and we’re really happy with what we’ve come away with. “The plan now is to take them down to Cambridge and get them ready, either to be traded on to overseas or to go into training here.” Nick Kneebone signed for Lot 1082 on Thursday, a colt by Shamexpress Photo: Megan Liefting That is a part of the thoroughbred world that Kneebone himself is keen to become immersed in. The 27-year-old is a son of long-time auctioneer and NZB’s director of business development Mike Kneebone, but he has also gained valuable experience in stables across the Tasman. “I spent seven years at Randwick with John Sargent, and then had a stint with Jim and Greg Lee as well. “I’m happy to come here now and give it a crack at a time when it looks like New Zealand racing is on the up. The prize-money increases have been great news for the industry here in recent times and I’m very keen to be a part of it.” Kneebone’s initial target is to prepare some horses for the Ready to Run Sale at Karaka in November. “To kick things off, I think it’s a good idea to trade a few horses,” he said. “I’ll get them ready for the Ready to Run Sale, see how that goes and then take it from there. “I’m hoping to have a property in Cambridge locked in soon, ideally around late March, when the horses are getting broken in and we’ll be looking to start getting them up and running.” – NZ Racing Desk View the full article

By Brigette Solomon After a year on the sidelines with a shoulder injury, junior driver Alicia Harrison is excited to finally be returning to the drivers’ ranks at day one of Hawera’s grass track meeting on Friday. “It’s been exactly 12 months since I’ve driven at the races with last year’s Hawera meeting being the last I drove at and I’m really looking forward to getting back out there,” says Harrison. The 28-year-old, who is employed by Steve and Amanda Telfer at their Ardmore stable, had been off to a good start in the 2024 season having posted two winners and multiple placings from just 26 starts. However, an unfortunate incident at work one morning resulted in serious damage to her right shoulder. “I was leading a young colt and he got a fright and leapt forward dragging me with him as I hung on to him,” says Harrison, “basically it damaged the cartilage in the shoulder socket and tore a ligament that helps move the arm up and down. The surgeon said it was basically partially dislocating constantly and surgery was the only option to repair it.” With a waitlist of a few months, Harrison had her surgery in May and confirms it has been a success after a long recovery period. “After the surgery it was straight into physiotherapy every week, and it wasn’t until about November that I was allowed to begin doing light duties and get back to some normality although I didn’t start driving horses again until a few weeks ago,” said Harrison, “I’m now fully back into trackwork and trials and my shoulders feeling strong again.” Harrison has three drives, including Iron Brigade who starts in the Taranaki Steelformers Stratford Cup Handicap Pace (3.35pm). “I think he’s a pretty good chance provided he steps away well from the stand, he had no issues at trials last week and won his heat nicely,” says Harrison. “He’s had a bit of a freshen up since last racing but was racing some nice horses and going well in December.” The four-year-old by Art Major put in some solid performances at Alexandra Park last month finishing third behind Duchess Megxit in the three-year-old Golden Gait Final on December 20 and third again on New Years Eve beaten only a head by race winner Invisible. In heat two of the Hygain Revell Douglas Memorial Series, Harrison drives Akatea (5), one of two Telfer trained runners in the field, the other being Lewey Maguire (6). Harrison is a previous winner of the series, taking out the inaugural running in 2022. “Akatea looks well placed in this field and has previously been racing in some nice fields,” says Harrison, “she’s best driven for one run so I’ll be looking for a sit today and she’ll hopefully have too much speed for them in the finish.” The Art Major mare had mixed form throughout December finishing a solid fourth in the three-year-old Golden Gait Final, followed up by a well beaten fifth place some 10 lengths off the winner in the Sires Stakes Fillies & Mares Classic on New Year’s Eve. “She’s another that has been freshened and will likely benefit from the run today but I’m looking forward to driving her as we have a good record together for a win and a few placings.” Harrison also drives the Danielle Green trained Shirley Bassey in Race 5, the Silver Fern Farms/Carrfields Livestock Mobile Pace. Racing action gets underway on Friday at 12.13pm View the full article

Veteran handler rates consistent galloper ‘a better chance this time’ in Group Three feature on Lunar New Year card.View the full article

What Ascot races Where Ascot Racecourse – 71 Grandstand Rd, Ascot WA 6104 When Saturday, February 1, 2025 First Race 11:19am AWST Visit Dabble Ascot will host a massive 11-race meeting this Saturday afternoon, with the opening event scheduled to jump at 11:19am AWST. With hot and dry conditions forecast for the rest of the week, expect a Good surface throughout the day. The rail will be in the +7m position for the entire circuit. Best Bet at Ascot: Bonjoy Bonjoy has been impressive in both of her last two victories, claiming the Listed Starstruck Classic by a narrow margin before recording a dominant win over 1500m last start. The Jason Miller-trained mare has compiled a formidable record, with 10 wins and four placings to her name from 17 starts, and she is racing in career-best form. If Clint Johnston-Porter can replicate his ride on Bonjoy from last start against a similar field, she will prove too good once again. Best Bet Race 10 – #3 Bonjoy (6) 5yo Mare | T: Jason Miller | J: Clint Johnston-Porter (56kg) Next Best at Ascot: Stormageddon Although Stormageddon only has two wins from 16 career starts, the Michael Grantham-traned gelding has been racing very well of late, recording three straight placings. Previously, the son of So You Think stormed home from the back of the field over 2100m to finish a narrow second behind stablemate Noteworthy. The +190 with Picklebet isn’t a massive price to find out if Stormageddon can break his run of outs, but if he produces a similar performance, he will prove hard to beat. Next Best Race 6 – #7 Stormageddon (1) 4yo Gelding | T: Michael Grantham | J: Clint Johnston-Porter (55kg) Best Value at Ascot: Ruler Rocket Ruler Rocket has started to find some form this campaign, following two top-four finishes in his previous three starts, with his last start being the best of those. The Bruce Watkins-trained gelding was made to travel three-wide without cover throughout the 1200m journey but still battled on gamely to finish third, beaten 1.1 lengths. With the aid of Brayden Gaerth’s 2kg claim and a class drop for this run, Ruler Rocket gets his best chance to record his first win of the preparation. Best Value Race 7 – #1 Ruler Rocket (9) 5yo Gelding | T: Bruce Watkins | J: Brayden Gaerth (a2) (60.5kg) Saturday quaddie tips for Ascot races Ascot quadrella selections Saturday, February 1, 2025 1-2-3-7 7-8-10 3-4-6 2-3-7-8 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Rich Hill Stud stallion Satono Aladdin has provided the headline acts of Book 2 of Karaka 2025, siring the highest-priced lots on both Wednesday and Thursday. Less than 24 hours after topping the sale with Brighthill Farm’s $260,000 filly out of Sparkling Rose late on Wednesday afternoon, Satono Aladdin took top billing again with two six-figure sales in the final hour of day two. The top price of the second day was $150,000, which John Foote paid to secure Lot 1079. The colt was offered by Libby and Sam Bleakley’s Highden Park and is out of the High Chaparral mare High Esteem. Coming from a renowned family built up by Glenn and Lisa Morton, High Esteem is out of the winning Black Minnaloushe mare Black Bijou, who is a half-sister to the outstanding Prized Gem. Herself a Group One winner on both sides of the Tasman, Prized Gem made just as much impact at stud as the dam of Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m) winner and sire Nom Du Jeu, plus Group Two winner Jeu De Cartes and stakes performer Warp Speed. “I thought he was the nicest horse on the grounds,” Foote said. “He had a fair bit of High Chaparral in him, which is always a great thing. So I was pretty happy to get him for that price, actually. He comes from that very good Prized Gem family. “He was bought for David Price and will be going to Victoria and then potentially to Hong Kong. “John Thompson has got a good stallion on his hands with Satono Aladdin. He’s blessed, John. He’s got Proisir, Shocking and Satono and Ace High doing well too, so he’s on fire.” Thursday’s top lot continued a productive couple of days for Foote, who led the buying bench with half a dozen purchases on the opening day of Book 2 on Wednesday. “It’s been a bit tough on the second day actually, we got beaten a few times earlier in the day and then we managed to buy two this afternoon,” he said. “We also bought a Vadamos colt from Haunui (Lot 1030) for $70,000. He has a nice pedigree. He’s probably a horse you wouldn’t expect to buy for Hong Kong, but he was just a very good-looking colt and with a bit of pedigree too.” It was just the latest in a long line of successful Karaka sales for Foote, who has been attending the sale for close to four decades. “I’ve just been told Karaka opened in 1988, and I’ve been here since then,” he said. “Before that, I went to Trentham. “I love Book 2. There’s some really nice horses at the right price. I think it’s a pity there aren’t more. Some of the horses that they take to Australia should be left here. I think they’d do well.” Satono Aladdin’s other high-priced yearling on Thursday afternoon was Lot 1061, a colt out of the five-time winning Denman mare Gerda was knocked down to Universal Bloodstock for $140,000. He was offered by Seaton Park. Another late highlight of the Book 2 session on Thursday afternoon was Lot 1082, a Shamexpress colt out of the winning High Chaparral mare High Tail It. The colt was offered by Windsor Park Stud and was bought by Patella Bloodstock for $125,000. The four yearlings by Shamexpress offered in Book 2 averaged $97,500 as the exciting Windsor Park Stud stallion continues to make waves. “He is a lovely horse and is very much in the style of Shamexpress,” Windsor Park Stud’s Rodney Schick said. “It’s great that he was purchased by a top young horseman in Nick Kneebone, who is coming back to train in New Zealand. “He is a great coloured horse, with lovely markings and he was a bit of a standout. Shamexpress had only small representation, but statistically is a high-class sire and when you leave a brilliant racehorse like Ka Ying Rising it is a lot easier to sell them.” View the full article

Next week’s Legends Day at Te Rapa will have a strong international flavour, with Sydney trainers Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald set to tackle the meeting’s two Group One features with a pair of high-profile runners. Promising three-year-old Bosustow is set to tackle the $500,000 Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) following his last start victory in the A$3 million Magic Millions 3YO Guineas (1400m), while Group One performer Numerian will head into the $700,000 Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) in a fresh state after finishing runner-up in the Gr.2 Ted Van Heemst Stakes (2100m) at Ascot last month. Bosustow is developing a burgeoning record for his connections, which includes Victorian thoroughbred nursery Rosemont Stud, and a Group One victory would go a long way in securing the colt’s stallion career at the farm. His record already boasts placings in the Gr.1 J.J. Atkins (1600m), Gr.2 Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m), Listed McKenzie Stakes (1200m), and Listed The Amanda Elliot (1400m), and his trainers would love to add a breakthrough stakes win to his name. “Bosustow was excellent (in the Magic Millions 3YO Guineas),” Archibald said. “He has been in good form, and it was nice to deliver on a good day like that at Magic Millions and hopefully he can hold that form and improve a little bit. “Stepping up to Group One company is a big ask but we feel like the horse is going as well as he can, and he will give it a good shot.” The son of Blue Point will continue his association with Australian jockey Josh Parr, who is no stranger to success in New Zealand, partnering Captured By Love to her victory in the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton in November. “Josh Parr has ridden Bosustow in his last couple of races and he has done a really good job, and he was keen to stick with him,” Archibald said. Seasoned campaigner Numerian will cross the Tasman for the first time in a bid to score his Group One win in the Herbie Dyke, and the nine-year-old gelding’s trainers are pleased with his progress ahead of his New Zealand debut. “Numerian is great. He had a jumpout at Pakenham on Tuesday and he is travelling over tonight (Thursday),” Archibald said. “He is in good order, he ran really well in Perth, and the 2000m is just about his sweet spot. He should be fit and ready to go, and we have been really happy with him.” The son of Holy Roman Emperor has been a standout for his connections in his 48 career starts to date, winning seven races, five of those at stakes level, and placing on 10 occasions, including the Gr.1 Australian Cup (2000m) and Gr.1 Doomben Cup (2000m), and has earned nearly A$3 million in prizemoney. Victory in next Saturday’s Herbie Dyke Stakes would tip him over that threshold, and New Zealand’s growing prizemoney, along with the elite-level status of their corresponding races, are the major driving factors for the trip across the Tasman. “The stake money is fantastic in New Zealand,” Archibald said. “There has been a big boost over the past 12 months. We are excited to be part of it and a Group One there for Bosustow could potentially be very valuable on his CV. It is great racing. We were over there for the Karaka Millions raceday, which was fantastic, and we are excited to be a part of it.” Numerian will be partnered for the first time on raceday by visiting British hoop Harry Davies, who has aligned himself with the Neasham/Archibald barn on his stint down under. The 20-year-old jockey has 10 stakes victories to his name already, including a Group Two victory aboard Arabian Dusk in last year’s Duchess of Cambridge Stakes (1200m). “Harry is doing a bit of a stint with us here in Sydney,” Archibald said. “He has got a relationship with the ownership of Numerian and they were keen to put him on. “He is a good young rider. He rode him in his jumpout the other day, so hopefully he gives him a good steer.” While in New Zealand for the meeting, Davies’ rides will be managed by Michael Coleman, who can be contacted on 027 285 5212. Archibald said it will just be a hit-and-run mission for the pair at this stage but hasn’t ruled out targeting further New Zealand options. “At the moment, we are just targeting those races, but we will see how we go,” he said. “If they ran well and a few other opportunities present themselves, then there would be no reason not to push on, but at the moment they are very much going for those two.” Meanwhile, the stable was active at New Zealand Bloodstock’s Book 1 Yearling Sale at Karaka earlier this week where they secured a handful of yearlings for a total spend of $555,000. “We went over there to try and buy some typical New Zealand types that can come back and target our Oaks and Derbys over here,” Archibald said. “We like buying from New Zealand, we have had good success with some of the horses in the past, and we are really pleased with the purchases we made.” View the full article

Classy mare Pearl Of Alsace (NZ) (Tavistock) will have an opportunity to get back in the winning groove at New Plymouth on Saturday, tackling the Gr.3 Denis Wheeler Earthmoving Taranaki Cup (1800m). Earlier in her career, Pearl Of Alsace was near-unstoppable winning six of her first nine starts, including the Gr.3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m), and a Group One placing in the Livamol Classic (2050m). The daughter of Tavistock had just 13 appearances on the board entering her six-year-old term, where aside from a narrow second in the Gr.2 Tauranga Stakes (1600m), she hasn’t been in her typical firing form, albeit competing consistently at the top level including a close-up finish in the Gr.1 Thorndon Mile (1600m). Shaune Ritchie, who trains Pearl Of Alsace in partnership with Colm Murray, believes his mare will benefit from a number of factors in Saturday’s contest. “Her form on paper doesn’t read that well, but she’s been racing in the elite company at Group One level and this is a significant drop back,” he said. “I think the set weights and penalties really suits her. “She started off her career as a fantastic mare who didn’t know how to how to lose, but this prep, she’s probably been about 10 percent below her best, which is enough to be punished at that Group One level. I think the drop back to Group Three, stepping up to 1800m and getting weight off horses that she is certainly as good as will be an advantage. “If they are getting that little bit of rain that is forecast, that will only aid her chances even more. “From gate four, she’s going to be extremely hard to beat, but we just want to get her back winning again. I’m pretty sure that when she does, she’ll get her confidence back.” Pearl Of Alsace had initially scanned in foal earlier this season, but then came back negative on the second scan, meaning the stable is able to race her until she heads to the broodmare paddock at the end of the season. “She’ll be off to the broodmare paddock next year, but fortunately for us, it leaves a few more doors open for Sir Peter (Vela, owner) and the stable to gain some more black-type with her, such as on Saturday,” Ritchie said. Joining Pearl Of Alsace on the journey south will be Eye Candy (NZ) (Darci Brahma), a three-year-old filly contesting a competitive Listed Grangewilliam Stud Oaks Prelude (1800m). Eye Candy collected her maiden comfortably at Ruakaka in December, but had little favours when finishing back in the field in the Listed Gingernuts Salver (2100m) last start. “She didn’t have a lot of luck in the race, she was trailing the leader and tried to poke out through the inside, where the leader lay around a little bit,” Ritchie said. “It was a bit of an inconclusive run. “This is a hot Oaks Prelude field, probably the strongest this Taranaki race has come up in some time, it sits really well in the calendar. It’ll give us a good guide as to whether we press on to an Oaks (Gr.1, 2400m) prep or not, she’s indicated that we think she’ll get over ground, but she’s got to prove that to us and the 1800m is that niche area for her. “We need to see if we’re worthy of pressing on, which this race will tell us.” Closer to their Cambridge base, Ritchie and Murray will be represented in the Gr.3 Colin Jillings 2YO Classic (1200m) at Ellerslie by debutant Tajana (NZ) (Darci Brahma). While Ritchie acknowledged the stiff challenge presented by hot-favourite Return To Conquer, he sees the race as a chance for his filly, owned by The Oaks Stud, to gain some valuable early stakes credentials. “The favourite looks clearly the best horse in the race and probably only bad luck will beat him,” he said. “Normally, neither myself or Rick (Williams, The Oaks Stud General Manager) would run a horse in a Group Three at their first start, it’s usually a recipe for disaster. But this filly has shown us a tonne of talent, her trial was extremely impressive coming from last at Matamata and showing some serious determination to get home and win. “I’m not suggesting she can beat the favourite, but it’s very inviting if she even runs second or third to gain that Group Three placing. We would be delighted with that because obviously that’s black-type for the family which The Oaks Stud have retained.” Ritchie has had a busy week at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sales in search of their next string of talent, and after purchasing six yearlings across Book 1 and 2, he is rapt with their purchases. “We’re known to be staying trainers and we want to move that tag a little bit by finding something that can run a little bit earlier,” he said. “We were very keen on the Super Seth filly (lot 655), we think she’s a beautiful mover. The St Mark’s Basilica (lot 269) is our Guineas-Derby colt, he’s clearly the classiest horse we’ve bought, but both the Savabeel and the Super Seth filly, who is out of a Savabeel mare, are going to have residual value and I think we shopped well with all of them. “We’re extremely happy with how little we paid for the quality of horse we got, and with the stake money, I think these horses will be even harder to buy next year, because of the further confidence from Entain making it viable for us to go and spend some money, and knowing we can win it back, which is here to stay for at least the next three years.” An active buyer at several international sales, Ritchie commended the Karaka atmosphere and how it reflects across the remainder of the industry. “I’ve been to Tattersalls, Inglis, and Magic Millions on the Gold Coast, and there is no better complex for inspecting horses than Karaka,” he said. “Seeing the horses walking and the arena itself, the entire thing is second to none. “Having Karaka, then Ellerslie as a world-class racetrack, and the stakes from Entain, all three of those things have really pushed us into international waters, particularly shown by World Pool coming on board for our feature races. “We are able to buy yearlings confidently and promote them properly. It all starts at Karaka, and without Peter and Philip Vela creating this complex in the first place, it wouldn’t be possible.” View the full article

Byerley Park trainers Bruce Wallace and Grant Cooksley will have a three-pronged attack in Saturday’s Listed Fulton Family Stakes (1500m), including a couple of leading lights for Champions Day at the Auckland track on March 8. Exciting stayer Son of Sun (NZ) (Tavistock) and Melbourne Cup runner Trust In You (NZ) (Sweynesse) are being set for the Gr.2 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (3200m) at the feature meeting, and will use Saturday as a starting point for their shot at New Zealand’s most coveted two-mile race. Both horses have been freshened since their last outings at Ellerslie on Boxing Day, where Son of Sun was victorious in the Gr.3 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2400m) and Trust In You was sixth in the Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m), and Cooksley is hoping to see solid performances from the pair this weekend. “Son of Sun had a break after New Year’s Day for 10 to 12 days and he is coming on quite well,” Cooksley said. “He will run a good race and then he will head to the Avondale Cup (Gr.3, 2400m) and then the Auckland Cup. He should run the two miles, he is a nice, relaxed stayer. “Trust In You goes the same way to the Cup. It was a really good run in the Rich Hill Mile, they went pretty slow, and he has got home really well. The only thing with the Auckland Cup is maybe the two miles, but in the Avondale Cup he will be right there.” The stable’s trio of runners in the Fulton Family Stakes will be completed by former Hong Kong galloper Meaningful Star. The eight-year-old gelding is well accustomed to Ellerslie, with all four of his New Zealand starts taking place on the StrathAyr track, scoring two victories, including the Listed Great Northern Challenge Stakes (1600m) in November. The son of Pivotal has also been freshened since his ninth-placed run in the Gr.1 Zabeel Classic (2000m) on Boxing Day, and Cooksley is hoping he can return to form this weekend. “It was a good run (last start),” Cooksley said. “He got caught three and four deep the whole way in a slowly run race. He sprinted home well but just gave them too much ground over 2000m. “There are some nice 2000m races coming up, so we will just see how he goes on Saturday and work from there.” The stable will be represented in the undercard by He’s Classic (NZ) (Rageese) in the Trelawney Stud 1600. “He has been a bit unlucky in his last two or three runs,” Cooksley said. “He hasn’t had the best of runs but he has done well, and up to a mile will suit him a bit better.” Prior to heading to Ellerslie on Saturday, the stable will head to Te Rapa’s meeting on Friday with just the one runner – Staphanos Queen (NZ) (Staphanos) in the Sir Patrick Hogan Karapiro Classic Qualifier (1600m). The four-year-old daughter of Staphanos has placed in two of her five starts to date and Cooksley is hoping for a breakthrough win on Saturday. “She has got a nice draw (2) and should be right there in the finish,” he said. View the full article

Some of racing’s biggest equine names have featured prominently in a key barrier trial session. Ceolwulf (NZ) (Tavistock) has tuned up for his Apollo Stakes return with a superb barrier trial win at Warwick Farm, setting the scene for an exciting autumn carnival ahead. The dual Group 1 victor led throughout in Thursday’s 1000m heat and wasn’t tested to comfortably defeat Via Sistina, who he is likely to meet first-up in the Apollo Stakes (1400m) two weeks from Saturday. Fangirl warmed up late for third, just ahead of 2022 New Zealand Derby winner Asterix (NZ) (Tavistock), who also caught the eye with a sharp performance. The heat was the first of three course proper trials featuring a host of Sydney’s most prominent horses, including Linebacker (NZ) (Super Seth) who finished a solid second to Bacchanalia in what was his second and final public hitout before a scheduled resumption in the Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on February 8. “He did a little bit more today because he’s got to run on Saturday week,” co-trainer John O’Shea said. “He had a burn around to blow out a few cobwebs.” The Group 1 placegetter has returned a gelding after proving difficult to handle as a colt in the spring. O’Shea has seen a noticeable difference in his attitude in the stable and hopes that converts to racetrack performances with the Randwick Guineas among the three-year-old’s carnival goals. “It has definitely made him easier to contend with and it’s a lot safer for my staff,” he said. “But it would appear he’s a happy horse in a good frame of mind.” Kerrin McEvoy partnered Lineback in the trial and will ride him first-up at Randwick. Flight Stakes winner Lady Shenandoah took out the other Group trial with a stylish win over stablemate Switzerland, with Melbourne Cup fourth placegetter Zardozi stretching out nicely late to finish fifth. View the full article

With an eye to the future, the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) is the preferred Classic option for talented filly Hinekaha (NZ) (Savabeel). The Andrew Forsman-trained daughter of Savabeel is on a path toward the Trackside-sponsored feature and will trip south to Saturday’s Taranaki meeting to further her preparation. She will run in the Listed Grangewilliam Stud Oaks Prelude (1800m) at New Plymouth while stablemate and fellow Derby hope Mustang Morgan (NZ) (Preferment) will stay closer to home and line up at Ellerslie. Bred by co-owner Christoper Grace, Hinekaha is the pre-post favourite following her debut victory and placings in the Listed Armacup 3YO Stakes (1500m) at Ellerslie and over that course and distance last time out. “For her, it’s as much about more black type and the timing between races as to where we want to get to,” Forsman said. “The 1800m is a nice progression, so it sets up perfectly for other races we’ve got in mind. “She’s obviously spent time down at Surrey Farm (Bulls), Christopher Grace’s property where she was born and raised so she’s been up and down a few times and travelling won’t be an issue.” Hinekaha has displayed all the attributes to suggest she can a serious contender for higher honours. “I really like her, she’s got a good pedigree and is a lovely type of horse with a good attitude,” Forsman said. “Her ability to switch off and relax in the run will hopefully see her come into her own as she gets over further. “We hope to run her in the Derby via an Avondale Guineas (Gr.2, 2100m). “If she was to be a Sydney candidate, going there off a long trip to Trentham (for the Oaks) would be tough but we are keeping all options open.” To be ridden by Craig Grylls, Hinekaha will be accompanied south by Mr Mojo Risin’ (NZ) (Deep Field) who will make a fresh start in the hands of apprentice Lily Sutherland in the Platinum Homes Open (1400m). “I am really happy with him and he’ll improve, but he has had a couple of trials and has come back a lot bigger and stronger this preparation,” Forsman said. At Ellerslie, Mustang Morgan will run in the Trelawney Stud Handicap (1600m) under Warren Kennedy after they combined to win the Listed Gingernuts Salver (2100m) earlier this month. “I didn’t want to give him too many runs over a middle distance,” Forsman said. “He had a week or so in the paddock after the Salver and he’ll go into the mile in a fresh state and that hopefully sets him up for the Guineas and then the Derby.” The well-performed Moonlight Magic (NZ) (Almanzor), winner of last season’s Gr.3 Championship Stakes (2100m) and Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m) runner-up, will tackle the Victoria Racing Club Handicap (2200m). The Almanzor mare returned to a middle-distance last time out when third in the Remutaka Classic (2100m) and George Rooke will continue his association with the four-year-old. “She got left a bit flat-footed when they sprinted at the top of the straight and the best part of her race was through the line so she’s looking for further and the Avondale Cup (Gr.3, 2400m) looks a nice race for her,” Forsman said. Meanwhile, stablemate Cashla Bay (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) will debut in the Gr.3 Colin Jillings 2YO Classic (1200m) off the back of two recent trials with Joe Doyle to take the reins. “It’s very much a throw at the stumps with her and there wasn’t a lot of other options coming up, the only other two-year-old race in the near future was a long trip to Tauherenikau,” Forsman said. “That would be a tough ask, but she has showed natural ability and does seem like a horse that will perform well as a two-year-old.” View the full article

A $1 million Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) path is on the cards for Waverley filly Twisted Love (NZ) (Vanbrugh) following her debut win in the Agfirst (1650m) at her home track on Wednesday. While Oaks campaigns are nothing new to Thurlow, having trained Beyond The Fort to a runner-up result in the 2019 edition of the Classic, this one will have added sentimental value for the South Taranaki horseman, with Twisted Love being owned by his daughters Emma and Jamie. The siblings purchased the daughter of Vanbrugh out of Seaton Park’s 2023 Book 2 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale draft for $17,000, and Thurlow said they have been impressed with her from day one. “My daughters bought her and they just loved the way she walked,” Thurlow said. “We went through a lot of horses at the sale, and she was just a lovely mover and she fitted their budget. “We have always thought that she was a good horse, but it has just taken a while for her to mature enough, and she is still probably not quite there. She is a big horse, so we have had to be very careful with how we have handled her. “She is the one filly we nominated for the Oaks. We always thought she was an Oaks type of filly so that’s what we will be aiming for.” Twisted Love went into her debut off the back of a runner-up effort in a 1000m trial at Foxton a fortnight ago and Thurlow was confident of a bold showing on Wednesday, and she duly delivered, running home late from the back of the pack to score a half length victory over Girl Talk (NZ) (Zed). “It actually went almost to script because we knew that from gate one at the mile start at Waverley can be very difficult if you are not a really fast beginner, so we knew she would probably get back,” Thurlow said. “Craig (Grylls, jockey) did a really good job, he planned it out pretty well and once she got to the outside, she has got a lovely, big stride and got there pretty easily in the end.” Thurlow said Twisted Love is a very similar filly to Beyond The Fort (NZ) (Niagara), and he will likely follow her blueprint into the Oaks and look for one final mile lead in to the rich Trentham feature. “We will probably just give her another mile somewhere, but we haven’t worked it out yet,” he said. “We won’t be rushing, we have got time, she is a filly that won’t need a lot of racing. “She went into yesterday off a jump out and a trial and was very impressive. We know that we can take our time with her and find a nice race with her.” Thurlow is excited his daughters have a quality filly on their hands, with the sisters enjoying the sport outside of their busy farming schedules. “They enjoy it (racing) and they like dabbling in it,” he said. “They have got their own business where they rear a lot of calves and have got their own farms they run. They are doing well in life.” It was a pleasing day of results for Thurlow, who scored a treble on the eight-race card, with stablemates Rebel Agent (NZ) (Complacent) and Steal My Thunder (NZ) (Derryn) winning the Wanganui Well Drillers (1650m) and Lowe Environmental Impact (1400m) respectively. Meanwhile, he was active at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale earlier this week, purchasing two fillies, both by freshman sire Wild Ruler. Thurlow went to $60,000 to secure lot 624, the filly out of a half-sister to stakes winner Bello Beau, from Mapperley Stud’s draft, and went to the same figure to secure lot 644, the filly out of a half-sister to Group One winner MacO’Reilly, from Ardsley Stud’s draft. “I bought a couple of fillies by Wild Ruler and we are happy with them. We will get them home, break them in and see where we end up,” he said. “He (Wild Ruler) is a Snitzel horse and he is a very good horse. They (progeny) are only yearlings and he has had a good start at Newgate, so he is a real chance.” View the full article