Wandering Eyes

5th-Aqueduct, $90,000, Msw, 11-10, 2yo, 1 1/16mT, 1:43.59, fm, 2 lengths. HIGH BETA (c, 2, Volatile–Tippany, by Tapit) just missed by a head as the heavy favorite at the Meadowlands going one mile Sept. 28. Adding the extra 1/16th Sunday, the even-money chalk raced in the front flight in a ground-saving spot just off pacesetter Reteko (Outwork). Shifted out around the turn past the half in :48.99, High Beta had plenty left when ridden to the front off the far turn and held off a charging group led by Constitution Road (Constitution) to be two lengths in front on the line. The 20th winner for his freshman sire (by Violence), High Beta is out of a half-sister to the dams of SW/MGISP Shoplifted (Into Mischief) and MGSW Imprimis (Broken Bow). Tippany has a yearling colt by Beau Liam and is due to Fulsome next term. Sales History: $57,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP; $150,000 2yo '24 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: 2-1-1-0, $56,700. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Klaravich Stables, Inc.; B-Haymarket Farm LLC (KY); T-Chad C. Brown. #1 HIGH BETA ($4.20) breaks his maiden in the 5th race at Aqueduct. The two-year-old colt by @Three_Chimneys' Volatile was piloted by @iradortiz for trainer Chad Brown. pic.twitter.com/54nNz2xFvK — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) November 10, 2024 The post Volatile Gets 20th Winner As High Beta Wins At Aqueduct appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Emma Berry, European editor at Thoroughbred Daily News, is among the writers shortlisted for the 2024 HWPA Derby Awards, which take place at the Lancaster Hotel in London on Monday, December 2. Berry is nominated in the Specialist Writer of the Year category, along with Lee Mottershead, Tom Peacock and Alan Sweetman from the Racing Post. The shortlist for the Racing Writer of the Year features two previous winners in Mottershead, bidding for a fourth victory, and Peter Thomas, who lifted the trophy in 2022. The pair are joined by a third Racing Post writer, Patrick Mullins, who is nominated for the first time, and the freelance Donn McClean. The shortlist for Broadcaster of the Year features three former winners; Nick Luck, Lydia Hislop and Jason Weaver. The trio are joined in the final five by a pair receiving their second nomination, Adele Mulrennan and Ruby Walsh. As well as having nine wins as Broadcaster of the Year to his name, Luck is bidding for a third successive victory in the Reporter of the Year category. He is joined on the shortlist by Jack Keene of The Sun, Greg Wood of The Guardian and Jonathan Harding of the Racing Post. The post TDN’s Emma Berry Shortlisted for Specialist Writer of the Year at HWPA Awards appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Spendthrift's Tamara (Bolt d'Oro), injured in the Breeders' Cup last fall and unraced in 2024, is expected to make her return at Del Mar this fall, according to her trainer, Richard Mandella. “She's doing good,” Mandella said. “She's ready to race.” A daughter of Hall of Famer Beholder (Henny Hughes), the multiple champion defeated colts in the GI Pacific Classic in 2015 and annexed the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff in both 2013 and 2016. The Spendthrift homebred was tabbed a TDN Rising Star following her career debut at Del Mar in August of 2023 before running off to a six -length victory in the GI Del Mar. Entered her in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies at Santa Anita, she set the pace in the race before fading to seventh place behind winner and ultimate champion Just F Y I (Justify). Following the race, it was revealed that she had sustained a fractured splint bone in her left leg. Tamara, given time off, returned to Mandella this spring and was tested with a couple of two-furlong drills. Everything was pointing in the right direction for a return to the races but Mandella, fearing he was moving too fast with her, backed off, keeping her in light training but skipping the Del Mar summer meet and the Santa Anita autumn meet. A spiked fever also contributed to her delayed return. “Just see that they have their old style back,” Mandella explained when asked what he was looking for her return. “[To have] The same ability. She seems to have that. A lot of good works, so I think we're ready to go.” Mandella had hoped to run Tamara in an allowance race last weekend at Del Mar, but it failed to fill. So, instead he put another work (five furlongs) into her last Friday, and she registered a bullet in 1:01.20. According to the Hall of Fame trainer, he will look for another race at Del Mar before the meet ends on Dec. 1. The post GISW Tamara Nears Return, Set For Comeback at Del Mar appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A colt by Jeu St Eloi (Fr) from Jimmy and Eileen Furlong's Thistletown Stud topped the opening day of the Tattersalls Ireland November National Hunt Sale at €58,000. The foal, who went through the ring as lot 156, is out of the Listed-placed chaser Molly Childers (Ire) (Stowaway {GB}) and was bought by Brian and Eoghan Murphy of Redpender Stud, who signed as Briown. “He is a standout today,” said Eoghan. “The sire has done really well and the mare has black-type, too. Hopefully, he will come back to the Derby Sale. Fair play to the Furlongs–they have done a fabulous job with this colt. He cost us more than we thought, but there was plenty of competition and sometimes you need to stretch for the one you want.” It was a good day, too, for Daniel Berney's Black Gate Farm which was responsible for two of the top five lots. Lot 183, a colt by Crystal Ocean (GB) from the family of Stage Star (Ire) (Fame And Glory {GB}), was sold to Mark Dwyer's Oaks Farm Stables for €30,000, while lot 90, a colt by Order Of St George (Ire), was bought by Mount Eaton Stud for €28,000 (Lot 90). John Hore of Mount Eaton Stud said, “The plan is to come back to the Derby Sale–it is as simple as that! We have had luck with the sire topping the July Store Sale and this chap is a similar type. That was a little bit more than we wanted to give today, but he is the nicest foal here today.” The November National Hunt Sale continues at 10am on Monday. The post Jeu St Eloi Colt Tops First Day of the Tattersalls Ireland November NH Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sarah and Tommy Doyle's Shooting Star Thoroughbreds' Chance It (Currency Swap–Vagabon Diva, by Pleasantly Perfect) will stand at Willow Hill Equestrian in Orange, Virginia in 2025. After standing three years in Florida at Journeyman Stud, an opportunity arose to relocate the multiple stakes winner to Virginia for stallion duties in 2025. His fee for 2025 will be $2,000, live foal, stands and nurses. “We appreciate the dedication and excellent stallion management that Brent and Crystal Fernung and their team provided Chance It at their facility,” said Shooting Star General Manager Mary Lightner. “We evaluated which direction would make the most impact for Chance It as a maturing stallion moving forward and arrived at the decision that Virginia met our criteria best.” Standing in Virginia will allow Chance It to be eligible for the Virginia Thoroughbred Association (VTA) stallion and breeder benefits and incentives. During three seasons on the track, Chance It amassed $583,330 in career earnings winning multiple stakes from six furlongs to over a mile at two, and was named FTBOA Champion 2-year-old in 2019. At three, he won the Mucho Macho Man Stakes and at four was graded stakes placed, finishing third in the GI Forego Stakes and second in the GIII Smile Sprint Invitational Stakes. His first-crop yearlings will soon be 2-year-olds in January 2025. The post MSW and GISP Chance It to Stand in Virginia in 2025 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Michael Guerin The man who could win tomorrow’s $1m IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup has one main question on his mind – Is Merlin better than Akuta? That could be the equation to work out who wins our greatest harness race for Australian superstar of the sulky Cam Hart, who will partner the surprise favourite Swayzee in the Cup at Addington tomorrow. The fact Swayzee is now favourite isn’t a surprise in itself as he is the defending champion and gave the locals a decent old spanking last year. The surprise part comes from him even being in the race as he wasn’t originally nominated and trainer Jason Grimson had to pay a $28,000 late entry fee last Monday to allow him to defend his title. That looks the investment of the season after Leap To Fame pulled out of the Cup on Friday with continued blood report issues, robbing this race of its champion but creating a vacuum that Swayzee will fill as its most-talked about horse. While the late payment was a shock, the preparation itself is just as radical, with Swayzee having cruised to victory in a A$60,000 Country Cup at Young (NSW) on Friday night before being loaded on a Sydney-Auckland-Christchurch plane yesterday. After that wacky week if Swayzee can defend his title it will go down as the wildest back to back NZ Cup double since Wildwood Junior won the New Zealand Cup in both 1909 and 1910 without racing in between. Tomorrow’s Cup looks a lot like the one Swayzee dominated last year, with the locals a good but not vintage bunch with the exception of Merlin and Don’t Stop Dreaming. Last year Swayzee started from the same second line draw he faces tomorrow but was able to get in front of his only real danger Akuta and as soon as he reached the pacemaking role the race was over. Hart, the personable 25-year-old who has become swept almost every major harness race in Australia in the last three years, says he would love a carbon copy of last year’s tactics. “If we can weave a path through them and get around to the lead then he would be very, very hard to catch,” he says. “The race feels very similar to last year and Merlin looks the one to beat but I am not sure he is going any better than Akuta was this time last year. “My horse jogged his win on Friday and as long as he travels over well I think he is at least as good as last year. “So if he beat Akuta I think he can beat Merlin. “I think he will beat the other ones but he hasn’t raced Merlin or Don’t Stop Dreaming.” Whether either of those Kiwis, or less likely anything else, can beat the best version of Swayzee may come down to driver intent. If his rivals let Hart roll to the front in the middle stages maybe they can divebomb him late, particularly as Merlin’s driver Zachary Butcher specialises in the perfectly-timed attack. But in reality if running past Swayzee at the end of 3200m is your pre-race plan, you might need a new one. There is also the chance Butcher or Blair Orange driving Don’t Stop Dreaming might get to the front and decide Swayzee won’t be gifted a yellow brick road to the Addington winner’s circle, forcing him to sit parked and outmuscle them. Hart knows which option he would prefer but says a failed lead bid doesn’t mean defeat. “If he has to sit parked them I am still confident he can put them to the sword when I want and win.” If one of the Kiwi favourites does deny Swayzee the lead they may ultimately lose that battle but it could also leave the big Aussie vulnerable to the other favoured Kiwi or Auckland Cup winner and renowned swooper Better Eclipse. After one of the most dramatic build-ups in the history of this magnificent race, who wins may come down to that decision made in a fleeting moment on the second lap. View the full article

Woodbine Entertainment has cancelled the scheduled race card for Sunday, Nov. 10, as a precautionary measure to prioritize the safety and well-being of the horses and jockeys, the track said in a release early on Sunday morning. The decision was made after consulting with key industry partners, including the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA), the Jockeys' Guild, and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. This follows the cancellation of the final two races of Saturday's card due to safety concerns with the all-weather main track. Additionally, training on that surrface was suspended Sunday morning. Woodbine is currently performing track maintenance and closely reviewing conditions which includes meeting with its consultants. These efforts will continue throughout the day, with racing and training activities set to resume only when it is deemed safe to do so. “The safety of our horses and jockeys is always our highest priority,” said Bill Ford, executive vice president of racing at Woodbine.” In consultation with our industry partners, we have decided to take these precautionary steps to ensure that the track conditions meet the highest safety standards. Woodbine has long been recognized as one of the safest racetracks in North America, and we are committed to maintaining that reputation by thoroughly assessing and addressing any issues.” Woodbine will continue to provide updates as efforts progress and decisions regarding the resumption of training and racing are made. UPDATE: Today's card of Live Racing @WoodbineTB has been cancelled as a precautionary measure to prioritize the safety and well-being of the horses and jockeys. Woodbine is currently performing track maintenance and closely reviewing track conditions with Tapeta consultants. — Woodbine Communications (@WoodbineComms) November 10, 2024 The post Woodbine Cancels Sunday Card As Precautionary Measure appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In scoring her fourth group 1 of the spring, and her sixth overall, Via Sistina showed again she might just be the most astute of the hundreds of purchases brought to Zhang Yuesheng's Yulong in its explosion to life in recent years.View the full article

Eckhard Sauren's ultra consistent Assistent (Ger) (Sea The Moon {Ger}–Anna Kalla {Ger}, by Kallisto {Ger}), who finished in the top four in five prior Group 1 contests, gained compensation for his second in last year's G1 Grosser Allianz Preis von Bayern with a late surge for glory in this year's renewal at Munich. The Henk Grewe trainee, who tuned up for this with a 3 1/4-length tally in last month's G3 Herbst-Trophy at Baden-Baden, employed patient tactics and was anchored in rear until well beyond halfway. Coming under pressure on the turn for home, the 62-5 chance went fifth approaching the quarter-mile marker and stayed on in relentless fashion to deny the Sir Mark Prescott-trained Tiffany (Ire) (Farhh {GB}) by a neck in the dying strides. Last year's G1 Futurity Trophy hero Ancient Wisdom (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}), making his first start since annexing July's G3 Bahrain Trophy, held every chance inside the final quarter-mile and kept on well to finish 1 1/2 lengths adrift in third. “This horse is so close to my heart and to win is great,” said winning rider Thore Hammer-Hansen after snagging a career first Group 1 win. “I am so very happy for my boss Eckard Sauren, who has invested so much into his horses over the years and now finally gets his first Group 1 winner. At first I didn't think Assitent would make it from where he came from, but he gave his all and delivered beautifully.” Owner Eckhard Sauren added, “I am lost for words, what a race and what a fight. I never thought we could win such a strongly contested race, and it was so close, but this horse has got such a big heart. He was awesome.” Retirement now beckons for the winner, according to trainer Henk Grewe, who commented. “This is so emotional. It was his last race and, now a Group 1 winner, he will retire to stud.” Pedigree Notes Assistent, who becomes the fifth Group 1 winner for his sire (by Sea The Stars {Ire}), is the third of eight foals and lone stakes performer produced by an unraced full-sister to G3 Hamburger Stutenpreis victrix Anna Katharina (Ger) (Kallisto {Ger}), herself the dam of Listed Weidenpescher Steher Cup victrix Ankunft (GB) (New Approach {Ire}). The March-foaled dark bay's dam is also kin to G3 Furstenberg-Rennen victor Adrian (Ger) (Reliable Man {GB}) and Listed Henkel Stutenpreis winner Attica (GB) (Tai Chi {Ger}). Assistent's younger siblings include a yearling colt and weanling colt by Best Solution (Ire). Descendants of his G3 Hamburger Stutenpreis-winning third dam Anna Thea (Ire) (Turfkonig {Ger}) include G2 Derby Italiano hero Ardakan (GB) (Reliable Man {GB}) and multiple Group-winning G2 German 2000 Guineas runner-up Aspectus (Ire) (Spectrum {Ire}). Anna Thea is the leading performer for Anstandige (Ger) (Star Appeal {Ire}), herself a half-sister to G2 Preis der Diana (German Oaks) heroine and blue hen Anna Paola (Ger) (Prince Ippi {Ger}), whose Group 1-winning descendants include G1 Derby hero Adayar (Ire) (Frankel {GB}). last group 1 of european gallop of the year 2024 Grosser Allianz Preis von Bayern Münich – Groupe 1 – 3 ans et plus – 2400m – 11 Pts – 155 000 € Assistent (m) (Ger) Thore Hammer-Hansen @ThoreHammer Tiffany Ancient Wisdom (Sea… pic.twitter.com/rUtolgVvtu — French and International Horse Racing (@Vincenzo0612) November 10, 2024 Sunday, Munich, Germany GROSSER ALLIANZ PREIS VON BAYERN-G1, €155,000, Munich, 11-10, 3yo/up, 12fT, 2:37.46, sf. 1–ASSISTENT (GER), 132, h, 5, by Sea The Moon (Ger) 1st Dam: Anna Kalla (Ger), by Kallisto (Ger) 2nd Dam: Anna Desta (Ger), by Desert Style (Ire) 3rd Dam: Anna Thea (Ire), by Turfkonig (Ger) 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. (€58,000 Ylg '20 BBAGS). O-Eckhard Sauren; B-Gestut Rottgen (GER); T-Henk Grewe; J-Thore Hammer-Hansen. €100,000. Lifetime Record: GSP-Ity & SP-Fr, 23-7-5-3, €434,900. Werk Nick Rating: D+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Tiffany (Ire), 129, f, 4, Farhh (GB)–Affinity (GB), by Sadler's Wells. O/B-Elite Racing Club (IRE); T-Sir Mark Prescott. €30,000. 3–Ancient Wisdom (Fr), 128, c, 3, Dubawi (Ire)–Golden Valentine (Fr), by Dalakhani (Ire). TDN Rising Star. (€2,000,000 Ylg '22 ARAUG). O-Godolphin; B-Ecurie des Monceaux & LNJ Foxwoods SC (FR); T-Charlie Appleby. €15,000. Margins: NK, 1HF, 1. Odds: 12.40, 5.20, 3.50. Also Ran: Lordano (Ger), Marquisat (Ire), Atoso (Ger), Quantanamera (Ger), Augustus (Ger), Panthera (Fr), Straight (Ger), War Chimes (Fr). The post Sea The Moon’s Assistent Swoops Late for Grosser Preis von Bayern Glory appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Twilight Son (GB) will stand for a fee of €5,000 at Annshoon Stud in County Kilkenny next season, having relocated from Cheveley Park Stud, the Racing Post reported on Sunday. The 12-year-old Twilight Son was an absentee when Cheveley Park recently announced their roster and fees for 2025, having spent eight seasons in Newmarket since he retired there as the winner of six of his 10 career starts for Henry Candy, including the G1 Sprint Cup at Haydock as a three-year-old and G1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot the following year. The son of Kyllachy (GB) is perhaps best known at stud as the sire of the G1 King's Stand Stakes and G2 Temple Stakes runner-up Twilight Calls (GB), in addition to three Group winners, headed by the G3 Cornwallis Stakes and G3 Lacken Stakes scorer Twilight Jet (Ire). The post Twilight Son to Stand for €5,000 after Relocating to Annshoon Stud appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

At the start of each season the late Sir Henry Cecil would buy a large notebook and divide its final pages into squares, “like a crossword puzzle,” to be filled in, one by one, when he trained a winner. Group wins were inked-in in colour. Each victory would send him to the trainers' championship table in the Racing Post, to see whether he had moved up, or further “in front of Michael Stoute, or any nearer to John Gosden.” With Sir Michael Stoute's last turf runner, at Nottingham last week, a golden age of racehorse trainers approached its end. Stoute, Gosden and Andre Fabre in France are all septuagenarians. Cecil, who was the Seb Coe to Stoute's Steve Ovett, the Barcelona to his Real Madrid, died in June 2013. Stoute's longevity was a thing of wonder. When he started out in 1972 Richard Nixon swept aside George McGovern in the US Presidential election – 52 years before the return of Donald Trump. In the years in-between Stoute's first runner and Wanderlust trailing home last at Nottingham to bring down the curtain, he was champion trainer 10 times and won more than 4,000 races, including the Derby, six times, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, Japan Cup, Dubai World Cup, eight Breeders' Cup races and the Champion Hurdle with Kribensis. The reason for revisiting one of the great Newmarket struggles is to honour an age in which the brilliance and charisma of individual trainers helped promote the sport It's a truism of watching sport that we only realise what we had when it's gone. The long Cecil-Stoute duel was cloaked in Flat racing's outward civility. Other sports would have told you to pick your side: Cecil or Stoute – 'you can't be both' – in the way the great American sports columnist Rick Reilly wrote that you were either a 'Tiger [Woods] or a Phil [Mickelson] guy.' The rivalry between Cecil and Stoute was real but mutually respectful. When I interviewed Cecil at Warren Place in 2011 for The Observer he had just been knighted, which brought him upsides Stoute (knighted in 1998) in the social stakes. “We've always been very competitive together,” Cecil said in his study. “Then he moved in front, things deteriorated for me, I didn't have the horses, he was top of the list and I was right down. I went down to 149th, I think. He hated me winning when we were fighting to see who was going to be champion trainer. We're great friends now. We get on very well. I don't know whether he likes me more because I'm not such a nuisance.” The reason for revisiting one of the great Newmarket struggles is to honour an age in which the brilliance and charisma of individual trainers helped promote the sport. It was certainly a gilded age for punters. Stoute and Cecil had legions of disciples who would support them as if they were football teams. You knew what you were getting with a bet on a Cecil or Stoute horse. It bought you not only a betting slip but entry to the ride they were on. “At the height of their powers, Henry Cecil and he were formidable adversaries and lit up the British racing season year on year,” John Gosden affirmed when Stoute retired. There are gifted and magnetic trainers still, of course. Gosden, 73, continues to bear the torch for his generation, with son Thady. Aidan O'Brien is a mercurial genius. Each leading trainer is a 'story', simply by virtue of their success. But the corporatisation of sport, together with the ravages of social media, have obscured the human element. Flair and personality are still there, just better hidden. Sir Mark Prescott – another half-centurion – is arguably the last 'character' standing from those who set down roots in the 1970s. Stoute hated being interviewed and had no wish to be a celebrity. The turmoil of Cecil's personal life forced him into the public eye. He was a gossip columnist's dream. For Stoute, Shergar's brilliance and subsequent kidnapping at stud by the IRA guaranteed him immortality in the annals of huge and shocking news stories. Cecil meanwhile bequeathed a late-life masterpiece in Frankel, a story that would have stretched Hollywood's imagination. 'Trainer in his last months with cancer is lent the will to endure by best-ever horse who retires undefeated.' Try pitching that one. They are still at it, the old devils. Andre Fabre, born in the year World War II ended, sent out this year's Arc favourite, Sosie. Fabre, who has been champion trainer in France 30 times, will be 80 next month. Sosie, who finished fourth, would have been his ninth Arc winner. Gosden first took out a licence in America in 1979 and can reflect on 45 years of conquest. Only success can buy the kind of authority these trainers accumulated. Bruce Raymond, the former jockey and racing manager to Saeed Suhail among others, says: “When my owners talk about telling Sir Michael to do something, I say 'listen, Sir Michael Stoute has trained every winner in the world twice, I'm not going to tell him anything' – and he quite rightly probably wouldn't take any notice anyway.” The top trainers manage upwards (to owners), sideways (to staff, vets, jockeys, the media and bloodstock agents) and 'downwards' to the horses, who are fragile and unpredictable. It's a maelstrom of stress few of us could deal with. On my visit to Warren Place. Cecil showed me his collection of miniature knights and soldiers (pipe bands, mostly), which honoured his grandfather, who was commander in chief of the Gordon Highlanders. He recalled the late Queen marvelling at his array of knights, and him telling her: “The only one I haven't got is Michael Stoute.” Rivals outlast one another. Stoute trained for another 11 years after Cecil's death. But in so much as they need each other to define their careers, they leave the stage as one. The post Stoute, Cecil and the Dwindling Golden Age of Trainers appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Idyllic (No Nay Never) marked the start of a new era for the father-son training partnership of Kevin and Stephen Gray when she powered to victory in the Autogroom – Kooltintz (1000m) at Tauherenikau on Sunday. The Gray’s prepared over 400 winners together in New Zealand between 1987-2000, before Stephen obtained a trainer’s license in Singapore, where he would spend the next 24 years, establishing himself among the top trainers in the competitive jurisdiction. Gray returned to his homeland earlier this year after the announcement that racing would cease in Singapore in October, and in doing so, reunited with his father, who trains out of Copper Belt Lodge in Palmerston North. A daughter of No Nay Never, Idyllic performed consistently through her five-year-old season and appeared in a fresh state for the sprint contest, where she started second-favourite ($4.30) behind Bedtime Story ($3.60). The mare showed her customary early pace to sit on the speed inside of Swazi and was cruising into the home straight, and while Bedtime Story and Fashion Icon chased gamely, they couldn’t catch her as she powered through the line to score by 1 – ¼ lengths under Kate Hercock. The Grays were pleased with the performance, particularly as the heavy track conditions weren’t entirely suited to Idyllic. “It was good, Dad and I thought she’d run really well as she’s pretty sharp, and her fresh-up record is very good,” Stephen Gray said. “We were just worried about the soft to heavy track, so I thought it was a good effort, especially as she was taken on early. She fought them off and was going away at the line, so we’re pretty happy. “She’s a good galloper, a year older and has come back a lot stronger and more relaxed.” The success was Idyllic’s fourth in 16 starts, and with black-type on their radar, her trainers are considering an opportunity at stakes level in the near future. “The owners understandably are looking for black-type as she is a mare, and it can be quite hard to find those short-distance sprint races, so there is a race at Counties that may suit her,” Gray said. “We may nominate her for there and have a look, but otherwise, we’ll keep going through the grades and see what we can find. “It’s important to get the black-type because she is a well-bred mare, and she’s very quick. She’ll have a good future as a broodmare.” While the Grays have an incredible record with a multitude of winners up to Group One level to their credit, they were rapt to get on the board in the new season. “It was really good, it’s like going back 24 years,” Stephen Gray said. “At the end of the day, it’s what it’s all about, so it was nice to go there and have a winner together again. I’m fortunate that Dad and Mum are still around to be able to enjoy it together, and that’s one of the reasons why I came back. “We’ve all trained plenty of winners, but there’s always a good story in each one. “I’ve come back and been involved with Dad and the farm, and I’m really happy. He has good staff and some great owners, including John Cameron from New Zealand Bloodstock who races this horse (Idyllic). Dad and John have been good friends for many years, so it was really nice to have our first winner for him. “We probably do things a little bit differently, but it’s much the same really, trying to get the horses fit and keep them happy.” View the full article

Rider Penalties J Fawcett | Auckland 5 November; careless riding; suspended 14-22 November inclusive. B May | Otago 5 November; use of whip; suspended 14-22 November inclusive. B May | Otago 5 November; medical clearance required (subsequently received on 9 November). A Lawson-Carroll | Taranaki 6 November; careless riding; suspended 17-23 November inclusive. C Barnes | Taranaki 6 November; careless riding; suspended 17-22 November inclusive. J Nishizuka | Auckland 7 November; use of whip; suspended 17-24 November inclusive. J Fawcett | Auckland 7 November; careless riding; suspended 23-30 November inclusive. S Spratt | Auckland 7 November; use of whip; suspended 17-24 November inclusive. C Grylls | Canterbury 9 November; failed to make weight; fined $350. L Sutherland | Canterbury 9 November; use of whip; fined $350. Trainer Penalties B & S Anderton | Otago 5 November; incorrect saddlecloth; fined $50. R Patterson | Taranaki 6 November; incorrect gear; fined $100. R Patterson | Waikato 9 November; late rider declaration; fined $50. T Rae | Canterbury 9 November; incorrect gear; fined $100. Horse Penalties MAFIA MAMMA | Auckland 5 November; lame; veterinary clearance required. SHE’S AN ACE | Otago 5 November; late scratching after failing to load; must complete trial. BESAR | Auckland 7 November; epistaxis; stood down for 3 months and veterinary clearance required. NAKAMOTO | Waikato 9 November; epistaxis; stood down for 3 months and veterinary clearance required. ICE COLD GOLD | Canterbury 9 November; thumps; veterinary clearance required. THE BIG PICTURE | Canterbury 9 November; late scratching after becoming fractious in barriers; must complete trial. WHEN STARS ALIGN | Canterbury 9 November; lame; veterinary clearance required. The post 4-10 November 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Dog Penalties HOMEBUSH GREEDY | Christchurch 4 November; unsatisfactory performance; must complete trial. BIG TIME KIWI | Wanganui 6 November; turned in boxes; must complete box trial. The post 4-10 November 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Driver Penalties G Smith | Kaikoura 4 November; careless driving; suspended 5-8 November inclusive. S Trotter | Kaikoura 4 November; drove with foot out of sulky footrest; fined $100. C DeFilippi | Kaikoura 4 November; breach of push out rule; fined $200. S Ottley | Kaikoura 4 November; contacted track marker; fined $100. B Borcoskie | Methven 1 November (heard Rangiora 8 November); failed to drive horse to finish; suspended 15 November – 1 December inclusive. R Harrison | Methven 1 November (heard Rangiora 8 November); careless driving; fined $400. S Kelly | Wyndham 10 November; careless driving; suspended 11-22 November inclusive. P Hunter | Wyndham 10 November; started from incorrect position; fined $400. Trainer Penalties M House | Manawatu 4 November; late gear notification; fined $50. D Taylor | Rangiora 8 November; failed to affix gear so as not to come adrift; fined $100. Horse Penalties MAKAKU | Oamaru 7 November; caused false start; must complete standing start trial. SPEEDING SPIRIT | Oamaru 7 November; swung around prior to start; must complete standing start trial. MISS GRACIE | Rangiora 8 November; broke at start; must complete mobile start trial. IMPRESSIVE SHARD | Rangiora 8 November; unsatisfactory performance; must complete trial. BILL BOOTIT | Wyndham 10 November; bled; stood down for 30 days and must complete trial with veterinary clearance including endoscopic examination required. GEMS DELIGHT | Wyndham 10 November; broke in running; must complete trial. Protests MIKI BENNETT | Kaikoura 4 November; excessive galloping in home straight; disqualified from 3rd. SPEEDING SPIRIT | Oamaru 7 November; displayed unsatisfactory manners prior to start; declared a non-runner. BY CHANCE | Wyndham 10 November; denied a fair start; declared a non-runner. The post 4-10 November 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Juvenile filly Abbakiss (Microphone) gave Bryce Newman plenty to look forward to with a professional victory in the Johnson Brothers (1000m) at Tauherenikau on Sunday. A compact field of five assembled for the juvenile contest, with Te Akau Racing’s trial winner Carsolio heavily-backed to salute on debut and closed a $1.20 favourite, ahead of Abbakiss at $6.90. The filly was a stride slow at the jump, but quickly strode up to take the inside running, while Carsolio was posted three-wide to the home turn. Abbakiss straightened with an advantage on Carsolio, and despite the colt clearly heading her at the 100m, she came firing back through on the rail for Kavish Chowdhoory and won by a long neck, with Hello My Dear a further five lengths adrift in third. The victory came at Abbakiss’ second start, after finishing third behind Cool Aza Rene at Otaki in mid-October. Newman, based at Bulls, was delighted with her performance. “She went really well today, Kavish rode her super and has ridden her in most of her work,” he said. “She only had the one trial, so she was still quite green at Otaki, but Kavish said she was brilliant today, she behaved and did everything right. “She’s a beautiful type of filly, she’s got a bit of scope and length to her which is encouraging. I don’t think she’s an out-and-out two-year-old, so that’s quite exciting going forward.” A daughter of Microphone, Abbakiss was purchased by Raumai Bloodstock for $60,000 out of Carlaw Park’s draft at the 2024 Karaka Yearling Sales. Out of a Dubawi mare Arabian Gift, Abbakiss is a full-sister to Cantatrice, a flashing debut winner on the Cambridge Synthetic in September for Te Akau Racing. “Michelle and I picked her out at the sales, we just liked her and she’s a really gorgeous looking filly. It’s nice when you make a decision and a plan works out,” Newman said. “She looks like a real athlete, which will influence our decisions going forward. We think she’s going to be a lovely three-year-old, she’s got so much leg underneath her so we’re not going to make any plans at this stage. “We’ll sit on the fence for the next couple of weeks, we may possibly make a plan on going north, but that’s not the be all and end all. We’ll put her first, we want some longevity out of her as well. “It’s all very well if you’ve got lots and lots of them, but we’ve only got a couple of two-year-old’s, so we are just really happy to have one up and going early.” For a large ownership syndicate, Abbakiss has earned just shy of $18,000 in two career starts, with plenty of the owners on-course to enjoy her success on Sunday. “There were quite a few of the owners there, I always say if the horse is making you get up in the grandstand and yell, it’s going well and doing a good job, whether they win or run a place,” Newman said. “It was great, and a few of them appreciate that it’s quite special to have a two-year-old up and running too, that’s not always that easy and not many of them do it.” View the full article

Guy Heveldt, Emily Murphy & Jayne Ivil recap a magic Saturday of racing, highlighted by Champions Day at Flemington and the 2000 Guineas from Riccarton. Weigh In, November 10 View the full article

Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai), last season’s Australian Racehorse Of The Year and a three-time Group One winner, has been retired following Saturday’s A$3 million Gr.1 Champions Mile (1600m). Bred by Cambridge thoroughbred nursery Trelawney Stud, Pride Of Jenni was sold through Segenhoe Stud’s 2019 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale draft for $100,000 to Tony and Lyn Ottobre’s Cape Schanck Stud. She showed promise from an early stage and finished second in the Gr.2 Rose Of Kingston Stakes (1410m), Gr.1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) and Gr.2 Stocks Stakes (1600m), before she burst into stardom during last year’s Melbourne Cup Week. Adopting her devastating front-running style in the A$1 million Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m), Pride Of Jenni held off fellow Kiwi-bred mare Atishu to collect her first elite-level crown, and seven days later it was déjà vu for the Flemington crowd, with the daughter of Pride Of Dubai defeating Mr Brightside and Alligator Blood in the A$3 million Gr.1 Champions Mile (1600m) in similar fashion. The Ciaron Maher-trained mare’s dazzling form continued into the autumn, with game second placings in the Gr.1 C.F Orr Stakes (1400m) and A$3 million Gr.1 Australian Cup (2000m), overshadowed by an outstanding victory in the A$3.7 million All Star Mile (1600m), but even that performance was nothing on what she produced at Randwick on April 13. Contesting the $5 million Gr.1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m), Pride Of Jenni was taken to the front by Declan Bates, and she led the field by as much as 30 lengths on her way to what was widely-regarded as one of the most unbelievable victories seen on a racecourse in Sydney. In her seven-year-old term, Pride Of Jenni continued to perform at the highest level and won the Gr.2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) alongside placings in the Gr.1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) and $5 million Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m), but after unplaced runs in the A$5 million Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) and the Champions Mile, time was called on her phenomenal career. Pride Of Jenni accumulated more than A$10 million in stakes earnings through her career, and Cherry Taylor, co-director of Trelawney Stud, couldn’t have been prouder. “She’s just been an incredible mare, a great flagship for the stud,” Taylor said. “We’re just so proud of her, she’s such a beautifully-natured mare and so kind, it’s so lovely that she was able to fulfil the potential that she got to. “I thought that her performance in the Queen Elizabeth, where she was out by 30 lengths, was incredible. A lot of people thought she wouldn’t be able to hold on, but she did, and it wasn’t an insignificant field, she beat Mr Brightside and Via Sistina, and other amazing horses that day. “We were there for the Empire Rose and then went for the Cox Plate this year, and although she was coming to the end of her career, it was still amazing to be there. I was talking to her beforehand and she gave me a big kiss, she is truly a beautiful horse. “We’re really excited for her future now, being a mare she can go on and breed and we can watch her foals. We’re thrilled to bits to see the next chapter, and thrilled for Tony and Lyn (Ottobre).” The dam of Pride Of Jenni, Sancerre, has a two-year-old filly by Per Incanto that was retained by Trelawney Stud, named Pouilly Fume. “We’ve got a third-quarter sister, she’s a two-year-old, and we’re really looking forward to racing her,” Taylor said. View the full article

What Warrnambool Races Where Warrnambool Racing Club – 2/64 Grafton Rd, Warrnambool VIC 3280 When Monday, November 11, 2024 First Race 1:30pm AEDT Visit Dabble A new week of racing in Victoria commences with an eight-race meeting at Warrnambool on Monday afternoon. Despite the track coming up as a Soft 5 at the time of acceptances, a warm day will ensure the card is held on a Good 4 track, with a further upgrade a possibility. The rail will come out 8m the entire circuit, which may favour those up on speed throughout the day. Action from Warrnambool is set to commence at 1:30pm AEDT. Best Bet at Warrnambool: Matrooshi Matrooshi has put in a couple of solid performances to begin her career, and at start three, the four-year-old mare has found the right race to break maiden ranks in. The Symon Wilde-trained runner was a touch unlucky when forced to travel wide throughout last time out when chasing home the above-average Cora Lynn. The small field of barrier seven will negate drawing out in barrier seven, with Thomas Stockdale likely to take up the running. With the favourite for the race Girls Girls Girls first-up after a long layoff, Matrooshi’s race fitness looks set to be the difference in the opener. Best Bet Race 1 – #6 Matrooshi (7) 4yo Mare | T: Symon Wilde | J: Thomas Stockdale (58kg) $2.20 with Neds Next Best at Warrnambool: Stupendous Stupendous finally broke maiden ranks at the 10th time of asking at Kyneton on October 22 and looks set to go on with the job on Monday. The four-year-old mare had placed on six prior occasions to that win, which suggested she always had the ability; she just kept finding one or two better. She managed to settle outside the lead on that day and when asked to quicken, she put the race away with relative ease. This is not the toughest BM64, and if Logan Bates can land her outside lead once again, Stupendous should prove too slick for her rivals once again, aiding from Bates’ 3kg claim. Next Best Race 7 – #6 Stupendous (7) 4yo Mare | T: Lloyd Kennewell & Luck Yeomans | J: Logan Bates (a3) (58kg) $3.30 with Playup Best Value at Warrnambool: Feargal Picklebet has the Jane Baker-trained Feargal as a $7 hope in the Warrnambool, and frankly, it looks the wrong price for a runner who should gain an uncontested lead. The seven-year-old gelding fought on well to win first-up over 1400m at this track and was only nabbed in the shadows of the winning post when stepping up to the 1700m last time out. The son of Sharkbite has six minor placings through eight attempts at the Warrnambool 1700m, but with a cosy lead, Feargal can finally break that duck on Monday. Best Value Race 8 – #4 Feargal (7) 7yo Gelding | T: Jane Baker | J: Melissa Julius (59.5kg) $6.50 with Picklebet Monday quaddie tips for Warrnambool Warrnambool quadrella selections Monday, November 11, 2024 1-2-3 1-2-4-5-7 2-6 1-2-3-4-5-7 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

By Adam Hamilton Jason Grimson isn’t short of confidence ahead of his IRT NZ Cup defence with Swayzee. Speaking on Melbourne radio SEN Track, the Menangle trainer said: “This is my Cup and I’m coming to get it again.” Grimson’s bullishness grew after Swayzee came through a seven-hour return trip to win the Cherry City Cup at Young on Friday. Today he boards a flight from Sydney to Auckland then a connector down to Christchurch. When he tackles Tuesday’s $1 million Cup, it will be less than four days since he won at Young, Grimson revealed a stunning Menangle workout following Swayzee’s powerhouse October 12 Victoria Cup win spurred his shock decision to pay Swayzee’s $28,000 late entry fee, having previously ruled out returning this year. “His work after the Victoria Cup was better than before it,” he said. “I brought him out and worked him last Monday and he felt awesome. “He worked like a superstar and that’s what made me (late) nominate him.” Fellow Menangle trainer Jarrod Alchin backed-up Grimson’s opinion of the workout. “I happened to watch him fast-work that morning, it’s the best I’ve ever seen him. He looked like an absolute beast,” he said. As the TAB betting markets suggest, Grimson pinpointed Merlin and Dont Stop Dreaming as the two major rivals. “Those two Purdon runners are the ones. They’re both great trainers and they know how to prepare (NZ) Cup winners. We’ve got to be careful of them,” he said. “They’re over there and settled in with a home ground advantage, but hopefully we can take that off them.” View the full article

By Mike Love Leeston trainer Kim Butt and Grettymac gave her barely one week old new owners an instant thrill by winning the Barb and Kev Chapman Racing Mobile Trot at Friday’s Rangiora meeting. “I wasn’t really expecting that,” said Butt. “There’s a lot of young syndicate members including some first time owners. It’s great to get on the board early.” The five-year-old Majestic Son mare was initially pulled back from her wide draw but then sent forward after not being able to find the running line. Happy to sit parked Butt was then able to secure a brief reprieve in the one by one position before peeling and showing a slick turn of foot to win, beating Baffled by half a neck with six lengths back to third. “We’ve only had her for about a week. We can’t take much credit for the win. Robert Anderson did a great job with her. We didn’t have to change anything.” Butt has had her eyes on Grettymac since she observed her debut win almost a year ago at Ashburton during cup week, and as fortune would have it, an opportunity to acquire the mare arose. “I’ve loved her from when I saw her win on debut. I asked Robert about her, and he and Andrew Fitzgerald sorted something out.” “Fitzy ran a giveaway on Instagram for a share in her and the winners of that were there yesterday. He does a great job getting people into the game.” The win yesterday was Grettymac’s third in her career from her 18th start, having won on debut and again at her fifth start. “She got into a really suitable race. Robert said she’s suited to mobiles but there hadn’t really been one for her for a while, so she’d dropped back into a suitable grade.” “Her last starts had been against horses like Forgiveness, Rush, Mighty Logan, Sunnys Sister, Aroha Kenny – so she was really high up the grades so early in her career.” And what’s next for Butt, Grettymac and her new crew of owners? “I was hoping to go to Ashburton next week but I didn’t expect to win straight away, so she’s out of the rating band now for that particular race. We will just have to look for something else.” View the full article

LEXINGTON, KY -The two-session Book 3 section of the Keeneland November Breeding Stock concluded Saturday, producing double-digit increases in average and median compared to its 2023 counterpart. Keeneland sold 499 horses through the ring during Book 3 for a gross of $37,747,000. The section's average was $75,645–up 20.98% from last year's Book 3–and the median was $60,000, an increase of 20% from a year ago. During the two Book 3 sessions in 2023, 494 horses sold through the ring for a total of $30,888,000. The section average price was $62,526 and the median was $50,000. Bill Betz made the highest bid of Saturday's session, going to $280,000 to acquire Dreams are Made (Tapit) (hip 1799) in the name of his Avocet Bloodstock. The 8-year-old mare sold in foal to Gunite and was consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency. Brian Graves, general manager of Gainesway, which was active buying and selling mares Saturday, said he saw selectivity in the mare market. “Mares in foal to fashionable stallions still sell pretty well,” Graves said. “But if there are more than one or two foals out of her that you can't make a case for, it's not pretty.” McKinzie, whose first crop to hit the track this year includes Grade I winners Scottish Lassie and 'TDN Rising Star' Chancer McPatrick, was represented by the session's top three-priced weanlings, with colts selling for $235,000, $210,000, and $195,000. Graves purchased the session-topping weanling Saturday and admitted the foal market remained ultra-competitive as the Keeneland sale moved into Book 4. “I think the foal market is savage,” he said. “It's tough to get the ones you like bought, especially up in the top end. It's almost impossible. Every nice foal brings $300,000 or $400,000. Which is good for the market, but it is tough to get the ones you want to get your hands on.” During Book 3 this year, Keeneland sold 255 weanlings through the ring for a total of $19,551,500 for an average of $76,673 and a median of $60,000. Colts by Jackie's Warrior and Twirling Candy shared the section's top price for a weanlings when selling Friday for $250,000. In 2023, a total of 190 Book 3 weanlings sold through the ring for a gross of $12,143,500 and an average of $63,913 and median of $50,000. The top price was $240,000 for a colt by Maxfield who was one of six weanlings to sell for $200,000 or more during the section. There were 10 to reach that mark in 2024. Through five sessions of the November sale, 1,055 horses have sold for $163,353,500. The average of $154,837 is up 5.86% from the same point of last year's sale, while the median of $95,000 is up 18.75%. The cumulative buy-back rate stands at 25.02%. It was 27.39% at the same point a year ago. The Keeneland November sale continues through Wednesday, with sessions beginning at 10 a.m. 'Biggest, Prettiest Bernardini:' Vucchella Sells for $270k to Cove Springs Richard and Connie Snyder's Cove Springs celebrated its first million-dollar sale when selling a half-sister to multiple Grade I winner Randomized (Nyquist) at Keeneland in September. The operation had lost Randomized's dam to a paddock accident, but the Snyders will be hoping they found a possible replacement after going to $270,000 to acquire the 3-year-old broodmare prospect Vucchella (Bernardini) (hip 1685) from the Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa consignment Saturday. “She could be the biggest, prettiest Bernardini mare I have ever seen,” Richard Snyder said after signing the ticket on the filly out back. Bred in Ontario by Anderson Farms, Vucchella was purchased by X-Men Racing for $230,000 at the 2022 Keeneland September sale. On the board in five of 10 starts, she won once and earned $92,047. Vucchella's unraced dam, Heartofthematter (Medaglia d'Oro), is a half-sister to multiple Grade I winner It's Tricky (Mineshaft), who is the dam of Enticed (Medaglia d'Oro). Of the filly's final price tag, Snyder said, “It's twice as much as I thought she would be. But it's a horse sale. You can't walk away empty handed.” Earlier in the November sale, Cove Springs purchased Mystique Saboteur (Gun Runner) (hip 714) for $90,000. Cove Springs's Richard Snyder with David Lanigan | Keeneland 'Not a Lot of Faults:' McKinzie Weanlings Prove Popular Saturday at Keeneland After a bang-up year with his first crop on the racetrack this year, weanlings by McKinzie were in demand in the Keeneland sales ring Saturday. The Gainesway stallion had the top three-priced weanlings during the session, with Brian Graves's En Fuego pinhooking partnership purchasing a colt (hip 1602) by the sire for $235,000 from the War Horse Place consignment; Kinsman Farm going to $210,000 for a colt (hip 1861) from the Eaton Sales consignment; and the Big Bear Bloodstock pinhooking partnership going to $195,000 for a colt (hip 1795) from the Gainesway consignment. Hip 1602 is out of Shirocca (Ire) (So You Think {NZ}), a half-sister to group winner Roman Turbo (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}). He was bred by Areion Thoroughbreds. “I thought he was a select physical,” said Graves, who also serves as Gainesway's General Manager. “He had everything you look for, a long neck, beautiful shoulder, nice hip and of course the athletic walk and correctness.” Through five session, 13 weanlings by McKinzie have sold at Keeneland for an average of $152,077 and a median of $180,000. “We have seen a limited number of McKinzies come through and it looks like the market is really receptive to them,” Graves said. “He had a good group here. It's part of what we like about McKinzie. He puts a good physical on the ground and something with not a lot of faults to it. It's good to see him carrying on and selling well. We just hope that he keeps rolling.” Capstone Thoroughbreds Hits Home Run with $120k McKinzie Filly in Sales Debut With a career in government and communications under her belt, Jennifer Durenberger decided to satisfy her curiosity about the Thoroughbred industry and signed up to work an auction for Taylor Made Sales Agency. What followed was “three years of wow,” Durenberger said Saturday, a day after watching the first foal she and longtime friend Tracy Plummer had ever bred sell for six figures at the Keeneland November sale. “I've always followed the races and I've always ridden, but not competitively or anything,” Durenberger explained. “I worked in politics and media relations for years. But I think I was just at the age where, you know what, why not find out about it? I worked a sale for Taylor Made three years ago, just on a fluke.” The experience only served to pique her interest and she soon included Plummer, who had been her college roommate at the University of Alabama. “We started talking about maybe buying a mare three years ago. I told [Tracy], 'You need to come up in and work a sale,'” Durenberger said. The two business partners made their first acquisition when purchasing Mamma Kimbo (Discreet Cat) from Marie Jones. “Mrs. Jones was culling her broodmare band, so in August of 2022, we were able to get Mamma Kimbo,” Durenberger recalled. “We tried to get her pregnant that first year, but she didn't catch.” Durenberger, Plummer and Lady Beth Ashley and her McKinzie filly | Courtesy J Durenberger Despite the momentary setback, Capstone Thoroughbreds–a nod to their university days–was born and Durenberger and Plummer threw themselves into the new endeavor. “Tracy and I are both detail oriented,” Durenberger said. “We both worked in government and politics and are both very research- oriented. We did all this research about what mare we were going to buy in foal last November. We would sit up for hours. Our husbands would laugh at us when we went to visit them.” After the hours of research, the actual purchase of a mare at Keeneland last November was really more a spur-of-the-moment type of thing. “In the back ring a year ago tomorrow, Jeff [Hayslett] and Mark [Taylor] came up to me at the reserve desk and said, 'You need to take a look at this Bernardini mare back here. With the way the market is today, we think she would be a great buy for you.'” The mare was Lady Brett Ashley (Bernardini) and the then 4-year-old was carrying her first foal. The two woman purchased the mare for $32,000. “She was in foal to McKinzie,” Durenberger said. “And we had wanted a McKinzie the year before, but didn't take the risk trying to breed Mamma Kimbo to her. Sure enough, sight unseen, we buy this Bernardini mare in foal to McKinzie.” The investment only looked better when Chancer McPatrick, a colt from McKinzie's first crop and also out of Bernardini mare, won the GI Hopeful Stakes and GI Champagne Stakes. Lady Brett Ashley's first foal (hip 1478) went through the sales ring at Keeneland Friday and brought a final bid of $120,000 from McMahon & Hill Bloodstock. “We weren't sure, but there was a last-minute vetting,” Durenberger said of expectations as the first foal she had bred headed to the ring. “I told Tracy, 'My heart is beating out of my chest,' and she said, 'What heart?” In addition to its sales success Friday, the fledgling Capstone Thoroughbreds is celebrating its initial acquisition, the 15-year-old Mamma Kimbo, who is in foal to Arabian Lion and whose 2-year-old Dream On (Not This Time) was third in the Sept. 14 GI Summer Stakes and was fifth after setting the pace in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf. Lady Brett Ashley is in foal to Vino Rosso. “We keep our mares at Shawhan Place , so I would be remiss not to thank Courtney Schneider over there and the whole Shawhan team,” Durenberger said. “I think we have surrounded ourselves with a good team.” Durenberger's place at Taylor Made, meanwhile, has gone from a fluke to a full-time position. “I kept in touch with Katie [Taylor] and I said here is my background. I am not looking for anything full time, but if you ever have anything where you could use my help–it's more marketing communications, but I don't know, I would love to find out more about this business. So she offered me a part-time job. I assisted her in different projects. And then they offered me a full-time job doing contracts, nominations, entries. I wasn't thinking full time, but it's been a blessing because I've learned so much. It's a wonderful team.” Looking ahead, Durenberger admitted she and Plummer were keeping their eyes out for another broodmare to add to their band. And now they are working with a cushion, thanks to Lady Brett Ashley's first foal. “It really is a blessing that that happened,” Durenberger said. “Now we can take it one step at a time next year. That covered our care for everybody and our stud fees for next year.” Morning magic. #KeeNov pic.twitter.com/RBQ0MEAB6h — Keeneland Sales (@keenelandsales) November 9, 2024 The post Double-Digit Increases As Book 3 Concludes at Keeneland November appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Mark Casse captured two stakes races on the card with Stormcast and Elysian Field before the remainder of the Nov. 9 Woodbine card was canceled following two breakdowns. View the full article

Battle of Normandy (City of Light) put the final touches on a spectacular Saturday for West Point Thoroughbreds and partners with a stalk-and-pounce success in the GIII River City Stakes as night fell across Churchill Downs on Saturday. The partnership also campaigns Saturday's GIII Hill Prince Stakes hero 'TDN Rising Star' Deterministic (Liam's Map) and runner-up Cugino (Twirling Candy) as well as GII Red Smith Stakes winner Integration (Quality Road). All four West Point gallopers are by Lane's End stallions. While Masteroffoxhounds (War Front) and Hades (Awesome Slew) were off slowly, Wonderful Justice (GB) (Justify) left there cleanly and so, too, did Battle of Normandy, who settled kindly just off the flank of the pacesetter through moderate early fractions. Luan Machado sent Battle of Normandy into the lead with a bit more than a quarter-mile to travel, pinched a break in upper stretch and held firm as Reckoning Force (Air Force Blue) emerged from the pack to complete the exacta. Gigante (Not This Time) was a forward factor and found the line just ahead of lukewarm favorite Cash Equity (Fr) (Toronado {Ire}). “He was a bit headstrong going into the first turn but I tried to get him to settle as much as I could going onto the backside,” said Machado, winning his fourth graded stakes in the space of the last seven weeks. “He was so full of himself and just dragging me the entire time. I watched his last few races and you could see with the blinkers he liked to be pretty close. He's a very impressive-moving colt. We weren't going too fast early so I was confident turning for home he'd still have a lot of energy left. He just took off when I asked him and finished up very well.” A maiden winner and twice placed in Grade III company from his first nine trips to the post, Battle of Normady entered Saturday's test in arguably the best form of his career. The two-length winner of a nine-furlong allowance at Aqueduct June 16, the $500,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga graduate lasted in an 11-furlong contest over the Saratoga turf course July 14, defeating future Colonial Cup Stakes and GIII Singspiel Stakes winner Truly Quality (Quality Road). He completed a hat trick of victories when besting next-out GIII Knickerbocker Stakes hero Andthewinneris (Oscar Performance) back on Long Island in allowance company Sept. 20. Pedigree Notes: Battle of Normandy is the 11th black-type winner and sixth graded winner for the in-form City of Light, who has been represented this year by MGISW 'TDN Rising Star' Fierceness, his GSW full-brother Mentee, GIII Bewitch Stakes winner Chop Chop and GII Del Mar Derby hero Formidable Man. Gage Hill Stable purchased the colt that would become Battle of Normandy in utero for $280,000 at the 2019 Keeneland November Sale, and the dual stakes winner Adorable Miss has since gone from strength to strength. A sister to 2016 GIII Pucker Up Stakes victress Noble Beauty, the mare is responsible for Cugino, winner of this year's Audubon Stakes at Churchill and runner-up in Saturday's GIII Hill Prince Stakes at Aqueduct; and the stakes-placed Veronica Greene (Tapit). The family has starred this week at Keeneland, as the latter sold for $725,000 in foal to Justify, while Adorable Miss fetched $750,000 when offered in pregnant to Flightline. Adorable Miss is also the dam of the 2-year-old gelding Long Acting (War of Will) and the yearling colt Essential Charm (Essential Quality). Saturday, Churchill Downs RIVER CITY S.-GIII, $290,500, Churchill Downs, 11-9, 3yo/up, 1 1/8mT, 1:48.79, fm. 1–BATTLE OF NORMANDY, 121, c, 4, by City of Light 1st Dam: Adorable Miss (MSW, $162,590), by Kitten's Joy 2nd Dam: Money Huntress, by Mineshaft 3rd Dam: Favorite Funtime, by Seeking the Gold 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($500,000 Ylg '21 FTSAUG). O-West Point Thoroughbreds and Woodford Racing, LLC; B-Gage Hill Stables, LLC & W. S. Farish (KY); T-Claude R. McGaughey III; J-Luan Machado. $178,800. Lifetime Record: 13-5-3-1, $643,195. *1/2 to Cugino (Twirling Candy), SW & MGSP, $435,960 and Veronica Greene (Tapit), SP, $195,500. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Reckoning Force, 121, g, 4, Air Force Blue–Alasema, by Jazil. ($22,000 RNA Wlg '20 FTKNOV; $30,000 Ylg '21 FTKOCT). O-Qatar Racing, LLC, Marc Detampel and Fergus Galvin; B-Frankfort Park Farm (KY); T-Brendan P. Walsh. $58,000. 3–Gigante, 121, c, 4, Not This Time–Summertime Green, by Empire Maker. ($120,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP). O-Diamond T Racing LLC and Iapetus Racing LLC; B-Ann Mudge Backer & Smitten Farm (VA); T-Steven M. Asmussen. $24,000. Margins: 1 3/4, 3/4, HF. Odds: 4.16, 3.54, 7.72. Also Ran: Cash Equity (Fr), Wonderful Justice (GB), Masteroffoxhounds, Emmanuel, Public Sector (GB), Hades. Scratched: Harlan Estate. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Battle of Normandy wins the River City Stakes! pic.twitter.com/Cd5lYlBTDl — Churchill Downs (@ChurchillDowns) November 9, 2024 The post Battle of Normandy Caps Giant Day for West Point in River City appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Naming a horse Battle of Normandy comes with high expectations. A 4-year-old City of Light colt, Battle of Normandy is doing his part. On Nov. 9 at Churchill Downs, he scored his fourth consecutive victory in capturing the River City Stakes (G3T).View the full article