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Wandering Eyes

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  1. Reigning Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Bill Mott has been named recipient of the 2025 Warner L. Jones Jr. Horseman of the Year Award, the Louisville-based Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners (KTO) announced Wednesday. Mott will be honored at the KTO's annual awards dinner Saturday, November 22 at the Kentucky Derby Museum. The Warner Jones Award recognizes individuals for outstanding contributions to Kentucky racing and sharing the passion exemplified by Jones, who spent 50 years on the Churchill Downs board, including eight as chairman during the iconic track's initial resurgence. Jones was the inaugural award winner in 1988, six years before his death. “For me, the biggest honor you can have is to be recognized by your peers as someone who does a good job,” said Mott, who won his second Kentucky Derby this year with Godolphin's Sovereignty. “That's the best compliment you can ever get. To be called Horseman of the Year? What's better than that?” KTO President Tommy Drury added: “My gosh, a Hall of Fame trainer who spent a big chunk of his career here–and still has horses racing in Kentucky–and actually trained for Warner Jones. I can't think of a more deserving winner. Bill has been outstanding his entire career, and the fact that he has so many owners who have been with him for so many years speaks volumes about his horsemanship and character.” In addition to Mott, Kentucky chief state steward Barbara Borden will be honored with the organization's Woman of the Year Award and Gabby Gaudet, Keeneland's new Director of Communications, will receive the KTO's John Asher Up and Comer Award. The cost to attend the dinner is $175 for non-members, with cocktails at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m. To purchase tickets, call Lynda Woods at 502-644-5251 or email her here. The deadline for reservations is Nov. 13. The post Trainer Bill Mott To Receive KY Thoroughbred Owner’s Warner Jones Horseman Of The Year Award appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article
  2. The heroics of Mychel Sanchez at Parx Racing, along with the on-track accomplishments of John Velazquez, Javier Castellano, Mike Smith, and Frankie Dettori, result in them being collectively named Jockey of the Week.View the full article
  3. A record number of tourists converged on Sha Tin for Wednesday’s National Day meeting, with Jockey Club chief executive Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges declaring the “initiative we have is going viral”. Of the 32,357 people on track, 13,097 travelled from abroad and the overall crowd figure was the biggest on National Day since 2018. There were also a record number of mainland visitors in attendance, with 12,060 crossing the border to soak in the action. “The news of the day is the attendance. We...View the full article
  4. Kempes came from the clouds to complete a brilliant Sha Tin double for David Hall in the Class Three Shanghai Handicap (1,200m) on Wednesday. Green-lamped into $31.35, Kempes was drawn in the car park in stall 14 and was parked last behind a wall of horses on the rail under Andrea Atzeni as the field turned for home. The Sardinian weaved through horses despite limited room and despite being snatched up just before the 100m pole, Atzeni finally got daylight and burst into the lead in the final...View the full article
  5. Making his first start since finishing a disappointing third as the heavy favorite in the G1 Dubai World Cup back on Apr. 5, Susumu Fujita's FOREVER YOUNG (JPN) (c, 4, Real Steel {Jpn}–Forever Darling, by Congrats) made a victorious return to action in Wednesday's Listed Nippon TV Hai (1800m) at Funabashi Racecourse, setting him up for a second consecutive appearance in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar in a bit more than four weeks' time. He was third to his close relation 'TDN Rising Star' Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) in the 2024 renewal. Favored at 10 cents on the dollar, the earner of nearly $15.5 million to date broke away cleanly from the seven hole and raced at the back of the leading group down the stretch for the first time as the 10-horse field split evenly into two groups. Tracking outside and out of harm's way down the backstretch and into the final 800 meters, Forever Young began to warm up to the task with a bit less than three furlongs to travel. Circling three wide off the home corner, he nosed in front of his Yoshito Yahagi stablemate Revontulet (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) at the furlong grounds and edged away to score by about three lengths. Forever Young weighed in at 551kg, some 8kg heavier than when taking his first Group 1 in the Tokyo Daishoten last December. Forever Young outdueled Hong Kong Horse of the Year Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) in a stirring renewal of the G1 Saudi Cup last February, but the effort clearly took something out of him, as he finished two lengths' third to Hit Show (Candy Ride {Arg}) in the Meydan feature some six months ago. Sales history: $720,603 Ylg '22 JRHAJUL. Lifetime Record: 12-9-0-3. O-Susumu Fujita; B-Northern Racing; T-Yoshito Yahagi FOREVER YOUNG returns with an easy win in the Nippon TV Hai (LR) – 9F at Funabashi Racecourse, @_RYUSEI_0531 up for trainer @yahagistable the perfect prep for his run next in the @BreedersCup Classic at Del Mar FOREVER YOUNG regresa de manera vicroriosa con fácil victoria… pic.twitter.com/6LI0UvCCBT — Agentes305 (@agentes305) October 1, 2025 The post Forever Young Runs Out An Easy Winner In BC Classic Prep appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article
  6. What Newcastle races Where Newcastle Racecourse – 100 Darling Street, Broadmeadow NSW 2292 When Thursday, October 2, 2025 First Race 1:15pm AEST Visit Dabble Racing in New South Wales heads to the Hunter Valley on Thursday afternoon with a competitive eight-race program set down for decision at Newcastle. With perfect spring conditions accompanying a Good 4 track, there should be no excuses for fancied runners throughout the day, even with the rail out 5m the entire circuit. Keep reading for HorseBetting’s betting tips for the Newcastle races on October 2, 2025. Best Bet: Maid Of Moolah Peter Snowden looks to have found the right Super Maiden for Maid Of Moolah, who brings three runner-up efforts from four starts and now draws to get a soft run with Braith Nock’s light weight. The Capitalist mare has trialled up neatly, handles all conditions, and her on-speed versatility should be rewarded around Newcastle at 1200m. From barrier 11 she can slide across to land just behind the tempo, and with race experience on her side, she gets every chance to put the maiden away. Best Bet Race 2 – #1 Maid Of Moolah (11) 4yo Mare | T: Peter Snowden | J: Braith Nock (57kg) Next Best at Newcastle: Tonkatsu Goddess Tonkatsu Goddess returns to Benchmark 64 grade with a strong winning profile at 1200m and gets 2kg off for Mollie Fitzgerald. The mare’s tactical speed means she can tag the speed from gate seven and control the race from the hot seat; her winter form reads well for this, and the claim brings her right into it. If she holds a forward position in running and sees daylight at the 300m, her sustained gallop should prove hard to repel. Next Best Race 7 – #1 Tonkatsu Goddess (7) 5yo Mare | T: Matthew Smith | J: Mollie Fitzgerald (a2) (60.5kg) Best Value at Newcastle: Doradus Doradus draws the plumb inside alley in a big Class 1 and gets Andrew Adkins to do the steering, who should gain an economical map for a horse who can hold a spot and quicken. He has metro-level form lines, and the 1500m at Newcastle should suit his settle-and-surge pattern. At an each-way quote with horse racing bookmakers, the gate and run in transit could be the difference against a deep bunch. Best Value Race 4 – #2 Doradus (1) 4yo Gelding | T: John Thompson | J: Andrew Adkins (58.5kg) Wednesday quaddie tips for Newcastle Newcastle quadrella selections October 2, 2025 1-2-4-5-6-7-9 3-5-8-9 1-3-9-10 2-4-6-10-12 Horse racing tips View the full article
  7. Fast Network is bound for a clash with the world’s best sprinter Ka Ying Rising in December after unleashing a scintillating finishing burst to win Wednesday’s Group Three National Day Cup (1,000m) at Sha Tin. Relishing a drop back from the 1,400m of his seasonal reappearance and a return to blinkers, the Dennis Yip Chor-hong-trained gelding blasted home from second last to deliver jockey Alexis Badel a third National Day Cup victory in the past five years. Settling several lengths off...View the full article
  8. Progressive three-year-old Sulek (NZ) (Super Seth) notched his first victory when landing the MRC Foundation Pin & Win Plate (1400m) at Sandown on Wednesday for trainer Dominic Sutton. The gelded son of Super Seth was having just his second start and after racing a little keenly early, settled midfield under jockey Billy Egan before comfortably reeling in the leaders and staving off the late challenge of runner-up Snitz Sonic (Snitzel). “He is still doing a little bit wrong. You could see in the home straight he just wanted to lug in slightly. I think it is just immaturity more than anything, but he definitely has a nice engine,” Sutton said. “He has done it in his trials, that is why we have put the winkers on to help him concentrate and make sure he is going as straight as possible, but with more experience under his belt, he will come good. “It looked a little bit messy early, just trying to get a spot and he just got up on the bridle a tad. He just had to bring him back and get him into a rhythm halfway through. Once he found that spot and he dropped his head, it was a pretty painless watch from there. “He has a contingent of UK owners in him, who are coming over for the carnival. It would be nice to be able to step him out for them when they arrive. But we will ultimately do what is best by the horse first. They are only three once, so we will just have a look at the calendar and see if there is a nice race for him over Melbourne Cup week.” Winning rider Billy Egan said the wind was somewhat problematic hence his decision to settle back with cover. “There was a big headwind down the back straight and a strong tailwind down the home straight,” he said. “He gave me a good feel. I think he is a pretty nice horse. He still has a few things to iron out, but he will make a nice horse when the penny drops. “He was very strong through the line. If get his racing manners in hand a bit early, that will help him settle and he will be able to run out a nice mile.” Sulek was purchased at last year’s New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale, with Sutton Racing and Byron Rogers signing for the chestnut for $420,000. Presented by Kit Brooks’ KB Bloodstock, Sulek is out of the O’Reilly mare Tiff And Co (NZ) and was bred by the Dowager Duchess of Bedford and Waikato Stud. Sulek stems from Bloomsbury Stud’s famed Mrs Moss family, with Group Three winning daughter of Nashwan, Myself (NZ), the three-year-old’s granddam. View the full article
  9. Group Two performer Mary Shan (NZ) (Almanzor) will be in search of an elusive stakes victory when she heads south to Hawera on Saturday where she will contest the Gr.3 Grangewilliam Stud Breeders’ Stakes (1400m). The five-year-old daughter of Almanzor has placed at stakes level on five occasions, including the Gr.2 Soliloquy Stakes (1400m), Gr.2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m), Listed Matamata Cup (1600m) and $1 million Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic (1600m). This year’s edition of the Matamata Cup is on this weekend, and while Mary Shan has a good record in that race, The Breeders’ Stakes has been in Forsman’s crosshairs for some time, and the Cambridge trainer is looking forward to targeting the race with his mare this weekend. Mary Shan takes good form into the race, having won first-up over 1200m at Wanganui in August, and she has been freshened ahead of Saturday’s assignment. “Mary Shan is training very well. She had a good gallop yesterday (Tuesday) morning and she is spot on heading into it,” Forsman said. “She has drawn well (4) and I think it is a suitable sort of race. Hopefully she can utilise that draw and put herself in the first half of the field, and she should run really well. “It would be nice to make her a stakes winner.” Closer to home, Forsman will head to Matamata on Saturday with a pair of runners, including Privy Garden (NZ) (So You Think) in the Russell & Yvonne Green Memorial (2000m). “They were just a little sharp for her, those horses at a mile in that company the other day at Trentham,” Forsman said. “Hopefully the step up to 2000m is what she is looking for now.” Stablemate Hard Roca will also line-up in the COMAG LTD 1400. “He has been really good, he just hasn’t had much luck from wide draws,” Forsman said. “I think his run at Ellerslie the other day was great, so I think he will be very competitive again. “He has drawn well (3), I just hope the track isn’t too heavy. He doesn’t mind a bit of a wet track, but we are stepping up to 1400m. If it was to be very testing, that would be my only query.” Meanwhile, Forsman has been pleased with the way Quondo (Wootton Bassett) has come through his runner-up performance in last Saturday’s Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) at Te Rapa. “It was a big effort,” he said. “He got caught three-wide on-speed and I think the on-pace horses did dominate, which helped, I think they controlled that race. I thought he was very brave and he can only improve off a run like that.” The Gr.2 James and Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m) at Te Rapa later this month looms as his next obvious target, with a tilt at the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) hanging in the balance. “We will give him a bit of time, he has had a few quiet days since that run,” Forsman said. “At this stage, we will probably go straight to the Sarten back at Te Rapa. “He is still physically getting there. He has got a lot of improvement and we may see the best of him early next year and into autumn. “He has clearly got good ability, and we are hoping to get him through to the Sarten and that will be the line in the sand as to whether we push south or we just give him a little bit of time off.” View the full article
  10. Co-trainer and part-owner Darryn Weatherley is taking a glass half full approach ahead of Saturday’s Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) after he came up with an awkward wide gate for Pier. Luck didn’t go Weatherley’s way at Tuesday’s barrier draw for the Randwick feature, but he remains positive and will put his faith in multiple Group One-winning jockey Ethan Brown to work his magic. “He knows how to steer them, but I didn’t help him by putting my hand in the barrel and coming up with barrier 13 out of 14,” he said. “It’s the biggest worry, but in saying that he’s a big-striding horse and it’s a long run down the back straight. “The hardest one to beat will obviously be the mare (Autumn Glow) and she’s drawn outside us, so at least Ethan can keep an eye on where she’s at. “I would rather him cover a bit of ground and not have a hard luck story, if he gets a fair crack at them then I can’t complain.” Pier tuned up for the Epsom at Rosehill where the son of Proisir finished off well to run third in the Gr.2 Theo Marks Stakes (1300m). “I couldn’t be happier with the horse, he’s really bright and we had this race picked out after he won at Eagle Farm (Listed Wayne Wilson, 1600m) back in June,” said Weatherley, who trains in partnership with daughter Briar. “He was super in the Theo Marks, it was very much like the BRC Sprint (Gr.3, 1350m) when he ran third and then won the Wayne Wilson.” Pier had improved with the Rosehill outing, as Weatherly had expected. “He got back and hit the line nicely and I knew he was a bit pretty, he was 552kg leading into that race and I put him on the scales this morning (Wednesday) and he was 542kg,” he said. Pier’s performance in the Epsom will determine the six-year-old’s length of stay in Australia. “Everything depends on Saturday, there are options and if he went really well there’s the King Charles Stakes (Gr.1, 1600m) in a couple of weeks or the Craven Plate (Gr.3, 1800m) in three weeks,” he said. “He also holds a nom for the Cox Plate (Gr.1, 2040m), but that’s pie in the sky stuff at the moment. “He’d have to do something pretty special to warrant putting him on a truck to go to Melbourne to take on Via Sistina and the like.” Weatherley will also be keeping an eye on his home meeting on Saturday where Mali Ston steps out in the Listed Team Wealleans Matamata Cup (1600m). “He’s a stable favourite and his run last time over 1200m at Te Rapa wasn’t a bad one, he got to the line okay,” he said. “I know it’s a good field, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he put his hand up.” View the full article
  11. Leading northern apprentice jockey Triston Moodley is set to return to raceday riding at Avondale next Wednesday, three months after he sustained a head injury at the Waipa trials. The 24-year-old hoop was kicked in the head in the mounting yard at the Te Awamutu track in July and he was airlifted to Waikato Hospital where he underwent surgery to have a plate put in his head. He remained in hospital for a week and he has been pleased with the speed of his recovery. “It (recovery) was pretty quick,” he said. “I got out of hospital after a week and it took me a month to get back on my feet. “Since then, it has been onwards and upwards, I am back to normal and I am back riding track work. I am just getting better and better every day. “I have been keeping fit through my recovery. I spoke with my boss (trainer Danny Walker) this morning and we are planning on sending me to the races next Wednesday. I am looking at taking it easy and having one or two rides a meeting and go from there.” Moodley is eager to return to raceday competition, with his appetite renewed at the Northern Apprentice Awards on Monday night where he received the Milan Park Premier Apprentice Jockey Award. “I didn’t expect it to be honest, I thought Ace (Lawson-Carrooll) got in front of me at the end, but I was very glad to get it,” he said. “When my boss let me know, I was quite chuffed with myself. It was a hard time towards the end of the season, but to get that award, it just means a lot and makes it all worth it.” While it was a tough end to the season, Moodley was pleased with his efforts, with his 52-win haul beating his previous season’s best of 40 wins. He also recorded his first stakes victory aboard the Erin Hocquard-trained Spencer (NZ) (Derryn) in the Gr.3 Spring Sprint (1400m) and defended his title at the apprentice-only day at New Plymouth. “Winning the Group Three on Spencer would be my highlight,” he said. “I rode more than the previous season’s tally, so that is always a goal, to ride more than you did before, and I am glad I achieved that goal. “That was like déjà vu (apprentice-only day). I love New Plymouth, it seems to be one of my luckier tracks. “I appreciate all the support from all the trainers and everyone putting me on their horses. You can’t do it without them, so I am grateful for that.” View the full article
  12. Mary Shan will contest the Group 3 Grangewilliam Stud Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) at Hawera on Saturday. (Photo: Kenton Wright/Race Images) Group Two performer Mary Shan will be in search of an elusive stakes victory when she heads south to Hawera on Saturday where she will contest the Group 3 Grangewilliam Stud Breeders’ Stakes (1400m). The five-year-old daughter of Almanzor has placed at stakes level on five occasions, including the Group 2 Soliloquy Stakes (1400m), Group 2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m), Listed Matamata Cup (1600m) and $1 million Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic (1600m). This year’s edition of the Matamata Cup is on this weekend, and while Mary Shan has a good record in that race, The Breeders’ Stakes has been in Forsman’s crosshairs for some time, and the Cambridge trainer is looking forward to targeting the race with his mare this weekend. Mary Shan takes good form into the race, having won first-up over 1200m at Wanganui in August, and she has been freshened ahead of Saturday’s assignment. “Mary Shan is training very well. She had a good gallop yesterday (Tuesday) morning and she is spot on heading into it,” Forsman said. “She has drawn well (4) and I think it is a suitable sort of race. Hopefully she can utilise that draw and put herself in the first half of the field, and she should run really well. “It would be nice to make her a stakes winner.” Closer to home, Forsman will head to Matamata on Saturday with a pair of runners, including Privy Garden in the Russell & Yvonne Green Memorial (2000m). “They were just a little sharp for her, those horses at a mile in that company the other day at Trentham,” Forsman said. “Hopefully the step up to 2000m is what she is looking for now.” Stablemate Hard Roca will also line-up in the COMAG LTD 1400. “He has been really good, he just hasn’t had much luck from wide draws,” Forsman said. “I think his run at Ellerslie the other day was great, so I think he will be very competitive again. “He has drawn well (3), I just hope the track isn’t too heavy. He doesn’t mind a bit of a wet track, but we are stepping up to 1400m. If it was to be very testing, that would be my only query.” Meanwhile, Forsman has been pleased with the way Quondo has come through his runner-up performance in last Saturday’s Group 2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) at Te Rapa. “It was a big effort,” he said. “He got caught three-wide on-speed and I think the on-pace horses did dominate, which helped, I think they controlled that race. I thought he was very brave and he can only improve off a run like that.” The Group 2 James and Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m) at Te Rapa later this month looms as his next obvious target, with a tilt at the Group 1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) hanging in the balance. “We will give him a bit of time, he has had a few quiet days since that run,” Forsman said. “At this stage, we will probably go straight to the Sarten back at Te Rapa. “He is still physically getting there. He has got a lot of improvement and we may see the best of him early next year and into autumn. “He has clearly got good ability, and we are hoping to get him through to the Sarten and that will be the line in the sand as to whether we push south or we just give him a little bit of time off.” Horse racing news View the full article
  13. By Adam Hamilton The New Zealand Cup Week spotlight is firmly across the ditch this weekend. The two best pacers in this part of the world, Leap To Fame and Swayzee, continue their preparations for the IRT NZ Trotting Cup at Addington Raceway on Tuesday, November 11 with lead-up runs in Queensland and New South Wales tonight. Leap To Fame returns from a spell at Albion Park at 9.14pm, while Swayzee steps out over 2300m at Menangle at 9.50pm. They will then clash in the $250,000 Group 1 Victoria Cup at Melton on October 18 before heading to NZ to prepare for the Cup. Also at Menangle, underrated Victorian trotter and Brisbane Inter Dominion heat winner Parisian Artiste is favourite to return to winning form in the final event (race eight), a mile trotting race at 12.28am (Sunday morning). He looks on target for tilts at the Renwick Farms Dominion Trot and NZ Trotting Free-For-All in Cup Week. Down at Melton on the same night, Inter Dominion and TAB Trot winner Arcee Phoenix is on the quick back-up after a labouring sixth from a daunting 30m handicap when he resumed at Menangle last Saturday night. Chris Svanosio’s six-year-old moves forward to a 20m handicap and stretches from 2300m to a more suitable 2760m. He will also strip fitter. It will give a much better guide to where he’s at and also be some more valuable standing-start practice again of the Dominion. On the same card, Australia’s two confirmed contenders for the $500,000 Majestic Horse Floats THE ASCENT at Addington on November 14 – Tracy The Jet and Gatesys Gem – step out. Tracy The Jet is a $1.04 favourite to overcome a wide draw (gate seven) and make it five wins from as many starts this campaign in the Group 1 Need For Speed Princess final (12.38am Sunday). Gatesys Gem, who beat Tracy The Jet in the NSW Trotters’ Oaks in May, will return from a spell from an outside draw (gate seven) against older rivals in the third race at Melton (9.57pm). It means a fascinating clash with the untapped Lady Vici, who boasts eight wins from just nine starts. View the full article
  14. Trainer Tony Gollan.(Photo: Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) Champion trainer Tony Gollan has been unveiled as one of four new inductees into the Queensland Racing Hall of Fame. To be held as a part of the Queensland Thoroughbred Awards gala lunch on October 12 at The Star Brisbane, the state’s premier trainer will be inducted into the Hall of Fame alongside Michael Pelling (Jockey) and Chief De Beers (Horse). A fourth inductee will also be announced at the awards ceremony. Born and raised in Toowoomba, the son of champion local trainer Darryl Gollan commenced his career at age 20 in 1999, claiming his maiden victory thanks to Carbon Shadow at Clifford Park in July of that year. The trajectory of Gollan’s career changed forever in 2003, with the purchase of a Eureka Stud filly named Temple Spirit, who would go on to win eight races and over $130,000 in prize money for the up-and-coming trainer. However, it was her first two progeny – Temple Of Boom and Spirit Of Boom – that launched the Gollan name into stardom, combining for 20 wins, three Group 1s and more than $4 million in prize money. On the back of his first Group 1 success through Temple Of Boom’s victory in The Galaxy at Randwick in 2012, Tony made the move to Eagle Farm, claiming his first Metropolitan Trainers’ Premiership in the 2013/14 season. In a career that has netted more than 2,000 victories, Gollan is now an eight-time Group 1-winning trainer, with both ‘Boom Brothers’, Vega One, Krone, Jonker and Antino having delivered him the ultimate success across his glittering career. In recent years, Gollan has re-written the record books in Queensland, setting a new benchmark for statewide wins in 2022/23 with 194 victories, as well as a metropolitan record (147) in 2023/24. In the season just gone, Gollan claimed his 12th straight Metropolitan Trainers’ Premiership, and looks poised to claim continue his stranglehold on the Jim Atkins Trainer of the Year Award at this year’s ceremony. “I never expected this, to be inducted into the Hall of Fame at this stage of my career,” Gollan said. “To be alongside trainers like Jim Atkins, who was my hero growing up, it means an awful lot to me. “I don’t feel like I’m anywhere near done yet and still have a fair bit of my story to be written.” Gollan will be joined in the Queensland Racing Hall of Fame by one of the state’s most iconic horses and cult figures – Chief De Beers. Chief De Beers will forever be remembered as the ‘King of Doomben’, where he claimed all 20 of his career wins. He won the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 in 1995 and 1998, as well as 10 other black-type races at the course. ‘The Chief’ was twice placed in Group 1 races at Eagle Farm and also placed at Flemington, Caulfield, Moonee Valley and the Gold Coast, but Doomben remained the only track where he tasted success. In retirement, he continued to flourish as a mounted police horse for the Queensland Mounted Police, where his decade-long service mirrored his racing tenure – distinguished and decorated. In the months prior to his sad passing in 2020, Chief De Beers was honoured with the prestigious Blue Cross Medal for his service as a member of the Queensland Police, and his community engagement with Living Legends. Finally, Michael Pelling is the latest hoop to be inducted into the Queensland Racing Hall of Fame. Born and raised in the far north of the state, Pelling’s glittering career in the saddle began under the guidance of fellow Hall of Fame inductee Pat Duff. Pelling also enjoyed great success with another legendary local trainer in Jim Atkins, headlined by their Group 1 QTC Derby success with Mr Cromwell. The same horse also gave Pelling his one and only ride in a Melbourne Cup in 1981, finishing eighth to Kingston Town. The four-time Group 1-winner retired from the saddle in 2005 with more than 1,500 career wins and four Metropolitan Jockeys’ Premierships. In retirement, Mick remained connected to the racing industry, patenting the now famous Pelling Pacifier, used across the world. “I was very surprised to find out I was being inducted into the Hall of Fame,” Pelling said. “I never thought I was in that calibre of Mick Dittman or Glen Boss who went to ride in Sydney and Melbourne, whilst I always stayed based in Queensland. “I had the opportunities to go ride interstate if I wanted to take them but ultimately, I always thought I would be happiest here at home. “I grew up on a farm and was always around animals; I loved horses and I guess the horses loved me.” View the full article
  15. Leading northern apprentice jockey Triston Moodley. (Photo: Peter Rubery/Race Images Palmerston North) Leading northern apprentice jockey Triston Moodley is set to return to raceday riding at Avondale next Wednesday, three months after he sustained a head injury at the Waipa trials. The 24-year-old hoop was kicked in the head in the mounting yard at the Te Awamutu track in July and he was airlifted to Waikato Hospital where he underwent surgery to have a plate put in his head. He remained in hospital for a week and he has been pleased with the speed of his recovery. “It (recovery) was pretty quick,” he said. “I got out of hospital after a week and it took me a month to get back on my feet. “Since then, it has been onwards and upwards, I am back to normal and I am back riding track work. I am just getting better and better every day. “I have been keeping fit through my recovery. I spoke with my boss (trainer Danny Walker) this morning and we are planning on sending me to the races next Wednesday. I am looking at taking it easy and having one or two rides a meeting and go from there.” Moodley is eager to return to raceday competition, with his appetite renewed at the Northern Apprentice Awards on Monday night where he received the Milan Park Premier Apprentice Jockey Award. “I didn’t expect it to be honest, I thought Ace (Lawson-Carroll) got in front of me at the end, but I was very glad to get it,” he said. “When my boss let me know, I was quite chuffed with myself. It was a hard time towards the end of the season, but to get that award, it just means a lot and makes it all worth it.” While it was a tough end to the season, Moodley was pleased with his efforts, with his 52-win haul beating his previous season’s best of 40 wins. He also recorded his first stakes victory aboard the Erin Hocquard-trained Spencer in the Group 3 Spring Sprint (1400m) and defended his title at the apprentice-only day at New Plymouth. “Winning the Group Three on Spencer would be my highlight,” he said. “I rode more than the previous season’s tally, so that is always a goal, to ride more than you did before, and I am glad I achieved that goal. “That was like déjà vu (apprentice-only day). I love New Plymouth, it seems to be one of my luckier tracks. “I appreciate all the support from all the trainers and everyone putting me on their horses. You can’t do it without them, so I am grateful for that.” Horse racing news View the full article
  16. Sha Tin hosts another feature day this public holiday Wednesday, with the Group Three National Day Cup (1,000m) the highlight of the season’s seventh meeting. There are 10 races on the card and Sam Agars is in the hot seat to provide an extended rundown of his selections. Race 1 – Class Five Shenyang Handicap (1,400m) Tsuen Wan Glory has been working well since a solid late-August trial and he looks the one to beat if apprentice Britney Wong Po-ni can find the front from gate 12. Race 2 – Class...View the full article
  17. Pier will contest Saturday’s Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick. (Photo: Kenton Wright/Race Images) Co-trainer and part-owner Darryn Weatherley is taking a glass-half-full approach ahead of Saturday’s Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) after he came up with an awkward wide gate for Pier. Luck didn’t go Weatherley’s way at Tuesday’s barrier draw for the Randwick feature, but he remains positive and will put his faith in multiple Group One-winning jockey Ethan Brown to work his magic. “He knows how to steer them, but I didn’t help him by putting my hand in the barrel and coming up with barrier 13 out of 14,” he said. “It’s the biggest worry, but in saying that he’s a big-striding horse and it’s a long run down the back straight. “The hardest one to beat will obviously be the mare (Autumn Glow) and she’s drawn outside us, so at least Ethan can keep an eye on where she’s at. “I would rather him cover a bit of ground and not have a hard luck story, if he gets a fair crack at them then I can’t complain.” Pier tuned up for the Epsom at Rosehill, where the son of Proisir finished off well to run third in the Group 2 Theo Marks Stakes (1300m). “I couldn’t be happier with the horse, he’s really bright and we had this race picked out after he won at Eagle Farm (Listed Wayne Wilson, 1600m) back in June,” said Weatherley, who trains in partnership with daughter Briar. “He was super in the Theo Marks, it was very much like the BRC Sprint (Group 3, 1350m) when he ran third and then won the Wayne Wilson.” Pier had improved with the Rosehill outing, as Weatherly had expected. “He got back and hit the line nicely and I knew he was a bit pretty, he was 552kg leading into that race and I put him on the scales this morning (Wednesday) and he was 542kg,” he said. Pier’s performance in the Epsom will determine the six-year-old’s length of stay in Australia. “Everything depends on Saturday, there are options and if he went really well there’s the King Charles Stakes (Group 1, 1600m) in a couple of weeks or the Craven Plate (Group 3, 1800m) in three weeks,” he said. “He also holds a nom for the Cox Plate (Group 1, 2040m), but that’s pie in the sky stuff at the moment. “He’d have to do something pretty special to warrant putting him on a truck to go to Melbourne to take on Via Sistina and the like.” Weatherley will also be keeping an eye on his home meeting on Saturday where Mali Ston steps out in the Listed Matamata Cup (1600m). “He’s a stable favourite and his run last time over 1200m at Te Rapa wasn’t a bad one, he got to the line okay,” he said. “I know it’s a good field, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he put his hand up.” Horse racing news View the full article
  18. A micro syndicate is set for the ride of their lives with their charge Out Of The Blue winning at Riccarton on Saturday. Photo: Race Images South Te Akau Racing marketing manager Julia-Rose Hayes has had plenty of success syndicating horses selected by her father, David Ellis, and that has continued with her latest project. Hayes has been a key part of New Zealand’s leading stable, operated by her parents David Ellis and Karyn Fenton-Ellis, for several years and she has taken pride in the handful of syndicates she has formed. Her two biggest success stories have been syndicating Group One winner On The Bubbles and Group One performer Wild Night, and she is hoping she has found another in Out Of The Blue, who won on debut over 800m at Riccarton last Saturday. More: How to bet on NZ racing The two-year-old gelding’s dam, Cornflower Blue, is a former member of the stable, for whom she won the Group 3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m) and placed in the Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m), Group 2 Wellington Guineas (1400m) and Listed Mufhasa Sakes (1300m). Upon retirement, she began her new career as a broodmare at Waikato Stud, who offered her second colt by Tivaci through their New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft at Karaka earlier this year where he caught the eye of Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis, who secured him with a final bid of $60,000. Hayes had gone to her parents prior to the sale proposing to put together a syndicate targeted towards younger people, and Ellis thought his Karaka purchase was ideal for her needs. “It was at the stage where there were a lot of micro-syndication popping up and I put a proposal to David and Karyn asking would they be interested if we offered shares from one percent, and they said yes,” Hayes said. “It was targeted at young people who want to meet new people and have a share in hopefully a good racehorse, which it looks like we have got. “A lot of people (syndicate members) came through our website because we have got the capability to buy online, through promotion and friends of friends.” Hayes was rapt when Ellis put forward Out Of The Blue as her syndicate horse, with Hayes having a connection to his dam as well. “I did this punting competition with about 10 guys and I was the only female,” Hayes said. “Cornflower Blue was my bet one year and she ran third at Ellerslie. “She was such a good mare to us and in this punting competition we ended up earning about $28,000 that we split. “It was great when I saw we had bought the Cornflower Blue, and David and Mark (Walker, co-trainer) were like ‘this is the one for you’. It was pretty exciting as I feel I have a connection with the horse.” Hayes’ vision duly came to life and the Te Akau Tangerine Army Racing Partnership 1 was formed, and syndicate members were quickly rewarded when Out Of The Blue won on debut at Riccarton just eight months on. “It was fantastic, and I am so excited for the syndicate,” Hayes said. With his $14,000 winner’s cheque, Out Of The Blue has put himself firmly in contention for January’s Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) at Ellerslie. His debut win is a positive sign for Hayes, whose former syndicate horse On The Bubbles (a $90,000 Karaka purchase by Ellis) also won on debut as a juvenile before going on to win the Karaka Millions 2YO and Group 1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m), and she is hoping Out Of The Blue can go on to reach the same lofty heights. “Isn’t it quite funny that it’s OOTB (Out Of The Blue)? We used to call On The Bubbles, OTB, so maybe we have On The Bubbles II,” Hayes quipped. “All things going well, it looks like we are going to have a hell of a night at the Karaka Millions. We are going to ride the wave and enjoy it.” Hayes is looking forward to socialising with the syndicate in the months ahead leading into the Karaka Millions, with a number of events in the pipeline. “Everyone involved in the syndicate are so keen to meet new people and that’s what makes this really exciting, we are celebrating it all together, but we have yet to catch-up,” she said. “We are going to have an event before the end of the year. If we make the Karaka Millions, we will have an event on Karaka Millions night as well. “The social aspect is really fun and being able to meet new people. I love people and I thrive on socialising and most people in the industry feel the same and that is why we love the industry, as well as the horses. When you get success on a racecourse, there is nothing that tastes as good as that.” View the full article
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  20. Most of the field for the Oct. 3 Jessamine Stakes (G2T) was last seen at Kentucky Downs, but the morning-line pick, Time to Dream, brings her undefeated record from Saratoga.View the full article
  21. The road back to racing has been a long one for Tamara. Now the Spendthrift Farm homebred will try to make it a return worth waiting for in the Oct. 4 Chillingworth Stakes.View the full article
  22. The Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association announces that stakes purses for Louisiana Champions Day Stakes at Fair Grounds in December and Louisiana Premier Night at Delta Downs in February are increasing by a total of $250,000.View the full article
  23. TIMONIUM, MD – The Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Fall Yearlings Sale produced strong returns at the Maryland State Fairgrounds Tuesday, with numbers up across the board from its 2024 renewal. In all, 161 yearlings grossed $4,978,100, while the average of $30,920 rose 30.4% from a year ago and the median increased 33.3% to $20,000. A year ago, 180 horses sold for $4,267,700. The average was $23,709 and the median was $15,000. “The results were very strong today,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning, Jr. “I think it demonstrates that there is a viable and legitimate market here in the Midlantic region for people to bring a quality horse to. I thought we had more buyers here than we had horses. There was more money here than we had horses that could fill those orders. A lot of people went home without buying a horse.” With 36 horses reported not sold, the buy-back rate Tuesday was 19.3%. It was 28.3% a year ago. David Scanlon made the day's highest bid when going to $370,000 to acquire a colt by Nyquist from Becky Davis's consignment. The sale topper was one of seven to bring six figures at the auction, up from six in 2024. “For decades, this location has been as reliable and consistent a marketplace as there is in the United States,” Browning said. “And that was evident again today. There was a great cross-section of participation from pinhookers, to local trainers, to owners that race throughout the region. It was very encouraging today.” With the Maryland racing circuit in transition as Pimlico Race Course is demolished ahead of a rebuild and the expected closure of Laurel Park, the catalogue for the Midlantic Fall sale has fallen over the last several years. From 526 head in 2022, the catalogue fell to 412 in 2023, 284 in 2024 and 225 this year. “We know this is a region in transition, but I think the nice thing is that there were a lot of positives to take out of the sale today,” Browning said. “Hopefully it's something we can build on going forward and it gives people some confidence to breed horses and to bring a quality horse here to sell next year and beyond.” Browning continued, “This gives us some evidence to go recruit. There were some horses who came out of this region who sold at other markets in 2025 because of some concern or trepidation. There are some horses that traditionally have come to this market from other states who may not have come this year because of that same kind of trepidation. We can look those men and women in the eye and say, 'You might have made a mistake in 2025. We hope you will come back in 2026 and we will all work together and hopefully grow the marketplace and continue to offer a viable product for buyers and sellers alike.'” The Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Fall sale also featured the company's first female auctioneer, when Camille Booker, a third-generation auctioneer, took the microphone Tuesday. “She sold today because she is a qualified professional,” Browning said. “I think anybody that was in this crowd or watching on the internet said that's a quality professional who happens to be a female. She got in the auction stand because she's a professional and she did a professional job today. And I think the reaction from our buyers and sellers was overwhelmingly positive.” 'They Weren't Going to Let Me Steal One Two Years in a Row': Another Midlantic Nyquist Colt for Scanlon Dave Scanlon walked out of last year's Midlantic Fall sale with a son of Nyquist acquired for $150,000 who subsequently brought $1 million at this year's OBS March sale. The Ocala horseman had to work considerably harder to take home a son of the GI Kentucky Derby winner Tuesday in Timonium, ultimately going to $370,000 to obtain hip 18 from Becky Davis's consignment. Hip 18 c. NYQUIST o/o Lookin Dynamic sells for $370,000 at Midlantic Fall Yearlings! Congrats to the connections: B: Scanlon Training & Sales C: Becky Davis, agt Br: Bowman & Higgins Stable, R. Larry Johnson & RDM Racing Stable (MD)#FasigMD #MDbred @MarylandTB… pic.twitter.com/W2lzo5eSrb — Fasig-Tipton (@FasigTiptonCo) September 30, 2025 “We obviously had huge success with a Nyquist colt here last year,” Scanlon said. “This was the same breeder, same consignor. We were hoping coming in here that he was a beautiful horse. We got here and we were really happy. He's a great walker, he had good scope to him. And he is by Nyquist.” Bred by Bowman & Higgins Stable, the late R. Larry Johnson, and RDM Racing Stable, the dark bay colt is the first foal out of multiple stakes placed Lookin Dynamic (Lookin at Lucky), a half-sister to stakes winner and multiple graded placed Another Broad (Include) and multiple stakes winner Dynamic Strike (Smart Strike). Following a strong renewal of the Keeneland September sale, Scanlon admitted he was prepared to have plenty of competition at the Midlantic sale. “I see more people here this year,” Scanlon said. “I know people didn't get horses [at Keeneland]. We didn't get as many as we hoped to get. So we knew we had to go strong here. I do think there is a huge carry over from Keeneland. I knew coming in here, if this horse is nice, they are not going to let me steal one two years in a row.” Scanlon is perennially active at the Midlantic sale and said he likes the product on offer at the Maryland auction. “I feel like you have to be a real pinhooker here,” he said. “They are not ready made. They are raised right here in Maryland, out in a field and raised properly. And you get in here and they might be a little bit hairy, maybe a little raw, but they train up and they do really well. They are raised good, so they train up nice and they turn out nice.” When the Midlantic auction house holds its 2-year-olds in training sale next May, it will only be with untimed works. Scanlon said the change won't impact his shopping this fall. “I still think they are going to go down there at a pretty good clip,” Scanlon said. “I am for it. I think what it does is it makes everybody do their homework a little bit more. I am a big fan of the whip rule–I think we need to improve perception and I think that's going to help with the whip rule. I think it was a great deal last year. Even though we were kind of forced to do it that way, I loved it. I thought the response was pretty good. I applaud Boyd [Browning] and Fasig-Tipton for doing that. I think it was a great move and I hope it catches on.” Maryland Move Pays for Kiernan, Nothing But Net Owen Kiernan, who transferred his breeding operation from New York to Maryland five years ago, acquired the mare Logic of Absurdity (Bodemeister), in foal to Corniche, for $30,000 at the 2023 Keeneland November sale. The mare's Corniche filly (hip 17) rewarded the purchase Tuesday in Timonium when selling for $200,000 to Robert Lambe. The yearling was consigned by Northview Stallion Station. Owen Kiernan (in blue) | Fasig-Tipton “To be honest with you, I was finding it kind of hard to find horses at that sale,” Kiernan recalled of the 2023 Keeneland sale. “I just saw her going through and I talked with Mick Moore and I pulled the trigger on her and I got her. It was kind of lucky. It was one of those situations where you are getting a little punchy. But, you know, sometimes it works out okay.” Logic of Absurdity is a half-sister to Grade I winner Stormy Lucy (Stormy Atlantic). With no foal reported in 2025, the 11-year-old mare was bred back to Endorsed this spring. “She really bloomed in the last few months,” Owen said of the yearling. “I wasn't really that excited about her in the early part of the year and then she really came on. This sale later in September helped her a lot.” Of the yearling's price tag Tuesday, Kiernan admitted, 'I felt like $75,000 maybe, conservatively, was in my mind before the Keeneland sales. But then Corniche started to establish a good amount of top horses.” Corniche had 43 yearlings sell at the Keeneland September sale for an average of $203,651. The Coolmore stallion, who stood this past season for $15,000, was also represented by the top-priced lot at last week's Fasig-Tipton California Fall Yearlings Sale when a filly by the juvenile champion sold for $250,000. Kiernan said he has a broodmare band of some 10 head at his Tullynally Farm. The Irishman offered five homebred yearlings in Timonium Tuesday and all but one were purchased in utero at prices from $30,000 to $4,500. “There is a shortage of mares here in Maryland,” Kiernan said of his decision to relocate from New York five years ago. “I'm trying to promote the market and get a little niche, having something that will sell without paying a lot of money.” The post $370K Nyquist Colt Tops ‘Strong’ Renewal of Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Fall Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article
  24. A field of 12 fillies will vie for a spot in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1T) at Del Mar in the 1 1/16-mile Miss Grillo Stakes (G2T) Oct. 4 at Aqueduct Racetrack.View the full article
  25. Hopeful Stakes (G1) winner Ted Noffey will look to extend his brilliance to Kentucky and around two turns when he routes for the first time in the $650,000 Breeders' Futurity (G1) going 1 1/16 miles Oct. 4 at Keeneland.View the full article
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