Wandering Eyes

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

The final two races on Saturday's live racing program at Woodbine outside of Toronto, including the GIII Autumn Stakes, were cancelled “in the best interest of equine safety,” according to a release from Woodbine Entertainment Group. The decision was taken following consultation with the local Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, the Jockeys' Guild and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). The track successfully staged two of the three graded events carded for Saturday, the GIII Maple Leaf Stakes and the GIII Bessarabian Stakes. The Autumn Stakes will not be re-drawn and will take place next Saturday, Nov. 16. The post Woodbine Cancels Final Two Races, Autumn Stakes To Run Nov. 16 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The famous movie and current Broadway play is "Back to the Future." For the connections of Integration, it's back to the past.View the full article

Don Valpredo. a longtime breeder and owner based in California, passed away Oct. 31 while on vacation overseas. He was 85. At one time or another, Valpredo was on the board of virtually every horse racing and breeding organization in California. From Bakersfield, California, he served as the chairman of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association from 2014 to 2016 and served three consecutive one-year terms from 1986 to 1988 and remained on the board of that organization at the time of his passing. Valpredo was inducted into the California Thoroughbred Hall of Fame. He was also among a group of fellow owners and breeders that created California Cup Day at Santa Anita. In his honor, the California Cup Sprint was renamed the Don Valpredo California Cup Sprint. In 2014 he was tapped again to help run the CTBA and served another term. as that group's president He also served as the commissioner of the California Horse Racing Board and had stints as a member of the Breeders' Cup board, and with the boards of the Thoroughbred Owners of California and the Jockey Club. He was inducted into the CTBA Hall of Fame in 2017 With his friend and business partner John Harris, he co-bred California Horse of the Year and GI Breeders' Cup Sprint runner up Soviet Problem. In 2019, he was inducted into the Bob Elias Kern County Sports Hall of Fame for helping build the sport in California for over forty years. In his obituary posted on the website of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association, it was noted that, “while he will forever be the patriarch of many agricultural enterprises, which along with his proud and steadfast service, comprise much of his legacy, thoroughbred horses were Valpredo's true passion. Perhaps because they most closely resemble his untamable spirit, interminable grit and resolve, and/or perhaps as Valpredo once put it, simply because, “the first horse that I bred and raced so many years ago won her first race” … and away he went, always putting more into the Thoroughbred world than he took out.” “I absolutely love the training industry and the breeding industry here,” Valpredo told the TDN in January. “In fact, I'm sitting here today with the Stallion Register on my lap, trying to find the right mix for my broodmares.” He was also a veteran of the agricultural industry. He was the president of Ridge Ginning Co. and founding Partner of Kern Ridge Growers, Val-Mar Farms and related entities. He also served on the Western Growers Board of Directors from 2003-2014 and was a WG member since 1989. His company Country Sweet Produce specialized in sweet potatoes. Valpredo is survived by his wife Sally; three children: Michael Valpredo, Natalia Fritz and Alexis Mosely and their spouses; and seven grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, the Valpredo family is asking for donations to the National Future Farmers of America Foundation's Leadership Fund. The post California Horseman Don Valpredo Passes Away at 85 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Four-year-old is one of the leading hopes in Sunday’s Group One Grosser Preis von Bayern in Munich.View the full article

The husband and wife team of Terry and Leanne Gillett, highly-successful trainers in Alice Springs, with daughter and apprentice Dakota Gillett after tasting success at Pioneer Park It was fitting that father and daughter Terry and Dakota Gillett had a winning double at Alice Springs on Saturday on the same day they were honoured for their achievements during the 2023/24 season. Ornamental Lady – starting at $2.90 with online bookmakers – saluted over 1200m at 0-64 level before Little Ditty, a $6.50 hope, prevailed over 1100m in 0-58 grade. On Saturday night, Terry was awarded the leading trainer award with 25 wins and Dakota secured the leading apprentice award with 16 wins at the Red Centre Racing Awards. Ornamental Lady, Epaulette’s seven-year-old mare, and Little Ditty, Outreach’s five-year-old gelding, outclassed their rivals earlier in the day after leading from start to finish. Back in grade, Ornamental Lady exploded at the home turn to overcome Paul Gardner’s $2.35 PlayUp favourite Perkova and Kevin Lamprecht’s Ginger Creek by 4.1 lengths. After two minor placings, Little Ditty was in good shape at the 350m once rounding the final bend and was never under threat despite prevailing by 0.6 lengths from Will Savage’s Only The Best and Dan Morgan’s fast-finishing $2.80 favourite Boy Big. Former NSW galloper O’Tycoon, victorious at Newcastle and a placegetter at Randwick, was in the mix over 1100m against 0-70 opposition after rattling home late to finish a narrow second over 1200m in the 0-70 ranks a fortnight ago. When Will Savage’s Talent Quest, who had won five of its past seven starts, was scratched at the barrier, the task for Lisa Whittle’s O’Tycoon – the $2.35 favourite with Sonja Logan aboard – was made easier before sinking Gillett’s Hurn Court and Savage’s Boss Shelby by 4.6 lengths. Barry Cooke’s $2.35 Neds favourite Chief White Sock, ridden by Stan Tsaikos, also led throughout before making it back to back wins with an impressive display over 1100m at 0-58 level. WA trainer Yannick Valenti enjoyed his second win at Pioneer Park when $11 prospect Get Out Mick – partnered by Victorian apprentice Jessica Booth – came from last to salute in Class 2 action over 1100m. Horse racing news View the full article

Following an inspection of the track surfaces by officials from the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA), the Arizona Horse Racing Commission has notified Turf Paradise that the 2024-2025 live meeting can begin Monday, Nov. 11. Turf Paradise General Manager Vince Francia said, “Thanks to our horsemen and the AzHBPA for helping us establish the new season. Our track maintenance crews did stellar work. We are excited to bring our fans another great season of racing.” The racing calendar will run through May 3. This year's schedule includes live racing on Saturday, including the Saturday following Thanksgiving, Nov. 30. The post Racing At Turf Paradise Confirmed To Begin Nov. 11 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Live racing returns to Turf Paradise Nov. 11. Following successful track inspections conducted by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority, the Arizona Racing Commission notified Turf Paradise that all live racing surfaces meet standards. View the full article

The Claiming Crown, which has been compared to a claiming horse owner's Breeders' Cup, returns Nov. 16 to Churchill Downs, featuring eight starter races worth $1.1 million, topped by the $200,000 Claiming Crown Jewel. View the full article

Trainer Charlie Appleby has had the Nov. 10 Grosser Preis von Bayern (G1) in mind for some time for group 1 victor Ancient Wisdom, who was last seen winning the Bahrain Trophy (G3) at Newmarket in July. View the full article

The Chosen Vron has been turned out for several months after an issue was found in his ankle after he was placed on the veterinarian's list. Co-owner and trainer Eric Kruljac said the sprinter is expected to recover and return to the races next year.View the full article

Earning his second win of the season, INTEGRATION (c, 4, Quality Road–Harmonize, by Scat Daddy) tagged a pair of front-runners in the final strides to take Saturday's GII Red Smith Stakes at Aqueduct. Second in the GI Arlington Million at Colonials Downs two back, the 6-5 shot sat a ground-saving trip mid pack behind Limited Liability (Kitten's Joy) and Rebel Red (GB) (Frankel {GB}) but came flying down the stretch to nail those two with an outside bid past the sixteenth pole to steal the win. Lifetime Record: MGISP, 10-5-1-1. O-West Point Thoroughbreds and Woodford Racing, LLC; B-Larkin Armstrong; T-Claude R. McGaughey III. Sales History: $700,000 ylg '21 FTSAUG. #2 INTEGRATION ($4.50) picks up the battling leaders late with a burst in the stretch to win the $300,000 Red Smith Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct. The son of Quality Road (@LanesEndFarms) was ridden by Flavien Prat and is trained by Shug McGaughey. Watch more on @FanDuelTV. pic.twitter.com/vDYGvNAkHM — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) November 9, 2024 The post Integration Up In Time To Take Red Smith appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Jonny Turner Mark Hurrell has four missions to complete before linking up with one of the south’s biggest chances on New Zealand Cup Day. Hurrell has four drives at Wyndham on Sunday including warm favourite First Light. The mare was only just denied in her first start for the spring when overhauled late by the very impressive Winton winner Muchacho. With several factors looking in her favour this week, First Light looks a big winning chance for Hurrell and trainer Greg Hunter. “She just blew out late in her last start, she missed a race a couple of weeks ago and she just came to the end of her run,” Hurrell said. “The horse that beat her is not a bad horse and once we got past us he went again.” “It was still a good run and from a much better draw this week she should get her chance.” “She should be able to get out pretty good and stay handy.” Hurrell also links up with By Chance who has been trialling well ahead of his return at Wyndham on Sunday. The pacer must overcome starting from the unruly over a mile, but his driver is hopeful he can. “The unruly is the best place for him because he is still green, there is only one horse on the second row so it shouldn’t end up too bad,” Hurrell said. “His trials have been pretty good so hopefully he should go a nice race.” Robyns Art looks another each way threat for Hurrell, with the pacer getting a key upgrade in draw in barrier 4. “It is the first good draw he’s had in a long time, he usually draws 8 or 10 or somewhere like that.” “Hopefully he can stay handy from there, because he can keep going at the same speed.” Beyond Sunday, Hurrell will reunite with Wag Star in the Group Three Junior Free-For-All on New Zealand Cup Day. The Craig Ferguson trained pacer was luckless in the Kaikoura Cup when checked early during a haphazard start before being forced to race three-wide without cover for the final lap of the feature. The great news for Wag Star’s southern fans is that he has progressed well since that tough run. “Craig has been really happy with him, he has been bucking and running around the paddock,” Hurrell said. “Hopefully from the draw (5) he will get a bit more luck this time.” “It is not going to be easy, there are some nice horses in the race.” “Catch A Wave has won over $2million whereas our horse has won about $90k.” “But I know what my horse has got under the hood, he is a pretty good horse.” Hurrell also links up with another southerner in South Seas Rock on New Zealand Cup Day. View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Sunday's Observations include a colt out of G1 Oaks heroine Qualify. 12.48 Saint-Cloud, Mdn, €50,000, unraced 2yo, c/g, 7 1/2fT Godolphin's CUALIFICAR (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), is an Andre Fabre-trained son of G1 Oaks heroine Qualify (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) and thus kin to this year's G3 Jebel Ali Mile victor Swing Vote (GB) (Shamardal). Qualify, who was a 1.6-million guineas purchase at the 2015 Tattersalls December sale, is scheduled to go under the hammer at this month's Goffs November sale. Opposition to the April-foaled chestnut includes Haras Assiro's Dynamitic (GB) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}), who is a half-brother to this term's G1 Lockinge Stakes third Witch Hunter (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}). The post Observations: Son of Oaks Heroine Qualify Set for Saint-Cloud Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Fan favorite The Chosen Vron (Vronsky), scratched from the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint last weekend, will be turned out for several months after an issue was detected in his ankle. “We'll take it one step at a time,” trainer J. Eric Kruljac said. “We'll give him four months off and then bring him back. I feel pretty good that he'll come back the same horse.” California's reigning Horse of the Year, the 6-year-old has won 19 of his 25 career trips to the post to date and, after finishing fifth in last year's Sprint, rattled off five consecutive victories this season, capped by a successful defense of his title in the GI Bing Crosby Stakes at Del Mar. He was upended by Raging Torrent (Maximus Mischief) in the GII Pat O'Brien Stakes and was on track for the six-furlong dash on Nov. 2. Veterinarians placed The Chosen Vron on the vet's list 10 days before the Sprint, where he would have had to stay for two weeks. “It's a little blemish, not even as big as an eraser on a pencil,” Kruljac continued. “The races he ran in the Pat O'Brien and the Bing Crosby he had that probably going on then. “He deserves a little rest,” Kruljac said. “Three of the four partners live in close proximity (to Bonsall), so they can go out and visit him. The other guy, Bob Fetkin, lives in St. Pete Beach, Florida. He and his wife Sheila just lost their house in the hurricane. They were renting an apartment on the eighth floor of a high rise and a crane on a building adjacent from his apartment broke off and crashed into his apartment. They took it in stride and they're safe.” At the time of the scratching, Kruljac mentioned the possibility of racing in the Middle East over the winter. “We may still do that,” Kruljac said. “Whatever I voiced out loud probably didn't have a lot thought behind it. Just frustration. But everybody has to do what they have to do. Life in the big city.” The post The Chosen Vron On Turn-Out, Expected To Return in 2025 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article