Wandering Eyes

The NZ Sires’ Stakes Board wishes everyone racing over IRT NZ Trotting Cup Week all the very best of good luck. Because as quick as Chase A Dream’s quarter last year Cup week is here and there is plenty to get excited about. To find out more about the Sires’ Stakes Cup Week class of 2024 click here Tuesday and Friday, Addington’s two biggest days of the year, will see such feature races as : – Woodlands Stud NZ 2YO C and G Final – Nevele R 3YO Fillies Final – Dunstan Horsefeeds 2YO Fillies Final – IRT 2YO Trotters Championship – Bob McArdle Southern Mares Classic While it is a busy time of year the Board also wishes to advise that 2YO Sustaining Payments will soon be emailed/posted but these are not due until Monday, December 2, 2024. This payment is for current yearlings that wish to race as two-year-olds in the 2025 year. If you elect to miss this payment you can still come in for your horses’ three-year-old year (2026) with this payment not due until July 1 , 2025. Footnote : Chase A Dream’s last 400 last year was 28.0 and one of the marquee performances in 2024. There will be plenty more in the days to come. Any queries please contact Martin Pierson – 027 4711 081 Or : martin@nzsiresstakes.co.nz View the full article

By Jonny Turner The little brother of a New Zealand Cup great scored a timely win as the lead-up to the $1m feature builds to a fever pitch. Just one day short of eight years since Lazarus delivered his first devastating New Zealand Cup victory, Sinai Sermon delivered a strong front-running win at Oamaru in the Brad Williamson Racing Stables Mobile Pace. The younger of the two brothers is trained by David Mitchell who races the four-year-old with Donna Williamson and Gavin Chin. Chin is co-breeder of the two-time New Zealand Cup winner Lazarus and the owner of his dam Bethany. The Dunedin harness racing enthusiast was thrilled that Mitchell’s patience was rewarded when Sinai Sermon ran to an overdue win on Thursday. “The horse has had a few niggling injuries along the way, so he had a long spell and David has been patient with him,” Chin said. “He has taken a while to wake up to what racing is all about but David thinks he is starting to click on to it now.” Chin has already had cause for celebration this spring with Bethany delivering another full brother to Lazarus. The Bettor’s Delight foal and his mother are being cared for by Williamson at her Belmont Park Stud breeding operation in Canterbury. Chin bred Lazarus with leading breeder Brian West with the pair selling the pacer at the National Yearling Sales. Watching the horse go on to win two New Zealand Cups and become one of the country’s greatest-ever pacers has given Chin memories he will cherish forever. “He was a once-in-a-lifetime horse, you hope you can breed a horse as good as him but you don’t expect it to ever happen.” When Chin owned Lazarus before his sale, he had good hopes for the young colt but there weren’t too many signs he was destined for greatness. “He was always a very correct horse, he looked like a really nice type but he never looked like one of those rockstar yearlings.” “He was slightly below average size but just a well-put-together horse.” Australian star Leap To Fame will get the chance to add the New Zealand Cup to his glittering resume in this year’s edition of the great race. Also by Bettor’s Delight, the Queenslander is considered Australasia’s biggest star since Lazarus retired to stud. David Mitchell and driver Carter Dalgety doubled up later on the Oamaru card. After their win with Sinai Sermon, the trainer and driver combined to win with Deceptive Lee. View the full article

The Bob Butt trained and driven High Step has sealed her place in the $30,000 Seddon Shields Trotting Championship Series Final at Addington Raceway in March next year. The Father Patrick three-year-old qualified for the final after winning the opening heat of the Bob Rochford series, the Lobster Inn/Kaikoura Night ‘n Day Handicap Trot, at Kaikoura on Monday. She was three back the fence mid race before getting into the running line and then peeling three wide around the home turn. She charged to the line to win by a neck from the fast finishing Tu Tangata. Tu Tangata got five Championship points for second, Masterly three points for third, Helloveamoment two points for fourth and Maui was awarded one point for finishing fifth. Targetting R51-70 trotters, the series around the top half of the South Island is named after Bob Rochford, who died suddenly at Westport in March this year. Bob was a well-known harness racing stalwart, a former Kaikoura Trotting Club President and Life Member. It’s the second year that the Trotting series is being run after Boyz Invasion was victorious in the inaugural series. There will be 10 heats in all, worth between $15,000 and $20,000. The top points scorers at the end of the heats will be eligible for the $30,000 Final at Addington on March 21. The series now heads to Westport for their tradition Christmas meetings. The complete schedule is : December 26 and 28 – Westport – $15,000 & $20,000 December 30 – Reefton – $20,000 January 10 and 12 – Nelson – $15,000 and $20,000 January 17 and 19 – Marlborough – $15,000 and $20,000 March 7 – Westport – $17,500 March 9 – Reefton – $17,500 The $30,000 final : March 21 – Addington For more information contact Erin Fox – erinkfox24@gmail.com or Seddon Shields Chair Johnny Reedy – jrreedyjnr@gmail.com View the full article

What Alice Springs Races Where Pioneer Park Racecourse – Stuart Hwy, Connellan NT 0870 When Saturday, November 9, 2024 First Race 1:35pm ACST Visit Dabble Saturday marks the Alice Springs Turf Club’s third meeting in two weeks, but numbers are healthy with 40 runners accepting for the five-event card. It’s a big day in the Red Centre, with the ASTC’s 2023/24 Awards Night scheduled after the meeting. Only 0.2mm has fallen since October 15, but storms are forecasted leading up to Saturday with the mercury climbing to 36C come race day. BEST BET AT ALICE SPRINGS: TALENT QUEST Jumping from the outside gate in a seven-horse 0-64 field over 1000m last Saturday, Talent Quest was never headed before saluting by two lengths. The six-year-old gelding steps up in grade and has once again drawn the widest barrier in the five-horse field, although he has a 4.5kg weight advantage over main rivals O’Tycoon, Hurn Court and Rock Of Kryptonite. The son of Your Song carried 56.5kg a week ago, and if he starts well this weekend, he is every chance of making it six wins from his past eight starts. Best Bet Race 5 – #4 Talent Quest (5) 6yo Gelding | T: Will Savage | J: Jessica Booth (a3) (59kg) Bet with Bet365 NEXT BEST AT ALICE SPRINGS: JACKSET After five Alice Springs starts and one in Tennant Creek from December-June, Jackset returned in September and finished second behind Magic Defense, who has since won three straight, in an 1100m maiden. The six-year-old travelled wide throughout before finishing strongly to get within half a length of the winner. In a 1200m maiden on October 12, the son of Reset found the fence and shared the lead before edging clear in the home straight to win by 1.8 lengths. Next Best Race 1 – #2 Jackset (1) 6yo Gelding | T: James Carroll | J: Paul Denton (57.5kg) Bet with Neds BEST VALUE AT ALICE SPRINGS: ONLY THE BEST Only The Best was second over 1100m and third over 1200m against fellow three-year-olds in the autumn before posting another second in June. He was spelled after running 10th over 1100m at 0-64 level, but since then the son of Exceed And Excel has improved with a fifth and a fourth in October. Last Saturday, the gelding sat on the speed and was three deep for a major portion of the race before running a close third over 1200m at 0-66 level against three- and four-year-old opposition. Best Value Race 3 – #3 Only The Best (5) 4yo Gelding | T: Will Savage | J: Jessica Booth (a3) (57.5kg) Bet with Unibet Alice Springs Saturday quaddie tips – 9/11/2024 Fannie Bay quadrella selections Saturday, November 9, 2024 1-2-3-5 1-2-3-5 1-2-3-5 2-3-4 Horse racing tips View the full article

Off the back of the success of last season’s middle-distance bonus series, New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing and Entain Australia & New Zealand have this season launched the Champion Sprint Series, sponsored by Sport Nation. The series will run alongside the revamped Rich Hill Champion Middle Distance Series, with the final races of each series culminating on Champions Day at Ellerslie on March 8, also home to the inaugural $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m). Points will be allocated to the first four placegetters of each race in the respective series, with a bonus pool of $500,000 being shared amongst the owners of the three highest point scoring horses at the conclusion of each series. To be eligible to win or place in a series, a horse must compete in at least one Group One race in New Zealand. If two or more horses finish with the same number of points, the relevant bonus amount will be shared amongst the owners of those horses. Bonus Structure (total bonus based on points allocation, including trainer payment): First (Most Points Accrued): $300k* Second Highest Points: $150k* Third Highest Points: $50k* *Mandatory 10 percent trainer payment to be paid from bonus amounts listed above. Sport Nation Champion Sprint Series qualifying races: Listed Lindauer Stewards Stakes – 16 November 2024 The Meteorite (Melbourne) – 23 November 2024 Gr.3 Haunui Farm Counties Bowl – 23 November 2024 Gr.1 Winterbottom Stakes (Perth) – 30 November 2024 Gr.3 George Moore Stakes (Brisbane) – 30 November 2024 Gr.3 Concorde Stakes – 7 December 2024 The Supernova (Melbourne) – 21 December 2024 Listed Christmas Stakes (Melbourne) – 26 December 2024 Listed Canterbury Sprint (Sydney) – 1 January 2025 Gr.1 TAB Telegraph – 4 January 2025 Gr.1 Sistema Railway – 25 January 2025 Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint – 8 February 2025 Gr.3 Haunui Farm King’s Plate – 8 March 2025 Entain Australia & New Zealand have come onboard as the inaugural sponsor of the Champion Sprint series through their dedicated sports radio station, which is set to be rebranded to Sport Nation from SENZ later this month. “It’s an exciting time for sport and racing fans around New Zealand,” Entain Australia & New Zealand Chief Media Officer Chris Haigh said. “The rebranding from SENZ to Sport Nation comes at the perfect time as we gear up for a massive summer of sport and racing events in New Zealand. “Sport and racing are intrinsically linked in New Zealand and on Sport Nation, so we’re proud to sponsor this series as the Kiwi voice of sport.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk View the full article

Handler hopes quality galloper will handle step-up in distance en route to first leg of four-year-old series.View the full article

In the midst of what is an ongoing investigation at Penn National Race Course, private veterinarian Dr. Allen Post Bonnell, and three trainers, Kimberly A. Graci, Marlin Arthur “Joe” Miller and Michael S. Zalalas, were summarily suspended by the Pennsylvania State Horse Racing Commission (PSHRC) this week according to rulings by the board of stewards posted on the Commission's portal. After appearing before the board Nov. 5, Dr. Allen Bonnell was suspended after being found under section 185.2 to have engaged in inappropriate, illegal or unethical conduct at Penn National which violates the Commission's rules and regulations of racing. Ruling No. 24128PN goes on to state that Bonnell is denied access to not only to the track, but any state racing facility under the jurisdiction of the PSHRC. The state's website also lists the three trainers based at Penn who were summarily suspended under Section 185.2 and are barred from the grounds of any Pennsylvania-controlled racing site by the board of stewards. Kim Graci (Ruling No. 24122PN), who also holds an owner's license, on the advice of her attorney waived her right to a hearing before the board Oct. 29, and based on Ruling No. 24120PN, she was suspended on that date. According to Equibase, the trainer last entered a runner Oct. 24 at Penn National named Tiz Speedy (Tiznow). Marlin Miller (Ruling No. 24126PN) was suspended as of Nov. 1 and according to the portal was scheduled to have a hearing on Tuesday, Nov. 5. He last entered 5-year-old mare Let's Go Mo (Super Saver) at the track Oct. 25. Finally, Michael Zalalas was summarily suspended Nov. 6 (Ruling No. 24130PN) and is not allowed to enter the track until his hearing, which is scheduled for Nov. 12 at 10:00 a.m. ET. Zalalas had three horses entered in races at Penn National on Wednesday, Nov. 6, but all were scratched by the stewards. They included in race three My Redemption (Milwaukee Brew), in race four Forever Fifi (Cuba) and in race seven Ensuing Grace (Well Spelled). The trainer has entered in claimers 7-year-old mare Stormy Spell (Well Spelled) in race six at Penn on Friday, Nov. 8, and A T M Awesome (Awesome of Course) on Wednesday, Nov. 13. The post Vet And Three Trainers At Penn National Suspended By State Racing Commission, Investigation Ongoing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Douglas Whyte’s galloper breaks his maiden not long after suffering cuts in Sha Tin incident.View the full article

by Jessica Martini & Christina Bossinakis LEXINGTON, KY – Solid trade continued right through the conclusion of the second and final Book 2 section of the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale Thursday, with the 3-year-old broodmare Finesse (Street Sense) bringing the section's top price of $900,000 when selling to Dixiana Farms. “It was really solid today,” said Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy. “It was very competitive. I was speaking to a lot of buyers out there, and they were finding it very difficult to buy the foals that they liked. And the young mares were very competitive in the market. I followed a few up myself, just out of interest, and they were bringing probably 30-40% more than I would have expected them to bring. Which was great. It shows the demand for that quality through the market. It's really encouraging. When the right ones come up, they are all over it.” Over the two Book 2 sessions, 413 horses grossed $63,236,500 for an average of $153,115 and a median of $125,000. During last year's Book 2 section, 444 horses sold through the ring for a total of $69,520,000 for an average of $156,577 and a median of $120,000. Three Witches (Into Mischief) brought the book's highest price when selling for $1.7 million. The racing prospect was one of 10 during the section to sell for $500,000 or more. Five hit that mark this year. Through both Book 2 sessions, 157 weanlings sold through the ring for an average of $135,395 and a median of $110,000. During last year's Book 2, 148 weanlings sold through the ring for an average of $147,378 and a median of $120,000. A colt by Constitution and a filly by Justify shared the section's top price of $525,000. Foals from the first crop of Breeders' Cup winner Life Is Good topped both Book 2 sessions this year, with a filly by the sire going the way of Classic Equine for $410,000 Wednesday and a colt selling for $400,000 to Flying Dutchmen late in the day Thursday. Eight of the top 10 priced weanlings in Book 2 were by first-crop sires. A filly by Life Is Good shared the section's second highest price of $385,000 with a colt by first-crop sire Jackie's Warrior. Olympiad also had a pair of weanlings in the book's top 10, while Jack Christopher and Golden Pal each had one. “I think the demand for first-crop sires is always high, but it's true that with the entry-level stud fee and some of the glitz and glamour that came with this class, it looks deep,” said Keeneland Senior Director of Sales Operations Cormac Breathnach. “There are several really well-credentialed first-crop sires this year and they are obviously throwing very good physicals because people are really responding. It bodes well. Hopefully they can run to their looks.” Through three sessions, 556 head have sold for $125,606,500. The average of $225,911 is up 2.87% from the same point at last year's sale and the median of $170,000 is up 13.33%. The buy-back rate through three days is 27.23%. It was 30.80% a year go. “That's what we look for, more than anything, significant improvement in the median,” said Breathnach. “And the RNA rate through the ring is four points lower than last year through two books. Those are the best indicators of a healthy marketplace.” Post-sale activity is brisk, according to Lacy. “There are a lot of RNAs-to-sales that we are getting through,” he said. “So even though they might be listed as RNAs on the sheets right now, you will see those filtering in and there will be some really healthy numbers. There is a balance between the reserve set and what people want to pay for certain things. That then gets mitigated in the RNAs-to-sales. I think that is good and healthy.” The Keeneland November sale continues through Wednesday with sessions beginning daily at 10 a.m. 'Perfect Storm;' Dixiana Buys Finesse for $900k Bill Shively of Dixiana Farms admitted he has been doing plenty of shopping at Keeneland this week, but hadn't been getting much bought until he made the $900,000 bid to acquire the 3-year-old broodmare Finesse (Street Sense) (hip 983) Thursday. The unraced mare, who sold in foal to Nyquist, is out of Etiquette (Tapit) and is a half-sister to multiple Grade I winner Society (Gun Runner), who was second in the GI Breeders' Cup F/M Sprint last week. Finesse was consigned by Warrendale Sales. Bill Shively | Keeneland “She was just very pretty,” Shively said of the mare. “It's a good family. It was what we are looking for at Dixiana–quality. I think she will be great for a long time.” Of the mare's future foal, Shively said, “If she has a nice Nyquist filly, she will probably be racing for Dixiana. If it's a colt, we might sell that.” Finesse was Dixiana's second purchase of the week at Keeneland. The operation also purchased Wet My Beak (Union Rags) (hip 849) for $200,000. “I've shopped a lot, but not bought much,” Shively said. “I think part of it is, how many good horses are there? The good ones bring a lot of money. Now it's at the point that you have to spend a little more money to get a few good ones. That's just the way the world is right now.” Finesse, who was bred by Peter Blum, was purchased by Windancer Farm for $725,000 at the 2022 Keeneland September sale. “We're over the moon,” Warrendale's Kitty Day said of the result. “It was fantastic. She was well past her reserve at that level, but she's just a beautiful physical, in foal to a horse that is on fire, with a family that goes with it and in foal on one cover with a filly. It was a perfect storm.” @JessMartiniTDN Brunacinis Reinvest with $725k Veronica Greene After a good weanling sale on Tuesday, Richard and Denise Brunacini came to Keeneland Thursday to reinvest some of their profits and went home with the 5-year-old broodmare Veronica Greene (Tapit) (hip 838). The couple purchased the mare, in foal to Triple Crown winner Justify, for $725,000. She was consigned by Elite, as agent for White Birch Farm. “She had everything,” Richard Brunacini said of the mare. “She's by Tapit, she's in foal to Justify and she's just beautiful. She's a young mare, a stakes horse. I couldn't fault her.” Richard Brunicini | Keeneland The Brunacinis have 11 broodmares, many in partnerships at Taylor Made Farm, and are focused on breeding to sell. “In my younger days, I trained them and we stood some stallions, but now we are breeding to sell,” Brunacini said. During Tuesday's first session of the Keeneland November sale, the Brunacinis sold a colt by Epicenter (hip 71) for $225,000. They had purchased the weanling's dam Spirit Dance (Ghostzapper), with the colt in utero, for $160,000 at the Keeneland January sale this year. “We've had a good year selling,” Brunacini said. “You could almost call me a CPA, I know what my tax situation is.” Peter Brant's White Birch Farm purchased Veronica Greene for $260,000 at the 2020 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. The bay was third in the 2022 Winter Memories Stakes. On the board in six of 10 starts, she earned $195,500. Two of the mare's half-brothers are expected to see graded action this weekend, with 3-year-old Cugino (Twirling Candy) entered in the GIII Hill Prince Stakes and 4-year-old Battle of Normandy (City of Light) entered in the GIII River City Stakes. “I thought she was one of the best mares in the sale today,” said Elite's Liz Crow. “She has two half-brothers that are running in stakes this weekend. She's in foal to Justify, a tremendously good cover. She could run herself, she was stakes-placed behind a Grade I winner in New York. She's by Tapit. I just thought it was one of the better families in the catalogue today. She looked tremendous coming in here, so we were kind of expecting that she would be one of the top mares today.” The Brunacinis warmed up for their big purchase just two hips before Veronica Greene went through the ring, purchasing Urgence (Into Mischief) (hip 836), in foal to Taiba, for $160,000 from the Gainesway consignment. @JessMartiniTDN Shimokobe Extends to $525K for Connect's Witwatersrand Midway through Thursday's session, Yukio Shimokobe, stationed by the back bidding stand, went up to $525,000 for Hip 861, Witwatersrand from the Bluewater Sales consignment. A daughter of the graded stakes winning Carta de Oro (Medaglia d'Oro), the 3-year-old filly is a granddaughter of MGSW and GISP Communique (Smart Strike). Yukio Shimokobe | Keeneland “First of all, I saw the father, Connect, and she was very exactly like that–smooth-moving and light,” said Shimokobe, signing on behalf of Shimokobe Farm and Nobu Araki's Polo Green Stables. “I love that and she moves the same way. That is what I love. “She had a good breeder and a good pedigree so everything was perfect to me, ” he continued. “We will see what stallion fits her. We will breed her [in the USA] and then take her back to Japan.” Shimokobe Farm and Polo Green also bought Hip 833, Unifying (Union Rags) for $400,000 Thursday afternoon. One day earlier, the team purchased Swall (Ghostzapper) (Hip 418) and Barrier Island (Speightstown) (Hip 499), in foal to Life Is Good.—@CBossTDN Life Is Good Weanling Heads Book 2 Finale Late in Thursday's session, a colt by Life Is Good (Hip 1050) brought a $400,000 final bid from Flying Dutchmen. Consigned by Taylor Made Sales on behalf of breeder China Horse Club, the Feb. 18 foal was the highest-priced foal of the day. Hunter Rankin signed the ticket. Hip 1050 | Keeneland The bay is the first foal out MGSP Lady Aces (Constitution), purchased by China Horse Club for $200,000 at this venue in 2022. This represents the family of MGISW Paradise Woods. “We are really excited with what the mare has produced right away,” said China Horse Club's Christie DeBernardis. “We are looking forward to a lot greater produce from her.” Standing at WinStar for $75,000 in 2025, the four-time Grade I winner entered stud in 2023. “We are excited that it is an Life Is Good since we raced him with WinStar and continue to partner with them,” DeBernardis continued. “His first crop has been impressing us one right after the other. We still have six of them ourselves and each one is better than the next.” China Horse Club sold a pair of horses at Keeneland this week, including Tawaret (Hip 432), who sold for $175,000 shortly after exiting the ring. Also during Thursday's session, a colt by the sire (Hip 1074), consigned by Denali Stud, brought $300,000 from Rafey Racing. “We also sold a mare here [Wednesday] in foal to Life Is Good, so we're out here trying to put him into the market,” she said. “Life Is Good has taken us on an amazing ride and we are excited for it to continue with his offspring. Mr. Teo [King] and the team have always been big believers and we will continue to support him.”—@CBossTDN Grandview, Solis/Litt Return to the Well for Olympiad Weanlings Thursday Grade I winner Olympiad (Speightstown) has been gaining traction since entering stud at Gainesway in 2023. Earning over $3 million on the track while collecting five graded races, highlighted by the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup, the 7-year-old was responsible for Thursday's second highest-priced weanling of the day, Hip 795, who brought $350,000 from Grandview Equine. Hip 795 | Keeneland “I like everything about him,” said Grandview's Robert Clay. “Like the sire, like the dam, like the family, like the colt. I thought he would be about that [price] range.” Seated next to agent Jason Litt during the bidding, Clay signed the ticket on the colt out of MGSP Special Event (Arch), herself a daughter of GSW La Reina (A.P. Indy). The Mar. 7 foal was consigned by Gainesway, agent. “We're all in with [Olympiad],” said Litt. “That foal was the spitting image of the sire.” Dam of GII Swaps winner Chief Havoc (Giant's Causeway) and GSP Aurelias Maximus (Pioneerof the Nile), La Reina is a daughter of champion older mare Queena (Mr. Prospector), the dam of Grade I winner Brahms. Bred by Emory Hamilton, the colt is a half-brother to the unraced Gun Carriage (Gun Runner), who sold to M.V. Magnier for $1.25 million at Keeneland September in 2023. Grandview also purchased a weanling colt by Into Mischief, Hip 98, on Tuesday for $275,000. Additionally, it secured another Olympiad colt (Hip 313) for $185,000 at Fasig-Tipton Monday. During Book 1, Solis/Litt bought a filly by the sire (Hip 66) for $450,000. It represented the highest price for the sire at Keeneland this week. “We bought [Olympiad], we raced him and we kept a good piece of the horse as a stallion,” explained Litt. “We have supported him each year with over 20 mares and we'll do the same for the third year. We're here to buy the ones that we think look good.” A $700,000 KEESEP yearling purchase by Jason Litt and Alex Solis from the Gainesway consignment in 2019, Olympiad won eight of 13 starts through three seasons, including wins in the GII Stephen Foster and GII Alysheba, in addition to a runner-up finish behind Horse of the Year Flightline (Tapit) in his career finale in the 2022 GI Breeders' Cup Classic. Owned by the partnership of Grandview, Cheyenne Stable and LNJ Foxwoods at the time of his retirement, the son of GSP Tokyo Time (Medaglia d'Oro), a homebred for Hamilton, stood for $35,000 in his first season at stud and will stand for the same amount in the upcoming season. “His foals have good size, strength and length,” said Litt. “They have all the good qualities you want to see in them.” Late in the session, another colt by Olympiad (Hip 1054) brought $325,000 from Whisper Hill Farm. On Thursday, a total of five weanlings by the sire sold for gross receipts of $1.02 million.—@CBossTDN The post ‘When the Right Ones Come Up, They Are All Over It:’ $900k Finesse Tops Solid Book 2 at Keeneland November appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Peter Brant, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Westerberg, and Brook T. Smith's Sierra Leone (Gun Runner), a $2.3-million Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Yearling sale topper turned 'TDN Rising Star' turned $7-million GI Breeders' Cup Classic winner, will return to the races for a 4-year-old campaign, according to a post on X by Coolmore America Thursday afternoon. Sierra Leone arrived at Coolmore's Ashford Stud near Versailles, Kentucky from Del Mar–site of the 2024 Breeders' Cup last weekend–on Monday and will be freshened for 2025. The full text of Coolmore's post appears below: “The owners of Sierra Leone are thrilled to announce that he will be racing as a 4-year-old. After a remarkable 3-year-old campaign, Sierra Leone arrived in Kentucky on Monday and is now enjoying some time off at Ashford Stud, where he will rest and recharge before returning to the track. We are excited to welcome him home for this well-earned respite and look forward to sharing more photos of his 'vacation' with fans along the way! “We would like to thank Chad Brown and his entire team for all of their hard work and unwavering belief in Sierra, particularly his work rider Kriss Bon, his groom Edgar Orantes Payeras, and Chad's assistant trainer Baldo Hernandez. “While no definitive race plans have been made yet, we can't wait to see what the future holds for this talented and promising colt!” In addition to his Breeders' Cup triumph, Sierra Leone's sophomore campaign also included a win in the GI Toyota Blue Grass Stakes and placings in a number of top races, including the GI Kentucky Derby. The owners of Sierra Leone are thrilled to announce that he will be racing as a 4-year-old. After a remarkable 3-year-old campaign, Sierra Leone arrived in Kentucky on Monday and is now enjoying some time off at Ashford Stud, where he will rest and recharge before returning to… pic.twitter.com/l2yaAQUZzH — Coolmore America (@coolmoreamerica) November 7, 2024 The post Sierra Leone to Race at Four appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It’s not very often that Te Akau Racing take the underdog tag into any race, particularly the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m), but that’s the case this weekend with their representative When Stars Align. The trans-Tasman operation has a strong record in the Riccarton feature, having won seven previous editions – Noverre (2021), Embellish (2017), Xtravagant (2015), Rock ‘N’ Pop (2011), Tell A Tale (2008), Darci Brahma (2005) and King’s Chapel (2003) – with current co-trainer Mark Walker having trained the latter three. Draci Brahma also went on to have success in the race as a sire, with his son Catalyst taking out the 2019 running for the Oaks Stud and trainer Calyton Chipperfield, with jockey Troy Harris in the saddle. Trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson have sent just the one contender for the race down to their Riccarton base this year, When Stars Align, who is friendless in the TAB Market, sitting as a $34 outsider in the eight-horse field. The son of Zoustar has had three starts in the south, including a placing in the Gr.3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m) at Ashburton last month before finishing last in the Gr.3 War Decree Stakes (1600m) at Riccarton on unideal Heavy10 footing. Te Akau’s Riccarton stable foreman Hunter Durrant said he can be forgiven for his last start performance, and while he faces a stiff task this weekend against some quality opposition, he is expecting a bold showing from the colt. “We had to run him last start, we couldn’t afford to miss a run,” Durrant said. “He didn’t like the wet track. He has been bright ever since, his work has been second to none, and I couldn’t be any happier with him. “The market is not picking him and there are a couple of handy ones in there, but I think he will be in it for a while. “Te Akau has had a strong record in this race, especially with our colts, so it would be nice to get another one.” Earlier on the card, the stable will have a two-pronged attack in the Listed Nautical Boat Insurance Metropolitan Trophy (2600m) courtesy of Fierce Flight and Mehzebeen. Fierce Flight has mixed his form heading into the race, while Mehzebeen takes a last start runner-up performance in the Waverley Cup (2200m) into Saturday. “On his day Fierce Flight is a super horse and stepping up over more ground now is more suited to him,” Durrant said. “Mezhebeen’s form is great, and she was tough last start. She has travelled down well, she has been here previously and knows the system down here. Her work has been great through the week, so we expect her to run really well.” Te Akau Racing will also have dual representation in the NZB Ready To Run Sale Trainers Series Premier (1400m) courtesy of last start winner Vivacious and Mazzucato. “Vivacious has improved since arriving in the South Island, and last start has backed that,” Durrant said. “She has really shown what she is capable of and has put the writing on the wall. She has improved since and her work has been super, so we are expecting a bold effort. “Mazzucato knows the system well down here. She has had a couple of trials to prepare and she is going very strongly.” The stable will also line-up Beau Brummel in the Gold Club Premier (2000m), Insatiable in the Garrards Horse & Hound Premier(1100m), and Caravella in the Listed Donaldson Brown Pegasus Stakes (1000m). View the full article

Te Rapa has brought the best out of Dusty Road with a career-high run of form in recent months, and owner-trainer Graeme Cameron is hoping to extend that sequence with another bold performance in Saturday’s Listed Legacy Lodge Sprint (1200m). The Shamexpress gelding put together back-to-back wins at the Hamilton track earlier in this campaign, taking out a 1400m open handicap on July 27 and adding a 1200m open handicap on August 10. He blotted his form line with a seventh at Matamata in early September, but bounced back in style with a close last-start third behind Spencer and Geriatrix in the Gr.3 Spring Sprint (1400m) on October 12. That race is traditionally run at Hastings, but its forced relocation to Te Rapa worked in Dusty Road’s favour. “He’s in great form and loves Te Rapa,” Cameron said. “I thought he ran really well in that big sprint last time. He was drawn out and got caught wide, Liam (Kauri, jockey) just wasn’t able to find a way in, but he still finished it off strongly. “The horse is jumping out of his skin leading into this weekend. I was going to run him during that last meeting that got called off (October 28), but then I started to think about this race after that. It stood out as the next one to target. I looked at Tauranga next week as well, but I just thought it made sense to stick to what he likes, and that’s Te Rapa. “The horse is in form, the jockey’s in form, and I’m happy.” Dusty Road has formed a highly successful partnership with four-kilogram claimer Kauri, whose four rides on the five-year-old have produced two wins and that last-start placing in the Spring Sprint. The TAB rates Dusty Road a $20 chance in a Legacy Lodge Sprint market headed by defending champion Babylon Berlin at $3.70. Short Shorts ($5.50) and Mercurial ($8) are the others in single figures. Cameron will wait until after Saturday’s feature sprint before deciding on any other targets for Dusty Road. “We’ll just get him through this, and then I’m sure something else will crop up afterwards,” Cameron said. “We try to keep him on the fresh side, which seems to suit him. As long as the horse is happy and in form, we’ll keep going.” View the full article

A fresh-up tilt at Saturday’s Listed Donaldson Brown Pegasus Stakes (1000m) at Riccarton will give The Radiant One an opportunity to add to a proud New Zealand Cup Carnival legacy. The Radiant One races in the yellow, green, black and pink colours of her respected owner-trainer-breeders the Dennis brothers, who have been a mainstay of the South Island industry through more than five decades dating back to their foundation mare The Pixie. The Woodlands siblings have celebrated countless successes throughout the South Island, North Island and Australia since then, and one of their biggest highlights came when The Jewel scored a sparkling victory in the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) during this carnival in 2002. The Radiant One is a granddaughter of The Jewel, but the family connections to this carnival do not stop there. The Jewel’s half-sister Star Affair is the dam of La Diosa, who added her own name to the 1000 Guineas honour roll in 2016, while close relative The Perfect Pink delivered another 1000 Guineas victory in 2021 with the Dennis brothers as part-owners. The Radiant One’s sire Darci Brahma was himself a winner of the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) in 2005. Her dam The Diamond One was a fourth placegetter in the 1000 Guineas in 2012 and later returned to the carnival to place in the Listed Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (1400m). The Radiant One’s own career spans 23 starts for four wins, eight placings and $176,220 in stakes. Her biggest win came in the Listed Timaru Stakes (1400m) at Riccarton in January of this year, while her two black-type placings include a close third in last year’s edition of the Pegasus Stakes. The Dennis brothers sent The Radiant One into last year’s Pegasus fresh, lining up for her first start since finishing third in the Listed Great Easter Stakes (1400m) six months earlier. The plan nearly worked to perfection, with The Radiant One beaten by a half-neck and a long head by Not Guilty and Lincoln’s Kruz. A year later, The Dennis brothers are following the same formula again. Saturday’s $90,000 Pegasus Stakes will be The Radiant One’s first start since the Great Easter on April 20, in which she finished a close and unlucky fifth. “We ran her fresh in the Pegasus last year and she ran a very good race for third, so we’re sticking to that same plan again this time around,” Tony Dennis said. “It’s been a bit of a wet spring and we haven’t been able to give her a jumpout or anything like that. But she had an exhibition gallop at Gore a couple of weeks ago, and that seems to have brought her on quite a bit. We’re happy with her. “Last year’s Pegasus is the only time in her career that she’s run over 1000m. Hopefully we’ve got her fit and ready enough to perform well over that trip first-up again on Saturday. “We backed her up into the Stewards (Listed, 1200m) last year and she ran very well for fourth, and if she eats up and does everything right after Saturday, we might do the same again.” The Radiant One will be ridden by Tina Comignaghi, who has been in the saddle for 16 of her 23 starts, winning four and placing in another six. She was aboard for last year’s Pegasus placing. One notable change from last year is The Radiant One’s position in the TAB’s market. She was a $29 outsider when she placed last year, but goes into Saturday’s race as the $4.20 favourite. View the full article

Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) winner Sierra Leone will race next year as a 4-year-old, Coolmore America announced in a social media post Nov. 7. His owners had taken the days after the Breeders' Cup to assess and formally announce his future. View the full article

Admiral Dennis (c, 2, Constitution–Gulf Coast, by Union Rags), a luckless third as the favorite sprinting on debut at Churchill Downs Sept. 19, ran to the money as the 3-5 choice with a 'TDN Rising Star' performance for trainer Brad Cox in the Churchill Downs nightcap Thursday. Drawn widest of all in post nine, the $425,000 Keeneland September yearling graduate tracked the early leaders from an outside third through an opening quarter in :22.92 in the one-turn mile contest. Admiral Dennis revved up three deep with a flashy move to reach even terms on the far turn as jockey Luis Saez opted for a fresh pair of goggles. The pacesetting Mischievous Time (Not This Time), however, still held a narrow advantage and turned them in. He fought on gamely along the inside down the lane, but Admiral Dennis was just getting started. Admiral Dennis hit the front in deep stretch and powered clear from there to win going away by 3 1/2 lengths. Admiral Dennis, featured in these same pages in a 'Second Chances column' on Sept. 26, becomes the 12th 'Rising Star' for Constitution. The Albaugh Family Stables colorbearer is the first foal out of the stakes-winning Gulf Coast, who hails from the extended female family of the legendary A.P. Indy. She had a colt by Constitution in 2023 ($500,000 KEESEP yearling purchase by Spendthrift Farm and Bregman Family Racing) and was bred to Life Is Good for 2025. Admiral Dennis is bred on the same Constitution x Dixie Union cross as GSW By Your Side. Oh Monaco (Curlin), a $650,000 KEESEP yearling produced by GISW Byrama (GB), was scratched. 9th-Churchill Downs, $119,775, Msw, 11-7, 2yo, 1m, 1:35.87, ft, 3 1/2 lengths. ADMIRAL DENNIS, c, 2, by Constitution 1st Dam: Gulf Coast (SW), by Union Rags 2nd Dam: Sweet Success, by Candy Ride (Arg) 3rd Dam: Aspiring, by Seeking the Gold Sales history: $425,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-1, $81,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart and VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree. O-Albaugh Family Stables LLC; B-WinStar Farm, LLC (KY); T-Brad H. Cox. #10 Admiral Dennis stretches out to a mile and breaks his maiden in the finale at @ChurchillDowns for trainer @bradcoxracing with @luissaezpty aboard! #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/k4wV0Aptdq — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) November 7, 2024 The post Constitution’s Admiral Dennis Earns ‘Rising Star’ Tag in Churchill Finale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Group 1 winner King Of Steel (Wootton Bassett {GB}) will stand for €20,000 at Tally-Ho Stud in 2025, Amo Racing announced via Instagram late on Thursday evening. The grey, a winner of the G1 Champion Stakes in 2023, was second in the Derby earlier that year. He also soared at Royal Ascot with a victory in the G2 King Edward VII Stakes. Joining King Of Steel at Tally-Ho is the Group 1-winning juvenile Bucanero Fuerte (GB), another son of Wootton Bassett. The G1 Phoenix Stakes/G2 Railway Stakes hero will command €12,500 in his first season. Already a resident at the stud is Persian Force (GB), a Group 2-winning son of Mehmas (Ire). He will have his first yearlings next year and is priced at an unchanged fee of €8,000. Rounding out the quartet is 2021 G1 Derby runner-up Mojo Star (Ire), who will stand for €3,000 once again at Whytemount Stud. His first foals will arrive next year. The post King Of Steel Anchors Amo Roster At €20,000 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After the Australian farm Yulong Stud paid $4.3 million to acquire GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare winner Moira (Ghostzapper) at the Fasig-Tipton November sale, it was widely assumed that she would be immediately retired and join the farm's broodmare band. But while that remains a possibility, so does a return to racing, perhaps in North America. The story was first reported in the Canadian Thoroughbred. Yulong Stud's General Manager Vin Cox told the TDN that the farm has yet to decide what's next for Moira. “We haven't made any decisions,” he said. “We've only had the mare for 48 hours or so. We'll get her back to the farm and have a look at her. We're considering all our options, including retirement and going to stud, racing in North America or potentially racing here in Australia. No decisions have made yet.” The Australian breeding season starts Sept. 1 and wraps up in early December, making it unlikely that Moira would be pushed into broodmare service so quickly. If that turns out to be the case, there's a large window of opportunity to race her during the first eight months or so of 2025. “We're considering all the logistics, including whether we should keep her racing in North America,” Cox said. When asked if trainer Kevin Attard would be considered should Moira resume her racing career in North America, Cox said that he would. “That would be a possibility,” he said. “Again, we haven't made any decisions but he clearly he did a very good job with her and knows her idiosyncracies.” Moira is known to have many quirks and can de difficult to train. In one example, she won the Woodbine Oaks by 10 3/4 lengths with two fewer shoes than she had on when she left the barn. She was so rambunctious in the paddock that she lost one hind shoe and bent the other. She would race with no hind shoes. The $4.3-million bid was made over the phone by Yulong's owner Yuesheng Zhang. Cox said Moira is the type of high-quality horse that Yulong likes to acquire for its breeding band. “She was a Horse of Year in Canada and is a Breeders' Cup winner,” Cox said. “She's the sort of horse we like to add to our breeding band. We are putting together a very good broodmare band and she'll fit right in.” The post Moira’s Racing Days May Not Be Over appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Race 2 PENINSULAR BEACHFRONT RESORT MAIDEN 1200m OUR TIME (L Sutherland) – Trainer Mr. P Lock reported to Stewards, upon return to the stable, OUR TIME, underwent an endoscopic examination which revealed mucus in the trachea, which has been treated accordingly. P Lock further advised it is his intention to carry on with OUR TIME’S current preparation. The post Taranaki TRI @ New Plymouth Raceway, Wednesday 6 November 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

The Race Track Chaplaincy of America (RTCA), which ministers to the needs of those in the racing industry, honored WinStar Farm's Elliott Walden and outrider Bo Butler with the 22nd annual White Horse and Community Service Awards during the RTCA's “Night of Faith, Hope & Love” held during Breeders' Cup week. The awards are meant to recognize “selfless servants” throughout the industry. Walden, who has served as the RTCA National President for six of the last seven years, was named the RTCA 2024 Community Service Award recipient. Among his other efforts, he was instrumental in establishing both the first full-time chaplain at Churchill Downs and the permanent chapel on the backstretch. The awards presentation featured tributes from Chaplain Humberto Chavez from New York, Chaplain John Shumaker from Turf Paradise and Arapahoe Park, RTCA Board Vice President Corey Johnsen, and a video message from Hall of Fame Jockey Pat Day. Butler was honored with the 2024 RTCA White Horse Award after defusing a dangerous situation at Fonner Park Mar. 3. With horses and jockeys down after clipping heels during a race, he sacrificed his own safety to keep a horse running the wrong way from colliding with the field and endangering the stricken riders and horses further. When he awoke in the hospital, his first thought was for his pony, who lost his life. “I was doing my job and we were doing the best that we could to prevent worse things happening,” said Butler in a moving video. The post Elliott Walden, Bo Butler Honored by Race Track Chaplaincy of America appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Race 4 ON TRACK 1200m REIGH IT IN (J Chung) – Trainer Mr. R Bergerson reported to Stewards, that on Monday 4 November, REIGH IT IN, underwent a veterinary examination which revealed a virus receiving appropriate treatment. R Bergerson further advised once treatment has finished, REIGN IT IN, will be sent for a spell. The post Feilding Racing Club @ Trentham, Saturday 2 November 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Fair Grounds' 153rd Thoroughbred racing season is set to open Nov. 22, kicking off 76 days of live racing through March 23, 2025. Trainers Ken McPeek, Brendan Walsh, and Cherie DeVaux each have been awarded increased stalls. View the full article

Trainer Christophe Clement admits entering City Man in the $300,000 Red Smith Stakes (G2T) was a bit "ambitious." Yet given how it will likely be the last start for the 7-year-old, it seems a fitting farewell for a NY-bred who has won 10 stakes.View the full article

Race 3 GRAHAM’S PAINTERS 900m BELZONI (J Doyle) – Trainer Ms. L Latta reported to Stewards, that on Monday 28 October, BELZONI, underwent a veterinarian examination with no abnormalities being detected. L Latta further advised BELZONI has been sent for a spell. The post Wellington Racing Club @ Trentham, Sunday 27 October 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

After a Breeders' Cup run in the sun, trainer Chad Brown is back on his home turf–literally–for another graded race at Aqueduct. When the top conditioner has paired with red-hot jockey Flavien Prat over the past 60 days, the duo wins at a rock-solid clip of almost 25% out of 51 attempts. In Friday's GIII Pebbles Stakes, the Brown-Prat alliance tries to get Klaravich Stables's Oversubscribed (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) back into the winner's circle. As the 2-1 favorite on the morning-line here, the last time Brown booked Prat to ride the 3-year-old filly she won over this course and distance by 3 1/4 lengths in the Wild Applause Stakes June 22. A 400,000gns purchase by Seth Klarman at the 2022 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, Oversubscribed in her latest start ran a well-beaten sixth in the GI Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Keeneland Oct. 12. In what has become de rigueur for this stable, Brown also has uncoupled entry headed to the post. Dea Matrona (Fr) (Dark Angel {Ire}) went from losing by a neck against claiming company at the Spa July 19 to clearing the optional claiming ranks upstate Sept. 2. Gaining the services of Irad Ortiz Jr., the bay is going to have to keep her eyes peeled for her stablemate late in the game. As for other contenders who are drawn for the Pebbles, trainer Christophe Clement has See You Around (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}) making her U.S. debut after two seasons of racing in France. On the Continent, the filly won a stakes at Toulouse in April, but was unable to hit the board in the G1 French 1000 Guineas at ParisLongchamp in May. Also in with a chance is the experienced Macanga (American Pharoah), who just missed by a neck last out in the GII Sands Point Stakes at the Big A Oct. 12. She is joined by Way to Be Marie (Not This Time), who is looking to rebound after a fifth-place finish in the GIII Regret Stakes at Churchill Downs June 1. Finally, potential 'pace factor' candidates could be filled by 2023 GI NetJets Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies runner-up Jody's Pride (American Pharoah), who tries turf for the first time, and No More Candy (Uncle Mo) will try to build on a gate to wire score going long against optional claimers that she had over Aqueduct's grass course Sept. 20. The post Oversubscribed Looks To Skip Home In GIII Pebbles At The Big A appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Race 2 ALL THE NEWS @ TRACKSIDE.CO.NZ 2400m HOOTIE JOHNSON (T NEWMAN) – Trainer Mr. S Manning reported to Stewards, he was satisfied with the post-race condition of the gelding, however, HOOTIE JOHNSON has now been sent for a spell. The post Waikato Thoroughbred Racing @ Te Rapa, Saturday 28 October 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article