Wandering Eyes

North American track record-setter Cogburn (Not This Time) will stand at WinStar Farm for an opening fee of $30,000 S&N, the farm announced Tuesday. The GI Jaipur Stakes winner arrived in good order at WinStar Farm and will be available for showing at WinStar's open houses each day Nov. 6-15, between 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visitors are welcome without an appointment during the designated times. Cogburn set a North American record for 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf in that Jaipur win, completing the distance in a final time of :59.80 which easily eclipsed the previous record of 1:00.21 and earned him a Beyer Speed Figure of 114. Following the Jaipur, Cogburn proved an authoritative winner of the $2 million GII Turf Sprint Stakes at Kentucky Downs where he ran six furlongs on turf in 1:07.68, just missing another course record. All told, Cogburn finished first or second in 11-of-16 lifetime starts and banked $2,422,630 racing for Clark Brewster, William and Corinne Heiligbrodt and trainer Steve Asmussen. The post Cogburn To Stand At WinStar For $30,000 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Group winner and Classic runner-up Isaac Shelby (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) has been retired and will stand at Newsells Park Stud next year. His fee has been set at £7,000, SLF. Bred by Elaine Chivers, the chestnut was a £92,000 purchase by Sam Sangster Bloodstock out of the Goffs UK Premier and Silver Yearling Sale in 2021. He won the G2 Superlative Stakes as a juvenile, and also added the G3 Greenham Stakes at three in the colours of Manton Thoroughbreds. Bought by Wathnan Racing, his next start was a neck second in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains, and he would go on to also run second in the G2 Lennox Stakes and G2 Prix Daniel Wildenstein in August and September of 2023. His record stands at 9-3-3-0 and $468,560 in earnings. Trainer Brian Meehan said, “Isaac Shelby is one of the smartest horses I've ever trained. He oozed style and class throughout his racing career. His win in the Superlative Stakes was impressive, but his performance in the Greenham was sublime. His greatest attribute was his tenacity and his will to win. I have been privileged and proud to have trained him and look forward to training his progeny in the future.” Added Julian Dollar, general manager at Newsells Park Stud, said, “We're delighted to be standing the first son of Night Of Thunder to retire to stud. Isaac Shelby was hugely talented–even better than his sire at two, and a proper Guineas horse too. I can't wait to show him off to breeders: he's great-looking, very athletic and has a wonderful temperament. We're very grateful to the team at Wathnan and look forward to supporting him strongly.” The third foal out of Kentucky Belle (Ire) (Heliostatic {Ire}), Isaac Shelby is one of two winners for his dam. This is the extended family of GII Mac Diarmida Handicap winner Ramazutti (Honor Grades). Richard Brown, Wathnan's racing manager, added, “Isaac Shelby was a hugely talented horse who so nearly got Wathnan off to a dream Group 1 start when second in the French Guineas–the very first runner in the Wathnan silks. He's a fine horse by a very special young stallion and we'll be very keen to see all his offspring when they come to market.” The post Classic-Placed Isaac Shelby Retired To Newsells Park Stud, Fee Will Be £7,000 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Edited Press Release Speakers have been announced for the 50th annual Global Symposium on Racing, taking place from December 9-11, 2024, at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson. For a complete agenda and a list of speakers, please visit RacingSymposium.com. The event brings together racing industry executives from around the world to delve into critical issues and emerging trends across the three racing breeds. The 2024 Symposium will feature a compelling lineup of topics vital to racing industry stakeholders, including: Artificial Intelligence: Transformative Applications for Advancing Horse Racing Investing in Racing's Future: Perspectives from the Next Generation The HIWU Testing Strategy: A Peek Behind the Curtain Unlocking the Winning Playbook: Driving Innovative Sports Marketing Strategies Securing the Future of America's Retired Racehorses: • Strategies, Success Stories, and Sustainable Solutions Going Global: Updates and Insights from the World Stage Safeguarding Equine Health: Biosecurity Strategies for Disease Prevention and Control The Symposium will kick off with welcoming remarks from University of Arizona men's basketball coach Tommy Lloyd followed by a keynote address from Oaklawn Park President Louis Cella. A highlight of the Symposium will be “Champions. Challenges. Commitment. A Conversation with Bob Baffert and Todd Pletcher” featuring two former RTIP students who have gone on to Hall of Fame training careers. Monday's agenda will include a full day of pre-conference meetings and workshops, setting the stage for the Symposium's opening evening reception. These pre-conference sessions include: 4th Annual Racing Secretary Summit ARCI Model Rules Meeting HISA/HIWU Workshop Moisture and Other Daily Measurements to Meet HISA • Racetrack Regulations NTRA/NHC Workshop To take advantage of a $100 discount on registration, participants are encouraged to register for the 2024 Global Symposium on Racing by Nov. 22. Information on symposium registration and hotel reservations can both be found at RacingSymposium.com. The post Over 50 Speakers Announced For Global Symposium on Racing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Fantastic Moon (Ger) will command €9,000 at Gestut Ebbesloh in Germany next year, Liberty Racing announced on Tuesday. The son of Sea The Moon (Ger) won the G1 Deutsches Derby (German Derby) in 2023, as well as the G1 Grosser Preis von Baden this term. In addition, he was a group winner at two, the highest-rated German 3-year-old last year. Trained by Sarah Steinberg, he will compete in the G1 Japan Cup on Nov. 24, and possibly in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase in December. “We're starting breeder-friendly: despite his outstanding performances over three racing seasons, Liberty Racing 2021 has decided that Fantastic Moon will begin with a stud fee of €9,000–regardless of his performance in the Japan Cup,” said Liberty Racing founder Lars-Wilhelm Baumgarten. “If things go well there [in Japan], we're considering adding a run in the Hong Kong Vase. Fanta came out of the Arc in great shape and has been training excellently. We are very optimistic about the trip to Asia. The flight leaves on November 13 directly for Tokyo,” said Steinberg on Tuesday morning. The post Fantastic Moon’s Fee Set For €9,000 At Gestut Ebbesloh appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Dark Angel (Ire)'s Charyn (Ire) will stand for €35,000 during his first season at Sumbe's Haras de Montfort et Preaux in 2025, Nurlan Bizakov's operation announced on Tuesday. A winner of the G1 Queen Anne Stakes, G1 Prix Jacques le Marois and the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes all in 2024, the classy miler is now bound for a final start in Japan's G1 Mile Championship on Nov. 17. Bred by Grangemore Stud, the Roger Varian trainee was a 250,000gns Tattersalls October Book 2 yearling when offered by his breeder and picked up by Sumbe. The grey is joined by globetrotting multiple Group 1 winner Mishriff (Ire) at €16,000. His first foals will arrive in 2025. G1 Jean-Luc Lagardere-winning juveniles Angel Bleu (Fr) and Belbek (Fr) both also covered their first mares this season. The sons of Dark Angel and Showcasing (GB) have been priced at €8,000 and €6,000, respectively. Rounding out the roster is Golden Horde (Ire) at €4,000. Sired by Dark Angel's Lethal Force (Ire), he is already the sire of four first-crop winners in France and Great Britain. His half-sibling Camille Pissarro (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) won the latest edition of the Jean-Luc Lagardere on Arc Day. The post Dark Angel’s Charyn Will Lead Sumbe Roster At €35,000 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program estimates that the funds raised during its 15th annual Breeders' Cup pledge will exceed $120,000. Seven horses drove this year's total with their victories on Breeders' Cup Friday and Saturday, including winners Henri Matisse (Ire), Lake Victoria, Chasing Liberty, Moira, Sierra Leone, Citizen Bull and Thorpedo Anna. Johannes, Mullikin, Fierceness, Candied and Nitrogen also contributed by virtue of their placed efforts over the weekend. “SF is proud to continue our support of New Vocations, ” shared Gavin Murphy of SF Bloodstock, part-owners of Juvenile winner Citizen Bull. “We care greatly for the horses that race under our care. Their racing careers represent only a short moment in time for what we hope will be long and productive lives, and New Vocations does a wonderful job in preparing them for their next careers.” This year's winning connections include Coolmore and Partners, Judy Hicks, Robert Masterson, Tom and Katie Ryan, SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Stonestreet Stables, Twin Creeks Racing, Waves Edge Capital LLC, and White Birch Farm, Inc. “We are very grateful for the overwhelming support from the owners and trainers who joined the Pledge this year,” said Anna Ford, New Vocations Program Thoroughbred Program Director. “With an amazing 77 horses with connections pledging this year, the campaign raises awareness and much-needed funds to continue our mission and grow our aftercare efforts.” The post New Vocations’ Breeders’ Cup Pledge Raises Over $120,000 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Wootton Bassett (GB) has had his fee increased to €300,000 as he prepares to embark on his fifth season at Coolmore Stud in 2025, while European champion two-year-old and Derby winner City Of Troy has been introduced at €75,000. This year Wootton Bassett's first crop of Irish-bred two-year-olds have swept all before them, featuring four individual top-level winners in Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere winner Camille Pissarro (Ire), Criterium de Saint-Cloud scorer Tennessee Stud (Ire), Criterium International hero Twain (Ire) and Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf winner Henry Matisse (Ire). This season Wootton Bassett covered 223 mares at his base in Fethard at a fee of €200,000. City Of Troy, who also counted the Coral-Eclipse and Juddmonte International among his four Group 1 victories for Aidan O'Brien, is one of three new additions to the Coolmore ranks along with Auguste Rodin (Ire) and Henry Longfellow (Ire), who have been introduced at €30,000 and €15,000, respectively. A six-time winner at the top level, notably winning the Derby and Breeders' Cup Turf as a three-year-old in 2023, Auguste Rodin is due to make his final racecourse appearance in the G1 Japan Cup at Tokyo on Sunday, November 24. The son of Deep Impact (Jpn) is out of the high-class Galileo (Ire) mare Rhododendron (Ire), a Group 1 winner at two, three and four. Henry Longfellow is blessed with a similarly blue-blooded pedigree as a son of Dubawi (Ire) and the seven-time Group 1 winner Minding (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Unbeaten in three starts as a two-year-old, culminating with an impressive victory in the G1 National Stakes, Henry Longfellow produced his best effort this season when filling the runner-up spot behind Rosallion (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}) in the G1 St James's Palace Stakes. “Coolmore are delighted to welcome three outstanding new prospects for 2025,” said David O'Loughlin, Coolmore's director of sales. “City Of Troy has long been the apple of Aidan O'Brien's eye who couldn't be more positive on his sire Justify. He was an outstanding two-year-old and again proved by far the best of his generation this year. “Auguste Rodin must be the best value horse in Europe at €30,000 and is a fantastic-looking individual. Six Group 1 successes at two, three and four years, he's by a sensational stallion in Deep Impact while his first three dams all performed at the highest level over a mile or less. “Henry Longfellow also offers tremendous value at just €15,000. Like his sire Dubawi, he went unbeaten in three starts at two including the Group 1 Vincent O'Brien National Stakes, and he's arguably his best-looking son ever to retire to stud. He showed top class form over a mile this season most notably when going down by just a neck to Rosallion in the Group 1 St James's Palace Stakes. And to cap it all, he's out of one of the best Galileo mares of all time and bred on the same cross as Night Of Thunder.” Coolmore's full list of European fees: Auguste Rodin (Ire) €30,000 Australia (GB) €10,000 Blackbeard (Ire) €17,500 Calyx (GB) €12,500 Camelot (GB) €75,000 Churchill (Ire) €25,000 City Of Troy €75,000 Footstepsinthesand (GB) €8,000 Gleneagles (Ire) €20,000 Henry Longfellow (Ire) €15,000 Holy Roman Emperor (Ire) €8,000 Little Big Bear (Ire) €20,000 No Nay Never €125,000 Paddington (GB) €25,000 Saxon Warrior (Jpn) €15,000 Sioux Nation €30,000 St Mark's Basilica (Fr) €40,000 Starspangledbanner (Aus) €45,000 The Antarctic (Ire) €5,000 Wootton Bassett (GB) €300,000 The post Coolmore Reveal Stud Fees, Wootton Bassett at €300,000 and City Of Troy at €75,000 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After winning the Nov. 2 Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1), Thorpedo Anna comfortably topped the closing National Thoroughbred Racing Association's Top Thoroughbred Poll of 2024.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. Wednesday's Observations features features a half-sister to Group 1 winner Limato (Ire) (Tagula {Ire}). 14.50 Kempton, Mdn, £6,800, 2yo, f, 8f (AWT) William Haggas-conditioned debutante CARLYLE SQUARE (IRE) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) is a half-sister to ultra-consistent G1 July Cup and G1 Prix de la Foret winner Limato (Ire) (Tagula {Ire}). The 100,000gns Tattersalls October Book 1 graduate faces a baker's dozen, which includes Godolphin's once-raced Scarlet Princess (GB) (Kingman {GB}), who is a Charlie Appleby-trained daughter of G1 Prix de l'Opera victrix Lady Marian (Ger) (Nayef); and Siena's Star (GB) (Churchill {Ire}), who is out of G1 Gran Premio Del Jockey Club third Elbereth (GB) (Mount Nelson {GB}), from the Andrew Balding stable. The post Half-Sister To Limato Set For Kempton Bow appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A strong line up of jockeys have been announced for the 2024 Longines International Jockeys' Championship (IJC) at Happy Valley Racecourse on Wednesday, Dec. 4. The four races are worth a combined HK$7.5-million (£740,000) in prize-money, and there is a total prize fund of HK$1 million in bonus money for the most successful riders split three ways, with the winner set to receive HK$600,000, with HK$250,000 for second and HK$150,000 for third (£60,000, £25,000, and £15,000, respectively). Vincent Ho, who won this contest in 2023, and seven-time Hong Kong Champion Jockey Zac Purton, a three-time IJC winner (2017, 2020, 2021) will contend against both home-based rivals and eight international rivals. English star jockey Ryan Moore–a two-time winner of this event and a four-time winner of the Longines World's Best Jockey Award (2014, 2016, 2021, 2023)–has signed on, as has the Australian-based New Zealander James McDonald (Longines World's Best Jockey winner of 2022), Norwegian William Buick, who is based in Britain and a two-time champion rider there (2022/2023), as well as female riders Hollie Doyle (placed twice in the IJC already) and Rachel King (third on her IJC debut last year), five-time Irish Flat Champion Jockey Colin Keane, Japan's Yuga Kawada (2019 World All-Star Jockeys' champion), and Frenchman Mickael Barzalona, a champion rider in his native land in 2021. The final two spots on the 12-rider IJC roster will go to the highest-ranked riders in the Hong Kong championship standings at the cut-off date, which follows the race meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20. Andrew Harding, executive director, racing, HKJC, said, “The Longines International Jockeys' Championship is the most exciting jockey challenge every December. This year's line-up features Ryan Moore, James McDonald and William Buick–who currently fill top three in the Longines World's Best Jockey rankings, and between them this year they have won a string of the world's leading Group 1 contests. They will compete with the world's very best established riders for a thrilling night of great sport.” The post Moore, McDonald, Some Of The International Stars For The Longines International Jockeys’ Championship appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Hello Youmzain (Fr), the leading first-season sire in France this year, has had his fee increased to €40,000 as he prepares to stand his fifth season at Haras d'Etreham in 2025. The sire of two black-type winners from his first crop, namely the G3 Prix des Chenes winner Misunderstood (Fr)–who also finished third in the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere–and G3 Prix Eclipse scorer Electrolyte (Ire), Hello Youmzain was introduced at a fee of €25,000 back in 2021. He remained at that level the following year, before being dropped to €22,500 for his third and fourth seasons, but the success of his first runners has forced a price hike which sees him become one of the most expensive stallions at stud in France. Hello Youmzain is joined on the Etreham roster by five other stallions, including two new additions to the ranks in Victor Ludorum (GB) and Metropolitan (Fr), both previous winners of the Poule d'Essai des Poulains. Victor Ludorum, whose first yearlings sold for up to €420,000 in 2024, moves from Haras du Logis to Etreham as part of a new partnership with Darley. The son of Shamardal, who also won the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere, remains at a fee of €15,000 for the fourth consecutive year. This year's Poule d'Essai des Poulains hero Metropolitan will also command a fee of €15,000 as he begins his stallion career at Etreham next season, while another winner of that Classic, Persian King (Ire), remains at €25,000, having produced 13 individual winners from his first crop so far, only four fewer than Hello Youmzain in Europe. Persian King reportedly covered just over 100 mares this season. G1 Grand Prix de Paris winner Onesto (Ire) has had a small reduction in his fee at €12,000 (from €12,500), having received 140 mares in his first season at Etreham in 2024, while the roster is completed by City Light (Fr) at an increased fee of €10,000 (from €7,000). He was reportedly fully booked with 150 mares visiting him this season, while on the racecourse his second crop of juveniles included the G3 Prix Miesque winner Mimos (Fr). Etreham's Nicolas de Chambure said, “We are approaching this breeding season with great excitement. Hello Youmzain and Persian King's first two-year-old crops have made remarkable debuts. City Light is again in the spotlight with his second generation and Victor Ludorum's yearlings were very impressive and warmly received by buyers. Onesto was strongly supported for his first year, and we are thrilled to welcome a new top-level sire this season–we couldn't ask for better! “We are delighted to stand sires with these high calibre profiles and, as always, are committed to meeting the expectations and needs of breeders, who we wish an excellent upcoming breeding season.” The post Hello Youmzain at €40,000 as Haras d’Etreham Reveal 2025 Stallion Fees appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

by Kristen Manning/The Thoroughbred Report Extreme Choice (Aus) made history in the 2024 G1 Melbourne Cup by siring the longshot Knight's Choice (Aus), who stunned as Australia's top stayer. For Sheila Laxon, the first official female trainer to win a Melbourne Cup with Ethereal (NZ) (Rhythm) in 2001, this victory marked a triumphant return to Flemington with her husband, John Symons. Owners Cameron Bain, Richard and Kaye Waldron watched their A$85,000 purchase become a A$5.8 million champion, realising breeder Norm Bazeley's vision, who originally acquired Knight's Choice's dam, Midnight Pearl (Aus) (More Than Ready), for just A$1,000. With Knight's Choice's Melbourne Cup victory, Extreme Choice has entered a rare echelon of sires credited with both a Melbourne Cup winner and a Golden Slipper champion–a feat matched only by Sir Tristram (Ire). Newgate's Henry Field couldn't be prouder of Extreme Choice's influence on Australian racing, “I think he goes down as one of the greatest Australian stallions of all time,” Field stated. “To have sired a G1 Golden Slipper Stakes winner (Stay Inside {Aus}) and a Melbourne Cup winner from 105 runners; and four Group 1 winners in his first two crops, it is just an amazing achievement.” Extreme Choice's extraordinary success has come despite his relatively limited initial crops, making his impact even more significant. His early success as a sire also included progeny such as She's Extreme (Aus), who won both the G1 VRC Oaks and G1 Champagne S. Knight's Choice, from Extreme Choice's second crop, represents the stallion's fourth Group 1 winner and joins a growing list of stakes winners among his select group of 74 runners, marking Extreme Choice as one of the most efficient and high-performing sires in recent memory. Field emphasised the rigorous management of Extreme Choice's breeding program at Newgate, which has improved the stallion's fertility significantly. “His fertility has never been better,” Field said, highlighting the dedicated and careful oversight that has allowed Extreme Choice's capacity to be maximised. The Cyclical Story of Midnight Pearl Knight's Choice's journey began with his breeder, Norm Bazeley of Elswick Park in Walcha, who discovered his dam, Midnight Pearl, at the 2013 Inglis Great Southern Sale. Bazeley bought her for a modest A$1000, a purchase that would eventually lead to Melbourne Cup glory. For part-owners Richard and Kaye Waldron, their connection to Knight's Choice runs deep, rooted in their history with his dam, Midnight Pearl. “We bred and raced Knight's Choice's dam Midnight Pearl and sold her when she retired,” Richard shared, reflecting on the decision to part with Midnight Pearl but maintain an interest in her lineage. Known for her grit and consistency on Victorian provincial tracks, Midnight Pearl was the very definition of a “gutsy little mare,” as Laxon fondly described her. The breeders of 23 horses, 21 of whom have won, the Waldrons are fans of New Zealand pedigrees. “I loved the stoutness coming through Eight Carat (GB) and Sir Tristram coming through Midnight Pearl's pedigree and I just thought her pedigree needed that bit of zip, and that's Extreme Choice.” When the Waldrons saw her Extreme Choice colt in the Magic Millions catalogue, they were immediately intrigued. “Kaye saw her in the Magic Millions catalogue, and we loved that she'd been to a speed horse like Extreme Choice,” Richard said. They contacted John Symons to take a look, who soon called back to say, “Oh, I bought him!” Teaming up with Michael Kirby, the stable secured the youngster for just A$85,000 at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. Now with prize-money exceeding A$5.8 million, Knight's Choice's victory is a testament to the Waldron's commitment. Richard credited the firm track conditions, which Knight's Choice thrives on, explaining, “He likes a proper good track. When he gets that sort of going, he can cover his last 600 metres in :33s, and only a small percentage of horses can do that.” 100% Strike Rate For Sheila Laxon, the Melbourne Cup win with Knight's Choice was also full-circle moment. Known as the first (official) female trainer of a Melbourne Cup winner with Ethereal in 2001, Laxon's return to the winner's circle was monumental. Now in partnership with her husband, John Symons, Laxon has continued her legacy, this time with a horse that was a true underdog. “What a thrill,” Laxon said, elated after the race, and joked about preserving her perfect Melbourne Cup strike rate. “And you know what is great, I love doing it for Australians; an Australian horse with Australian owners.” Symons, who once trained in Seymour and worked with Macedon Lodge's founder Kurt Stern, was delighted yet tense as he watched the race unfold. “I was worried as he'd (jockey Robbie Dolan) got further back than we'd talked about, but what a great ride,” he shared. Dolan Riding A Dream Originally from County Kildare in Ireland, Dolan's journey to the top of Australian racing has been anything but conventional. Known not only for his skill in the saddle but also for his unique voice–Dolan has a side career as a singer, appearing on The Voice Australia–he is as multifaceted as he is talented. But while he's used to the limelight, the Melbourne Cup was something else entirely. When he first moved to Australia eight years ago, Dolan started out just hoping to make a name for himself in the racing world. He's spent years honing his craft, taking on the challenging circuit with a quiet determination. His breakthrough came not only through his skill on the track but also through his work ethic, which caught the attention of top trainers, including Sheila Laxon and John Symons. Knight's Choice wasn't a favourite going into the Cup, but Dolan's confidence in the horse and his own abilities never wavered. He said, “They were so confident in this horse; a lot of people doubted them. I didn't. “I didn't know what to expect, but I feel like I've ridden it 10 times because I have ridden it in my head a hundred times!” Dolan said, recounting how he mentally rehearsed the race over and over, building a picture of every possible turn and move. This preparation became crucial as the race played out, allowing him to stay calm and collected, even as the horse dropped further back in the field than initially planned. In a deeply emotional moment, Dolan was surrounded by his family as he accepted his first Melbourne Cup victory. “To win it with my father here and my little daughter Maisie and my partner Christine, I'm going to cry!” he said. For Dolan, having his father Bobby, a man who'd supported his career from day one, alongside his young daughter and partner, made the victory even more meaningful. Tuesday, Flemington, Australia MELBOURNE CUP-G1, A$8,560,000, VRC, 11-05, 3yo/up, Open Handicap, 3200mT, 3:19.53, gd. 1–KNIGHT'S CHOICE (AUS), 51.5, g, 5, by Extreme Choice (Aus) 1st Dam: Midnight Pearl (Aus), by More Than Ready 2nd Dam: Black Pearl (NZ), by The Commander (NZ) 3rd Dam: Go Minstrel (NZ), by Kreisler (Ire) 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. (A$85,000 Ylg '21 MMLJAN). O-C A Bain, Mrs K J Waldron & R A Waldron; B-Elswick Stud (NSW); T-J G Symons & S Laxon; J-R Dolan; A$5,210,000. Lifetime Record: 23-6-3-2, A$5,842,400. Click for the free Arion.co.nz catalogue-style pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. 2–Warp Speed (Jpn), 54.5, h, 5, Drefong–Deep Love (Jpn), by Deep Impact (Jpn). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. (¥20,000,000 Ylg '20 JRHASEL). O-H Yamada; B-Yasushi Kubota (Jpn); T-Noboru Takagi; J-Akira Sugawara; A$1,100,000. 3–Okita Soushi (Ire), 51.0, h, 6, Galileo (Ire)–Amicus (Aus), by Fastnet Rock (Aus). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. O-Mrs A M Saini; B-Coolmore; T-C Maher; J-Jamie Kah; A$550,000. Margins: SHD, 3/4, HF. Odds: 90.00, 25.00, 18.00. Also Ran: Zardozi, Absurde (Fr), Circle of Fire (GB), Fancy Man (Ire), Land Legend (Fr), Buckaroo (GB), Kovalica (NZ), Vauban (Fr), Onesmoothoperator, Valiant King (GB), Sea King (GB), Interpretation (Ire), Sharp 'n' Smart (NZ), Trust in You (NZ), Mostly Cloudy (Ire), Manzoice (Aus), Positivity (NZ), The Map (Aus), Saint George (GB), Just Fine (Ire). Click for the Racing Australia chart. VIDEO. The post Extreme Choice’s Son Knight’s Choice Shocks The Field In The Melbourne Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Officials at Gainesway have released the stud fees for four stallions following last weekend's Breeders' Cup. McKinzie (Street Sense), the sire of Grade I winners 'TDN Rising Star' Chancer McPatrick and Scottish Lassie from his first crop, will stand the 2025 breeding season at a fee of $75,000. The first stallion since Mr. Prospector to account for the winners of the prestigious Champagne Stakes and Frizette Stakes in the same season, McKinzie has also proved successful in the sales arena, his yearlings having fetched as much as $975,000 while his first crop of 2-year-olds realized pricetags as high as $750,000. Muth (Good Magic) will serve mares at an introductory fee of $35,000 LFSN. Named a 'TDN Rising Star' for a blowout victory at first asking last June, the $2-million 2023 OBS March topper won the GI American Pharoah Stakes in his first start around two turns before finishing runner-up to Fierceness (City of Light) in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile. This year's GI Arkansas Derby hero added the Shared Belief Stakes in September and retires with a record of 5-2-0 from nine runs and earnings of $1,589,600. The stud fee for Classic winner Seize the Grey (Arrogate) has been set at $30,000 LFSN. Having defeated future GI Belmont Stakes winner Dornoch (Good Magic) to win his maiden at second asking at Saratoga last summer, the gray colt came from just off the pace to take out the GII Pat Day Mile Stakes on the Kentucky Derby undercard May 4 and backed up on two weeks' rest to wire the GI Preakness Stakes. He earned the second elite-level victory when leading all the way in the Sept. 21 Pennsylvania Derby. 'TDN Rising Star' Tapit Trice will stand alongside his sire Tapit ($185,000) and will begin his stud career at $20,000 LFSN. Winner of the GIII Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby and GI Toyota Blue Gass at three, the Gainesway-bred colt was third in the GI Belmont Stakes and GI Travers Stakes. He was a dual graded stakes winner in 2024 and won six of 13 starts for earnings of $1,873,650. The post Gainesway Releases Additional Stud Fees appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Darley has released its stud fees for the upcoming breeding season, with Dubawi (Ire), who remains at £350,000 for the third consecutive year, retaining his position as the joint most expensive stallion standing in Europe alongside Frankel (GB). This year Dubawi was responsible for a pair of British Classic winners in 2,000 Guineas scorer Notable Speech (GB) and Oaks heroine Ezeliya (Fr), plus Group-winning juveniles such as Ancient Truth (Ire) and Delacroix (Ire). Now 22, Dubawi covered 106 mares this season and is set to receive a reduced number again in 2025. Of the other stallions based at Dalham Hall Stud, Too Darn Hot (GB) has had his fee increased to £90,000 from £65,000, while Kildangan Stud residents Night Of Thunder (Ire) and Blue Point (Ire) have also earned significant rises. Night Of Thunder, another 2,000 Guineas winner by Dubawi, will stand for €150,000 (from €100,000), while Blue Point is set to command a fee of €100,000 (from €60,000). Too Darn Hot recently joined an elite group of stallions who have produced a Group 1-winning juvenile in each of his first two crops after Hotazhell (GB) emulated last year's Moyglare Stud Stakes winner, Fallen Angel (GB), by making the breakthrough at the top level in the Futurity Trophy. The son of Dubawi covered 160 mares this season. Night Of Thunder, who received 130 mares in 2024, has had a stellar year on the racecourse with the likes of G1 Irish Champion Stakes winner Economics (GB), plus the exciting juvenile fillies Desert Flower (Ire) and Fairy Godmother (Ire). Desert Flower was unbeaten in four starts, culminating with a wide-margin victory in the G1 Fillies' Mile, while Fairy Godmother was last seen overcoming a troubled passage to win the G3 Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot. As for Blue Point, Rosallion (Ire) was his flagbearer with a pair of Group 1 wins in the Irish 2,000 Guineas and St James's Palace Stakes, with the speedy Big Evs (Ire), successful in the G2 King George Stakes, and Kind Of Blue (GB), the winner of the G1 Champions Sprint Stakes, heading a strong supporting cast. The leading first-season sire by number of winners in 2023, Blue Point covered 161 mares this season. Pinatubo (Ire), who is currently tied at the top in the battle to be crowned leading first-season sire by number of winners this year, has had his fee at Dalham Hall reduced to £30,000 from £35,000. Earthlight (Ire), the sire of G3 Prix de Cabourg winner and G1 Cheveley Park Stakes runner-up Daylight (Fr) from his first crop, will command a fee of €12,500 (from €15,000) at Kildangan, alongside Ghaiyyath (Ire) whose first two-year-olds included the G3 Autumn Stakes runner-up Stanhope Gardens (Ire). He will stand for €20,000 (from €25,000). Meanwhile, Native Trail (GB) (179 mares), Triple Time (Ire) (155) and Modern Games (Ire) (141) were all new to Darley for 2024 and received good support with three-figure books of mares. Modern Games and Triple Time remain unchanged at £30,000 and £10,000, respectively, while Native Trail has had his fee reduced slightly to €16,000 from €17,500. Sam Bullard, Darley's director of stallions, said, “To have three stallions of the calibre of Blue Point, Night Of Thunder and Too Darn Hot is a source of immense pride to the whole team, particularly as they are sons of our own breed shapers Dubawi and Shamardal. “Our roster provides breeders with a wealth of choices for their mares, from our proven sires to exciting young stallions and we look forward to showing them in the coming months.” Darley's full list of European fees: DALHAM HALL STUD, UK Dubawi (Ire) £350,000 Too Darn Hot (GB) £90,000, Palace Pier (GB) £32,000 Modern Games (Ire) £30,000 Pinatubo (Ire) £30,000 Cracksman (GB) £12,500 Harry Angel (Ire) £10,000 Iffraaj (GB) £10,000 Triple Time (Ire) £10,000 Perfect Power (Ire) £7,500 Farhh (GB) PRIVATE KILDANGAN STUD, IRELAND Night Of Thunder (Ire) €150,000 Blue Point (Ire) €100,000 Teofilo (Ire) €30,000 Ghaiyyath (Ire) €20,000 Native Trail (GB) €16,000 Space Blues (Ire) €16,000 Earthlight (Ire) €12,500 Naval Crown (GB) €9,000 Raven's Pass €7,500 FRANCE Victor Ludorum (GB) €15,000 – Haras d'Etreham Cloth Of Stars (Ire) €4,000 – Haras de Montaigu The post Dubawi Unchanged at £350,000 as Darley Release Fees for 2025 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With her convincing victory in Saturday's GI Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff at Del Mar, 'TDN Rising Star' Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) displaced fellow 'Rising Star' Fierceness (City of Light) atop the final National Thoroughbred Racing Association Top Thoroughbred Poll for 2024. The Ken McPeek-trained filly, who received 26 of a possible 30 first-place votes, should be a unanimous choice for champion 3-year-old filly and cemented her case for Horse of the Year with her front-running, 2 1/2-length defeat of Raging Sea (Curlin) in the Distaff, and combined with Fierceness's runner-up effort in the Classic, gallant though it was, ended the season as the queen of the mountain. 'TDN Rising Star' Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) was no better than 20th in the most recent poll, but catapulted into second courtesy of the Classic, receiving three first-place votes. Fierceness was a clear third ahead of GI Longines Breeders' Cup Turf repeater Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) (one first-place vote) and the retired Idiomatic (Curlin). Occupying spots six through 10 were Classic third Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}); GI Breeders' Cup Sprint hero Straight No Chaser (Speightster), making his first appearance in the top 10; GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf victress Moira (Ghostzapper); beaten GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint favorite Cogburn (Not This Time); and National Treasure (Quality Road). The post Thorpedo Anna Leads Final NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sam Agars FLAMINGO TRILLION - R9 (7) Big run for second first up and has moved well at the trials since Jay Rooney FULL CREDIT - R8 (1) Talented galloper who has drawn to get all the favours in first Valley test Jack Dawling SPEEDY CHARIOT - R3 (5) Never involved last start but looks poised to bounce back from gate two Phillip Woo JOYFUL LIFE - R2 (1) Was unlucky last start after back-to-back seconds and he can win Shannon (Vincent Wong) HO HO STAR - R2 (8) Had an eye-catching run at previous start and can go one better Racing Post Online STORMING DRAGON - R5 (4) Honest galloper has been knocking on the door and should get all favours Tom Wood CHILL CHIBI - R9 (6) Back to Happy Valley looks ideal with Purton in the saddleView the full article

El Vencedor(NZ) (Shocking) is making a habit of picking up major victories at Ellerslie, adding the Gr.3 Balmerino Stakes (2000m) to his burgeoning record at Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup Day meeting. El Vencedor had a breakthrough five-year-old season last term, winning the Gr.3 Eagle Technology Stakes (1600m) and denying star mare Legarto with a tearaway victory in the Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) at the venue in March. Resuming over 1400m in early September, El Vencedor showed positive signs ahead of the Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) and Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m), and despite finishing midfield in both races, his trainer Stephen Marsh was confident the gelding would strip a fit horse in his return to Ellerslie. Many anticipated El Vencedor to cross and lead from barrier two, but jockey Joe Doyle allowed fellow pacemaker My Maebelline Girl to surge on speed, instead gaining cover behind race-favourite Wolfgang ($2.90). After getting an economical run in transit, the gelding was simply charging into the home turn and Doyle guided him to the centre of the track, where the contest was over in a matter of strides as he powered away from Wolfgang and Terra Mitica by 3-1/2 lengths. Doyle has been El Vencedor’s regular rider through the past twelve months and indicated the lead-in runs had him primed for Tuesday’s feature. “He was very good, we’ve known this performance was in him, but he took a good few runs last year before he really peaked,” he said. “People were possibly doubting him a little bit, but we were always quite confident that it was there, he was just coming right and he showed that today. He’s a very much a horse to be reckoned with. “We thought there was going to be a bit of speed on, so we said if no one wants to go we’ll go, but in an ideal world, we’ll get a bit of cover and it worked out lovely. I was following the horse I wanted to follow and I got a nice drag into the race. “It suits him around there (Ellerslie), he gets into a really comfortable rhythm and the surface is really up his street, it’s consistent and was running a touch on the quick side at that time of the day, which is very much to his liking. “He goes around there like he’s on rails.” Marsh shared a similar opinion in the timing around El Vencedor, who will return to the course in December to tackle the Gr.1 Cambridge Stud Zabeel Classic (2000m). “He was very good today, he’s a horse that’s always taken a few runs to get going, and the Livamol third-up, he probably needed the run,” he said. “The race panned out perfectly, Joe rode him an absolute treat just idling along in the one-one and the horse showed that he’s getting back to his very best again. “Back at Ellerslie, on such a beautiful track, he was really dominant today which was great. I think it sets us up really well for summer racing, come the 26th of December, he’ll be back here for the Zabeel Classic. “We’ll see how he comes through, but we might bring him back to a mile at his next start, just as long as he’s peaking for the Group One at Ellerslie, that’s perfect. “I think the track played beautifully, they were coming off the speed, coming from last, it was as fair a track as you could ask for. We went from a Dead 5 up to a Good 4 during the day, which I think is exactly how racing should be.” El Vencedor has been racing consistently to a high standard since he was a two-year-old, but in recent seasons, Marsh put his rise to the top down to maturity. “He’s always shown us that he’s very good, he’s run 1.08 over 1200m to win, and he’s always gone quite keenly in his races, but he’s really matured now,” he said. “He’s started to race as a nice Shocking should, the mental development has been the big key and he’s gone from looking like he could run in a Railway, to relaxing and racing properly over ground.” Fittingly on Melbourne Cup Day, El Vencedor is a son of 2009 Melbourne Cup victor Shocking, bred and raced by David Price and Mark Freeman. His dam, Strictly Maternal, passed away earlier this year, but was a highly-successful broodmare, also producing Gr.2 Brisbane Cup (2200m) winner Chocante and Hong Kong Derby (2000m) winner Sky Darci. The gelding’s career earnings are now just shy of $740,000, with eight wins and 13 minor placings from 35 starts. View the full article

Storm Boy (Aus), a Group 2 winner and Group 1-placed when trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, is set to join Aidan O'Brien at Ballydoyle ahead of a European campaign in 2025, Coolmore Australia announced on Tuesday. The son of Justify is the winner of five of his 10 career starts and was bought by Coolmore and a group of their friends and clients for an undisclosed sum after he made it three from three with his victory in the Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic back in January. On his next start he won the G2 Skyline Stakes, before finishing third, beaten just a length and a quarter, in the G1 Golden Slipper, the world's richest race for juveniles. The first foal out of the winning Fastnet Rock (Aus) mare Pelican (NZ), Storm Boy also won the G3 San Domenico Stakes on his return to action as a three-year-old, before posting creditable efforts in defeat when finishing third in the G2 Run To The Rose and fourth in the G1 Golden Rose. He was beaten around two lengths when last seen finishing eighth in The Everest. Storm Boy, who was initially bought by Waterhouse, Bott and Bruce Slade's Kestrel Thoroughbreds for A$460,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, will follow in the footsteps of So You Think (NZ) and Starspangledbanner (Aus) as elite performers in the Southern Hemisphere to have joined O'Brien at Ballydoyle. In a statement on X, Coolmore Australia said, “Talented three-year-old Storm Boy will travel to Ireland to be trained by Aidan O'Brien at Ballydoyle, with a view to contesting top sprint races in Europe next season.” The post High-Class Australian Sprinter Storm Boy to Join Aidan O’Brien appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

'TDN Rising Star' Ramatuelle (Justify) is set to retire to the paddocks after being bought by Coolmore for $5.1 million at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale on Monday. Trained by Christopher Head for owners including NBA Hall of Famer Tony Parker, Ramatuelle won four of her nine career starts and was last seen making the breakthrough at the top level with an emphatic victory in the Prix de la Foret at Longchamp, before being withdrawn from Saturday's GI Breeders' Cup Mile at Del Mar on veterinary advice. The three-year-old was one of the headline lots when she went through the ring at Fasig-Tipton on Monday, with successful bidder MV Magnier indicating that the filly will now visit Wootton Bassett (GB), along with Opera Singer (Justify), the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac and G1 Nassau Stakes winner who has also been retired. Magner told Fasig-Tipton's X account, “We had to retire Opera Singer as well, so I think what we will do is send the two of them to Wootton Bassett next year. “That's what the guys want to do at the moment anyway, so I would say that is most likely what will happen.” The post Ramatuelle and Opera Singer Both Retired and Likely to Visit Wootton Bassett appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The final pieces have now been found for the two new $500,000 slot races on Show Day at Addington Raceway. In both the Majestic Horse Floats LP THE ASCENT and the Hill Lee and Scott THE VELOCITY 10 trotters and 10 pacers have been nominated, meaning that unless something unexpected happens those horses will contest the two races on Friday, November 18. Most of the horses had already been confirmed. In THE ASCENT Look To Da Stars, trained by Mark and Nathan Purdon, is the 10th and last trotter to be confirmed while in THE VELOCITY there were three spots still to filled. They have now been taken by Mako, We Walk By Faith and Harrison John. In the latest TAB fixed odds market, unbeaten Australian Keayang Zahara is a $1.70 favourite for THE ASCENT ahead of Empire City ($6) and Tyron Eros ($7.50). Chase A Dream is the $2.10 favourite for THE VELOCITY with Dreams Are Free at $5 and Better Knuckle Up at $9. View the full article

It’s Australian pacers one-two-and three in this week’s final IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup rankings. It’s been a turbulent week with on-going uncertainty about whether the champion Leap To Fame would cross the Tasman and then the sudden re-emergence of defending champion Swayzee, after his connections made the late payment of $28,750. Both, it now seems, will take their place at Addington in the $1m feature next Tuesday. Swayzee, as defending champion, is the top ranked horse ahead of Leap To Fame with Auckland Cup winner Just Believe third. Mo’unga moves into the field at 13th, up three places, following his win in the Alabar Kaikoura Cup yesterday and now looks set to take his place in the field. Aroda, a stablemate of Leap To Fame’s, is also heading to New Zealand though at 16th is not guaranteed a place in the field yet. Among the high profile withdrawals from the Cup this week has been Sooner The Bettor after botching the start of the NZB Standardbred Yearling Sales Series Aged Classic yesterday at Kaikoura. He ended up finishing sixth. In the $400,000 Renwick Farms Dominion Trot Muscle Mountain is now a notable absence. The multiple Group 1 was withdrawn from the race after missing the What The Hill Ashburton Trotters Sprint on Labour Day with a leg injury. Australian trotter Callmethebreeze has also been withdrawn. That has seen the Robert and Jenna Dunn-trained Mighty Logan climb from 11th to seventh after his second in the White Morph South Bay Trotters Cup at Kaikoura yesterday behind Mystic Max. Other trotters that have seen their stocks rise this week include Fiery Bandito from 14th to 11th and Maui from 18th to 14th.The top six ranked trotters remain unchanged. To see the final rankings click here View the full article

By Adam Hamilton Leap To Fame’s New Zealand Cup raid is back on target. Owner Kevin Seymour confirmed a much-anticipated blood test came back all-clear today. “It’s a huge weight off our shoulders. It’s been a stressful few days,” he said. “The blood test was the missing piece. Grant (Dixon) couldn’t fault the horse, but we simply wouldn’t travel with him unless his bloods were good. “They came back at lunchtime and it was great news. We’re full steam ahead again now.” The pleasing blood results capped a big day for Leap To Fame, aka “Larry”, who worked strongly with fellow NZ-bound stablemate Aroda at Menangle this morning. “Grant said his work was fantastic. That gave us more confidence the blood tests would be good,” Seymour said. “The horse has just seemed so well in himself and as Grant said, had he not taken that blood test on Saturday, purely as a precaution, the horse would already have been in NZ.” Leap To Fame will still face a daunting travel schedule, leaving Sydney for Auckland on Sunday and then getting another flight from Auckland to Christchurch. “It’s not ideal, but he’s a sensible horse and seasoned traveller,” Dixon said. Aroda will accompany Leap To Fame across and Dixon hopes he will make the cut for a Cup start. View the full article

By Michael Guerin Now that the main job is done Regan Todd will have a think about the far bigger job. But don’t be surprised to see Alabar Kaikoura Cup winner Mo’unga in next Tuesday’s $1m IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup after a drama-filled day in the lead-up to the iconic race. The Cup market was already in the shadow of the will-he, won’t-he come story of Leap To Fame, something that will be finalized after blood test results on Tuesday afternoon. Then came the left-field stunner that defending champion Swayzee is now likely to come, his connections having to pay a late entry fee. Remarkably he looks likely to race in the Country Cup at Young on Friday night in the second leg of a five-Cup attempt at a A$1m bonus. So Jason Grimson will race him there and fly him to Christchurch via Auckland two days later and then race in the Cup. Admittedly the Young race should be little more than trackwork for him but is still a radical way to defend your title. Not needing to do anything so dramatic are the team behind Mo’unga if, as looks likely, their win and some possible drop outs put him into the NZ Cup field. He used standing start manners and stamina to shoot through on the passing lane with Mossdale Ben booming into second and Better Eclipse the run of the race in third after settling near last after an early gallop then coming wide. The winner may have rated 1:58.1 for the 2400m standing start but it was easy to make the assumption the Cup winner wasn’t in the field. But while that may come from Leap To Fame, Swayzee, Merlin or Don’t Stop Dreaming, half of them aren’t even here yet and have a few hurdles and one Tasman Sea to get over before they deter Mo’unga. “We know how big an ask the NZ Cup is so we will sleep on it and maybe see how a few things pan out in the next day,” says Todd. “This (the Kaikoura Cup) was his main target but if he gets into the Cup field I’d say he is 60-40 to start but we won’t make a definite decision one way or the other until tomorrow.” On a day when the marker pegs were the place to be they also provided the winners of the other two features with Mystic Max defending his title in the $56,000 White Morph South Bay Trotters Cup for trainer Michael Purdon. Like Mo’unga he began well from wide out and driver Blair Orange was in a no-nonsense mood, looking for the lead and once he got there he never looked like getting beaten in a race where plenty of his key rivals did themselves no favours by galloping. Mystic Max now finds himself the $21 equal fourth favourite for the $400,000 Renwick Farms Dominion next Tuesday which lost both Callmethebreeze and Muscle Mountain over the weekend. Orange was to the fore again when aggressive with Wish Me Luck in the $50,000 NZBS Sales Series Pace for the older horses, continuing the great run for trainer Hayden Cullen. He wasn’t the smoothest away but Orange sent him forward to lead and even though he looked to be headed by Lester at the 100m mark he fought back to relegate Lester to the runner-up role in this race for the second year running. “This is the race we set him for so to get the result is really satisfying,” said Cullen of Wish Me Luck. Hot favourite Sooner The Better was checked early but only battled late, as many coming wide on the day did, but he must now be in some doubt to start in the Cup next Tuesday. View the full article

Big guns Ryan Moore and James McDonald return, while Zac Purton leads Hong Kong contingent.View the full article

The 2024 Melbourne Cup produced a fairytale finish as Queensland raider Knight’s Choice stormed home to claim victory in a thrilling photo finish. Ridden by a jubilant Robbie Dolan, the 90/1 outsider defied the odds to pip Japanese challenger Warp Speed at the post. This marks Dolan’s first-ever Melbourne Cup ride and a truly historic […] The post Knight’s Choice Stuns Flemington in 2024 Melbourne Cup Upset! appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article