Wandering Eyes

By Michael Guerin Star pacer Don’t Stop Dreaming has changed stables just two weeks out from the $1million Race by Betcha at Cambridge on Friday, April 4. The last-start Menangle winner has left trainers Mark and Nathan Purdon and joined Hayden and Amanda Cullen and will debut for them in Friday’s $60,000 Auckland Co-Op Taxis City of Auckland Free-For-All at Alexandra Park. Don’t Stop Dreaming faces a second line draw for the Cullens starting alongside stablemate We Walk By Faith in the 2200m mobile which is stacked with the majority of New Zealand’s best pacers. Sooner The Bettor returns from a luckless Miracle Mile sixth and also starts alongside Mo’unga on the second line while Republican Party again faces the outside of the front line draw. While not being drawn on the change of stables for Don’t Stop Dreaming co-trainer Nathan Purdon says he is looking forward to the Free-For-All with Chase A Dream, who gets barrier 1 this Friday. “He really needed last week’s run and while he will be better for this week too we think he can go close,” says Purdon. The night’s two other main features are the Harness Million for the three-year-old pacers and Marketplace will start red hot after drawing inside Rubira in the $200,000 NZB Standardbred final for the Colts and Geldings (7.59pm). “We all know how good Marketplace is but Rubira beat him by going forward last week and I see no reason for us not to do that again,” says Purdon. Add in Got The Chocolates and Greased Lightnin and the race has good numbers and decent depth. The $150,000 fillies pace (7.34pm) is shorn of last Friday’s stunning winner Beside Me as she is ineligible but includes the other impressive filly from last Friday in Stella Rouge, who will start favourite from barrier 5. The Cullens have a strong hand in that Listed race too with Winelight (1) and Arafura (2) over the 2200m mobile. The meeting also hosts two $35,000 Metro Finals for the Trotters and Pacers while Race 4, the RSM Mobile Pace, sees the return of last season’s northern juvenile star Captain Sampson after two recent workouts. To see Auckland’s fields for Friday night click here View the full article

Multiple Group One-winner Snazzytavi has had an acute episode of laminitis and is unlikely to race again. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Cambridge Stud are hoping Snazzytavi will continue to draw on all her fighting qualities to win out in her battle against illness. The multiple Group One-winning daughter of Tavistock is currently doing as well as can be expected, receiving the best of local and international care. “She remains at Matamata Vets where she has been for the last three or four weeks and has had an acute episode of laminitis, which is a chronic condition,” Cambridge’s Chief Executive Officer Henry Plumptre said. “They got on to it pretty quickly and engaged the services of a Kentucky vet, Scott Morrison, who is overseeing her rehab and she’s got a very good team at MVS looking after her. “She’s got to the point now where she is out in a small paddock for six hours a day and able to walk around and got specialists shoes on and casts on her front legs for support. “She is bright and eating and drinking well and it’s now a case of waiting for the inflammation to disappear.” The stud is banking on Snazzytavi’s makeup to be a vital contributor to her recovery. “What makes her a little bit different to a lot of horses that contract laminitis is that she has an amazing constitution, she’s very tough and her mental state is good,” Plumptre said. “She is doing as well as she can possibly be, she’s very unlikely to return to a racecourse but she is obviously a very valuable breeding prospect.” Snazzytavi won nine of her 15 starts for trainers Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall, including Group One victories in the Zabeel Classic (2000m) and Livamol Classic (2040m). Horse racing news View the full article

On the March 17 BloodHorse Monday: Flying Dutchmen's Hunter Rankin discusses Owen Almighty's Kentucky Derby status, Louie Rabaut and Sean Collins recap the Virginia Derby, and Frank Angst recaps the OBS March Sale and Oaklawn Park's show bets.View the full article

Leica Lucy will contest Saturday’s $1 million Group 1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Robbie Patterson couldn’t have wished for a smoother preparation with Leica Lucy into Saturday’s Group 1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham, where the filly will make her Kiwi swansong as hot favourite in the $1 million feature. Leica Lucy made light work of her rivals on debut back in November, and from that point forward, she has been dominant. Along the way, the daughter of Derryn has won the Group 3 Eulogy Stakes (1600m), Group 3 New Zealand Bloodstock Desert Gold Stakes (1600m), and Group 2 David and Karyn Ellis Fillies’ Classic (2000m) and her three-length demolition in the Group 2 Lowland Stakes (2100m). Patterson shared plenty of admiration for his young star, who secured her status as NZB Filly of the Year with an unassailable lead over sprinter Alabama Lass. “She’s leap-frogged from a maiden race, into a three-year-old race and she’s been in Group races ever since,” he said. “She’s just taken every step in her stride, it’s been unbelievable really and for nothing to go wrong. “We knew we had a good horse, but you don’t expect everything to go right all the time and it just has. It’s been an incredible climb, you don’t usually get that with a horse but she’s just one out of the box. “I’m just counting down for the next four days to the race really.” Since her Lowland romp, it has been business as usual for Leica Lucy back in New Plymouth, as she attempts to become Patterson’s second Oaks winner after Legs’ triumph in 2006, while training in partnership with Kevin Gray. “We’ve done pretty much the same thing as she has done between all of her races, I’ve just given her an extra gallop than she did leading into the Lowland,” Patterson said. “She had a good hit-out this morning but she’s come off the track bouncing, she’s a very happy horse and I couldn’t be happier with her.” Starting at $1.40, $1.30 and $1.10 with horse racing betting sites in her last three appearances, the pressure and expectation to win has been a constant for Patterson, a factor he won’t miss when Leica Lucy heads to Chris Waller’s stable in Sydney after the Oaks. “It will take the pressure off me I will admit, when you’ve got a $1.30 shot going around in a Group One,” he said. “I am looking forward to seeing her go to Australia to tell the truth, it’s where she belongs and I can’t be there all the time with just one horse. It’s fantastic for the owners Pete and Heather Crofskey here in New Zealand, it’s great for them to have a good horse racing over there. “We’ve got a great association with Ozzie Kheir (part-owner) as well now, he’s been fantastic to deal with and if she can go there and do well, you never know, he may want another one off us another time.” Horse racing news View the full article

Robbie Patterson couldn’t have wished for a smoother preparation with Leica Lucy (NZ) (Derryn) into Saturday’s Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham where the filly will make her Kiwi swansong as hot favourite in the $1 million feature. Leica Lucy made light work of her rivals on debut back in November, and from that point forward, she has been dominant. Along the way, the daughter of Derryn has won the Gr.3 Eulogy Stakes (1600m), Gr.3 New Zealand Bloodstock Desert Gold Stakes (1600m), and Gr.2 David and Karyn Ellis Fillies’ Classic (2000m) and her three-length demolition in the Gr.2 Lowland Stakes (2100m). Patterson shared plenty of admiration for his young star, who secured her status as NZB Filly of the Year with an unassailable lead over sprinter Alabama Lass. “She’s leap-frogged from a maiden race, into a three-year-old race and she’s been in Group races ever since,” he said. “She’s just taken every step in her stride, it’s been unbelievable really and for nothing to go wrong. “We knew we had a good horse, but you don’t expect everything to go right all the time and it just has. It’s been an incredible climb, you don’t usually get that with a horse but she’s just one out of the box. “I’m just counting down for the next four days to the race really.” Since her Lowland romp, it has been business as usual for Leica Lucy back in New Plymouth, as she attempts to become Patterson’s second Oaks winner after Legs’ triumph in 2006, while training in partnership with Kevin Gray. “We’ve done pretty much the same thing as she has done between all of her races, I’ve just given her an extra gallop than she did leading into the Lowland,” Patterson said. “She had a good hit-out this morning but she’s come off the track bouncing, she’s a very happy horse and I couldn’t be happier with her.” Starting at $1.40, $1.30 and $1.10 in her last three appearances, the pressure and expectation to win has been a constant for Patterson, a factor he won’t miss when Leica Lucy heads to Chris Waller’s stable in Sydney after the Oaks. “It will take the pressure off me I will admit, when you’ve got a $1.30 shot going around in a Group One,” he said. “I am looking forward to seeing her go to Australia to tell the truth, it’s where she belongs and I can’t be there all the time with just one horse. It’s fantastic for the owners Pete and Heather Crofskey here in New Zealand, it’s great for them to have a good horse racing over there. “We’ve got a great association with Ozzie Kheir (part-owner) as well now, he’s been fantastic to deal with and if she can go there and do well, you never know, he may want another one off us another time.” Earlier on Oaks Day, Patterson will also have a representative in the Gr.3 Wentwood Grange Cuddle Stakes (1600m) in Our Jumala (NZ) (Zed). The Zed mare won comfortably over the mile distance at New Plymouth earlier this month, setting her up well for a shot at further black-type after placing in last year’s Gr.3 Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes (2100m). “She’s a last-start winner and has thrived since then, she worked super this morning,” Patterson said. “Any easing in the track would really help her, but I’m not sure we’ll be getting that.” The $65,000 contest for maidens as at midnight on December 2 is a perfect fit for One Bold Gigolo (NZ) (The Bold One), after winning his last-two starts over 1400m in convincing style. “He’s going to go to the special maiden but he’s won his last two, he’s a very progressive horse and will be a definite chance with a nice barrier,” Patterson said. Earlier in the week, the weather will play a role at Waverley’s Wednesday meeting, with Marketa (NZ) (Eminent) and Shameless Boy (NZ) (Shamexpress) engaged for the stable. Marketa was game in defeat behind stablemate Hot Mama at New Plymouth last-start, which was only her second appearance to the races. The daughter of Eminent will contest the Treadwell Gordon (1400m), while two-time winner Shameless Boy takes his place in the Nutrinza – Animal Nutrition (1400m). “We just had a slight niggle with Marketa that set us back a little bit after her last start, it’ll be interesting to see what the track is like tomorrow because there is a bit of rain around,” Patterson said. “A bit of easing in the ground may help her, but it will be a wait and see really with that month between races. “Shameless Boy would appreciate a wet track, if he can get that, he’ll be pretty competitive I’d say.” View the full article

Cambridge Stud are hoping Snazzytavi (NZ) (Tavistock) will continue to draw on all her fighting qualities to win out in her battle against illness. The multiple Group One-winning daughter of Tavistock is currently doing as well as can be expected, receiving the best of local and international care. “She remains at Matamata Vets where she has been for the last three or four weeks and has had an acute episode of laminitis, which is a chronic condition,” Cambridge’s Chief Executive Officer Henry Plumptre said. “They got on to it pretty quickly and engaged the services of a Kentucky vet, Scott Morrison, who is overseeing her rehab and she’s got a very good team at MVS looking after her. “She’s got to the point now where she is out in a small paddock for six hours a day and able to walk around and got specialists shoes on and casts on her front legs for support. “She is bright and eating and drinking well and it’s now a case of waiting for the inflammation to disappear.” The stud is banking on Snazzytavi’s makeup to be a vital contributor to her recovery. “What makes her a little bit different to a lot of horses that contract laminitis is that she has an amazing constitution, she’s very tough and her mental state is good,” Plumptre said. “She is doing as well as she can possibly be, she’s very unlikely to return to a racecourse but she is obviously a very valuable breeding prospect.” Snazzytavi won nine of her 15 starts for trainers Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall, including Group One victories in the Zabeel Classic (2000m) and Livamol Classic (2040m). On a brighter note, the stud’s crack Australian-based mare Joliestar (Zoustar) is progressing well toward another elite level assignment while plans are afoot for recent acquisition Pivotal Ten to also cross the Tasman later this year. Trained by Chris Waller, Joliestar won last season’s Gr.1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield and last time out blitzed her rivals in the Gr.1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington. “She’s back in Sydney for the TJ Smith (Gr.1, 1200m) and then she’ll probably have a break,” Plumptre said. “There’s been a lot of talk about Ascot, but that’s probably a bridge too far at the moment and our feeling is that if she’s to have a crack at another big target, then it’s likely to be The Everest in the spring.” Cambridge Stud purchased a 50 per cent holding in Pivotal Ten (NZ) (Ten Sovereigns) from owner Colin Wightman following a hat-trick of southern Listed wins for trainer-rider Samantha Wynne and was unplaced in The NZB Kiwi (1500m) in her first run beyond 1400m. “The target wasn’t just the Kiwi, from a Cambridge Stud perspective it was more about the long-term future,” Plumptre said. “She’s a very good-looking filly and I think next year as a four-year-old she’ll probably be a six-furlong mare, that would be her specialist trip for me. “The likelihood is that she will go to Australia and be trained there for the spring. “She flew back to Christchurch after The Kiwi for a spell and it’s sensible that she be in Melbourne to kick off her next preparation.” Meanwhile, Jaarffi (NZ) (Iffraaj) has also gone for a deserved break following her close second in the Gr.1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes (1600m). “She’s probably a little unlucky not to be a Group One winner and has always been a difficult mare to train, from the point of view of keeping condition on her,” Plumptre said. “As a five-year-old, this is the first time she’s stood up to the training regime. Lance (Noble) has done a fantastic job with her, and she’ll race on and there will be some lovely races for her around that mile trip.” View the full article

18 March 2025 NZB’s 2025 National Online Yearling Sale is now live, with the quality 102-lot catalogue available to view on Gavelhouse Plus.   For the fifth year, the digital edition to NZB’s National Yearling Sales Series is set to be conducted on the premium online platform Gavelhouse Plus with bidding closing on Tuesday 1 April from 6pm (NZT).   The Sale is a proven source of stakes winners including the likes of recent Group Two winner Hitabell (NZ) (Embellish), Southern Warrior (NZ) (Belardo), Bolshoi Star (NZ) (Russian Revolution) and TAB Karaka Millions 2YO runner Daylight Robbery (NZ) (Super Seth) to name a few.  In form trainer Stephen Marsh has found the Sale to be a happy hunting ground in the past. “It’s a Sale trainers can take seriously, you can buy genuine horses and go on to have decent success on the track.” Group Two winner Hitabell & connections (NZ) “There is good value to be found too, we paid $9,500 for Hitabell and she’s got blacktype to her name already. We’re looking forward to the season ahead with her.” All lots purchased from the National Online Yearling Sale are eligible to be nominated for NZB’s lucrative Karaka Millions Series. Just nine short months after they make their virtual sale-ring debut, graduates of the online sale can compete for a share of the $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m), followed by the $1.5m TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) as well as the NZB Mega Maiden Bonus Series with $1m in bonuses up for grabs across 40 maiden races each season. “There have been many great, proven racing prospects that have come from this online session,” commented NZB Bloodstock Sales Manager Kane Jones. “It is also the last chance to purchase a horse eligible for the $3.5m Karaka Millions Series, and with the two-year-old race only nine months later, the Online Sale presents buyers with a distinct advantage.” “Just look at Daylight Robbery and the thrill he gave his owners in the 2025 edition of the race,” he added. “He’s a horse we’ll see plenty of in the future.” Renowned vendors from across New Zealand are supporting the Sale, with a contingent of 44 proven, emerging, and first-season sires progeny offered. Buyers can secure yearlings by the likes of Almanzor, Proisir, Ocean Park, Tarzino, Vanbrugh, Ace High plus emerging and first-season sires Satono Aladdin, Super Seth, Noverre, Hello Youmzain, Wrote, Sword of State and Armory. Bidding will run for a five-day period, commencing Friday 28 March with the first lot closing on Tuesday 1 April at 6pm (NZT). Buyers must register on Gavelhouse Plus in advance in order to gain bidding approval.  All horses will be inspected by NZB agents who are available to assist buyers with enquiries. Buyers are also welcome to join the on-farm parades commencing Thursday 20 March, with the schedule now available to view here.  View the 102-lot catalogue here. For more information, contact Bloodstock Sales Manager Kane Jones (+64 27 274 4985 or kane.jones@nzb.co.nz), Sales Representative Patrick Cunningham (+64 21 181 5898 or Patrick.Cunningham@nzb.co.nz) or Andrew Buick (+64 27 555 0640 or Andrew.Buick@nzb.co.nz).  View the full article

After nearly two hours of debate and testimony, Florida's House Commerce Committee on Monday passed bill HB 105, which would eliminate a requirement that Florida's two remaining racetracks hold races in order to offer alternative forms of gambling, such as slot machines, card rooms and casinos. The bill, sponsored by Republican Representative Adam Anderson is now positioned to go to the full house. A similar bill has been filed in the Senate but has yet to be heard in committees. “Today's vote in the House Commerce Committee was disappointing,” said Lonny Powell, CEO of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association, in a statement. “Let me be clear: The latest changes to HB 105 are not a compromise–they are designed to scuttle Florida's vital Thoroughbred industry. No matter how our opponents try to spin it, this bill decouples live racing from voter-approved gaming requirements. This means fewer races, fewer jobs, and fewer opportunities for the hardworking Floridians devoted to this industry, including the passionate horsemen and women from the farms and barns who testified today. “If this bill passes, it will ripple across the entire state economy, gutting a major industry and sending Florida jobs and horses to other states and our dollars to Toronto. This industry has helped power Florida's economy for generations, and we must not allow bad special-interest policy to dismantle it.” Several changes to the original bill were made, including a provision that the tracks must continue to race until 2030 if decoupling passes. If they intend to close the tracks they must give the state a three-year notice and that notice cannot be submitted until July 1, 2027. Proponents of the bill tried to argue that passage of HB105 would actually benefit horse racing. Representative Chase Tramont asked Anderson “what problem are we trying to solve with this bill?” Anderson responded: “It actually guarantees racing for the next five years. There hasn't been any track that I have talked to that has said they intend to stop racing. This bill is structured in a way to support (the breeding industry), to help prop it up so it can stand independently from slots and cards and thrive on its own.” Anderson failed to adequately explain how that was possible. When questioned by Representative Michele Raynor as to whether the bill would benefit 1/ST Racing and no one else, Anderson again trued to convince his fellow lawmakers that this was a win-win for everyone. “This supports an industry as a whole,” Anderson said. “Not just one or two entities…We're supporting this industry in a number of areas and insuring that it has multiple options to succeed. We are removing a barrier, where right now the industry is controlled by just two tracks, two entities. This bill will provide the ability for these owners to transfer their licenses. If they don't want to stay in the horse business, right now they have to. The only option they have is to close up shop. This will provide a pathway for them to transfer that license to someone who wants to run a racetrack or move their license to anther location that makes more economic sense for their business model.” Several industry stakeholders spoke during the public testimony period. The message from each one was pretty much the same: Why are you trying to kill an important industry that provides thousands of jobs and has a huge economic impact on the state just so that Florida can have one more casino? “This bill would sacrifice Florida Thoroughbred racing,” said trainer Mark Casse. “Breeding, sales, training, mostly based in the rural heartland of the state to benefit one person. Florida-bred and raised horses are a valued export product across America and even overseas. Decoupling would devastate rural Florida.” He continued: “1/ST Racing deliberately put all their eggs in one basket and now are prepared to leave Florida racing like post fall Humpty Dumpty. Today over 3,000 Thoroughbreds are stabled in South Florida during the winter and 1,500 year-round. Without Gulfstream, most of these horses and these jobs will leave the state. This passage of the bill will cause 90% of the trainers here with the terrible choice of having to leave their homes or leave the business all together. This issue is much bigger than me. It's about $3.2 billion dollars in economic impact a year. We are not asking for a handout. We are asking Florida to recognize that investing in the Thoroughbred racing industry is no different than investing in other labor intensive industries that contribute billions of dollars throughout the state. “I leave you with one question: is one more hotel and casino in Hallandale Beach, Florida worth destroying an industry that will affect the lives of tens of thousands of people?” At times Anderson was defensive and claimed the industry might have fared better if working with him before the bill was crafted. “We put a call out to the industry and I personally met with several representatives of the industry and I asked them all the same thing-give me a plan, a proposal, tell me what you need changed and how you view the industry from your part?” he said. “We didn't get that. Instead what happened was each of those different associations hired a team of lobbyists simply to fight the bill. I'll ask them why are they spending that money on lobbyist when they should be reinvesting that money into the folks they are supposed to be representing. Folks that are breeding horse, the trainers, the owners, the jockeys. That's one of the root problems we are facing. The way the money is flowing it is not getting into the right hands. This bill addresses that.” “I also want to say I am a lover of the horse industry. I love the track, I love the animal. I am a horse owner myself. It would be an absolute failure in my opinion if racing ended in the state of Florida. Most of the opponents of this legislation spoke to that, what happens if racing ends? This bill is carefully crafted to do everything in our legislative power to make sure that doesn't happen.” With the bill likely to pass when coming before the House for a full vote, the battle will head to the Senate. According to a source, the Senate is known to be more pro-racing and breeding than the House is. The post Florida House Committee Passes Decoupling Bill appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A filly who failed to find a bidder as a yearling and landed a Gowran Park maiden on 3-year-old debut at 40-1 became a new 'TDN Rising Star' at Santa Anita on St. Patrick's Day, fittingly enough, as Raw Ability (Ire) (Belardo {Ire}) ran her stateside record to two wins from as many starts and won for the third time in three career appearances. Friendless in the markets when unveiled by Limerick trainer Eric McNamara over a mile at the Irish venue last June 3, the bay–who was bought back for the upset price of €1,000 as a yearling at Goffs November in 2022–next found herself going through the boutique Goffs London Sale on the eve of Royal Ascot last June. Snapped up by Shawn Dugan for a hefty-enough £140,000, she made the trip stateside and was the 12-5 favorite for a one-mile test at Del Mar Sept. 2. Off slowly and a detached last, she was nevertheless patiently handled by Hector Berrios but flew home once switched out in the lane and attacked the line to score–from an unlikely position–by a half-length. Arguably over the odds in her 4-year-old debut at 23-10, the attractive bay filly left the gate running this time around and found herself chasing the commonly owned Kitty Katana (GB) (Bobby's Kitten) through moderate fractions. Gliding along at her stablemate's saddle towel and poised nearing the stretch, she was held together into the final three-sixteenths of a mile and whooshed home in the same fashion she did six months ago to score cozily. Favored Sareeha (Ire) (Shamardal)–in for the $80,000–enjoyed the run of the race from the box seat and was pulled out three wide at the head of the lane with every chance, but was outsprinted to the wire. Raw Ability, the first 'TDN Rising Star' for her sire (by Lope de Vega {Ire}), covered her final quarter mile in :22 and some change, with a final furlong in a very slick :11.09. Belardo is the sire of eight U.S. winners from nine to race, headed by this circuit's teak-tough Gold Phoenix (Ire), winner of the GI Frank E. Kilroe Mile at this track. Behind Raw Ability is a 3-year-old filly by Buratino (Ire) and a juvenile filly by Raven's Pass. 7th-Santa Anita, $69,500, Alw (NW2$X), Opt. Clm ($80,000), 3-17, 4yo/up, f/m, 1mT, 1:36.84, fm, 3/4 length. RAW ABILITY (IRE), f, 4, by Belardo (Ire) 1st Dam: Que Sera Sera (GB), by Dansili (GB) 2nd Dam: Musical Note (GB), by Zamindar 3rd Dam: Interval (Ire), by Habitat Sales history: €1,000 RNA Ylg '22 GOAUYR; £140,000 3yo '24 GOFLON. Lifetime Record: 3-3-0-0, $95,001. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. O-Hronis Racing LLC; B-Mr Gary Aspell (Ire); T-John W Sadler. #5 RAW ABILITY (IRE)($6.60) is undefeated after her Race 7 victory at Santa Anita. Another win today for jockey @HIBerrios, trainer @johnwsadler and owner @Hronis_Racing. pic.twitter.com/U3SbclSp3D — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) March 17, 2025 The post Belardo Filly Raw Ability Runs To Her Name Again, Becomes a ‘Rising Star’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Dennis Yip bids to win the BMW Hong Kong Derby two years in a row. Photo: HKJC Dennis Yip will attempt to win a consecutive HK$26 million Hong Kong Derby (2000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday when he saddles Noisy Boy in the third and the final leg of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series. The 2024 Hong Kong Derby-winning trainer with Massive Sovereign, Yip is holding faith in Noisy Boy’s ability and stamina to bounce back after the Real Steel gelding’s slightly disappointing 13th behind Rubylot in the Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m), the second leg of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series. Noisy Boy is the only course and distance winner among the 2025 Derby field, beating Winning Dragon over 2000m two starts back. Winning Dragon went on the finish fourth in the Group 1 Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) to frank the form. Yip explained Noisy Boy’s last start defeat: “He was the victim of the race circumstance. My instruction was to ask the jockey to settle the horse in third or fourth position, or to take a soft lead if the pace was too slow. “However, (the) jockey reported that after he jumped out quick, he couldn’t cut across and had to make some use of the horses in the early stages and the horse was on the bridle to take the lead. His first three sectionals (13.82s, 21.69s and 23.85s) were a bit too quick for him.” “Hopefully with some on-pace runners like Beauty Alliance in the field, he can follow the leaders comfortably this time and as long as he can travel comfortably in the early stages, he should be very competitive as he is a very fit horse and is the only one who had the winning record over the Hong Kong Derby distance,” Yip added. Having finished second in the Group 2 Tulloch Stakes (2000m) and eighth in the Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m) in Australia pre-import, Noisy Boy won twice in Hong Kong from just five starts, breaking his local maiden over 2200m at Happy Valley before winning at the Derby trip in January. He will be ridden by Christophe Soumillon this Sunday. Yip said: “Christophe has plenty of experiences in riding big races and he is also the one who will give you a detailed post-race report. I don’t have too much concern on the draw but of course anything from draw one to six will be ideal.” Noisy Boy clocked 52.4s (28.9s and 23.5s) over 800m on turf on Monday and Yip was pleased with the horse’s progress ahead of Hong Kong Derby Day. Yip also reckoned My Wish will be the major rival to Noisy Boy in the Derby. “Last time in the Hong Kong Classic Cup, My Wish followed us in face pace throughout the race and still ran on well in the straight. As such, he will be one of the major contenders in this year’s Derby,” he said. Horse racing news View the full article

Continue your working week with an exciting lineup of horse racing promotions this Tuesday, March 18. Top online bookmakers are offering incredible bonus-back specials, enhanced odds, and other enticing deals to take your betting experience to new heights. Whether you’re placing a bet on a long shot or backing a proven favourite, these promotions ensure you get more out of every wager. With money-back offers on close calls and boosted payouts on feature races, now’s the perfect time to dive into the action. Don’t miss out on these generous offers—explore the latest promotions today and make this Tuesday’s races one to remember! The top Australian racing promotions for March 18, 2025, include: Today’s best horse racing promotions Blonde Boosts! Elevate your prices! BlondeBet T&C’s Apply, Only for eligible customers. Login to BlondeBet to Claim Promo 10 AGAIN! – Bendigo Get 10% Boosted Winnings paid in BONUS CASH. Max bonus $100. First bet only. Paid in bonus cash. Cash Bets Only. Picklebet T&Cs apply. Login to Picklebet to Claim Promo Owners Bonus – Win a bet on your horse & receive an extra 15% of winnings in cash Account holder must be registered as an official owner of the nominated horse. Fixed odds only. PlayUp T&Cs Apply. Login to PlayUp to Claim Promo Daily Exotics Boost Boost your exotics by up to 20%. Available on Exactas, Quinellas, Trifectas & First Fours. Excludes Quaddies. Check your Vault for eligibility. T&C’s apply. Login to UniBet to Claim Promo Odds Drift Protector If the price at the jump is bigger than the price that you took, we will pay you out at the bigger odds Eligible customers. T&C’s apply. Login to Bet365 to Claim Promo COPYCASH. GET COPIED. GET PAID – Get paid $0.10 every time someone uses Copy Bet to copy your bets Earn $0.10 per unique Copy Bet. Max $1000 per week. Copy Cash is real money into your account. Dabble T&Cs apply. Login to Dabble to Claim Promo Boost ‘Til You Boom Get your racing boost back if you don’t win. 18+ Gamble Responsibly. Login to BoomBet to Claim Promo Daily Multi Insurance Any Race. Any Runner. Any Odds. Get a Bonus Back if your Multi loses by a specified number of legs. Fixed odds only. Check your Vault for eligibility. T&C’s apply. Login to UniBet to Claim Promo How does horsebetting.com.au source its racing bonus offers? HorseBetting.com.au meticulously assesses leading Australian horse racing bookmakers, revealing thoroughbred bonus promotions for March 18, 2025. These ongoing offers underscore the dedication of top horse racing bookmakers. In the realm of horse racing betting, when one bookmaker isn’t featuring a promotion, another is stepping up. Count on HorseBetting.com.au as your go-to source for daily rewarding horse racing bookmaker bonuses. Enhance your value with competitive odds and promotions tailored for existing customers. Easily access these offers by logging in to each online bookmaker’s platform. For valuable insights into races and horses to optimise your bonus bets, trust HorseBetting’s daily free racing tips. More horse racing promotions View the full article

Millionaire sprinter The Chosen Vron, recently selected as the California-bred Horse of the Year for a second consecutive season, has been retired.View the full article

Barnes, who endured his first defeat in the San Felipe March 1, and standout debut winner Cornucopian worked six furlongs at Santa Anita Park in company March 17 for trainer Bob Baffert. View the full article

By Michael Guerin Star pacer Don’t Stop Dreaming has changed stables just two weeks out from the $1million Race by Betcha at Cambridge on Friday, April 4. The last-start Menangle winner has left trainers Mark and Nathan Purdon and joined Hayden and Amanda Cullen and will debut for them in Friday’s $60,000 Auckland Co-Op Taxis City of Auckland Free-For-All at Alexandra Park. Don’t Stop Dreaming faces a second line draw for the Cullens starting alongside stablemate We Walk By Faith in the 2200m mobile which is stacked with the majority of New Zealand’s best pacers. Sooner The Bettor returns from a luckless Miracle Mile sixth and also starts alongside Mo’unga on the second line while Republican Party again faces the outside of the front line draw. While not being drawn on the change of stables for Don’t Stop Dreaming co-trainer Nathan Purdon says he is looking forward to the Free-For-All with Chase A Dream, who gets barrier 1 this Friday. “He really needed last week’s run and while he will be better for this week too we think he can go close,” says Purdon. The night’s two other main features are the Harness Million for the three-year-old pacers and Marketplace will start red hot after drawing inside Rubira in the $200,000 NZB Standardbred final for the Colts and Geldings (7.59pm). “We all know how good Marketplace is but Rubira beat him by going forward last week and I see no reason for us not to do that again,” says Purdon. Add in Got The Chocolates and Greased Lightnin and the race has good numbers and decent depth. The $150,000 fillies pace (7.34pm) is shorn of last Friday’s stunning winner Beside Me as she is ineligible but includes the other impressive filly from last Friday in Stella Rouge, who will start favourite from barrier 5. The Cullens have a strong hand in that Listed race too with Winelight (1) and Arafura (2) over the 2200m mobile. The meeting also hosts two $35,000 Metro Finals for the Trotters and Pacers while Race 4, the RSM Mobile Pace, sees the return of last season’s northern juvenile star Captain Sampson after two recent workouts. To see Auckland’s fields for Friday night click here View the full article

Harness Million night at Alexandra Park on Friday will highlight harness racing action around the country this week. The first of the week’s meetings is at Cambridge tonight, followed by Addington tomorrow. Addington will back up two days later with Friday Night Lights action alongside a bumper card at Auckland. Addington’s feature will be the $30,000 Bob Rochford Seddon Districts Trotters Final while up north the NZB Standardbred Harness Million 3YO Fillies Final (7.34pm) is worth $150,000 and will be followed by the $200,000 Final for the Colts and Geldings featuring rising star Marketplace (7.59pm). There will also be the Auckland Co-op Taxis Group 2 City of Auckland Free For All with the likes of Republican Party and Don’t Stop Dreaming as well as the $35,000 Metro Finals for the Trotters and Pacers. Further south the Central Southland Cup will feature at Winton on Saturday followed by Waimate Cup day on the grass at Oamaru on Sunday. Each way chances for Herlihy-trained runners at Cambridge tonight By Brigette Solomon Auckland based driver Tony Cameron heads to Cambridge today with two runners for his employer Tony Herlihy. “They both have the ability to be right in it tonight provided they get things right” says Cameron. The stable starts the evening off with Lovemeagain in the Corporate Marquee Tables For Night of Champions Handicap Trot, the first of two junior driver races for the evening. “I think she should be right in it, she’s pretty well mannered and we have one of the more experienced junior drivers on her in Crystal Hackett,” says Cameron. The four-year-old mare’s recent performances at Alexandra Park have been solid, finishing within a few lengths of well performed trotters Belle Neige and Lord Popinjay. Additionally, all three of Lovemeagain’s wins have been at this track and over the 2200 metre trip, the most recent on January 24. She starts tonight’s race off a 15 metre handicap. The second of the Herlihy trained runners is Master Savoy, driven tonight by Cameron, who starts in the Join Us For Flying Mile Night On March 28th Mobile Pace over 2200 metres. The three-year-old by Vincent has had just two starts, both at Alexandra Park, for two minor placings. His most recent performance on March 7 saw him run on well to finish in fourth placing just three lengths off the winner after being intractable in the score up losing considerable ground at the start of the race. “He can be a bit tricky but has ability there if he turns up tonight,” says Cameron, “although he’s drawn well (2), I’ll just be playing it by ear as to how he’s driven early since he’s still got a bit to learn.” Cameron also partners the James Stephens trained runner Anna in the Garrards Horse & Hound Mobile Pace. The mare scored her maiden victory here back in January and has had just one start since at Alexandra Park where a gallop around the final bend ruled her out of contention. “She has a few quirks although she did win her maiden here nicely,” says Cameron, “sShe’s starting off the unruly and we’ll be happy enough if she just gets everything right tonight.” Racing action gets underway tonight at 4.39pm. View the full article

GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies runner-up MGISP Vodka With a Twist (Thousand Words) is reportedly on track to make her 2025 debut in the GII Fasig-Tipton Santa Anita Oaks after a good drill Monday morning at Santa Anita. Most recently clocked in a five furlong move in :59.80 (4/71), the multiple Grade I-placed filly has been on the sidelines since running third behind GISW Tenma (Nyquist) and SW & GSP Look Forward (Bolt d'Oro) in the GII Starlet Stakes at Los Alamitos Dec. 7. “I was very happy with the drill,” trainer Phil D'Amato said. “It looks like we're on target for the Santa Anita Oaks. She still has two more breezes, but if they go like today's, she'll be there.” D'Amato added that he has been pleased with Vodka With a Twist's mental development, especially since she'd made seven starts as a 2-year-old, a campaign that began at Keeneland last April. She returned from her freshening Jan. 29 and has been working weekly since then. “She's a filly that never really had a break. I think given her that little time off has allowed her to mature mentally,” D'Amato said. “That's the biggest thing she needed to improve on. She's kind of a nervous, high-strung filly, but she seems to be a little more relaxed and settled now.” Trainer Michael McCarthy Says Look Forward 'Possible' For Santa Anita Oaks Speaking of the aforementioned runner, her conditioner confirmed that the filly was a possibility as well for the Santa Anita Oaks following her seventh-place finish in the GIII Honeybee Stakes at Oaklawn Park. With a victory in the Listed Fasig-Tipton Santa Ynez Stakes under her belt, Look Forward already has Kentucky Oaks points to her credit this season, but currently sits outside the bubble with 15. She returned to the work tab Saturday, Mar. 15 and rolled through five panels in :59.60, the second fastest of 18 that morning. “We'll see about the Oaks. I thought her work was very good,” McCarthy said. “She's just a naturally very fast horse.” “She needs to be on or near the lead. When she missed the break at Oaklawn, she got shuffled back probably 10 or 11 lengths off the field. That made all the difference.” The post Vodka With a Twist on Track for Seasonal Bow in Santa Anita Oaks appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

There are three horse racing meetings set for Australia on Tuesday, March 18. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the best bets and the quaddie numbers for Hawkesbury. Tuesday’s Free Horse Racing Tips – March 18, 2025 Hawkesbury Racing Tips As always, there are plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans. Check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on March 18, 2025 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. Neds Code GETON 1 Take It To The Neds Level Neds Only orange bookie! Check Out Neds Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit today. “GETON is not a bonus code. Neds does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. Full terms. BlondeBet Signup Code GETON 2 Punters Prefer Blondes BlondeBet Blonde Boosts – Elevate your prices! Join BlondeBet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. WHAT ARE YOU REALLY GAMBLING WITH? full terms. Dabble Signup Code AUSRACING 3 Say Hey to the social bet! Dabble You Better Believe It Join Dabble Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? Full terms. Recommended! 4 Next Gen Racing Betting Picklebet Top 4 Betting. Extra Place. Every Race. Join Picklebet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Full terms. 5 It Pays To Play PlayUp Aussie-owned horse racing specialists! Check Out PlayUp Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Full terms. Bet365 Signup Code GETON 6 Never Ordinary Bet365 World Favourite! Visit Bet365 Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. GETON is not a bonus code. bet365 does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. What’s gambling really costing you? Full terms. Horse racing tips View the full article

The 2024 Equine Injury Database shows that racetracks in the United States that are not subject to HISA's rules have a fatality rate of 1.76 per 1,000 starts, which is almost double the 0.90 per 1,000 starts at HISA racetracks.View the full article

White Rocks, gate-to-wire winner of the Cincinnati Trophy Stakes Feb. 21, takes on a full field of 12 in the $300,000 Bourbonette Oaks March 22 at Turfway Park. The lightly-raced daughter of Frosted will break from post 11.View the full article

11th-Hanshin, Coral S.-Listed, ¥45,970,000 ($308,735), 4yo/up, 1400m, 1:24.2, ft. ADVANCE PHAROAH (h, 5, American Pharoah–Fair Huntress, by Tiznow) became the sixth Japanese stakes winner for his sire with a 28-1 surprise. Ridden for speed from gate three, the $140,000 Keeneland September yearling graduate took them along under a nice hold and maintained a narrow advantage over the stalking T M Listed (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}) into the turn. Clinging to the lead with his year-younger rival breathing down his neck, Advance Pharoah led into the final 200 meters and refused to yield, prevailing by a half-length. The 49th Northern Hemisphere black-type winner for American Pharoah (58th worldwide stakes winner), Advance Pharoah is out of a half-sister to Grade III victress Devil By Design (Medaglia d'Oro), the dam of GI American Oaks winner Competitionofideas (Speightstown) and eight additional scorers. Fair Huntess is also responsible for the 3-year-old colt Mama Tried (Uncle Mo), a 2-year-old colt by Not This Time and a yearling colt by Constitution. The mare foaled a colt by Omaha Beach on Mar. 1. Advance Pharoah is the second new Japanese stakes winner this year for his sire, who was also represented by Listed Hyacinth Stakes hero Luxor Cafe. The latter is the full-brother to dual G1 February Stakes winner Cafe Pharoah. Sales history: $140,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 22-5-2-1, $509,930. O-Norihide Kubota; B-John D Gunther & American Pharoah Syndicate (KY); T-Hideyuki Mori. WATCH: Advance Pharoah (#3) goes gate to wire in the Coral Stakes at Hanshin The post American Pharoah Represented By New Japanese Stakes Winner appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Why Not Again (Fr) (lot 1), the first foal out of the dual Group 1 winner Watch Me (Fr) (Olympic Glory {Ire}), is among the initial entries for the Arqana Online Sale scheduled to take place on Wednesday, March 26. The three-year-old daughter of Siyouni (Fr) finished fourth on her debut at Chantilly last month. Why Not Again is one of seven lots to be offered by trainer Fabrice Chappet to dissolve a partnership, with the others including Watch The King (Fr) (lot 6), Watch Me's two-year-old colt by Persian King (Ire), and the four-year-old Love Her (Fr) (Meshaheer) (lot 2), a half-sister to the G3 Prix Cleopatre winner and G1 Prix Saint-Alary third Crown Princesse (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}). The other entries include the three-year-old Winter Mist (Ire), a winning daughter of Pinatubo (Ire) and the dual Listed scorer On A Cloud (Silver Hawk). She will be offered as lot 10 by trainer Tim Donworth. The post Initial Entries for Arqana Online March Sale Revealed appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With the entirety of the American two-year-old sales calendar now concentrated in Ocala and Maryland, the Arqana Breeze Up Sale has become an increasingly popular stop for Americans on the spring sales calendar. This year, falling on May 10, it lands between the OBS April sale (April 15-18) and Fasig-Tipton Midlantic (May 19-20), giving buyers ample time to travel back and forth. The catalogue was released last Thursday, and offers the usual blend of European and American sire power. “It's a concentrated quality of stallions, many of whom are selected by Irish pinhookers, who are very good judges,” said Hubert Guy of the sale's appeal. “The horses are very well-prepared.” In this year's catalogue, fully one-quarter of the two-year-olds are by American sires, most of which have been pinhooked from American fall sales. In addition to the usual lineup of European superstar sires like Dubawi (Ire), Wootton Bassett (GB), Too Darn Hot (GB) and exciting newcomes like Hello Youmzain (Fr), there are 46 juveniles by American-based sires. That includes seven by Justify, three by Practical Joke, and two each by Blame, Knicks Go, Maxfield, Medaglia d'Oro, Mitole, Munnings, and Tapit. American-based sires represented by one offering apiece include American Pharoah, Bolt d'Oro, City of Light, Connect, Constitution, Daredevil, Essental Quality, Good Magic, Gun Runner, Kitten's Joy, Maclean's Music, Maximum Security, McKinzie, More Than Ready, Not This Time, Omaha Beach, Street Boss, Street Sense, Vino Rosso, War Front, and War of Will, who sold at this sale in 2018 and went on to win the 2019 GI Preakness Stakes and the 2020 GI Maker's Mark Mile. Arqana's CEO Freddy Powell said he felt this year's sale includes a particularly strong crop of juveniles, with some quality pinhooks from America, the numbers of which continue to grow. “The impression during the inspections was that it was going to be a very good vintage,” said Powell. “The individuals we saw in Ireland, England and France were very pleasing. It seems that on the figures, that impression is confirmed. In 2025, for example, we have 43 yearlings purchased at the yearling sales in the U.S. for an average of $106,000, when the numbers were 41 for $89,000 for 2024, and 29 for $81,000 for 2023. We are blessed to have such a collection of horsemen selecting and buying those yearlings to present on the Deauville turf.” Unlike in America, while no official times are provided, you're welcome to time the breezes on your own. Several buyers said that felt that the horses' preparation on a more forgiving surface over the winter and spring leads to longer-term soundness than horses prepared in America. “There are plenty of opportunities for horses that were bought by very good judges, taken over there and which have been trained and prepared for sale on a more forgiving surface that we find here in America,” said Kip Elser. Justin Casse, who purchased War of Will at the sale in 2018, agreed. “They tend to have a nice, good surface and ground to breeze on that time of year and it's ample amount of time for horses to get ready as far as the situation chronologically in the breeze-up calendar.” Tampa Bay Derby winner Owen Almighty's half-brother by Constitution (pictured here as a yearling) sells as lot 174 | Taylor Made Sales Powell said that theory about the ground goes on to be proven on the track. “The great bunch of breeze-up two-year-old graduates every year prove their skills, and the longevity on the racecourse of most prove that their system of training on a healthy surface to gradually take them to a sale where there is no official clock is working well and suits most horses.” Elser has had success at the sale in the past, and said he goes with an open mind. “We look at everything,” he said, noting that the 193 entered make that possible. “It's a small sale and there are nice horses there. It has been a productive sale for me.” Elser said that he also appreciated the fact that the sale allowed for a more intellectual approach than relying on the stopwatch alone. “The conditions aren't always the same. The ground and weather aren't always as absolutely consistent like they are here, so there aren't as many absolutes. The conditions and surfaces vary enough that there's a little bit of a puzzle to put together.” But Americans don't just come to buy American pedigrees. “We have a some beautiful pedigrees coming from the U.S.,” said Powell, “but also some European stock by sires who tend to do well in the U.S., like Blue Point (Ire), Dubawi, Lope de Vega (Ire), Night Of Thunder (Ire), Siyouni (Fr), Wootton Bassett. There are some very well-bred fillies with proper international pedigrees.” Of note by American sires: * Lot 174 is a Constitution half-brother to GIII Tampa Bay Derby winner Owen Almighty (Speightstown), purchased for $185,000 at Keeneland September by Blandford Bloodstock. * Lot 12 is a Vino Rosso half-brother to Instagrand (Into Mischief) who RNAd at Keeneland September and sells here for M.C. Thoroughbreds. * Lot 49 is an American Pharoah filly whose dam is a full-sister to Group 1 winners Roly Poly and US Navy Flag, and a half to U.S. graded stakes winner Cover Song (Fastnet Rock {Aus}). * Lot 55 is a Tapit colt whose dam is a full-sister to Mastercraftsman. * Lot 185 is a Mitole filly who is a half-sister to G2 Norfolk winner and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint runner-up Valiant Force, who sold at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale for $525,000. Lot 185 (shown here as a yearling) is a Mitole half-sister to Breeders' Cup Juvenile Sprint runner-up Valiant Force | courtesy St. George Sales In recent years, in addition to War of Will, sales graduates coming back to America have included the GI and multiple graded stakes-winning Rock Emperor (Ire), who sold for €12,000 and went on to win $1.2 million in America; Romagna Mia, a €29,000 purchase who won the GIII Dowager Stakes and was GI-placed in the Beverly D; and the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies second Malavath (Ire), who won the GII Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte in France, after being purchased for €139,200 in 2021, when Covid forced the sale to be held in Doncaster. But as Powell pointed out, the appeal of the sale is the blend of European and American offerings. “There's no doubt that the American end user is really being forced to consider grass horses more than they ever have,” said West Point Thoroughbreds CEO Terry Finley, who said that “without a doubt” the stable would be represented at the sale. “In the past, I have had Christophe Clement, David Ingordo, and Kip Elser on the ground for me over there,” he said. “One, it brings a new angle to partners, and look, we're a game of results and it's pretty easy to see the kind of results people have had going to that sale and I'm sure it's going to accelerate. People who are serious and want to really compete at the highest levels over here are going to have to stand up and take notice this year, if they haven't already.” Many American agents also come representing U.S. and international buyers for markets around the world. Casse said he would be back this year shopping for clients around the globe, including America, because of the quality of the individuals represented. “I know it's a focal point for the European breeze-up consignors as far as quality goes in terms of what they bring there,” he said. “It has also been very prosperous for me as a buyer and as a seller.” Casse says he doesn't go over there with a focus on any particular type of individual. “I go over there with a very open mind,” he said. “It has been a lifetime of learning. I never thought War of Will would end up a dirt horse. I'm buying for trainers in France, Ireland, England, and America. I would consider a horse out of that sale for any of the above and as we have learned, the two-year-old sales are about performance and physical, and pedigree is just a part of the formula for deciding how much the horse is going to cost.” Elser also will be representing an international buying bench. “I like to be in a position to look for a varied group of prospects for a variety of clients,” he said. “I go to the Craven Sale in Newmarket while most people are busy here at OBS March. It's good to be off the beaten path. I'm a little more familiar with the process because I sold at the Craven sale a few years ago.” There are also those intangibles, Casse said. “Arqana is one of the gold standards for hospitality for agents attending from abroad. For a long time, they have looked after us very well, and when you go there, you can find an Ascot two-year-old, or you can find an American Triple Crown horse. If you look hard enough, there's something for everyone.” The post Arqana May’s American Appeal: A Concentrated Quality of Sire Power appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Ballyhane Stud's new stallion Sakheer (Ire) has passed the first test of his stud career with a number of mares now tested in foal to him. “Sakheer has already covered over a quarter of his book and his fertility looks very good to date,” said Ballyhane's Joe Foley. “He's had great support from breeders with some smashing mares booked to him. As an example, the first two mares to scan in foal to him were Doors to Manual, the dam of Group 2 winner Safety Check, and the French stakes-placed La Pergola, while the last mare he covered today was Ruby Girl, dam of the very smart current stakes performer Kaadi.” A son of Zoffany (Ire), Sakheer won the G2 Mill Reef Stakes for KHK Racing. He is standing his first season in County Carlow alongside Sands Of Mali (Fr), who made a promising start with his first runners in 2024, which included the Windsor Castle Stakes winner Ain't Nobody (Ire) and fellow Listed winner Ellaria Sand (GB). Foley added of Sands Of Mali, “He's extremely popular and will cover a very strong book of mares in 2025. The trainers of his top two-year-olds from last year are excited by their progress and we're already hearing about promising two-year-olds from his second crop.” The post First Mares In Foal to Sakheer appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

We're off. Well, sort of. In a manner reminiscent of the sputtering start to the Flat turf season, Seven Days returns this week but is immediately taking a short break before promising to be back in time for the Lincoln and the Brocklesby. So, for those of you still in a post-Cheltenham/St Patrick's Day slump, here's a little look back on the week that was. We'll mention Cheltenham only briefly here to reiterate the point that we may well see the 100/1 Triumph Hurdle winner Poniros (GB) back in action on the Flat this summer. Considering that his sire Golden Horn (GB) was responsible for a third of the field in last year's Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, he has every right to be considered a decent staying prospect on the level and one potentially to follow in the footsteps of a number of other Willie Mullins-trained horses in aiming for the Melbourne Cup in November. Just after Mullins had finished dominating Cheltenham (again), one of those former inmates, Vauban (Fr) (Galiway {Fr}), himself the winner of the Triumph Hurdle back in 2022, made a successful start to his new life in Australia. That treble Grade 1 winner over hurdles had already won Group 2 and 3 races on the Flat at York and Naas, and he can now add Sydney to his burgeoning CV, having won Saturday's G3 Sky High Stakes on his first start for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott at Rosehill. He has an entry for the G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes on April 12 during Sydney's Championships. We'd like to make a plea to Jeremy Scott to bring his hoards of singing supporters up from Dartmoor, along with Ian Gosden's star mare Golden Ace (GB), and follow the examples of Mullins and Nicky Henderson by having a jolly day out at Ascot and aiming for one of the staying options at the Royal meeting. After all, this vintage of Golden Horn winners are generally out of smart Flat mares: Golden Ace's dam, Deuce Again (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), won the Listed Further Flight Stakes for a different Gosden. Her breeder Meon Valley Stud has plenty of form in providing top-class Flat runners, not least the dual Gold Cup winner Kayf Tara (GB). A Champion Hurdle and a Royal Ascot victory in the same year? Now wouldn't that be nice. Wathnan Preparing the Big Guns Talking of the Gold Cup, there has been some positive news from Wathnan Racing advisor Richard Brown regarding the 2023 winner Courage Mon Ami (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who has recently returned to training with John and Thady Gosden. “All of us owe a lot to Courage Mon Ami for what he did so early in our story,” he said. “He hasn't had a major issue, he's had a huge number of niggles, so we pulled stumps early last year and gave him a very long winter of just trotting and going on the treadmill with Lou Collinson. He's been back with the Gosdens for about three weeks in a trotting programme and I believe he's just about to start cantering again. The only plan for him at the moment is just to get him back to the racecourse. Obviously there's one eye on a Gold Cup but whether we could get back in time – he would need a prep run and for everything to go smoothly before Ascot. “But he's a lovely, lovely horse and we all owe him a huge debt of gratitude.” Courage Mon Ami is back in training | Racingfotos The Wathnan Racing team will doubtless be hoping that the result of the first group race of the European turf season augurs well for the year ahead. Wathnan's two runners, Map Of Stars (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and last year's Prix du Jockey Club runner-up First Look (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), finished first and second in the G3 Prix Exbury. The winner is still lightly raced but clearly highly talented. Now four, Map Of Stars is a son of Bateel (Ire) – Dubawi popping up as broodmare sire in this sphere as well as of the Champion Hurdler – who was similarly progressive, first for David Simcock and later for Francis Graffard, for whose stable she won the G1 Prix Vermeille, G2 Prix de Pomone and G3 Pinnacle Stakes. Wathnan purchased Map Of Stars from his breeder, Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nayhan of Al Asayl Bloodstock last summer and, though he has raced just five times in total, he has won four of those races, including two Listed contests. He looks an exciting prospect for the top middle-distance races this summer. They have plenty of others to look forward to as well, not least one of the stars of British Champions Day, the James Fanshawe-trained Kind Of Blue (GB) (Blue Point {Ire}), who could be seen next at York in May. “Kind Of Blue is one of our big hopes for the year,” Brown said. “He's trained by a master of bringing that type of horse along. He's in great nick and has wintered very well. The plan at the moment is to start in the Duke of York [Stakes].” A busy spring for Wathnan Racing could also include the return of Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Fallen Angel (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) in the G1 Lockinge Stakes. “She had a good break at Newsells Park and had some time out in the paddock. She's been back with Karl for a couple of months now and is moving well,” Brown reported. Haatem (Ire) (Phoenix Of Spain {Ire}), who was beaten only a head by stable-mate Rosallion (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}) in the Irish 2,000 Guineas before giving Wathnan another Royal Ascot winner in the G3 Jersey Stakes, has not been seen in public since being scratched at the start of the G1 Prix Jacques le Marois, but he too is on the comeback trail. “He's great,” Brown said. “He had a niggle after the Jacques le Marois and we've given him a very long rehab, just giving him time as there was no point rushing him back. He's now back with Richard Hannon and the plan will probably be to start off in the Sandown Mile.” A Head Start on the French Classics As ever, France has a headstart on its neighbouring nations in getting its turf action up and running and we've now been treated to several weeks of enticing hints regarding the forthcoming Classics. The biggest hint so far is that we should be paying close attention to runners from Victoria Head's stable this season. We spoke to Head last spring as she was continuing to assemble a steadily growing stable which at the time numbered 25. Eleven months later, her team has doubled in size and now includes 12 horses listed for Leopoldo Fernandez Pujals's Yeguada Centurion, which parted ways with her elder brother Christopher Head last year after enjoying notable success with the likes of homebreds Big Rock (Ire) and Blue Rose Cen (Ire). Victoria Head, left, with Darius Cen | Scoop Dyga Yeguada Centurion also bred Christopher's stable star of last season, Ramatuelle (Justify), who had been sold as a yearling, and her half-brother Tito Mo Cen (Ire) (Uncle Mo) now looks a genuine Classic prospect for Victoria after winning both his starts this year, including the Listed Prix Maurice Caillault on March 9. A week later, the 29-year-old trainer was back in the winner's enclosure with another Yeguada Centurion homebred, Darius Cen (Fr), who became the first black-type winner for Persian King (Ire) in Sunday's Listed Prix Omnium II on his seasonal debut. The colt had ended last season with an 11-length win on heavy ground at Clairefontaine on only his second start and is one of five that Head has entered for the Poule d'Essai des Poulains, all for the same owner. She also has two fillies in the Pouliches reckoning at the moment, one for Yeguada Centurion and another for Gestut Schlenderhan, for whom she has eight horses in training. We can expect to hear plenty more about this latest member of the great French training dynasty as the year progresses. Juveniles Power Into Action For those of you champing at the bit for two-year-old action, you only have to wait until the first race at Marseille on Wednesday in which Goken (Fr) may double his tally of juvenile winners for the year after the taking victory of Minotor (Fr) at Lyon Parilly on Sunday. It's an act of folly to get too carried away by such youngsters at this fledgling stage of their careers but Sunday's Curragh maiden does boast spectacularly good recent form. Its four previous winners all subsequently earned black type, with Bucanero Fuerte (GB) scaling the heights to a Group 1 victory and both Ocean Quest (Ire) and Arizona Blaze (Ire) having won Group 3s. The latter, who ended last season by finishing second in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint, returned triumphant at Dundalk on Friday and has a 2,000 Guineas entry. What then will become of this year's winner Power Blue (Ire)? If nothing else, he will always hold the accolade of being the first winner for his young Darley sire Space Blues (Ire), who didn't make his own winning debut until the November of his juvenile season before progressing to the highest level at four and five. Power Blue certainly looked professional and well made, and it's not hard to imagine seeing him in stakes class in the first half of the season. In becoming the third consecutive winner of this race for the Adrian Murray stable, which has plenty of assistance from gifted horseman Robson Aguiar, he was also the first winner for the Aguiar-run LNA Racing Syndicate. Davis's Double Delight Congratulations are due to Sean Davis, who has trained his first and second winner on the same day in two different countries. The first came at Dundalk on Friday when Porsche Lad (Ire) got off the mark on his handicap debut for owner David Fowler in the hands of Rory Cleary. Some two hours later Venetian (Ire), also owned by Fowler, struck at Wolverhampton, with the cherry on top being that his trainer was also in the saddle for this victory. Davis was runner-up to Cieren Fallon in the British apprentices' championship of 2019 with 56 winners but returned home to Ireland as the pandemic set in and his riding opportunities became more scarce after riding out his claim. As well as training and riding, he is also involved in the breeze-up sector and consigns under the banner of GS Bloodstock in partnership with his weighing-room colleague Gary Halpin. The duo offers a filly from the first crop of Starman (GB) at the forthcoming Craven Sale at Tattersalls. The post Seven Days: Flying Start for Wathnan Racing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Susan Naylor (formerly Moulton) is many things; a prominent owner, breeder, and Versailles, Kentucky farm owner, but it's clear that her philanthropic work is what most clearly defines her today. The owner of the fan-favorite racehorse Manny Wah (Will Take Charge) has endured unimaginable loss in her life, losing both of her children in separate incidents nine years apart. On this week's Boundless podcast with jockey and veterinarian Ferrin Peterson, she talks about channeling her grief into something positive. Naylor explained how she became exposed to racing as a child. “I'm from San Marcos, Texas,” she told Peterson. “My dad was a cattle rancher, had horses, dabbled with stallions. We raced at the bush tracks in Texas. Cattle supported the horses back then. Horses were a hobby. But I took it very seriously. I loved to ride. My dad fancied himself a cowboy. I rode hunters and jumpers. I galloped and breezed in the morning at Retama, up until I was 45, and we pinhooked.” But tragedy brought all of that to an end. “This all came to a crashing halt when we had that car wreck,” she said, of the accident that took her eight-year-old son's life in 2007 when an oncoming car veered into her lane and hit her car head on. “We were in Maui on holiday.” In his memory, she created the Will Smith Foundation. “Will was a little boy who wanted to do everything for everybody,” she says. “He had the best heart. I learned from him. Our mission statement is to provide positive life experiences for children. Arts, sports, bereavement counseling. It was the drug that healed my heart.” Moulton faced another tragedy when her older son Charlie died of a fentanyl overdose nine years after Will's accident. She appears on the podcast wearing his shirt. Boundless is a podcast designed to tell stories of perseverance, personal struggle, and determination. To watch the podcast on YouTube, click here. Click here to listen to it on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. The post Susan Naylor on the New Boundless Podcast Episode appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article