Wandering Eyes

Grade I winner Vahva (Gun Runner–Holiday Soiree, by Harlan's Holiday) has been entered in Book 1 of the November Breeding Stock Sale on Tuesday, Nov. 4. Lane's End, agent, will consign Vahva, who is cataloged as a racing or broodmare prospect. She will become the first Grade I-winning daughter of Gun Runner to be offered at public auction, according to a Keeneland release Tuesday. Vahva is nominated to the GII Thoroughbred Club of America on Saturday during Fall Stars Weekend on Keeneland's opening three days. “Vahva is a high-class competitor who has faced and defeated many of the sport's most talented female sprinters in each of the past three seasons,” Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said. “A leading earner by Gun Runner, she will be a valuable addition to any program. Her graded stakes success at Keeneland makes her return to our sales ring especially meaningful, underscoring the unique connection between our racing and sales.” In four seasons of racing, Vahva has raced at seven tracks with seven victories, including five stakes wins, and earnings of $2,041,010. Last year, she bankrolled nearly $1 million with a campaign that featured a 2-length victory in the GI Derby City Distaff on Kentucky Derby Day at Churchill Downs, where she next took the GIII Chicago Stakes by 1 1/4 lengths. Vahva also ran second in the GI Resolute Racing Madison at Keeneland and third in the GI Ballerina at Saratoga. In 2023, she won the GII Lexus Raven Run at Keeneland and the GIII Charles Town Oaks. This year, Vahva captured Churchill's Chicago, which was upgraded to a Grade II event, for the second consecutive season. The goal for her connections is a return to the $1-million GI PNC Bank Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint at Del Mar in advance of being showcased at the November Sale. “I've been fortunate to be around many successful mares, and Vahva has all the characteristics you look for in a future broodmare,” David Ingordo of Lane's End Farm said. “She is both elegant and strong with the kind of speed you want to see in a broodmare prospect, and I believe she will carry her racing success into the next generation. “It is strategic on our part to sell Vahva at Keeneland because we believe in the reinvestment of their dollars into the industry and community,” Ingordo added. “I also believe that being able to train her at Keeneland has played a huge role in her development and success.” Vahva's dam, SW and GISP Holiday Soiree, also produced Cherie DeVaux-trainee Ahavah, runner-up in the GII Fair Grounds Oaks in her second start earlier this year. Holiday Soiree's yearling filly by City of Light commanded $850,000 at the recent Keeneland September Yearling Sale. Trained throughout her career by DeVaux and based at Keeneland, Vahva raced for Belladonna Racing, Lynne Hudson, Edward J. Hudson, West Point Thoroughbreds, Twin Brook Stables, W.S. Farish, LBD Stable, Runnels Racing and Manganaro Bloodstock. The post Gun Runner’s GISW Vahva to Sell at Keeneland November Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

If there's a star in the field for the Oct. 4 Champagne Stakes (G1) at the moment it would be Double Down Horse Racing's It's Our Time, whose astonishing debut went platinum in music parlance. View the full article

There was a sense of deja vu at Kildare Paddocks on Tuesday as Glenvale Stud's No Nay Never filly out of Muirin (Born To Sea) stole the show at the Goffs Orby Yearling Sale, with MV Magnier having to stretch to €1.9 million – the highest price of the sale so far – to outpoint Jacob West. Whilst perhaps best known for producing the dual Group 1-winning juvenile Blackbeard and this year's G2 Norfolk Stakes winner Charles Darwin from her previous trysts with No Nay Never, Muirin also made headlines at the Orby three years ago when her filly by the Coolmore stallion fetched a sale-topping €2.6 million. Later named Run Away, she made a winning debut as a three-year-old and finished placed at Listed level the following year when in training with Andrew Balding. As for this filly, she is set to follow in the footsteps of Blackbeard and Charles Darwin by heading into training at Ballydoyle, with Magnier keen to extol the virtues of No Nay Never in a year when Saturday's G1 Cheveley Park Stakes heroine True Love and G1 City Of York Stakes winner Never So Brave have also put the stallion's name in lights. “She is a lovely filly and all of the lads liked her,” said Magnier. “Again, No Nay Never is having another brilliant year. He's a very good stallion. Blackbeard was a very good two-year-old and, to be fair to him, he's making very good stock and they are all selling very well. He has had a good sale here and there are a few nice ones heading to Newmarket, so that will be exciting.” He added, “Aidan [O'Brien] thinks that Charles Darwin is a very good horse. I'm not saying he is as good as Albert Einstein, but he's a very good two-year-old and we will see the best of him next year. Listen, the family works well and she [lot 280] is a very valuable filly, regardless of what she does on the racetrack.” Muirin, who won one of her seven racecourse starts for Eddie Lynam, has been mated exclusively with No Nay Never since retiring to the paddocks, with a colt foal by the son of Scat Daddy still to come. The post Sibling to Blackbeard and Charles Darwin Stars at Goffs Orby with €1.9 Million Sale to MV Magnier appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

5. CRISIS MANAGER, CD, 9/25, 1 1/16 miles (VIDEO) Beyer Speed Figure- 81 (4th) (c, 3, by Liam's Map–Wilburnmoney, by Wilburn) O-Highlander Training Center. B-The Elkstone Group (Md). T-Tom Amoss. J-Irad Ortiz, Jr. You know it's a slow week for fast maidens when one race produces four of the top five, but fourth-place Crisis Manager gave a list-worthy performance when ground loss is considered: from his No. 12 post, he was marooned four-wide on both turns. Using data from Equibase's GPS charts (because it's the only game in town for these stats), he ran one second slower than winner Chillax but traveled 53 feet farther. Do the math, and the case can be made that Crisis Manager ran just as fast. 4. IGNITER, BAQ, 9/25, 1 mile (VIDEO) Beyer Speed Figure- 81 (c, 2, by Volatile–Malibu Prayer, by Malibu Moon) O/B-Three Chimneys Farm (Ky). T-Rick Dutrow. J-Manny Franco. Igniter was expected to improve off his wide-trip debut third behind talented Golden Tornado and Oscar's Hope, and he did, scoring at even money with a pace-stalking style. His Ned Evans owned/bred dam Malibu Prayer was a good one, taking the Grade I Ruffian with a 103 Beyer, then bringing $2 million at auction after her on-track career–and now each of her four foals to race has logged an 80 Beyer at least once. 3. MONEY MAN, CD, 9/25, 1 1/16 miles (VIDEO) Beyer Speed Figure- 82 (3rd) (g. 3, by Dialed In–Oro Blanco, by Hold for Gold) O/B-Everest Stables (Ky). T-Destin Heath. J-Frankie Dettori. Money Man has the same running style as Mom and Dad, and his lack of gate speed repeatedly gets him bumped and squeezed and puts him in strategically difficult spots: he trailed by 13 lengths early in this race. But he's also honest, and now has rallied for three consecutive third-place finishes. 2. UP COUNTRY, CD, 9/25, 1 1/16 miles (VIDEO) Beyer Speed Figure- 85 (2nd) (c, 3, by Practical Joke–A P Lucky, by Lookin At Lucky) O-Calumet Farm. B-Wolverton Mountain Farm (Ky). T-Brendan Walsh. J-Tyler Gaffalione. Revved up early by Gaffalione, Up Country secured a nice spot stalking pacesetter Woodson, briefly took the lead leaving the quarter pole but couldn't hold off Chillax while continuing to show Beyer improvement in his third lifetime start. His unraced dam A P Lucky is a half-sister to Grade II Beldame Stakes winner Horologist. Up Country was a 2022 $82,000 Keeneland November weanling from the Taylor Made consignment. 1. CHILLAX, CD, 9/25, 1 1/16 miles (VIDEO) Beyer Speed Figure- 90 (c, 3, by Bernardini–Keepshercool, by Smart Strike) O/B-Godolphin (Ky). T-Bill Mott. J-Junior Alvarado. Chillax had made Five Fastest Maidens once before–a statement that needs two asterisks. On July 13 at Saratoga he was third to Classicist with an 87 Beyer, and they finished 1-2 on that week's list. Then on Aug. 10 at the Spa, he was a rough-trip second to Worthy Charge with an 82 Beyer that failed to make the cut–but upon further review, as they say in the NFL, the Beyers for that race were upgraded by six points. Thus he should have been No. 2 that week as well. And four races back, Chillax missed the top five by fractions of a point. Now he has a five-race fig profile of 90-88-87-86-86, which looks more like a top allowance or low-level stakes runner than a recent maiden graduate. The post Five Fastest Maidens, Presented by Taylor Made: Sept. 23-28 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sam Agars DOUBLE SHOW - R3 (13) Crawford's horses are going well and he can run over the top of them here Jay Rooney AURORA PATCH - R2 (3) Can take advantage of an improved draw and go one better than last start Owen Goulding VICTORY CHAMPION - R6 (5) Made giant strides after a tardy start on debut and can make it second time lucky Phillip Woo AKASHVANI - R9 (9) Looks ready to strike on the back of a solid second first up this term Shannon (Vincent Wong) AURORA PATCH - R2 (3) Ran an...View the full article

Mountarmstrong Stud's Noel O'Callaghan declared himself “delighted” after Amo Racing stretched to €1 million to secure his Night Of Thunder filly during Tuesday's session of the Goffs Orby Sale, telling the assembled press pack, “If you don't get a kick out of selling a yearling for €1 million, you never will.” Lot 298 is the second foal out of No Speak Alexander (Shalaa), Mountarmstrong's homebred winner of the G1 Matron Stakes. No Speak Alexander, in turn, is out of the Listed scorer Rapacity Alexander (Dandy Man), a full-sister to the G1 Hong Kong Sprint hero Peniaphobia. This filly was the second seven-figure lot to go through the ring on the second day of the Orby, after MV Magnier emerged on top from the bidding war for the No Nay Never filly who was offered as lot 280. Glenvale Stud's full-sister to the dual Group 1 hero Blackbeard and this year's G2 Norfolk Stakes winner Charles Darwin fetched €1.9 million, the highest price of the sale so far. “I hope she's very lucky for Amo Racing,” O'Callaghan said of his prize filly. “She'll be early. We're not surprised by what she made and, if she made more, we wouldn't have been surprised either. This is a great industry, isn't it? It's been a very good sale and, if you don't get a kick out of selling a yearling for €1 million, you never will.” Asked how he planned on celebrating, O'Callaghan concluded, “I'm off to Newmarket!” Lot 298 was the sixth purchase of the sale so far for Amo Racing, with bloodstock agent Alex Elliott hoping the latest addition to the squad can be an early flagbearer for the operation in 2026. “She is bred to be fast and I would say we will know our fate early because we view her as an Ascot filly,” said Elliott. “A very sweet and good-bodied filly out of a Group 1 winner and by Night Of Thunder. That's kind of what they cost, isn't it? That's what we expected to pay for her – it was in and around the top of our range. “She's going to have to be early because she's [been born in] January. There have been some really good horses here, as always. It's been solid. Goffs do a great job getting people here and, when you look at the board downstairs, from Minnie Hauk and more, a lot of good horses have come out of this sale. We're all pleased that Kia has come back and hopefully we have found him some good ones.” The post ‘If You Don’t Get A Kick Out Of Selling A Yearling For €1 Million, You Never Will’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

White Birch, who holds an entry in Sunday's G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at ParisLongchamp, headlines the newly-published catalogue for the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale, which takes place at Park Paddocks from Monday, October 27 to Friday, October 31. Trained by John Murphy, the son of Ulysses is already a winner at the top level, having defeated dual Derby hero Auguste Rodin in last year's Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh. Last seen finishing fifth in the G1 Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown, he possesses a Timeform rating of 120+ and will be offered by trainer John Murphy's Highfort Stables as lot 709. Of the 1,627 lots, the Castlebridge Consignment will offer the largest draft of 234 horses in training, including the G3 Renaissance Stakes winner My Mate Alfie (Dark Angel) (lot 715), while the select consignments from Coolmore and Juddmonte also promise to attract plenty of interest. The Coolmore offering includes the dual Group 2 winner Tower Of London (Galileo) (lot 667), the recent G1 St Leger third Stay True (Galileo) (lot 673) and this year's G3 Classic Trial scorer Swagman (Wootton Bassett) (lot 674). Progressive three-year-olds Calla Lagoon (New Bay) (lot 1043) and Pinhole (Frankel) (lot 1045) feature as potential highlights of the Juddmonte draft, while the juveniles set to go under the hammer include the G3 Solario Stakes winner A Bit Of Spirit (Palace Pier) (lot 1080) from Jamie Railton and Ed Walker Racing's Do Or Do Not (Space Blues) (lot 1016), who has finished placed in the G2 Coventry Stakes, G2 July Stakes, G2 Vintage Stakes and G2 Gimcrack Stakes. Deira Mile (Camelot) (lot 302), who finished fourth in both the Derby and St Leger last year, is another accomplished performer set to be offered at the five-day sale, along with the unexposed three-year-old Push The Limit (Le Havre) (lot 1078) – one of 21 horses in training featuring in the Imperium Sales draft – and the Listed scorer Military Academy (Fastnet Rock) (lot 1121), another from the Castlebridge Consignment. Last year Coolmore's Delius (Frankel) topped the sale when purchased by De Burgh Equine, McKeever Bloodstock and Go Bloodstock for 1,300,000gns. Now trained in Australia by Adrian Bott and Gai Waterhouse under the name of Sir Delius, he recently struck gold in the G1 Underwood Stakes at Caulfield and is among the leading contenders for the G1 Melbourne Cup. Tattersalls chairman Edmond Mahony said, “The Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale has a remarkable record of producing winners at the highest level, with purchases winning no less than 168 Group/Listed races since 2022. “Leading the way is last year's record-breaking 1,300,000 guineas sale-topper Sir Delius, who won the Group 1 Underwood Stakes, and Poniros, who won the Grade 1 Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. “That continued success is the key to the sale's enduring appeal and this year's catalogue looks set to cater to the usual diverse cross-section of domestic and international buyers, both Flat and National Hunt.” The catalogue also features a yearling section following the conclusion of the Autumn Horses in Training on Friday, October 31. The session features 104 commercially-bred yearlings, all of which are eligible for both the £200,000 Tattersalls October Auction Stakes and the £200,000 Tattersalls Somerville Auction Stakes. The post Tattersalls Gold Cup Hero White Birch Headlines Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Beauty Waves has won six times in Hong Kong. (Photo: HKJC) Group 3 racing in Hong Kong continues this Wednesday at Sha Tin when eight runners – headlined by last year’s winner Beauty Waves (135lb) – face off in the HK$4.2 million Group 3 National Day Cup Handicap (1000m) as part of the 10-race public-holiday programme on National Day in Hong Kong. Trained by Tony Cruz and to be ridden by championship leader Zac Purton from gate two, Beauty Waves faces Invincible Sage (129lb), Raging Blizzard (126lb), Wunderbar (126lb), Fast Network (125lb), Magic Control (124lb), Bottomuptogether (123lb) and Baby Crystal (115lb) in the straight course clash, only three days after My Wish’s coming of age success in Sunday’s (28 September) HK$4.2 million G3 Celebration Cup Handicap (1400m) at Sha Tin. Cruz said: “Beauty Waves is ready for this race. He won it last year. I believe he has a great chance again to repeat that, he’s all set and I have got Zac to ride him. Everything is in place.” A two-time course and distance winner, five-year-old Beauty Waves faces a similarly sized field to last year, but carries an added 20lb on his back this time after prevailing under 115lb in 2024 by half a length over Magic Control, who he opposes again tomorrow with 124lb assigned in the form of jockey Vincent Ho. Irish-bred Beauty Waves has won two of his past three starts. The chestnut, who rates a race-topping 114, set a new Happy Valley course record last season, covering 1200m in 1: 08.10s, as he sauntered to success over Tomodachi Kokoroe – who was a smart winner last weekend at Sha Tin in Class 2 over 1200m. Wunderbar, the only horse to defeat reigning Hong Kong Horse of the Year (2024/25) Ka Ying Rising, is back in action first-up for record-breaking trainer John Size. The five-year-old boasts seven career wins from 13 appearances. The gelding by Rich Enuff overcame a setback in early 2024 to add a further three victories to his haul last term. Click here for our Sha Tin racing tips for October 1 “He looks normal. He’s had two trials and in the second one he was fit enough to trial properly. He looks like his normal self and I think he’s going to run well again,” Size said. “The 1000 metres suits him. If he gets any favours he’s going to be in the finish.” Hugh Bowman links with Wunderbar for Size from draw six, while stablemate Raging Blizzard pairs with Brenton Avdulla in barrier three after finishing sixth behind a runaway Ka Ying Rising first-up in the HK$3.72 million Class 1 HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup Handicap (1200m) under a persistent rainfall at Sha Tin on September 7. “It was hard to get a good guide on many of the horses because of the conditions and you’re racing against Ka Ying Rising. But the horse seems healthy and well, I think he raced alright on that occasion given most horses have some excuse for the conditions,” Size said. “He’s done well after that race. I think he should run a good race also. The 1000 metres does look a little bit short for him, but he’s never looked like running 1400 (metres), so we’ll run him in this and see if we can get some prize money.” Six-time winner Raging Blizzard makes his first start below 1200m tomorrow afternoon, while Size also saddles Gastronomique, Noble Deluxe, Club Ace, Perfect Pairing, Raging Rapids, Mickley and Must Go as the Australian Racing Hall of Famer pursues a record-extending 14th trainers’ championship. Horse racing news View the full article

What Sandown races Where Sandown Racecourse – 591-659 Princes Hwy, Springvale VIC 3171 When Wednesday, October 1, 2025 First Race 2pm AEST Visit Dabble The Hillside circuit at Sandown is in action once again on Wednesday afternoon with a seven-race meeting scheduled. With showers forecast throughout the day, the track is likely to be in a Soft range having been posted as a Good 4 at the time of acceptances. Here our Sandown Hillside betting tips for October 1, 2025, with the meeting set to commence at 2pm AEST. Best Bet at Sandown: Zambardo Zambardo has gone to a new level this campaign and has the chance to bring up a third straight win as he steps up to 1800m. He was a determined winner second-up on the Pakenham synthetic before saluting with a bit in hand at Sale over 1728m. The four-year-old gelding is set to gain a perfect run in transit under Ethan Brown from barrier two and looks to be the horse with the most upside in the race. Best Bet Race 5 – #3 Zambardo (2) 4yo Gelding | T: Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | J: Ethan Brown (60.5kg) Next Best at Sandown: Presser Presser has been racing well without winning, and a return to midweek company offers an ideal opportunity to bring up an overdue victory. The seven-year-old was only grabbed late by Al Duca at Caulfield on September 20 when ridden more aggressively. If connections opt to do the same on Wednesday, he will take some running down in the small field. Next Best Race 4 – #3 Presser (5) 7yo Gelding | T: Gavin Bedggood | J: Beau Mertens (58.5kg) Best Value at Sandown: Sea Poem Sea Poem has won in convincing fashion in weaker company on her last two starts, despite being held up in both runs. If she can translate those efforts into a BM66 in town, then she looks great value at $8.50 with horse racing bookmakers. The step up to 1300m seems ideal, and with even luck, Sea Poem can blouse her rivals. Best Value Race 3 – #2 Sea Poem (7) 4yo Mare | T: Ben, Will & JD Hayes | J: Daniel Stackhouse (59.5kg) Wednesday quaddie tips for Sandown Sandown quadrella selections Wednesday, October 1, 2025 3-4-6-7 1-3-10 1-3-8-11-12 1-2-5-6-10 Horse racing tips View the full article

What Rosehill races Where Rosehill Gardens Racecourse – James Ruse Dr, Rosehill NSW 2142 When Wednesday, October 1, 2025 First Race 2:25pm AEST Visit Dabble A rare Wednesday meeting at Rosehill Gardens awaits punters this week, with a quickfire six-race program set down for decision. Perfect conditions above will match those on the track, with the Good 4 rating set to remain throughout the day, while the rail comes out 7m for the entire circuit. Below are HorseBetting.com.au’s free tips and value bets for the Rosehill races on October 1, with the action set to commence at 2:25pm AEST. Best Bet at Rosehill: Mergeila Mergeila could not have been more impressive when winning first-up at Canterbury on a Heavy 9. He settled just off the speed in a small field and ended up putting three lengths on his closest rivals. The 1300m here looks to be no issue, and with William Stanley claiming 3kg, the Justify mare gets in perfectly with 59kg. As long as she can find cover early, Mergeila should prove to be a class above BM72 grade. Best Bet Race 3 – #1 Mergeila (5) 4yo Mare | T: Chris Waller | J: William Stanley (a3) (62kg) Next Best at Rosehill: Perfect Apple Perfect Apple made his debut at Canterbury in June and was beaten three lengths behind Group-quality horses like Autumn Boy and Central Coast. With raceday experience and two promising trials under his belt, he can break maiden ranks at start two. James McDonald will have him towards the rear of the field, but with a strong finish, Perfect Apple should prove hard to hold out. Next Best Race 2 – #9 Perfect Apple (12) 5yo Gelding | T: John O’Shea & Tom Charlton | J: James McDonald (56kg) Best Value at Rosehill: Officiate Officiate had to dig deep to break his maiden over 1550m at Canterbury on September 10. His economical run in transit was arguably the difference, and from barrier six here, he can gain a similar sort of passage. He looks primed third-up, and Kerrin McEvoy will only need a touch of luck on the home turn for Officiate to be fighting out the finish at an each-way price with horse racing bookmakers. Best Value Race 5 – #10 Officiate (6) 3yo Colt | T: Chris Waller | J: Kerrin McEvoy (55.5kg) Rosehill Wednesday quaddie tips Rosehill quadrella selections Wednesday, October 1, 2025 1-3 4-5-7-9-10 1-7-10 1-6-9 Horse racing tips View the full article

What Sha Tin Races Where Sha Tin Racecourse – Tai Po Rd, Sha Tin District, Hong Kong When Wednesday, October 1, 2025 First Race 1pm HKT (3pm AEST) Visit Dabble Hong Kong racing returns to Sha Tin Racecourse this Wednesday afternoon, with the Group 3 National Day Cup (1000m) headlining a bumper 10-part program. The rail moves to the A+3 position for the meeting, and with sunny skies forecast throughout the week, participants should be racing on a genuine Good 4 surface. Check out HorseBetting.com.au’s best bets and quaddie selections for the Sha Tin races on October 1, with the opening event set to commence at 1pm HKT. National Day Cup Tip: Fast Network Fast Network was forced to be ridden upside down first-up over the Sha Tin 1400m on September 7 and resented leading them out with 61kg on his back. Dropping back to 1000m should be ideal for the untapped five-year-old, who boasts three wins across five starts at this track and trip — albeit in weaker company. Despite the small field of eight, the tempo should be genuine, and with Fast Network set to smoke the pipe in behind, watch for this guy to explode over the top when asked for the ultimate effort. National Day Cup Race 7 – #5 Fast Network (1) 5yo Gelding | T: Dennis Yip | J: Alexis Badel (56.5kg) Best Bet at Sha Tin: Aurora Patch Aurora Patch was the best of the beaten brigade when finishing runner-up behind Spicy Standard at Sha Tin on September 7. The Showtime gelding did all the hard work from barrier 13 on that occasion, but he should get a much cosier run in transit this time around with Hugh Bowman doing the steering from gate two. He maps to find the one-one throughout, and provided he can show a similar turn of speed to his first-up effort, Aurora Patch will prove hard to hold out. Best Bet Race 2 – #3 Aurora Patch (2) 5yo Gelding | T: Manfred Man | J: Hugh Bowman (59.5kg) Next Best at Sha Tin: Akashvani Although no match for Bulb General at Sha Tin on September 7, Akashvani was one for the blackbook when finishing a clear second. The pair cleared out by 2.3 lengths back to third, running quick time to suggest punters can follow the form with confidence. Lyle Hewitson may need some luck slotting in for cover from barrier 13, but if the breaks fall his way, Akashvani must be considered the one to beat in this Class 3 contest. Next Best Race 9 – #9 Akashvani (13) 4yo Gelding | T: David Hayes | J: Lyle Hewitson (54.5kg) Best Value at Sha Tin: Dancing Classics Dancing Classics was impressive when claiming a dominant one-length victory on debut last preparation. Although he hasn’t gone on with it in his two subsequent starts, the Caspar Fownes-trained gelding has looked good in two recent trials and runs into a field of rivals all struggling to strike winning form. Gate six should allow Hugh Bowman to stalk the speed with cover, which will set up Dancing Classics to give this a real shake at the each-way price with horse racing bookmakers. Best Value Race 4 – #1 Dancing Classics (6) 5yo Gelding | T: Caspar Fownes | J: Hugh Bowman (61kg) Wednesday quaddie tips for Sha Tin Sha Tin quadrella selections Wednesday, October 1, 2025 4-5-6 1-4-5-6-8 1-5-6-9-10 4-6-11-12 Horse racing tips View the full article

The TDN's Emma Berry will succeed Simon Sweeting as chair of the British EBF in January 2026. Berry, who joined the Thoroughbred Daily News as European editor in 2015, previously worked as deputy editor of Pacemaker magazine, deputy editor and racing editor of Horse & Hound, bloodstock editor of Thoroughbred Owner Breeder and associate editor of Bloodstock Notebook. She also completed a stint for Darley at Dalham Hall Stud for three years. A small owner-breeder with two broodmares, Berry sits on the BHA Flat Pattern Committee and is a member of the judging panel for the British Horseracing Hall of Fame. “The European Breeders' Fund has been a long-running success story as racing's original self-help scheme,” said Berry. “It wouldn't exist without the stalwart support of the stallion owners, and in turn the breeders who support those horses, and it is the finest example of how racing can benefit through a unified approach from its participants. “The significant financial support that the British EBF has given racecourses in this country for more than 40 years is evidence of that, and as the sport faces a period of uncertainty it is now more vital than ever. It is an honour to succeed Simon Sweeting in this role and, with my fellow trustees, I thank him for the time and commitment he has devoted to the British EBF.” Berry replaces Overbury Stud manager Sweeting, who has served two terms as chair and been a trustee since 2015. During his tenure, Sweeting has overseen the introduction of the British EBF 2yo Series worth over £2 million, including its two finals run at Goodwood and York. Sweeting added, “It has been a privilege to represent British stallion owners on the board of the British EBF and guide the organisation through its recent successes and challenges, including that of Covid, where we were able to remain operational throughout and successfully allocated over £1.4 million to prize-money at a very difficult time for the sport and wider industry. “During my tenure, we have seen the launch of the successful British EBF £100,000 2yo Finals, the implementation and expansion of the popular high-value development races, bolstering the novice and maiden programme, and we have taken over the support of the Junior Hurdle project from the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association. “I thank my fellow trustees and the executive for their diligence and enthusiasm and look forward to following the next chapter of this remarkable organisation's support of British racing.” The British EBF also welcomes three new trustees in 2026: stallion master Roisin Close of Worcestershire-based Chapel Stud, renowned owner-breeder Colin Bryce and Thoroughbred Breeders' Association vice chair Kate Sigsworth. Leaving the trusteeship after their successful terms are Gary Middlebrook and Claire Sheppard. The post The TDN’s Emma Berry to Succeed Simon Sweeting as Chair of British EBF appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Ka Ying Rising might not be in attendance on Wednesday, but the only horse to have beaten him, Wunderbar, will look to enhance his already stellar record when he lines up in the feature Group Three National Day Cup (1,000m). The son of Rich Enuff was a three-time winner last season, with his only run under Wednesday’s jockey Hugh Bowman being a cosy win in a 1,200m Class Two at Sha Tin in June. He followed that run up with a brilliant second to Beauty Waves in the Class One Pearce Memorial...View the full article

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk It’s been more than six months since Josh Mantell last saw Tour Party. The change has been obvious. “He’s just so much bigger,” says Mantell. Earlier this year Mantell was the winner of the Harness Racing New Zealand Next Gen “Win a Share in a Race Horse” competition. He entered the competition at the Motukarara races last December. His prize was a 3.5% share in Tour Party, a full brother to multiple Group 1 winner Republican Party. Bred by Price Bloodstock in Winton, Tour Party (Bettor’ Delight – Democrat Party) was purchased by Cran and Chrissie Dalgety for $150,000 at the 2024 NZB Christchurch Yearling Sales. Mantell, an electrician by trade, has not had any previous involvement with racing horses but as a racing fan is enjoying his new found status as an owner. “It is real cool.” Mantell first saw Tour Party at the Dalgetys’ open day at Kentuckiana Lodge in February and has been regularly updated with videos since then. On Saturday he was back at the West Melton stables to check on his progress. “They are such a great bunch of people.” So has Tour Party matured since last time? “Oh massively!” says Mantell, “the last time I saw him I was towering over him, now it’s the other way round.” There are no concrete plans yet about his immediate racing future though Mantell says the son of Bettor’s Delight appears to be making good progress. “They (the Dalgetys) seem pretty happy with him.” “It’s exciting and I’ve got some mates and workmates who are pretty keen to see him race.” That could be early 2026 and Mantell, mullet and all, can’t wait. To see more about Next Gen, HRNZ’s initiative aimed at getting new and younger people involved in horse ownership, click here View the full article

The Postman is about to become a billboard for the World Driving Championship (WDC) . New Zealand’s representative for this November’s championship Blair Orange will wear specially made WDC silks in all his races throughout October , starting at Addington on Wednesday. The white silks will not be the ones worn by Orange during the WDC – there he will wear the Silver Fern. Ten of the world’s best drivers will duel it out at Kaikoura, Cambridge, Winton and Addington between November 2-11. It’s the first time New Zealand has been the sole host of the championship with Kiwis encouraged to get behind the “Backing Blair” campaign. A line of Backing Blair merchandise has been designed specially for the WDC and a range of socks, beer coolers, caps, sunglasses and flags will be available for people to purchase. The merch will feature Orange’s campaign logo and his nickname The Postman (because he always delivers). The Backing Blair campaign will be launched on Harness Million night at Addington on Friday, October 10 and the man himself will be there in the Backing Blair Fanzone on the Spectators’ front lawn for anyone wanting photos and signatures. There will be spot prizes, draws, and giveaways throughout the evening. Fans can also leave him a personal good luck note in the Fan Mailbox. Backing Blair merchandise can be viewed (and pre-purchased) on wdc25.nz View the full article

New Zealand-bred Group One winner War Machine (NZ) (Harry Angel) will get his chance to audition for a place in next month’s A$20 million The Everest (1200m) this week, but trainers Ben, JD and Will Hayes have yet to decide where that will be. The last-start winner of the Gr.1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm has had a slower than anticipated start to the spring, with a foot abscess delaying initial plans. “He just got a foot abscess at the wrong time, which didn’t let us trial when we planned to trial, so it set us back about a week,” Ben Hayes told Racing.com. “In a funny way, it’s probably been a good thing. The horse has absolutely thrived, he looks a million dollars. “He trialled last week and it was an eye-catching trial. He was great through the line and we feel he is right on track.” The five-year-old son of Harry Angel is nominated for the Gr.2 Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Randwick and the Gr.2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on Saturday, with Hayes leaning towards the later. “We have two nice options to look at now, either down the straight at Flemington, which he is most likely to head that way, or the race in Sydney,” he said. His connections are hoping a strong performance will attract the interest of The Everest slot holders, and Hayes said they would welcome the chance to contest the rich feature. “This is his audition (for The Everest) I would say,” Hayes said. “Wherever he runs I am sure there will be lots of people watching and seeing how he goes, and if he were to run well, it wouldn’t surprise me (if he was offered a place in The Everest). He is a very sharp horse that we feel is in great order.” Bred by MDJ Bloodstock Ltd, War Machine was offered for sale at both the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales and the Ready To Run Sale via the Wallace family’s Ardsley Stud, but failed to reach his $100,000 reserve on both occasions. By Harry Angel out of the winning Hussonet mare Caserta, the gelding subsequently went into training with Jim Wallace and won his only trial at Foxton by six lengths before his private purchase. With six victories and four placings from 13 starts, War Machine has amassed A$2.48 million in prizemoney to date. View the full article

Te Akau Racing marketing manager Julia-Rose Hayes has had plenty of success syndicating horses selected by her father, David Ellis, and that has continued with her latest syndicate. Hayes has been a key part of New Zealand’s leading stable, operated by her parents David Ellis and Karyn Fenton-Ellis, for several years and she has taken pride in the handful of syndicates she has formed. Her two biggest success stories have been syndicating Group One winner On The Bubbles and Group One performer Wild Night, and she is hoping she has found another in Out Of The Blue (NZ) (Tivaci), who won on debut over 800m at Riccarton last Saturday. The two-year-old gelding’s dam, Cornflower Blue, is a former member of the stable, for whom she won the Gr.3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m) and placed in the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m), Gr.2 Wellington Guineas (1400m) and Listed Mufhasa Sakes (1300m). Upon retirement, she began her new career as a broodmare at Waikato Stud, who offered her second colt by Tivaci through their New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft at Karaka earlier this year where he caught the eye of Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis, who secured him with a final bid of $60,000. Hayes had gone to her parents prior to the sale proposing to put together a syndicate targeted towards younger people, and Ellis thought his Karaka purchase was ideal for her needs. “It was at the stage where there were a lot of micro-syndication popping up and I put a proposal to David and Karyn asking would they be interested if we offered shares from one percent, and they said yes,” Hayes said. “It was targeted at young people who want to meet new people and have a share in hopefully a good racehorse, which it looks like we have got. “A lot of people (syndicate members) came through our website because we have got the capability to buy online, through promotion and friends of friends.” Hayes was rapt when Ellis put forward Out Of The Blue as her syndicate horse, with Hayes having a connection to his dam as well. “I did this punting competition with about 10 guys and I was the only female,” Hayes said. “Cornflower Blue was my bet one year and she ran third at Ellerslie. “She was such a good mare to us and in this punting competition we ended up earning about $28,000 that we split. “It was great when I saw we had bought the Cornflower Blue, and David and Mark (Walker, co-trainer) were like ‘this is the one for you’. It was pretty exciting as I feel I have a connection with the horse.” Hayes’ vision duly came to life and the Te Akau Tangerine Army Racing Partnership 1 was formed, and syndicate members were quickly rewarded when Out Of The Blue won on debut at Riccarton just eight months on. “It was fantastic, and I am so excited for the syndicate,” Hayes said. With his $14,000 winner’s cheque, Out Of The Blue has put himself firmly in contention for January’s Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) at Ellerslie. His debut win is a positive sign for Hayes, whose former syndicate horse On The Bubbles (a $90,000 Karaka purchase by Ellis) also won on debut as a juvenile before going on to win the Karaka Millions 2YO and Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m), and she is hoping Out Of The Blue can go on to reach the same lofty heights. “Isn’t it quite funny that it’s OOTB (Out Of The Blue)? We used to call On The Bubbles, OTB, so maybe we have On The Bubbles II,” Hayes quipped. “All things going well, it looks like we are going to have a hell of a night at the Karaka Millions. We are going to ride the wave and enjoy it.” Hayes is looking forward to socialising with the syndicate in the months ahead leading into the Karaka Millions, with a number of events in the pipeline. “Everyone involved in the syndicate are so keen to meet new people and that’s what makes this really exciting, we are celebrating it all together, but we have yet to catch-up,” she said. “We are going to have an event before the end of the year. If we make the Karaka Millions, we will have an event on Karaka Millions night as well. “The social aspect is really fun and being able to meet new people. I love people and I thrive on socialising and most people in the industry feel the same and that is why we love the industry, as well as the horses. When you get success on a racecourse, there is nothing that tastes as good as that.” View the full article

Craig Williams is one of the world’s best jockeys, but has become as well known for another reasons. He chats with Michael about why helping those affected by the war in Ukraine means so much and the work he’s done on the ground. Guerin Report – S2 Ep. 5 Ft. Craig Williams Part.1 View the full article

Blue Sky At Night (NZ) (Shamexpress) collected a couple of Cups last season and trainer Shelley Hale is hoping she can add to her haul when she heads to Matamata on Saturday to contest the Listed Team Wealleans Matamata Cup (1600m). The eight-year-old daughter of Shamexpress was victorious in the Gr.3 Waikato Cup (2400m) at Te Rapa in December before winning the Gr.3 Avondale Cup (2400m) at Ellerslie in February, and Hale is pleased with the way she is coming up this time in. “She had a great season last year, so it is good to have her back and ready to go again,” Hale said. Blue Sky At Night had her first public hit-out of the season when comfortably taking out her 1300m trial at Cambridge on Tuesday, giving Hale plenty of confidence heading into the mile first-up this weekend. “It was a lovely trial,” Hale said. “She was just out there for a pipe-opener and she seemed to do it very comfortably and happily. “She is working up really nicely. She got out in the birdcage today, pricked the ears and still looks like she loves being out there, so that is the main thing.” Blue Sky At Night holds a nomination for next month’s Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Ellerslie, and Hale said her first-up performance will dictate whether she continues towards that goal or they change tack towards further Cups targets. “She is a natural stayer, so we will just leave her in there at the moment,” Hale said. “She is going to run on Saturday in the Matamata Cup and we will just see how she measures up there and how she comes through it. “In past years, the Livamol has sometimes dropped off a little but I don’t think it is going to this year. There will be plenty of other options, she can switch back and get ready for the Counties (Gr.3, 2100m) and Waikato Cups.” Hale is looking forward to her stable star resuming this weekend and said the mile first-up poses no concerns. “She had about six weeks off and she is pretty easy to get fit, so I don’t think the mile first-up will prove any challenges,” she said. “Being fresh she will have a bit of ping in her legs.” View the full article

Blue Sky At Night (right) will resume in the Listed Matamata Cup (1600m) on Saturday at Matamata. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images). Blue Sky At Night collected a couple of Cups last season and trainer Shelley Hale is hoping she can add to her haul when she heads to Matamata on Saturday to contest the Listed Team Wealleans Matamata Cup (1600m). The eight-year-old daughter of Shamexpress was victorious in the Group 3 Waikato Cup (2400m) at Te Rapa in December before winning the Group 3 Avondale Cup (2400m) at Ellerslie in February, and Hale is pleased with the way she is coming up this time in. “She had a great season last year, so it is good to have her back and ready to go again,” Hale said. Blue Sky At Night had her first public hit-out of the season when comfortably taking out her 1300m trial at Cambridge on Tuesday, giving Hale plenty of confidence heading into the mile first-up this weekend. “It was a lovely trial,” Hale said. “She was just out there for a pipe-opener and she seemed to do it very comfortably and happily. “She is working up really nicely. She got out in the birdcage today, pricked the ears and still looks like she loves being out there, so that is the main thing.” Blue Sky At Night holds a nomination for next month’s Group 1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Ellerslie, and Hale said her first-up performance will dictate whether she continues towards that goal or they change tack towards further Cups targets. “She is a natural stayer, so we will just leave her in there at the moment,” Hale said. “She is going to run on Saturday in the Matamata Cup and we will just see how she measures up there and how she comes through it. “In past years, the Livamol has sometimes dropped off a little but I don’t think it is going to this year. There will be plenty of other options, she can switch back and get ready for the Counties (Gr.3, 2100m) and Waikato Cups.” Hale is looking forward to her stable star resuming this weekend and said the mile first-up poses no concerns. “She had about six weeks off and she is pretty easy to get fit, so I don’t think the mile first-up will prove any challenges,” she said. “Being fresh she will have a bit of ping in her legs.” Aussie betting sites are likely to release early markets for the Matamata Cup on Wednesday, with Blue Sky at Night expected to be among the favourites. View the full article

Last season’s Hong Kong Triple Crown winner Voyage Bubble eased his way through a barrier trial on Tuesday as he tunes up for his return in the Group Two Sha Tin Trophy (1,600m) on October 19. The Hong Kong Champion Miler and Hong Kong Champion Stayer finished fourth behind Invincible Shield – who broke the tape at 1:10.62 – after settling towards the rear before making steady ground in the straight under Matthew Poon Ming-fai. Last seen running riot to win the Group One Champions & Chater Cup...View the full article

She’s Unusual, the son of Unusual Suspect, has continued the Auret family’s stunning run of success with their resident stallion. Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au Continued success with resident stallion Unusual Suspect and their racing team has kept Nigel and Adaire Auret busier than they may have envisaged, but without any complaints. They own and operate Letham Stud on the outskirts of Wanganui, with son and Group One-winning trainer Fraser close by at Marton. The family celebrated a winning trans-Tasman double at the weekend with homebred She’s Unusual scoring at Rosehill on Saturday and a day later enjoyed further success at Waverley with Unusual Gem. “It’s been terrific for us, and we are trying to retire sooner rather than later, but we can’t while this is going on. It’s been fantastic,” Nigel Auret said. “We cut outside mares completely in the last two years, for our own lifestyle and to try and preserve the longevity of the stallion. “We’ve got 10 mares in foal to him, and it would be nice to try and cut another couple back.” Fraser Auret prepared She’s Unusual to win on debut for his parents at Awapuni and she was then sold to OTI Racing and partners and relocated to Randwick trainer John O’Shea, who now operates in partnership with Tom Charlton. The lightly tried six-year-old has won a further four races and placed six times from her 12 starts in Australia. She’s Unusual jumped a $3 favourite with betting sites under Zac Lloyd on the weekend, eventually beating home Nkoski and State of America in convincing fashion. “She’s a tough little thing and growing with every start so hopefully it’s onwards and upwards for her,” Nigel Auret said. She’s Unusual is out of dual stakes winner La Fille En Jeu, a daughter of former Letham resident stallion Mettre En Jeu, whose brother Overtheriver won 24 races and is a multiple black type place-getter. La Fille En Jeu has produced three fillies and a colt by Unusual Suspect since She’s Unusual and is back in foal once again. “They’re running around the paddock, and the oldest one went to Fraser on Sunday,” Nigel Auret said. “They are quite slow maturing, and we let them make their own way before we get cracking with them, patience is a virtue that is working in this case. “Fraser knows them inside and out and how to deal with them, there are some really exciting ones coming along.” Unusual Suspect has sired 50 winners from 83 runners, including Listed Champagne Stakes (1200m) winner Unusual Countess, following a racing career that featured a Group 1 Hollywood Turf Cup (2400m) victory and success in the Listed Werribee Cup (2600m). “We never got into the big numbers game and at the moment he’s still very fertile, he’ll be 22 in March so we’ll keep him as long as we can,” Auret said. His four-year-old daughter Unusual Gem broke her maiden over 2200m at Waverley following minor placings at her three previous outings. Her dam Gem Of A Pearl is from a family that features the Aurets’ Group One winners Pompeii Pearl (Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes, 1400m) and Saint Cecile (New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes, 1600m). “She had another (Unusual Suspect) filly last season and is back in foal again, she’s about two weeks behind La Fille En Jeu,” Auret said. View the full article

Kylie Williams rode her 1000th winner aboard Riviera Rebel at Riccarton on Saturday. Photo: Race Images South Canterbury jockey Kylie Williams ticked off a major goal over the weekend and she is hoping to achieve one more before retirement. The 45-year-old hoop brought up her 1,000th victory in the saddle when piloting home Riviera Rebel to win the North Canterbury Cup (2000m) in front of family and friends at her home track of Riccarton on Saturday. Riviera Rebel was a $6 winner with Neds Australia in what was a wide-open race punctuated by a horror fall which saw four jockeys lose their seats. “It’s good to finally get there, it has been a while,” she said. “The family were there, so that was even better.” A career in the saddle was never in Williams’ mind as a child, and if it wasn’t for the bold nature of a friend, she may never have pursued life as a jockey. “I never really had a lot to do with horses,” Williams said. “I wanted to leave school and Dad wouldn’t let me unless I had a job. There was an advertisement in The Press that said ‘are you over 16, under 50kg and want to become an apprentice jockey?’ I was too scared, so my friend rang up and applied for me.” Williams is forever grateful for that nudge, which landed her in a career which has spanned nearly 30 years. “I spent three months in Otaki on a course and was assigned to Tania Forde in Dunsandel and I have been doing it ever since,” she said. Williams commenced her riding career in the 1996/97 season, and even with the birth of her three children, she hasn’t missed a season. She has posted 32 Group or Listed victories, and while they were special, Williams said winning some maiden races have meant just as much. “They are all pretty special,” she said. “The one where I won a maiden at Riverton on Pure Zambezi for very good friends of mine was great. To even get the horse to the races, let alone to win a race, was special.” Having now reached her goal of 1000 wins in the saddle, retirement has crept into Williams’ mind, but there is one more thing she would like to do before she hangs up her riding boots, ride against her son, Logan Bates. The 23-year-old looks to have inherited his mother’s talent in the saddle, having recorded 108 wins in Australia, including 59 last season, which led to him being crowned Country Racing Victoria Apprentice Jockey of the Year. “I never encouraged him to become a jockey or be involved in horses,” Williams said. “He did the greyhounds and then the trots, and then decided to try being an apprentice jockey. He is outdoing his mum at the moment. “It will be cool to ride against him and hopefully he will get back here for Cup Week if all goes well.” All going to plan, Williams said she will be happy to retire shortly after and start to enjoy life outside of racing and spend more time with her children. “I am thinking maybe Christmas time,” she said. “I have had to sacrifice a lot with the kids through the races and now I want to be able to go to Australia and watch Logan or go to watch my daughter, Rhiarn, do gymnastics. And my son Rico has just turned 18, he has nothing to do with horses, and he wants to be a tradie.” While Williams is in good health and could continue to ride, she said she would like to retire on her terms. “I don’t want to be out there when I shouldn’t be out there,” she said. “I want to retire when I have decided and not when people say I shouldn’t be out there riding.” A natural lightweight, Williams has never missed out on enjoying a family Christmas dinner, but she said she is looking forward to attending some of the summer racedays at some of her favourite tracks. “I have always been okay with my weight, so I have never missed out on food or anything like that,” she said. “I would like to go to some of the race meetings that I enjoy riding at, like Kumara and Cromwell, but be on the other side.” View the full article

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By Michael Guerin How much difference can 500m make? Well, maybe that question has two parts, the other being how much fitter will Merlin strip for the Holmes D G at Alexandra Park on Friday night after his first-up defeat to stablemate Sooner The Bettor. The pair clashed two weeks ago and Sooner The Bettor found the lead over 2200m in the Spring Cup and never looked like being headed while Merlin remarkably secured the one-one soon from his 20m back mark after the start but could manage only third. No surprise in either of those things as Sooner The Bettor is a wonderful sprinter and Merlin was always going to be vulnerable fresh up off 20m over 2200m. So how much will change this Friday? Merlin has to be fitter, albeit he looked pretty fit before the Spring Cup, and the extra 500m should give him more time to get handy. But how much handier can you get than the one-one he enjoyed last time? It worked this time last year as Merlin finished second in the Spring Cup then bolted away with the Holmes D G from 20m behind, leading home a Purdon/Phelan First 4, which could be on the cards again this Friday. The bookies are being careful though, rating him a $2.20 chance and having Sooner The Bettor at $5 and Jolimont a very short $5.50 in the opening market. The race also doubles as a win and you are in for the IRT New Zealand Cup and while that doesn’t matter for Merlin it does for just about any other horse in the race if they hope to be in the biggest race of all. With the two Western Australian pacers (Minstrel and Heza Sport) pulling out last week Sooner The Bettor is as good as guaranteed a Cup start but the Arna Donnelly-trained trio of Jolimont, Little Spike and The Surfer would all need to win this Friday to be certain of being at Addington on the second Tuesday in November. To see Friday’s fields at Alexandra Park click here View the full article