Wandering Eyes

“Always the bridesmaid, never the bride” is perhaps an apt way of describing the racing career of Calandagan thus far, even if he does have a Royal Ascot victory to show for his efforts, having been a runaway winner of last year's G2 King Edward VII Stakes. Since then, the son of Gleneagles has been campaigned exclusively at the top level and it's been a case of close but no cigar, with four consecutive runner-up finishes in the Juddmonte International, Champion Stakes, Dubai Sheema Classic and Coronation Cup. Beaten just half a length on the last occasion, having been sent off the 8/13 favourite to take advantage of what looked a golden opportunity to break his Group 1 duck, Calandagan suddenly had questions to answer after that Epsom defeat. Was he simply outstayed by the previous year's St Leger hero, Jan Brueghel, in a contest run at a strong tempo on rain-softened ground? Or did he shirk the battle when moving up to challenge that tough rival entering the final furlong? Could it have been a combination of both? “There are no excuses,” was the verdict afterwards from trainer Francis-Henri Graffard, adding, “He probably took the lead for a small moment and then when they started to climb again you could see that Ryan [Moore, Jan Brueghel's jockey] was finding more. He's a very talented horse and I'm sure he'll win a Group 1 as he always runs his race.” Certainly, Calandagan possesses more than enough ability to gain that elusive Group 1 win under the right circumstances, with a Timeform rating of 127 seeing him ranked in joint-fifth place among the top horses in Europe right now. However, the danger could lie within when he tries to make a belated breakthrough in Sunday's Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, with stable-mate Goliath (Adlerflug) possessing a rating of 128 from his impressive success in last year's G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. In total, five runners will face the starter on Sunday, with the others including last year's G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe second Aventure (Sea The Stars). She too deserves to win a Group 1 at some stage, having also filled the runner-up spot behind her Arc conqueror, Bluestocking (Camelot), in last year's G1 Prix Vermeille. The Arc, of course, is one race not available to Calandagan as a gelding but, win, lose or draw on Sunday, the fact that there's no rush to send him to the breeding shed should allow him plenty more opportunities in Group 1 races if he can stay in one piece over the next few years. Will he eventually end his racing days with the kind of CV that his talent deserves? Or will he retire as one of the best horses of recent times not to win a Group 1? Here, we take a look at a few names in the latter group whose company Calandagan will be looking to avoid. Norse Dancer, the Ultimate 'Nearly' Horse Not many horses manage to finish in the first four places in 10 different Group 1 races, but that was the achievement of the David Elsworth-trained Norse Dancer earlier this century, with three seconds, three thirds and four fourths to his name. On five of those occasions the son of Halling passed the post less than a length behind the winner, with his narrowest defeat of all coming when he was beaten just a head and a short head in the 2003 Sussex Stakes won by Reel Buddy. Like Calandagan, Norse Dancer reached a peak Timeform figure of 127, although he later had the dreaded Timeform 'squiggle' attached to his rating as he became increasingly temperamental. Sometimes slowly away, he often raced lazily and would carry his head awkwardly before finding little, looking thoroughly ungenuine at times. Among the horses Norse Dancer was knocking heads with around that time were Ace and Maraahel, both of whom fall into the same category, having run well at the top level on several occasions without managing to get their heads in front. Sir Michael Stoute's Maraahel had Ace and Norse Dancer behind him when finishing third in the 2005 Juddmonte International won by Electrocutionist, before being beaten just a short head by stable-mate Notnowcato in the same race 12 months later. So close was the finish that Maraahel's jockey Richard Hills waved his whip in celebration, mistakenly thinking he'd won it, before the official result from the judge revealed otherwise. At the end of his 34-race career, Maraahel had seven Group-race wins to his name, but at the very top level he had to make do with that one runner-up finish, plus five thirds and a fourth in the 2004 St Leger. Like Norse Dancer, he didn't always show the resolution to match his ability, hence why he did much of his racing in later years in a visor or blinkers. As for Ace, he ran in eight Group 1 races for Aidan O'Brien in that 2005 season and the only time he finished outside of the first four places came when he was fifth in the King George held at Newbury that year. Juddmonte Stars with Seconditis When Sir Henry Cecil's Phoenix Tower chased home Duke Of Marmalade in the 2008 Juddmonte International, he matched the achievement of Calandagan by finishing second in a Group 1 for the fourth start in a row, having already occupied that position in the Lockinge Stakes, Prince Of Wales's Stakes and Coral-Eclipse. That record rather belied his excellent attitude and it was just a shame that he never raced again after that sequence of runner-up finishes, with a tendon tear later that year forcing him into a premature retirement. Famous Name provided Prince Khalid Abdullah, the owner of Phoenix Tower, with another close call in 2008 when he was denied by just a head in the Prix du Jockey Club. He went on to prove himself a terrific servant to his connections, retiring as the winner of 20 stakes races, remarkably, but his 10 starts at the top level failed to deliver a win, with four further runner-up finishes being as close as he came. Another Juddmonte performer with a similar profile was Bated Breath, who took second in a trio of top-level sprints in 2011, as well as the G1 King's Stand Stakes the following year. For a few years after his retirement at the end of 2012, Bated Breath stood alongside his sire, Dansili, at Juddmonte's Banstead Manor Stud. Dansili, also the sire of Famous Name, was then pensioned from stud duties in 2018, before his death at the end of 2021. The sire of 24 individual Group/Grade 1 winners in his second career, including elite performers such as Harbinger, Rail Link and The Fugue, Dansili's own achievements as a racehorse had more in common with those of his aforementioned sons. He never quite managed to make the breakthrough at the top level, finishing second on three occasions and third on three others, with his swansong coming when he was beaten just a neck and a nose in the 2000 Breeders' Cup Mile. High-Class Sprinters Hitting the Crossbar Finally, a nod to a few sprinters, a division where they often take it in turns to beat each other, hence why consistent brilliance at the top level deserves to be acknowledged, even if it doesn't always bring its rewards. The Karl Burke-trained Swingalong is a very recent example, having filled the runner-up spot in a trio of Group 1 sprints in 2024, losing out by half a length in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes, a neck in the July Cup and a head in the Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes. She'd done plenty right as a three-year-old the previous season, too, when her efforts included a third-place finish in the G1 Commonwealth Cup. Swingalong is a daughter of the one-time Juddmonte runner Showcasing, who has also given us Tasleet, the runner-up in three Group 1 sprints himself in 2017, while Dragon Symbol is arguably as unlucky as any horse on this list not to have a top-level win to his name. He finished in the first four in four such races in 2021, including when passing the post first in the Commonwealth Cup, before being placed behind Campanelle after causing interference to that rival. Going further back, The Tatling won the King's Stand Stakes in 2004 when the Royal Ascot prize still held Group 2 status. Trained by Milton Bradley, he was among the leading sprinters in training for several years, notably finishing second in three consecutive editions of the Nunthorpe Stakes between 2003 and 2005, as well as the 2004 Prix de l'Abbaye. The post D-Day for Calandagan in Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Saturday's action at The Curragh was all about Wootton Bassett once again as Whirl completed a treble for Coolmore's red-hot sire in a thrilling renewal of the feature G1 Pretty Polly Stakes. Denying Juddmonte's Kalpana (Study Of Man) after a prolonged tussle between Ryan Moore and Colin Keane, Ballydoyle's Oaks runner-up followed on where the stable's Dorset and Beautify had led earlier on the card. Aidan O'Brien was impressed by the battle royal. “It's hard coming back from a mile and a half to this trip, a bit like walking a tightrope but Ryan got it spot-on again. That's what you want to come racing to watch, one we'll remember for a long time,” he said. “They went at it all the way and eyeballed each other and it was ding-dong. With fellas like that riding like they are, it's one to celebrate and enjoy–a great spectacle.” Of the winner, who also took the G3 Musidora Stakes at York in May and is yet another advert for her stratospheric sire, he added, “She's very special and very tough. She doesn't blow and is one of those hard and genuine racing machines with big lungs–she's all muscle and bone.” As she had at Epsom, Whirl was placed on the front end from the outset. Joined and briefly headed by the 5-6 market-leader as the expected duel got underway, the 13-8 second favourite had extra to give close home to prevail by 1 1/4 lengths, with last year's G1 Prix de Diane runner-up Survie (Churchill) 1 3/4 lengths away in third. Group 1 glory! Whirl strikes from Kalpana in a thrilling €300,000 @paddypower Pretty Polly Stakes for Ryan Moore, Aidan O'Brien and Ballydoyle @curraghrace pic.twitter.com/76Eys2rB3i — Racing TV (@RacingTV) June 28, 2025 The post ‘One To Celebrate And Enjoy’: O’Brien Hails Whirl And Kalpana’s Pretty Polly Battle appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It’s been a mere formality for months but Zac Purton officially secured his eighth title at Sha Tin on Saturday, banging in a treble to move 59 wins clear in the jockeys’ premiership with only 50 races left in the season. Purton moved to 126 winners for the campaign – four short of last season’s tally with five meetings remaining – and while he’s miles off his Hong Kong record tally of 179 victories, he’s striking at a ridiculous 23 per cent. “It’s really nice to win another one. Apart from...View the full article

Talented sprinter Beauty Waves made the perfect start to life with new trainer Tony Cruz, banking a tough win in Saturday’s Class One Pearce Memorial Challenge Cup (1,000m) at Sha Tin. Recently transferred to Cruz after four wins for Pierre Ng Pang-chi, the Irish import enhanced his reputation as a straight-track specialist when he proved too slick for strong opposition in Saturday’s feature. Backed from $6.9 to $3.7 late, Beauty Waves was sent forward by Alexis Badel to race on the speed and...View the full article

Denying a treble for Coolmore and Wootton Bassett on The Curragh's Saturday card, Moyglare Stud's homebred Suzie Songs (Starspangledbanner) wore down Ballydoyle's 2-9 favourite Flushing Meadows in a thriller for the G3 Jebel Ali Racecourse And Stables Anglesey Stakes. “She's a nice filly with a bit of size and scope and is bred to go further,” Colin Keane said of the Ger Lyons-trained 7-2 second favourite, who built on her Cork debut win 15 days earlier to prevail by a short head with the market principals 3 1/4 lengths clear of the remainder. “She wants it and seven or a mile is where you'll see best of her.” Ger Lyons has one target in mind. “The one that's missing off my record is the [G1] Moyglare [Stud Stakes] and I'd love to win it–they are my owners and I'd say that's where you'll see her next.” Still unbeaten – but not the one you perhaps expected! Suzie Songs (Starspangledbanner) downs 1/4F Flushing Meadows to land the Group 3 @JebelAliRC Anglesey Stakes for @ctkjockey, Ger Lyons and @MoyglareStud @curraghrace pic.twitter.com/7xPvheZWXo — Racing TV (@RacingTV) June 28, 2025 The post ‘She Wants It’: Suzie Songs Battles For Keane To Upset Flushing Meadows appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Making it two-for-two on the card for the lethal combination of Aidan O'Brien, Ryan Moore and Wootton Bassett, Beautify ended the unbeaten run of Lady Iman (Starman) in The Curragh's G2 Airlie Stud Stakes. Sent to the lead from the outset, the homebred daughter of Dansili's G3 Munster Oaks winner Words and granddaughter of Moonstone kept finding as that 8-15 favourite threatened inside the final furlong. Pulling clear at the line, the 2-1 second favourite who was third on debut over this course and six-furlong trip last month registered a two-length success, with Al Shira'aa Racing's €1million Arqana Deauville August sensation Skydance (Night Of Thunder) 1 1/4 lengths away in third. Upset! Beautify (Wootton Bassett) inflicts a first career defeat on Lady Iman and opens her account at Group 2 level in the Airlie Stud Stakes for Ryan Moore and Aidan O'Brien @curraghrace pic.twitter.com/naiZ5s8s3K — Racing TV (@RacingTV) June 28, 2025 The post Quickfire Wootton Bassett Curragh Double As Beautify Takes Command appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Such is the record of The Curragh's Barronstown Stud Maiden, it is a given that Aidan O'Brien reserves one of his best for the seven-furlong contest and Dorset lived up to the billing to become Wootton Bassett's latest TDN Rising Star. Runner-up on debut to stablemate Amadeus Mozart over course and distance earlier this month, the grey relative of the dual 1,000 Guineas heroine Winter was sent straight to the front by Ryan Moore. Kept company throughout by the yard's newcomer Benvenuto Cellini (Frankel), the 4-9 favourite safely held that son of Newspaperofrecord at bay to score by 1 1/2 lengths, with the Joseph O'Brien-trained Al Haarith (Lope De Vega) 2 3/4 lengths away in third. Making it 15 TDN Rising Stars for the sire, the €400,000 Goffs Orby Book 1 graduate Dorset is one of five among the stable's current crop of juveniles after Albert Einstein, Italy, Simply Astounding and Albert Einstein. “He's a lovely straighforward horse who will get further,” commented O'Brien, who had won this race with City Of Troy, Rip Van Winkle, Gleneagles, Roderic O'Connor, Duke Of Marmalade, Horatio Nelson and Australia. “Ryan gave him an uncomplicated ride and he's a good mover who could go for any of those races–the Futurity, the Tyros or Newmarket for the Superlative. The runner-up is lovely and he travelled well. With the run under his belt, he'll be fairly hot in a maiden next time.” €400,000 buy Dorset, by Wootton Bassett and out of a sister to Winter, makes no mistake second-time out for Ryan Moore and Aidan O'Brien at @curraghrace pic.twitter.com/FOoBRwllsT — Racing TV (@RacingTV) June 28, 2025 1st-Curragh, €20,000, Mdn, 6-28, 2yo, c/g, 7fT, 1:24.48, gd. DORSET (IRE), c, 2, by Wootton Bassett (GB) 1st Dam: Snowflakes (Ire), by Galileo (Ire) 2nd Dam: Laddies Poker Two (Ire), by Choisir (Aus) 3rd Dam: Break Of Day, by Favorite Trick Sales history: €400,000 Ylg '24 GOFOR. Lifetime Record: 2-1-1-0, €16,000. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. O-Derrick Smith, Mrs John Magnier, Michael Tabor & Westerberg; B-Snowflakes Syndicate; T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ryan Moore. The post Dorset Becomes Fifth TDN Rising Star For Wootton Bassett In 2025 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Saturday’s A$160,000 Asahi Super Dry Handicap (1800m) at Rosehill marked a deserved breakthrough for the super-consistent Misterkipchoge (NZ) (Ocean Park). The New Zealand-bred son of Ocean Park had won only once in his 20-race career before Saturday, but his last 12 starts dating back to last September had produced two seconds, five thirds, four fourths and a fifth. The four-year-old was an emergency for Saturday’s Benchmark 78 handicap, but he snuck into the field and capped that long run of consistent form with an overdue win. Misterkipchoge was ridden by Jean Van Overmeire, who pushed him forward out of the gates to take an early lead. He later settled in third behind Ganbare (Maurice) and Monarchs Brae (Highland Reel) when they slid past him from their wide gates and took up the pace going into the back straight. The Chris Waller-trained Misterkipchoge surged through in between that pair to lodge his claim after coming around the home turn, taking the lead at the 250m mark. The biggest challenge came from Misterkipchoge’s stablemate Pure Alpha (NZ) (Ardrossan), who loomed as a distinct danger on his outside. But Misterkipchoge rose to the challenge and held on grimly, snatching victory by a nose. Racing in the colours of Sir Owen Glenn’s Go Bloodstock, Misterkipchoge has now had 21 starts for two wins, eight placings and A$254,925. Misterkipchoge was bred by Cliff Erb and is by Ocean Park out of the Mastercraftsman mare Porotene Mhia (NZ). Second dam Ghia (NZ) (Kaapstad) is a half-sister to Freequence (NZ) (O’Reilly), the dam of Group One winner I Do (NZ) (No Excuse Needed) and Listed Queensland Cup (3200m) winner Iggi Pop (NZ) (Savabeel). Erb purchased Porotene Mhia for $10,000 from a 2020 online auction on Gavelhouse.com. Misterkipchoge began his career in the Stratford stable of Gavin Sharrock, finishing sixth and fourth in two starts at Wanganui and New Plymouth in 2023 before being sold privately. View the full article

New Zealand-bred colt Matahga (NZ) (Tivaci) stamped himself as an exciting spring three-year-old prospect with a hard-fought victory in the A$120,000 Listed David Peacock Oaklands Plate (1400m) at Morphettville on Saturday. The step up to black-type level came less than a month after Matahga’s raceday debut, where he finished second over 1100m at Morphettville on May 31. The son of Tivaci won his next race in smart style at Murray Bridge on June 14, earning favouritism for Saturday’s Oaklands Plate. Matahga was squeezed back and settled third-last for jockey Jacob Opperman before starting to weave through the pack. Opperman spotted a narrow opening two off the fence in the straight and drove Matahga through, bounding up on the inside of Ethereum Girl (Maurice) and collaring her in the last couple of strides to win by a neck. “He came off the bit a long way from home,” Opperman said. “I thought there was no point in trying to go around them, which would probably cost us the race. I had to pick and choose and find a way through. “When we got into the clear, I thought he was going to have to really pick up. To his credit, he really put the ears back and had a go and got there.” Matahga has now had three starts for two wins and a second, earning A$144,800 in stakes for the Brook family’s Saddlers Knife. Matahga was bred by Simon Lawson and is by Tivaci out of the Reliable Man mare Mohegan Star (NZ), who is a half-sister to the Gr.1 Blue Diamond (1200m) winner and new Little Avondale Stud stallion Little Brose. Waikato Stud offered Matahga in Book 1 of Karaka 2024, where trainer Phillip Stokes bought him for $80,000. “He’s a nice colt, this horse,” Stokes said. “He dug deep today and went for runs. “We were cursing Jacob for a while, thinking he might have been better to go around them, but he rode him very well. He’ll take a lot out of it, this colt. He’s nice horse going forward. I’m just rapt for the Brooks, who own him. “He’s come a long way in this prep. The team have done a fantastic job with him. He’ll go for a break now and I think he deserves to be aimed at some of the nice three-year-old races in the spring. “We bought him in New Zealand. David (Brook) picked out a few yearlings when we were over at Karaka, and he liked this horse, and we were able to bid on him and get him. He wasn’t an expensive horse either, so it’s going great.” View the full article

Seven-year-old mare Bacio Del Mist (NZ) (Reliable Man) took her earnings past A$300,000 with a career-best triumph in Saturday’s A$160,000 Irresistible Pools Stayers’ Cup (2400m) at Rosehill. The grey daughter of Reliable Man was bought for only A$30,000 from the 2019 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale. She has now had 44 starts for seven wins, eight placings and A$356,505. Trainers Lee and Cherie Curtis stepped Bacio Del Mist down in class for Saturday’s assignment, having lined her up in Listed company in her last two starts for a fifth in the Lord Mayor’s Cup (2000m) and a 10th from a wide gate in the Winter Cup (2400m). She settled in the second half of the field on Saturday for jockey Alysha Collett before warming into her work stylishly in the straight. Bacio Del Mist outstayed fellow grey Mormona through the final 100m and won by a neck, with a similar margin back to Casual Connection (NZ) (Complacent) in third. “She’s a marvel for a $30,000 yearling,” Lee Curtis said. “She has just had no luck in this campaign – not just with the barriers, although they’ve been horrible too, but just missing out on runs in races. “When she ran fifth in the Epona (Gr.3, 1900m), we had her in another race that day and she missed out by one, and she ran super in the Epona. Over the 2400m she would have run really well. “She has had no luck and she has been running good races too. She is such a gutsy thing and so tough.” Curtis suggested that plans to retire Bacio Del Mist to stud might be put on hold after Saturday’s win. “The plan was to go through this prep and wind it up, but the owners might want to race her for another 12 months now,” he said. Bacio Del Mist was bred by Westbury Stud owner Gerry Harvey and is a daughter of Westbury stallion Reliable Man. The dam of Bacio Del Mist is the unraced Encosta de Lago mare Bacio Del Vinto, whose four other winners include the Gr.3 Manawatu Cup (2250m) winner Marroni (NZ) (Makfi) and the eight-race winner St Lawrence (NZ) (Redwood). View the full article

Well-related gelding Flamin’ Romans (NZ) (Ghibellines) collected his second win from only four starts at Caulfield when he took out Saturday’s A$80,000 Sportsbet BlackBook Handicap (2000m). Previously a winner over the same distance and in the same Benchmark 78 grade at the Melbourne track last October, the five-year-old put in a repeat performance on Saturday. The Ciaron Maher-trained Flamin’ Romans was third-up in a new campaign, having resumed with a seventh over 1500m at Sandown in May before a last-start second in a 2000m race at Mornington on June 9. On Saturday he was right back in peak form. Flamin’ Romans broke sharply from the starting gates and took up a handy position in behind Nation’s Call (Frankel), I Am The Empire (Camelot) and Make It Sweet (Fiorente). Jockey John Allen got Flamin’ Romans rolling as the field made their way down the side of the track. He briefly appeared to be labouring coming around the turn, but then he regathered his momentum after straightening for home. The five-year-old gelding lengthened stride and surged to the front in the final 150m, going on to win by a length and a quarter. A full-brother to his Group One-winning stablemate Smokin’ Romans (NZ) (Ghibellines), Flamin’ Romans has now had 17 starts for five wins, seven placings and A$255,740 in stakes. “The race didn’t pan out too badly for us today,” Allen said. “We found a good position. They kind of slowed it up down the side. We were able to get to the outside and get rolling. “He takes a bit of cajoling, he was off the bridle on the corner, but once we straightened up and got balanced up, he found plenty for me and was good and strong. He went into overdrive and pulled away. “He’s a younger brother to Smokin’ Romans. Like him, he seems to be improving with a bit of age. I’m not sure he’ll get to the level his brother did, but he’ll win plenty of races for his owners anyhow.” Flamin’ Romans was bred by White Robe Lodge’s Brian and Lorraine Anderton and is by the stud’s successful sire Ghibellines. The dam of Flamin’ Romans is the Yamanin Vital mare Inferno (NZ), who herself won 10 races including two editions of the Gr.2 Canterbury Gold Cup (2000m). View the full article

Manzoice (Almanzor) has already been a Group One winner during the Melbourne Cup Carnival at Flemington, and a welcome return to winning form in Saturday’s Gr.3 Tattersall’s Cup (2400m) at Eagle Farm may earn him a return to that big stage. The son of Almanzor ventured to Melbourne and won the Victoria Derby (2500m) in the spring of 2022. He had gone winless through the two and a half years since that classic triumph, but has been a regular placegetter since then including in the Gr.3 N E Manion Cup (2400m), the Premier’s Cup Prelude (1800m), the Listed Wyong Cup (2100m), the Gr.3 Chairman’s Handicap (2000m) and a last-start third in the Gr.3 Brisbane Cup (3200m). On Saturday he broke through for a richly deserved win, finishing powerfully from off the pace to score a commanding win by four and a half lengths. “When I watched his replays, I thought he might have been the forgotten horse in this race,” jockey Andrew Mallyon said. “He was always there or thereabouts without winning against some top stayers. “He’s a nice, relaxed customer and I knew he would stay the trip comfortably, so we just bided our time and when he got the split in the straight, he gave them a galloping lesson. “I love the way he settled and he built really nicely into the race from about the 600m mark. He was really strong through the line, and you’d like to think he’ll be pretty competitive in some spring staying races judging by that performance.” The Chris Waller-trained Manzoice has now had 32 starts for three wins, eight placings and more than A$1.84 million in stakes. “He was very good today,” Waller’s assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth said. “We thought he might be able to roll into the race and make it a staying test, but Andrew cut the corner and saved all the ground, and the horse was good late. It’s been a long time between drinks, but I’m sure his owners will be delighted. “He’s a legend to have a stable, he’s such a lovely horse and it was great to see him have plenty of zip at the end of the race. “He deserves a spell now, then we’ll have a think about what we do with him in the spring. He’s proven over two miles and there’s a pretty big two-mile race in Melbourne in early November, so we might have to have a crack at that.” Manzoice was bought for A$340,000 by Chris Waller Racing and Mulcaster Bloodstock as a yearling. He was bred by the Blenheim-based Stephanie Hole and is out of the Mastercraftsman mare Choice (NZ), a winner of the Gr.3 Eulogy Stakes (1600m) for New Plymouth trainer Robbie Patterson. Choice is the dam of five winners from five foals to race. View the full article

The $60,000 ITM/GIB Progressive Championship Final provided a thrilling finale to the Winter Championships raceday at Ruakaka on Saturday, with the fast-finishing Reinstatement (NZ) (Wrote) snatching victory in a tight photo finish. The Kylie Hoskin-trained Reinstatement went into the race somewhat under the radar despite placing in all of her three previous starts – most recently a 2100m Rating 65 at Ellerslie on June 7. She was sent out as a $15.30 chance among a competitive line-up of emerging talents who had no more than one win to their name on May 5. The race proved to be as keenly contested on the track as it was on paper, with chances lining up across the track halfway down the straight and less than a length covering the first five horses at the finish line. Reinstatement launched a withering finish down the extreme outside in the hands of comeback apprentice Elen Nicholas. She swept up alongside the local hope Richie’s Dream (NZ) (Ace High), and the pair hit the finish line locked together. After a lengthy wait, the judge ruled in Reinstatement’s favour. “That was a great win and a real thrill,” Hoskin said. “I really didn’t know whether we’d got up or not. I was watching the race next to Noel Harris, who told me he thought we’d won it. But then I went out the front and talked to Kenny Rae, who thought his horse (Richie’s Dream) might have got it. He wanted to toss a coin for it! But I was really happy to get the win.” Bred and part-owned by Tony Gavigan, Reinstatement is a six-year-old daughter of Wrote and the Iffraaj mare Everything (NZ). Her 19-race career has produced two wins, five placings and $63,475 in stakes. “She’s a pretty promising mare who’s starting to put things together nicely now,” Hoskin said. “We’ve just taken a while to figure out her racing style, but it seems that riding her really cold works best. It’s a bit of a nerve-racking way to do it, but she’s shown that she can really fly home. That’s what she did today.” View the full article

Locals dominated the ITM/GIB Winter Championship Finals at Ruakaka in 2023 and 2024, but the tide turned in Saturday’s 2025 edition with Matamata and Cambridge scoring two wins each in the $60,000 features. Age-group honours went to the Tony Pike-trained Boombox (NZ) (Spirit of Boom) in the 2YO Final and Ken and Bev Kelso’s Levakia (NZ) (Priosir) in the 3YO Final. Later in the card, Mark Brosnan and Andrew Forsman took centre stage with outstanding performances by four-year-olds Sterling Express (NZ) (Shamexpress) and Pacifico (NZ) (Ardrossan) in the two open handicaps. Sterling Express set himself up for a potential Group One tilt in the spring with his hard-fought victory for Brosnan in Saturday’s ITM/GIB Sprinters’ Championship Final (1400m). The son of Shamexpress settled fourth-last before swooping into contention out wide around the home turn. He was made to work hard down the Ruakaka straight, with Stonybreck (Tavistock), Illicit Dreams (NZ) (Vancouver) and Tide And Time (NZ) (Time Test) all throwing everything they had at him along his inside, but Sterling Express held that trio at bay and won by a neck. It was the seventh win of an 18-start career for Sterling Express, and a pleasing return to form after finishing at the tail of the field at Ellerslie in his previous appearance on June 7. “That was good to see,” said Brosnan, whose Ruakaka raids from his Matamata base have produced 23 wins from just 142 starters. “I still don’t know what went wrong last time, but that was a good effort today. I might freshen him up now and set him for some better races in the spring, maybe even something like the Tarzino (Gr.1, 1400m). He needs a little bit of cut out of the ground, but doesn’t like it too wet, so hopefully he’ll get conditions to suit.” The ITM/GIB Whangarei Gold Cup Stayers’ Final was won in bold front-running style by the Forsman-trained Pacifico, who was backing up and stepping up in distance after winning a 1600m Rating 75 at Tauranga seven days earlier. The Ardrossan gelding was ridden by Michael McNab, who dictated terms before upping the ante down the side of the track. He pinched a break on the field and never let them reel him in, going on to beat gallant local Bosch by a length and a half. There was a four-length margin back to Texas in third. “That was a very good effort,” McNab said. “I’ve seen a bit of this horse but hadn’t had a lot of experience riding him. I got some great instructions from Andrew Forsman and that was the key to winning the race. He went along nicely out in front, picked up well and then fought hard in the straight. He’s a nice stayer on the rise.” Pacifico is raced by his breeders Jomara Bloodstock and has now had 19 starts for five wins, seven placings and $149,165 in stakes. View the full article

Lambourn led throughout when galloping his 17 rivals into submission in the Group One Epsom Derby (2,405m) earlier this month and he is the favourite to prove that was no fluke in Sunday’s 10-runner Group One Irish Derby (2,400m) at the Curragh. If the son of 2014 Irish Derby winner Australia achieves that feat, he will be the 20th horse to land the historic Classic double as well as being an extraordinary 17th Irish Derby victor for his trainer Aidan O’Brien. Ryan Moore takes over on Lambourn...View the full article

Training great Barry Hills, who sent out more than 3,000 winners including five British Classics throughout his storied career, has died aged 88. Along with those five British Classics, Hills achieved Stayers' Hurdle success with Nomadic Way in 1992 while a Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe trophy came in 1973 with Rheingold. Entirely self-made, Hills retired from training in 2011 and passed on the licence to his son Charlie. Including Rheingold, he will forever be associated with horses like Tap On Wood, Haafhd, Ghanaati, Royal Applause, Red Clubs, Equiano and more. The post Training Great Barry Hills Dies Aged 88 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Tashi Breaks Through in Thrilling Tattersall’s Tiara Triumph Peter Snowden‘s talented mare Tashi shed her bridesmaid tag in spectacular fashion at Eagle Farm on Saturday, unleashing a powerful finishing burst to claim an impressive two-length victory in the 2025 Tattersall’s Tiara and end a frustrating sequence of second-place finishes. The five-year-old daughter of Sebring arrived […] The post 2025 Tattersall’s Tiara Winner Tashi No Longer the Bridesmaid appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

By Mike Love Splashem produced an impressive debut victory at Addington Raceway last night to win the Chester’s Plumbing And Bathrooms Mobile Pace for Russley trainer Laura McKay. In conditions that tripped up a few runners throughout the night, Splashem splashed through the surface without a worry. Driven by junior driver Sam Thornley, the three-year-old Downbytheseaside gelding was restrained toward the rear of the field. There they bided their time until the 600-metre mark when Thornley unleashed the winning run three and four wide, seizing the lead from the 400 metres and pulling away to win by four and a half lengths. “They went really hard the whole way, so I thought I’d save him for a sit, but when we got to the 600m I thought I may as well just go. It worked out well,” said driver Sam Thornley in a post-race interview. The win gave Thornley his 196th career win, while McKay picked up her sixth. “I didn’t really expect him to win from that draw!” said McKay. Having qualified at Rangiora just three weeks ago on June 4th, Splashem has come a long way in a short time this campaign. “I’m really stoked. He’d been going well at the trials.” Splashem was a $25,000 purchase from the Auckland leg of the NZB Standardbred Sales, and is now raced by McKay’s brother and father. “They’ll be pretty happy when they see the result. They’re actually both in the UK at the moment on holiday.” McKay works for trainer Steve Dolan. “I work my horses in with him. He’s really helped me out a lot.” Downbytheseaside made it three wins as a sire for the night; other winners were two-year-old Helius for trainer Cheree Wigg, driven by Blair Orange, and Ocean Of Tears for trainer/driver John Morrison. Ocean Of Tears’ victory contributed to a double for Morrison as a trainer/driver, with Amass winning the final race on the card. View the full article

By Courtney Buchanan Relief and emotion came hand in hand as Fergus Schumacher brought up his 50th career driving win at Alexandra Park on Friday night. Guiding Dear God to victory in the Junior Driver race for trainer Wayne Anstis, Schumacher broke a dry spell in the best possible fashion, notching up a milestone. He admitted it had been a while since he last tasted success, with his last win over a year ago aboard Matty A but described recent times as a quiet patch. “I’m not in a racing stable anymore, so I’m driving less,” he said. “But I still have contacts if needed.” Though he’s no longer driving as often — having stepped away from a racing stable — Schumacher has stayed close to the industry through his role at Breckon Farms, and remains ready to drive when opportunities arise. “I do still love the driving,” Schumacher said. “There’s nothing better than competing out there — especially against the elite drivers. They’re the ones who push you to outdrive them.” Looking ahead, the junior reinsman has a two-year-old trotting filly by What The Hill that’s starting to show some promise. “She’s a work in progress, but she’s improved a lot this time in,” he said. “Hopefully we’ll see her step out at the end of this year or early next year. Fingers crossed she can do a nice job — we’ll just see how far she goes.” And when it came time to mark the occasion? “Just a couple of beers with a few friends — nothing too big.” View the full article

Track specialist Sinbin (NZ) (Derryn) returned to her favourite Trentham track to claim her biggest victory to date, when she stormed home against the outside fence to win the Bill Tito Book Repair Specialist North Island Challenge Stakes (1200m). The Robbie Patterson-prepared daughter of Derryn had won two of her three career victories at Trentham and made it three wins and two runner-up finishes from just nine starts there in the hands of Mereana Hudson. Hudson was content to settle Sinbin at the rear of the six-horse field but crucially she got her away from the inside running rail after 300m and enjoying open spaces before angling across to the outside rail and better going rounding the home bend. With the field in a line across the track at the 400m, Sinbin quickly dashed to the front and put the result beyond doubt as she won easily by more than three lengths from Old Town Road (NZ) (El Roca) who chased her hard all the way home. Patterson has his eyes set on a special, home track prize for his mare as he targets the Listed Sinclair Electrical & Refrigeration Opunake Cup (1400m) at New Plymouth on 19 July. “She (Sinbin) is thriving on the wet tracks but more importantly we now know she has to have her races spaced,” Patterson said. “She is quite a nervous type but enjoys Trentham although she doesn’t have to have a bottomless track to perform on. “She has matured nicely and while she is in this sort of form we might as well have a shot at the Opunake Cup as she will get in with a light weight on her home patch. I will also have Our Jumala (NZ) (Zed) in that one so we will have two good chances.” Raced by Sandie Cookson and Angeline Porter, Sinbin is the only foal out of Handsome Ransom mare Monie O’Ceirin (NZ) and is closely related to the Gr.3 Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) winner Rememba Howe (NZ) who also finished fourth in the 2010 Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m). The day’s other major flat race was captured by Bradman (NZ) (Pins) who took out the MJH Engineering Limited Whyte Handicap (1600m) in similar fashion to Sinbin as he found the coveted strip of ground against the outside running rail and held out the challenges of Chantilly Lace (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) and Chase (NZ) (Zed) in a driving finish. Prepared by Roydon Bergerson at Awapuni, the consistent seven-year-old son of Pins was always handy to the pace before rider Jim Chung angled him wider on the track at the 700m to claim the fast lane in the home straight. Left in front at the 400m Bradman fought hard as he fended off all challenges to win by nearly two lengths at the winning post. Bergerson paid tribute to a stable favourite who is always thereabouts in his racing and who tries his heart out. “He is such a tough little bugger and he always gives his best,” Bergerson said. “I do kick myself a little that I haven’t placed him quite right as he won a Listed race early on and has tended to carry the grandstand in a lot of his starts since. “He ran third in the Winter Cup (Gr.3, 1600m) down at Riccarton last year so that’s where we are going to take him again. “I don’t think he will have a run before then, but I may give him a trial just to keep his fitness up.” The Gr.3 Winning Edge Presentations Winter Cup (1600m) is the feature flat event at Riccarton on 2 August. Bradman is out of the champion broodmare mare Baggy Green (Galileo) and is the younger brother of Gr.1 Metropolitan Handicap (2400m) winner No Compromise (NZ) (Pins) and a half-brother to four-time Australian Group One winner Tofane (NZ) (Ocean Park). He has now won nine of his 59 starts and along with 23 placings has amassed more than $340,000 in prizemoney for his large group of owners. – View the full article

Jesko (NZ) (Atlante), the new steeplechasing star in New Zealand, produced another quality performance in the hands of his co-trainer Shaun Fannin to capture the time-honoured Grant Plumbing Wellington Steeplechase (4900m) at Trentham. Fannin, who prepares the seven-year-old alongside his wife Hazel, produced a remarkable ride that was befitting of the status of the event as he dictated all of the pace while conserving as much energy as possible for the last 600m slog in tough conditions. Jesko jumped superbly throughout and shook of the attentions of another champion jumper in The Cossack (NZ) (Mastercraftsman) with one fence left to clear, but was immediately challenged again by the Kevin Myers-trained Call Me Jack (NZ) (Jakkalberry). That pair went stride for stride through the crossing and onto the course proper with Jesko following an inside line that put him two lengths in front clearing the final obstacle. Fannin asked for the supreme effort and Jesko responded as he forged away to the joy of his many supporters to win by three and a half lengths from Call Me Jack with a huge gap back to The Anarchist (NZ) (Raise The Flag) who battled solidly for third. Fannin was proud of the way his charge stuck to his guns throughout while admitting he hasn’t been an easy horse to prepare on his journey to where he currently sits. “Satisfaction is the word, as a lot of work has gone on behind the scenes with this horse to get him to where he is today,” Fannin said. “Hazel and I and a lot of owners are involved in this horse, which is what racing is all about and I’m sure they have got a big thrill out of this win. “I was concerned when we saw the field come out as there didn’t look to be a real leader in the race and although he was keen in front he can also baulk at the fences when he is like that. “He landed in front (over every fence) and grabbed the bit when something came up to challenge him. I wasn’t concerned when Call Me Jack came up beside us as it probably helped my horse a little bit. “He does stay really well and came away at the finish.” Fannin now has his eyes on the $200,000 Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge 150th Grand National Steeplechase (5600m) at Riccarton in August, a race he has won the last three editions of aboard reigning New Zealand Jumper of the Year West Coast (NZ) (Mettre En Jeu) and looks likely to try and defend his crown once again. Raced by a large group of owners that includes Fannin himself and recent additions the micro share syndicator RNZ Frac Club 6 Syndicate, Jesko has won seven races and placed in a further six for over $170,940 in stakes after Fannin purchased him for just $3,300 via gavelhouse.com in 2021. View the full article

A tenacious front-running performance in Saturday’s A$160,000 Captivant @ Kia Ora Handicap (1400m) at Rosehill added a first city victory to Puntin’s (NZ) (Super Seth) burgeoning record. The New Zealand-bred three-year-old gelding has now had six starts for four wins and two seconds, earning A$184,400 for his big group of owners. Puntin stepped up to 1400m on Saturday after a narrow last-start defeat over 1250m at Canterbury on June 9. Drawn gate seven in a nine-horse field, Puntin was pushed forward by jockey Ash Morgan and quickly took up the lead. He never relinquished that position, digging deep when challenged in the straight and holding on to score a tough win by a short neck. “I was open to taking a sit today, but they put me into a position where had to grab the bull by the horns a little bit,” Morgan said. “Luckily, when he was there, he relaxed for me really well. “I felt like I was going to be vulnerable late because of that work in the first furlong, but he is an incredibly tough horse with a lovely attitude. He kept sticking his head out.” Puntin brought up the 150th win of a career-best season for expat New Zealand trainer Bjorn Baker. “It’s never easy to win on a Saturday and I think there is more in store for Puntin, he has a great winning record,” Baker said. “He was tough and it was a good ride. I still think the best is yet to come, once we get him up over a bit further.” Puntin was bred by Jonathan Munz’s GSA Bloodstock, who also raced the gelding’s Caulfield Guineas-winning sire Super Seth. Now standing at Waikato Stud, Super Seth has made an enormous impact this year with Group One-winning progeny Feroce (NZ), Linebacker (NZ), La Dorada (NZ) and Maison Louis (NZ). Puntin is out of the winning Encosta De Lago mare Stella Grace, who is a full-sister to the stakes winner Risk Aversion and a half-sister to the multiple Group Two winner Shania Dane (Danehill). Three-quarter-sister Subsequent is the dam of Group One winner Summer Passage (Snitzel). Haunui Farm offered Puntin during Book 1 of Karaka 2023, where Bjorn Baker Racing and Clarke Bloodstock bought him for $60,000. View the full article

Matamata trainers Ken and Bev Kelso sent Levakia (NZ) (Priosir) on a big road trip on Saturday in search of reasonable track conditions, and the plan paid off with victory in the $60,000 ITM/GIB 3YO Winter Championship Final (1600m) at Ruakaka. Seventh over 1400m and 1500m in two appearances at Te Rapa in April and May, the Proisir filly stepped up to 1600m on Saturday and was strongly backed into $2.90 second favouritism behind Acapelago (NZ) (Belardo). Jockey Jasmine Fawcett took up a midfield position in fifth along the rail, then angled Levakia to the outside coming up to the home turn. She warmed into her work stylishly down the straight, finishing over the top of Casemiro (NZ) (Contributor) to win by half a length. “She did a good job today,” Ken Kelso said. “It’s a big trip to Ruakaka, but it’s not a bad stake for this time of the year and we thought she’d appreciate the better track conditions up there. We also have a feeling she might be a little bit better right-handed. So it worked out well today. “We’ll get her home now, have a look at her and make a plan. We won’t be in any rush with her. She doesn’t like the really heavy winter tracks, and going all the way to Ruakaka and back is a big day – we wouldn’t want to ask that of her too many times in a preparation. “She’s continuing to improve with a bit of time. In the long run I think she might get up over a bit more ground. She’s out of a Rip Van Winkle mare and can take a while to really wind up, so a bit more distance might be her go eventually.” Saturday’s race was Fawcett’s first raceday ride on Levakia. “We ended up in quite a handy position, and then I got her out before the turn and I knew she was going to have a good turn of foot in the straight,” she said. “They sent her up here today for a better track, which she seemed to appreciate.” Levakia has now had nine starts for two wins, three placings and $63,815 in stakes. The promising filly races in the colours of Ancroft Stud’s Philip and Catherine Brown, who along with co-owners Tony and Mary Enting have had an incredible run with daughters of Proisir in the Kelso stable – headed by the multiple Group One winners Legarto (NZ) and Levante (NZ). Levakia was offered by breeders Curraghmore in the 2023 NZB National Online Yearling Sale on Gavelhouse Plus, where Ancroft Stud bought her for $105,000. View the full article

New Zealand-bred gelding Rolling Magic (NZ) (Per Incanto) continued his progress through the grades with a stylish first-up win in the A$120,000 Midway Handicap (1300m) at Rosehill on Saturday. The son of Per Incanto disappointed his trainers Richard and Will Freedman in the early stages of his career, but turned a corner last spring with three wins and then a placing in the A$500,000 Four Pillars (1500m). “After his first prep, he was only a stone’s throw away from the Inglis Digital Sale,” Will Freedman said. “We tipped him out for five months and he came back a 50 times better horse than what he was. As soon as you threaten the box door, they put in a good one.” Rolling Magic was troubled by a foot abscess earlier this year and finished fourth and sixth in a preparation that was limited to two appearances in February and March. But he returned to action on a winning note on Saturday, finishing over the top of the front-runner Khumbila (All Too Hard) to score by a half-neck. “His coat is quite woolly and he was really fresh pre-race in the mounting yard and even in the barrier,” jockey Josh Parr said. “I think there is good improvement to come, but thankfully he has got the job done today.” Rolling Magic’s 11-start career has now produced four wins, three placings and A$184,950 in stakes. “I probably got it wrong because I told not only the press, but the owners it was quite unlikely he’d win,” Freedman said. “There is certainly a lot of improvement left in him, but he is getting closer to where he was when he had a good run of form. “If he didn’t win today, we were going to have another crack at the Four Pillars, but that probably gets thrown out the window now with the ratings points.” Rolling Magic was bred by John Anderson and is out of the unraced Iffraaj mare Not A Jaffa (NZ), who is a half-sister to the Hong Kong Horse of the Year and triple Group One winner Werther (NZ) (Tavistock), the Gr.1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) winner Toffee Tongue (NZ) (Tavistock), Group Three winner Gobstopper (NZ) (Tavistock) and Group One placegetter Milseain (NZ) (Tavistock). Offered by Sledmere Stud at the 2022 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, Rolling Magic was bought by Will Freedman for A$100,000. View the full article

Tony Pike-trained juveniles Boombox (NZ) (Spirit of Boom) and Ashoka (NZ) (Hello Youmzain) ran their second quinella of the month in the ITM/GIB 2YO Championship Final (1200m) at Ruakaka on Saturday, with Boombox getting the better of his stablemate on both occasions. The talented pair had their first clash in a 1200m race at Ellerslie on June 7, where they fought out a tight finish and Boombox edged out Ashoka by a head. That Ellerslie assignment marked Ashoka’s raceday debut and the second start for Boombox. With the benefit of that experience under his belt, Ashoka ($2.60) was the favourite to turn the tables on Boombox ($4.20) in Saturday’s $60,000 rematch. Instead, Boombox increased his winning margin. Most of Saturday’s seven-horse field pushed forward out of the gates in search of the lead, but it was Boombox and jockey Triston Moodley who came out on top after the first 150m. They controlled the speed from there and were travelling well up to the turn. Ashoka was in close pursuit and loomed as a threat, but he got his head to the side and drifted wide around the corner. Boombox stayed perfectly straight along the rail and kicked hard in the straight. He quickly put the result beyond any doubt and opened up a winning margin of two and a quarter lengths. Ashoka took second by a length and a quarter, with the Stephen Marsh-trained Battle Tycoon (Written Tycoon) and Miss Moet All (Russian Revolution) completing an all-Cambridge first four. “I was planning to go forward, and then I just let him do everything on his own terms,” Moodley said. “He showed in the straight how good he is. “He’s definitely improved since his last-start run at Ellerslie. He was still a bit green that day, but he was a lot more professional today.” Saturday marked the fourth edition of the Winter Championship Finals at Ruakaka, and Pike has now won the 2YO Final on two occasions. He saddled Pacific Dragon (NZ) (Charm Spirit) to win the inaugural edition in 2022. Pike was represented on course on Saturday by Chris McNab. “They don’t seem to be making much ground from the back today, so we told both riders to try to jump and run in the first 100m,” McNab said. “Boombox kicked away impressively in the straight. He definitely has the makings of a very nice three-year-old next season. “The other horse was pretty green too and has plenty of improvement to come. He was just inclined to get on one rein. “We’re looking forward to what’s in store for both of them.” Bred by Alan Jones and Edwina Morris, Boombox was purchased for $50,000 by Jim Bruford under his Brewers Bloodstock banner from the Berkley Stud Book 2 draft at Karaka in 2024. The Spirit Of Boom gelding is the first foal out of five-race winner Viaductress (Sharkbite) and comes from a family line that includes dual Group Two winner King Ivor (Fairy King). Boombox has now had three starts for two wins and $58,500 in stakes. View the full article