Wandering Eyes

Pearl Of Alsace will contest the Group 1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Well-performed mare Pride Of Alsace will have conditions to suit on Saturday in her quest to add a major title to her CV before the curtain comes down on her career. The daughter of Tavistock will return to her favourite course to contest the Group 1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham where previous visits have been rewarded with three wins, including success in the Group 3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m). “She has been served by Proisir and we’re waiting to see if she is in foal,” said Shaune Ritchie, who trains the six-year-old with Colm Murray for breeder-owner Sir Peter Vela. “If she is, she’ll only have a couple more runs and she is Group One placed and a Group winner so there’s only one mountain left to climb. “If she can nail a Group One then that would be fantastic. We’re starting to run out of opportunities, and this is without doubt the best she’s had.” Pearl Of Alsace has also pleased both of her trainers and raceday rider Michael McNab in her build-up. “Her trial at Tauranga before the first race the other day was as good as you’re going to get from her,” Ritchie said. “She was hard held in third and McNab got off and said that’s the best she’s trialled, so we seem to have her in the right order for the right conditions. “She doesn’t seem to let down quite the same on the firmer tracks in summer so with it being a Slow 7 there’ll certainly be some give in the ground. “She has a great record both at the mile and at Trentham and dropping down to 53kg is going to be advantageous as well. She comes into the race really nicely.” Pride Of Alsace’s only miss on the track came at her most recent appearance when sixth in the Group 1 Mufhasa Classic (1600m). “She got within range and then lugged in, she hung in a little bit when she would normally quicken and just felt the ground,” Ritchie said. “There were no muscle problems post that, but she’s just not the same when the tracks are hard.” Horse racing news View the full article

Training milestones, a Kiwi-bred creating a big impression across the Tasman, and a $2m earner all feature in this week’s News Briefs. First solo training win for Kelly After having five training wins in partnership with his father Paul, Gore trainer Shayne Kelly had his first win on his own account when Angus Finn won the Combined Sponsors Mobile Pace at Roxburgh last Saturday. Driven by Nathan Williamson, the four-year-old gelding was having his ninth race day start. For Kelly, an area manager for Fonterra and sheep farmer, it was his first solo win in 36 starts since 2017. He has also had 30 wins as a driver, his most recent being Marilyn Monroe at Gore in 2002. Stuart hits 300 Andrew Stuart’s first winner for 2025 saw him bring up his 300th training success. Driven by Robbie Close ,Timbimboo brought up the milestone with a one length win in the Alexandra Four Square/ Harness Racing Unhinged Mobile Pace at Omakau on January 2. The Loburn-based trainer’s first win was with Free Shaver at Addington in 1998. His best season wins-wise was the 20 he had in the 2019 season. Miki Pins going for five straight As dual New Zealand Cup hero Swayzee prepares to go bush for his next race, trainer Jason Grimson has his sights set on another country feature. Exciting new stable addition, Kiwi-bred gelding Miki Pins, will step into open class for the first time in Saturday night’s $50,000 Group 3 Shepparton Gold Cup at 10.37pm NZT. Bred by Gore’s Terry and Dawn McPherson, the five-year-old son of Always B Miki has created a huge impression winning all four starts since joining Grimson’s Menangle barn. As well as having to overcome a back row draw (gate 11) Miki Pins will be against proven classy performers in Tact McLeod (three), Rock N Roll Doo (nine) and Cantfindabettorman (13). “I’m sure he’ll be very competitive. The back row isn’t ideal, but he’s the sort of horse I can make a move on and put into the race, so that helps,” driver Jack Callaghan says. Unraced in this country, Miki Pins has won eight of 18 starts in Australia. Back to Swayzee, and Grimson will go straight to the third leg of the NSW Carnival of Cups at Tamworth on Friday week as his connections chase a five-win $1m bonus. $2m in earnings How’s this for success and longevity? In North America 13-year-old gelding JL Cruze became a $2m earner with a third at Bally’s Dover in Delaware on New Year’s Eve. A one-time performer on the Grand Circuit JL Cruze was the 2015 Dan Patch award winner for best older male trotter. He has now had 248 starts and 78 wins. A ceremony was held in the winner’s circle after the race to recognise him becoming a harness racing double millionaire. Change to parade at Karaka A minor change has been confirmed for the NZB Standardbred Yearling Sales. Around 340 yearlings will go under the hammer at Karaka on Saturday, February 15 and at Christchurch on Tuesday, February 18. Selling at the Auckland session will start from 1pm with the official parade at Karaka now taking place place at the earlier time of 10am on Friday, February 14 at the request of major vendors. Inspections at Christchurch take place on Sunday, February 16 and Monday, February 17 February at Canterbury Agricultural Park while selling begins on Tuesday 18 February from 11am. For more information click here Monte Trot at Cambridge The Haras des Trotteurs Monte Trot will be held at Cambridge Raceway on January 17. The race will be a 1700 metre stand and be held later in the program to allow horses to both race and take part in the non-tote Monte. Monte is a form of trot racing where horses are ridden rather than driven and is very popular in Europe. Riders must be licensed with HRNZ or NZTR to compete. For more information contact Jo Ferguson – 021 1443709 or trackchatnz@gmail.com View the full article

Savaglee (inside) winning a star-studded trial at Matamata last month. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Glamour colt Savaglee will commence an exciting summer programme at Trentham on Saturday, taking his place in the Group 2 Levin Classic (1400m). The Oaks Stud galloper was undoubtedly the nation’s top three-year-old through the spring, winning the Group 2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m), Group 2 Sarten Memorial (1400m) and his crowning success, the Group 1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m). Savaglee made his first public appearance since his Riccarton success in a stacked Group and Listed trial at Matamata last month, where after powering from the gates, he travelled comfortably and won under little pressure for regular hoop Sam Spratt. The impressive display further instilled horse racing bookmakers‘ confidence in Savaglee, installing him an odds-on favourite at $1.70 for Saturday’s age-group feature, a race his trainer Pam Gerard is hoping will be a springboard to bigger targets. “We’ve just kept him ticking over nicely, building up fitness and trying to have him in the best condition that we can,” she said. “It’s not our final race for the season so he’s pretty well, he’s carrying a little bit of excess condition but we’re pretty happy with where he’s at. “At the 1400, there just wasn’t anything else available, and it was going to be this race or the Telegraph (Group 1, 1200m). We didn’t really want to take on the older horses at 1200m, then he’d carry a lot of weight in races like the Almanzor (Group 3, 1200m). “It was pretty plain sailing really, it had to be this one.” The colt is a Karaka Yearling Sales purchase and a Kiwi-bred, meaning there are many options at his disposal including the lucrative $1.5 million Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) on January 25, and later in March, the $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m). As a future stallion prospect, Gerard has indicated Savaglee would be more likely to chase valuable black-type, with the Group 1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa on February 8 on the radar. “We’ll know more after this Saturday in how he’s tracking, but at this stage, it’ll be this into the BCD Sprint. After that, hopefully we’ll be on to Australia,” she said. “If not, we’ll see how he looks after Saturday, there’s still the Karaka Millions and the slot race. It’s one race at a time, we don’t have to rush to Australia if we don’t think he’s come back as well as he was. It’s been a big season so far with a lot of cancelations in getting him to Christchurch, so it’s going to catch up with him at some stage.” Horse racing news View the full article

What 2025 Magic Millions 2YO Classic Where Gold Coast Turf Club – Gold Coast, Queensland When Saturday, January 11, 2025 Prizemoney $3,000,000 Distance 1200m Conditions Restricted Listed 2024 winner Storm Boy (9) | T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | J: Adam Hyeronimus (57kg) Visit Dabble The Magic Millions 2YO Classic will headline the 10-race card at the Gold Coast Turf Club this Saturday afternoon, with a full field of 16 expected to contest the $3 million feature. There is substantial rain forecast on each of the days leading up to Saturday’s meeting, which will keep the track in the Soft range after being rated as a Soft 5 on Wednesday. Due to the ongoing turf renovations at the Gold Coast, Eagle Farm has been placed on standby to hold the massive Magic Millions meeting should the new turf not be suitable for racing. 2025 Magic Millions 2YO Classic odds Horse racing bookmakers have opened their Magic Millions 2YO Classic market with only six runners marked under $10. The Lloyd Kennewell & Lucy Yeomans-trained Invincible Woman leads the betting at $5, slightly ahead of Gallo Nero ($6), who sits on the second line of betting. First emergency, Space Rider, shares the third line of betting with Memo at $7, while Icarian Dream ($8) and La Bella Boom ($8) round out the horses in single figures. 2025 Magic Millions 2YO Classic speed map The speed for the 2025 Magic Millions 2YO Classic will be very fast, with the likes of Invincible Woman, The Playwright, Space Rider, and Hi Barbie expected to fight for the lead. Vein Girl, Gallo Nero, Don’tdoubthelady and O’Ole will push forward from inside to middle barriers and settle behind the speed. Meanwhile, Quietly Arrogant, Memo, and Icarian Dream are likely to settle worse than midfield and enjoy the hot tempo. Continue reading for HorseBetting’s top selections and $100 betting strategy for the 2025 Magic Millions 2YO Classic. Magic Millions 2YO Classic 2025 preview & form With so many speed influences engaged in this year’s edition of the Magic Millions 2YO Classic, Icarian Dream will go on top in the 1200m contest. The Ciaron Maher-trained filly was way too good for her rivals in the Group 3 B.J. McLachlan Stakes at Eagle Farm last start, as she sailed down the middle of the track and recorded a 1.5-length win. The daughter of Blue Point has been to the races four times so far, with each of her performances showing that she is only getting better with the experience. If Jason Collett can settle Icarian Dream in a good position from barrier 21, she will prove very hard to hold out late. Gallo Nero was very good when taking out a 2YO Handicap at Rosehill last start, and the Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes-trained colt will get the run of the race from barrier five. Invincible Woman and Space Rider have been impressive in their debut victories and must be given a chance if they can finish off after racing on speed. Magic Millions 2YO Classic 2025 selections & best bets Selections: 6 ICARIAN DREAM 2 GALLO NERO 10 INVINCIBLE WOMAN 17 SPACE RIDER $100 betting strategy $50 win Icarian Dream (#6) @ +700 with BlondeBet $50 win Gallo Nero (#2) @ +500 with Playup 2025 Magic Millions 2YO Classic Field No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 Quietly Arrogant Peter Snowden Joshua Parr 16 57kg 2 Gallo Nero Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes Tyler Schiller 5 57kg 3 Secret Sort Donna Stanbridge Vld Duric 2 57kg 4 Luva Flutta Stuart Kendrick James Orman 7 57kg 5 Cool Archie Chris & Corey Munce Martin Harley 20 57kg 6 Icarian Dream Ciaron Maher Jason Collett 21 55kg 7 O’ Ole Bjorn Baker Tommy Berry 3 55kg 8 Vein Girl Chris & Corey Munce Cejay Graham 6 55kg 9 La Bella Boom Tony Gollan Craig Williams 10 55kg 10 Invincible Woman Lloyd Kennewell & Lucy Yeomans Damian Lane 9 55kg 11 Hi Barbie Tony Gollan Tim Clark 14 55kg 12 The Playwright Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Blake Shinn 8 55kg 13 Memo Peter Snowden Kerrin McEvoy 1 55kg 14 Formula Rossa Tony Gollan Angela Jones 18 55kg 15 Don’tdoubthelady Clinton Taylor Justin Stanley 17 55kg 16 Forgotten Spirit Scott Morrisey Linda Meech 11 55kg 17 Space Rider (1E) Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) Chad Schofield 4 57kg 18 Blitzburg (2E) Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou TBC 19 57kg 19 Earn To Burn (3E) Jack Bruce TBC 12 57kg 20 Lovebug (4E) Wendy Bannerot TBC 13 55kg 21 Insain Lady (5E) Adam & Dallas Simpson TBC 15 55kg Horse racing tips View the full article

Photo provided by X. Travis Bird, 51, has been charged with arson and trespass after allegedly setting fire to Melbourne’s iconic Caulfield Racecourse, causing significant damage to the Norman Robinson Stand. Speaking in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, Mr. Bird, wearing a grey shirt, did not speak but nodded to confirm he understood his remand into custody. Police allege Mr. Bird ignited four fires across Melbourne’s southeastern suburbs on Tuesday morning, beginning with the blaze at Caulfield Racecourse at 6:20 am. The fire tore through the historic stand, severely damaging its wooden structure and the adjacent 1876 bar. Fire Rescue Victoria commander Dennis Smith noted that while the fire caused extensive damage, it was swiftly contained. “This had a lot of potential to extend and be a much more significant fire and really impact the racecourse,” he said. Mr. Bird’s lawyer confirmed he would not seek bail, citing his schizophrenia diagnosis and overdue medication. “His depot injection is overdue,” she told the court. “I ask his mental health be monitored while he is in custody.” The alleged arson spree continued later in the day with small fires reported in Arnott Street, Caulfield, and grassfires near Attenborough Park and the Nepean Highway in Mordialloc around 12:30 pm. Police arrested Mr. Bird at Mordialloc railway station shortly after 1:45 p.m. following a report from a member of the public. Melbourne Racing Club chairman John Kanga expressed dismay at the damage but assured the public of the club’s resilience. “We will rebuild the Norman Robinson Stand,” he said. As a result of the incident, Wednesday evening’s twilight races were relocated to Mornington Racecourse. Detective Sergeant Stuart Hough told reporters there was no indication Mr. Bird had any connection to the racing industry. Mr. Bird faces nine charges, including four counts of arson, two counts of trespass, and single counts of burglary, criminal damage, and theft. He has been remanded in custody and is scheduled to reappear in court on April 1. Horse racing news View the full article

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) is excited to announce a transformative partnership with 1/ST, the premier North American Thoroughbred racing, gaming and entertainment company. Known for its iconic venues, including Santa Anita Park (California) and Gulfstream Park (Florida), 1/ST is a leader in modernizing horse racing by blending live racing with innovative gaming, hospitality and lifestyle experiences. As leaders of world-class racing, hospitality and entertainment events, 1/ST is also committed to advancing racing’s global profile through cutting-edge technology and international collaboration. This partnership brings a unique opportunity to connect three prestigious racedays: Auckland Thoroughbred Racing’s Champions Day (March 8), alongside 1/ST’s Pegasus World Cup (January 25) and California Crown (September 27). This collaboration will introduce “Golden Ticket” pathways, offering the winning horses direct entry into marquee races including: From the Pegasus World Cup (25 January 2025) to Champions Day (8 March 2025): The US$500,000 Group 2 Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf (1600m) winner earns entry to the NZ$600,000 Group 1 World Pool New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m). The US$1,000,000 Group 1 Pegasus World Cup Turf (1800m) winner gains entry to the NZ$1,000,000 Group 1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m). From Champions Day (8 March 2025) to California Crown (27 September 2025): The NZ$500,000 Rich Hill Stud Champion Middle Distance Series winner earns entry to the US$750,000 Group 1 California Crown John Henry Turf (2000m). The NZ$500,000 Sport Nation Champion Sprint Series winner earns entry to the US$750,000 Group 2 California Crown US$750,000 Eddie D Turf Sprint (1300m). To further enhance the partnership, NZTR and 1/ST will cover travel and freight costs for Golden Ticket-winning horses travelling internationally to compete in the respective countries. “This partnership marks an exciting milestone in showcasing New Zealand racing on the world stage,” commented Chief Operating Officer of NZTR, Darin Balcombe. “The Golden Ticket concept creates a unique pathway for international competition, enriching the experience for racing participants and fans alike.” Aidan Butler, President of 1/ST, added: “This partnership with NZTR exemplifies our commitment to elevating Thoroughbred racing globally. By linking these iconic racedays and supporting international competition, we’re looking to drive innovation, collaboration and global excitement in the sport.” Lachlan Fitt, Deputy CEO of Entain Australia and New Zealand, operators of the NZ TAB, also welcomed the announcement: “Congratulations to NZTR and 1/ST on reaching this exciting outcome. The partnership will continue the opportunity for NZ racing to be showcased to racing fans globally and is another new pathway for NZ racing participants to consider. And through our Trackside and Sport Nation media brands, we look forward to bringing the best of US racing to our wagering customers in NZ.” This partnership paves the way for significant growth in Thoroughbred racing across both regions, with both NZTR and 1/ST excited to build on this promising foundation moving forward. For more information about the partnership and Golden Ticket races, contact NZTR’s Head Handicapper Bruce Sherwin by emailing Bruce.Sherwin@nztr.co.nz. About The Stronach Group and 1/ST The Stronach Group is a world-class technology, entertainment and real estate development company with Thoroughbred racing and pari-mutuel wagering at the core. The Stronach Group’s 1/ST business (pronounced “First”) is North America’s preeminent Thoroughbred racing and pari-mutuel wagering company and includes the 1/ST RACING & GAMING, 1/ST CONTENT, 1/ST TECHNOLOGY and 1/ST EXPERIENCE businesses, while advocating for and driving the 1/ST HORSE CARE mission. 1/ST represents The Stronach Group’s continued movement toward redefining Thoroughbred racing and the ecosystem that drives it. 1/ST RACING & GAMING drives the best-in-class racing operations and gaming offerings at the company’s premier racetracks and training centers including: Santa Anita Park and San Luis Rey Downs (California); Gulfstream Park – home of the Pegasus World Cup and Palm Meadows Thoroughbred Training Center (Florida); Laurel Park, The Preakness Stakes, Rosecroft Raceway and Bowie Training Center (Maryland). 1/ST CONTENT is the operating group for 1/ST’s media and content companies including: Monarch Content Management, Elite, TSG Global Wagering Solutions (GWS) and XBTV. 1/ST TECHNOLOGY is racing’s largest racing and gaming technology company offering world-class products via its AmTote, Xpressbet, 1/ST BET, XB SELECT, XB NET, PariMAX and Betmix brands. 1/ST EXPERIENCE blends the worlds of sports, entertainment and hospitality through innovative content development, elevated national and local venue management and hospitality, strategic partnerships, sponsorships, and procurement development. As the advocate for critical industry reforms and by making meaningful investments into aftercare programs for retired horses and jockeys, 1/ST HORSE CARE represents The Stronach Group’s commitment to achieving the highest level of horse and rider care and safety standards in Thoroughbred racing on and off the track. The Stronach Group’s TSG Properties is responsible for the development of the company’s live, play and work communities surrounding its racing venues including: The Village at Gulfstream Park (Florida) and Paddock Pointe (Maryland). For more information, visit www.1st.com or follow @1ST_racing on Twitter or @1stracing on Instagram and Facebook. View the full article

Glamour colt Savaglee (NZ) (Savabeel) will commence an exciting summer programme at Trentham on Saturday, taking his place in the Gr.2 Top Kat Roofing Levin Classic (1400m). The Oaks Stud galloper was undoubtedly the nation’s top three-year-old through the spring, winning the Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m), Gr.2 Sarten Memorial (1400m) and his crowning success, the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m). Savaglee made his first public appearance since his Riccarton success in a stacked Group and Listed trial at Matamata last month, where after powering from the gates, he travelled comfortably and won under little pressure for regular hoop Sam Spratt. The impressive display further instilled the TAB bookmakers’ confidence in Savaglee, installing him an odds-on favourite at $1.70 for Saturday’s age-group feature, a race his trainer Pam Gerard is hoping will be a springboard to bigger targets. “We’ve just kept him ticking over nicely, building up fitness and trying to have him in the best condition that we can,” she said. “It’s not our final race for the season so he’s pretty well, he’s carrying a little bit of excess condition but we’re pretty happy with where he’s at. “At the 1400, there just wasn’t anything else available, and it was going to be this race or the Telegraph (Gr.1, 1200m). We didn’t really want to take on the older horses at 1200m, then he’d carry a lot of weight in races like the Almanzor (Gr.3, 1200m). “It was pretty plain sailing really, it had to be this one.” The colt is a Karaka Yearling Sales purchase and a Kiwi-bred, meaning there are many options at his disposal including the lucrative $1.5 million Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) on January 25, and later in March, the $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m). As a future stallion prospect, Gerard has indicated Savaglee would be more likely to chase valuable black-type, with the Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa on February 8 on the radar. “We’ll know more after this Saturday in how he’s tracking, but at this stage, it’ll be this into the BCD Sprint. After that, hopefully we’ll be on to Australia,” she said. “If not, we’ll see how he looks after Saturday, there’s still the Karaka Millions and the slot race. It’s one race at a time, we don’t have to rush to Australia if we don’t think he’s come back as well as he was. It’s been a big season so far with a lot of cancelations in getting him to Christchurch, so it’s going to catch up with him at some stage.” The son of Savabeel will be joined in the Levin Classic by his talented stablemate Suit Yourself, who has a different path going forward into the autumn. A colt by Savile Row, Suit Yourself made his presence felt early in the spring with two victories on the bounce, and after a short spell, he returned on Boxing Day at Ellerslie to finish a creditable fourth in the Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1400m). “He’s taking a Derby path and we wanted to give him a good look around Ellerslie,” Gerard said. “1400 is probably a bit shorter than what he needs, but it was good to get him out there and I thought he ran really well. “He was probably a bit handier than we are used to having him, but it was just the way the race was run. “We’re just getting the miles in his legs on the way to the Derby (Gr.1, 2400m) really.” View the full article

Progressive stayer Myla (NZ) (Swiss Ace) has hit a purple patch of form this summer, putting together a winning streak that trainers Moira and Kieran Murdoch hope she can extend in Friday’s Ray White Greerton (2100m) at Tauranga. The daughter of Swiss Ace doubled her winning tally this term when going back-to-back at Rotorua and Te Rapa, the latter a dominant performance defeating subsequent Taupo Cup (2000m) winner Doddle and Thames Cup (1600m) runner-up Maldini. “It was an excellent run at Te Rapa, she really made it an easy watch because she went to the line so well, and backing up her win from before that,” Kieran Murdoch said. “We were really thrilled.” Doddle is among the mare’s seven rivals in the open contest, where she will continue her association with jockey Jasmine Fawcett. “She deserves to be there on Friday, I think she’s nicely placed in the field,” Murdoch said. “She’s always shown a good turn of foot even at the lesser distances, she’s never disappointed and has always been a handy racehorse. Age has been on her side too, she’s going really well.” The Murdochs have put in an early nomination for Myla in the Gr.2 Barfoot and Thompson Auckland Cup (3200m), to be run on Champions Day at Ellerslie (March 8). Later in the week, the Pukekohe trainers will head up to Ellerslie with a pair of runners, including Group Two winner Shamus, who will benefit from the presence of another highly-rated galloper in Orchestral in the Open 1400m contest. “He’s going well, he’s quite hard to place because he gets so punished in the weights,” Murdoch said. “He struck a couple of wet tracks which hasn’t been in his favour at all, so we thought we’d go here for the 1400 and hopefully open up some options for him later in the season. “He’s really well and we’re very happy with him.” Debutant Reikova will also step out at the races for the first time at the meeting, after recording a placing and a fourth in two trial appearances. “She’s a really nice filly kicking off at this point,” Murdoch said. “We do think a lot of her, so hopefully she enjoys her day out and has a nice first experience.” View the full article

The Florida Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association and the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association both believe decoupling is detrimental to Florida's racing and breeding industries. View the full article

A colt born at Ramiro Salazar's Phoenix Farm and Racing near Georgetown, Kentucky is the first reported foal for Horse of the Year and Darley stallion Cody's Wish (Curlin–Dance Card, by Tapit). Bred by Frederick & May Construction, the colt made his way into the world Monday, Jan. 6. He is out of three-time graded winner Hotshot Anna (Trappe Shot), a seven-time black-type winner who earned just over $975,000. Frederick & May Construction purchased the mare for $400,000 at the 2022 Keeneland November sale. Cody's Wish, winner of the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile in both 2022 and 2023, also captured the GI Met Mile, GI Forego Stakes, and GI Churchill Downs Stakes among his 11 career victories. He was named both Horse of the Year and champion older dirt male in 2023. Cody's Wish is slated to stand the 2025 season for $65,000 at Darley near Lexington. The post First Foal for Cody’s Wish is a Colt appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Kieffers Company's Do Deuce (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) was named the 2024 Japanese Horse of the Year and Champion Older Male, the Japan Racing Association (JRA) announced on Tuesday. The formal 2024 JRA Awards Ceremony will be held in a hotel in Tokyo at 5 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 27. The Yasuo Tomomichi trainee was poised for a big 2024 and duly delivered victories in the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) and the G1 Japan Cup in October and November, respectfully. He received 236 of the 256 possible votes for Horse of the Year, and all 256 for Champion Older Male. A Group 1 winner at two, three, four and five, he was the recipient of the Japanese 2-Year-Old Male award in 2021, and also won the 2022 G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby). In one of the most contested categories, Danox Company's Danon Decile (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}) eked out the Champion 3-Year-Old Male title with 144 votes to Forever Young's 103. Shogo Yasuda trained the chestnut to win the coveted Tokyo Yushun last year, as well as the G3 Keisei Hai earlier in his campaign. Bred by Shadai Farm, he was an honourable third in the G1 Arima Kinen in December. Globetrotter and dirt Group 1 winner Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}), although not formally recognised with a championship, received a special award from the JRA. Unbeaten through his first five starts at two and three, the son of Forever Darling (Congrats) won the G3 Saudi Derby and the G2 UAE Derby during that streak last spring. Denied by just two noses when third in the GI Kentucky Derby, the Northern Racing-bred colt bounced back with a score in the Listed Japan Dirt Classic in October, before a third in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic. He finally attained that rarefied Group 1 crown with a 1 3/4-length tally in the G1 Tokyo Daishoten in the colours of Susumu Fujita for trainer Yoshita Yahagi. Forever Young accrued 19 Horse of the Year votes, and was also runner-up in the voting in two more categories: Champion 3-Year-Old Male and Champion Dirt Horse. Northern Racing-bred and racing in the silks of Sunday Racing Company, the undefeated Croix Du Nord (Jpn) was crowned Champion 2-Year-Old Male. A winner at Tokyo in June, he added the G2 Tokyo Sports Hai Nisai Stakes in November, prior to running out a two-length winner of the G1 Hopeful Stakes at Nakayama. Like many in this bunch, Cervinia (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}) hails from one of the Yoshida family's breeding arms in Northern Farm, and the Champion 3-Year-Old Filly accolade went her way after a two-for-four season. Unplaced in the G1 Japanese 1000 Guineas, the Sunday Racing colourbearer bounced back with tallies in the G1 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) and G1 Shuka Sho. She was a good fourth to Do Deuce in the Japan Cup in November. Teruo Ono's Arma Veloce (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}) was named the Champion 2-Year-Old Filly after a two-for-three campaign. A maiden winner in August for trainer Hiroyuki Uemura, the Northern Farm-bred dark bay was a nose second in the G3 Sapporo Nisai Stakes, and waltzed home a 1 1/4-length winner of the G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies to gain year-end honours. Incidentally, Harbinger is also the sire of the 2024 Japanese Champion Steeplechaser Nishino Daisy (Jpn). Stunning Rose (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}), who races for Sunday Racing, won once in five starts, but her victory in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup was good enough to be named the Champion Older Female. Another bred by Northern Farm, the daughter of Rosa Blanca (Jpn) (Kurofune) was trained by Tomokazu Takano. Tatsue Ishikawa's Soul Rush (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}) is the 2024 Champion Miler. Never out of the first three in five starts last term, the Shimokobe Farm-bred did take the G1 Mile Championship, and he was runner-up in the G1 Hong Kong Mile in November and December, respectively. Hong Kong Horse of the Year Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) was runner-up in this voting category. The former received 182 votes to Romantic Warrior's 66. Among the speedballs, Lugal (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) got the nod for Champion Sprinter on the back of victories in the G3 Silk Road Stakes last January, and in the G1 Sprinters Stakes in September. Bred by Mishima Bokujo, the dark bay represents Yoshimasa Ema. Already Japanese Champion Dirt Horse in 2023, Lemon Pop (Lemon Drop Kid) earned that accolade again in 2024 for Godolphin and trainer Hiroyasu Tanaka. Unplaced in the G1 Saudi Cup in February, the then-6-year-old won a pair of listed races back on home soil, before doubling up in the G1 Champions Cup, a race he won in 2023. Bred by Olly and Amber Tait, he earned one vote for Horse of the Year. The post Do Deuce Leads Japanese Champions With Horse Of The Year, Older Male Titles appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Maiden Watch: Week of Jan. 1-Jan. 5View the full article

7th-GP, $94K, Msw, 3yo, f, 5 1/2f (AWT), 3:32 p.m. ET MISCHIEF IN MOTION (Into Mischief) will make her debut for Live Oak Plantation and trainer Mike Trombetta after bringing $525,000 as a Keeneland September yearling. The 9-5 morning-line favorite is drawn widest of all in post seven and will be ridden by Javier Castellano. The bay hails from the female family of champion Covfefe (Into Mischief) and GISWs Acoma (Empire Maker) and Arch (Kris S.). TJCIS PPS The post Wednesday’s Racing Insights: $525k Into Mischief Filly Debuts Over All-Weather at Gulfstream appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Mike Love Bettor Be Sharp will be gunning for a hat-trick of wins at Timaru today. Ashburton trainer and driver Gerard O’Reilly has just the one runner engaged at the Phar Lap Raceway, with the six-year-old Bettors Delight gelding in great form after successes at Addington and Banks Peninsula. Drawn the only runner on the second line over 2600m in Race 6, the Night’N Day Park Timaru Mobile for junior drivers Bettor Be Sharp will be driven by in-form driver Gemma Thornley. “He’s come through his last run very nicely,” said O’Reilly. “He’s been working along good too. ” In what looks to be a speedy front line, Bettor Be Sharp may be biding his time over the longer distance which he has won once from 11 attempts. “He races so consistently.” “We’re just hoping for more of the same he does every start. He will need a bit of luck from the second row.” Bettor Be Sharp is currently paying $9.00FF while the favoured runners are Tokyo Rose $2.60FF, Gatecrasher $5.00FF and the Bruce Negus pair Quinn $5.00FF and Katherine $6.50FF. Though O’Reilly does not drive his runner Bettor Be Sharp, he is engaged to drive six runners on the card including two for trainer Michael Heenan that look solid each way chances. In Race 1, the Brosnan Transport LTD Trot Monaro Meg ($6.50FF) will be looking to break her maidens at start number 26 third up this campaign. While Heenan’s other runner Troubleshooter ($5.50FF) in Race 3, the Fire & Safety Training (Fast) pace over 2600m looks a strong chance after a big performance for second at Banks Peninsula on December 29. O’Reilly’s other drives come in Race 4 Itz All Fired Up (Simon Adlam), Race 7 Ultimate Counsel (Nigel Perkins), Race 8 Emma Swan (Tracey Healy) and Race 10 Hilda Maud (Angela Washington). Gemma Thornley has just one other drive on the programme, last start winner Lotus Franco in Race 9 for trainer Steven McRae. Racing commences at 3.29pm. View the full article

There are six horse racing meetings set for Australia on Wednesday, January 8. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the best bets and the quaddie numbers for Mornington, Warwick Farm and Happy Valley (HK). Wednesday’s Free Horse Racing Tips – January 8, 2025 Mornington Racing Tips Warwick Farm Racing Tips Happy Valley (HK) Racing Tips As always, there are plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans. Check out all the top horse racing bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on January 8, 2025 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. Neds Code GETON 1 Take It To The Neds Level Neds Only orange bookie! Check Out Neds Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit today. “GETON is not a bonus code. Neds does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. Full terms. BlondeBet Signup Code GETON 2 Punters Prefer Blondes BlondeBet Blonde Boosts – Elevate your prices! Join BlondeBet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. WHAT ARE YOU REALLY GAMBLING WITH? full terms. 3 Next Gen Racing Betting Picklebet Top 4 Betting. Extra Place. Every Race. Join Picklebet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Full terms. Recommended! 4 It Pays To Play PlayUp Aussie-owned horse racing specialists! Check Out PlayUp Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Full terms. Dabble Signup Code AUSRACING 5 Say Hey to the social bet! Dabble You Better Believe It Join Dabble Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? Full terms. Bet365 Signup Code GETON 6 Never Ordinary Bet365 World Favourite! Visit Bet365 Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. GETON is not a bonus code. bet365 does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. What’s gambling really costing you? Full terms. Horse racing tips View the full article

Explore a multitude of captivating racing promotions offered by horse racing bookmakers on Wednesday, January 8. Immerse yourself in the thrill with generous bonus back offers, elevating your betting experience. Delve into these promotions from top-tier online bookmakers to maximise your betting opportunities. The top Australian racing promotions for January 8, 2025, include: Today’s best horse racing promotions Mornington R1-3 | Run 2nd or 3rd Bonus Back up to $25 Run 2nd or 3rd in Races 1-3 at Mornington on Wednesday and receive a bonus back up to $25. PlayUp T&Cs apply. Login to PlayUp to Claim Promo 25% Boosted Winnings! – Warwick Farm Get 25% Boosted Winnings paid in BONUS CASH. Fixed win only. First bet only. Cash bet only. Max Bonus $250. Picklebet T&Cs apply. Login to Picklebet to Claim Promo Odds Drift Protector If the price at the jump is bigger than the price that you took, we will pay you out at the bigger odds Eligible customers. T&C’s apply. Login to Bet365 to Claim Promo Same Race Multi | Select 2-4 runners in the same race to get bigger odds Available from approx 8:30am local track time on race day. Availability dependent on field size. Neds T&C’s Apply. Login to Neds to Claim Promo Blonde Boosts Elevate Your Prices! BlondeBet T&C’s Apply. Login to BlondeBet to Claim Promo Top 4 Betting. Extra Place. Every Race. Bet and win up to 4th place. Picklebet T&Cs apply. Login to Picklebet to Claim Promo Owners Bonus – Win a bet on your horse & receive an extra 15% of winnings in cash Account holder must be registered as an official owner of the nominated horse. Fixed odds only. PlayUp T&Cs Apply. Login to PlayUp to Claim Promo Daily Multi Insurance Any race. Any runner. Any odds. Get a bonus back if your multi loses. Check your Vault for eligibility Login to UniBet to Claim Promo BoomBet Daily Race Returns Use your daily Race Returns to back a runner in ANY RACE you want* and if your horse doesn’t win but finishes in the specified positions, you get your stake back as a bonus bet. 18+ Gamble responsibly. Can be used across any race and code unless specified in customer’s BoomBox. Fix odds, win bets only. Max bonus $50. Login to BoomBet to Claim Promo How does horsebetting.com.au source its racing bonus offers? HorseBetting.com.au meticulously assesses leading Australian horse racing bookmakers, revealing thoroughbred bonus promotions for January 8, 2025. These ongoing offers underscore the dedication of top horse racing bookmakers. In the realm of horse racing betting, when one bookmaker isn’t featuring a promotion, another is stepping up. Count on HorseBetting.com.au as your go-to source for daily rewarding horse racing bookmaker bonuses. Enhance your value with competitive odds and promotions tailored for existing customers. Easily access these offers by logging in to each online bookmaker’s platform. For valuable insights into races and horses to optimise your bonus bets, trust HorseBetting’s daily free racing tips. Horse racing promotions View the full article

Five stakes worth a combined $775,000 spotlight California-bred racing Jan. 11 at Santa Anita Park.View the full article

Clipper Logistics' Night Raider (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), a winner of the Listed Golden Rose Stakes last out, has, for now at least, been ruled out of a trip to Dubai, according to trainer Karl Burke. Both the G2 Duke Of York and the G2 Temple Stakes in May are local options for the 4-year-old. A winner of his first two trips to the post last year, Night Raider was tried in the G1 2000 Guineas, but ran unplaced, and the result was the same in the G3 Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot. Given a break, the dark bay resumed with a fifth in a Newmarket listed race last summer, and has won his two latest starts, a conditions stakes at Kempton in October, and the aforementioned listed race at Newcastle in November. Burke said, “He was a horse that could have gone out to Dubai, but the owners have decided against it. There's pros and cons for going out there obviously, but he's never run on fast ground on turf so he would have had a chance to do that and there were listed and group races for him. “If he didn't go out there there's nothing for him on the all-weather because the Finals Day races are nearly all handicaps now and we're not going to do that as he's rated 111 and we're hoping to make him into a stallion.” There is still a chance for a foreign foray, with Dubai World Cup night in April given as an option for the sprinter. “We'll probably have to wait for either the Duke of York or the Temple Stakes, unless I can persuade Steve [Parkin] to go out to Dubai for World Cup night or something, we'll see,” added Burke. The post Trip To Dubai Unlikely For Night Raider appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In support of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame, the Continuing Stallion Auction kicks off Friday, Jan. 10 before concluding Jan. 15. The online auction offers seasons to 30 Thoroughbred and Standardbred horses, all CHRHF inductees or have Hall of Fame horses in their pedigrees. Among the stallions represented, Ami's Flatter, Bond Street, Connect, Medallist, Mystic Guide, Reload, Shirl's Speight and Tapiture. For the complete roster of stallions, click here. The post Connect, Mystic Guide Among Sires Represented in CHRHF Stallion Auction appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Hardwicke Stakes (G2) hero and Bahrain Triple Crown winner Isle Of Jura is firmly on the road to recovery and will be aimed at a return to Royal Ascot in June.View the full article

A man was arrested in relation to a fire at Caulfield on Tuesday that caused extensive damage to the Australian racecourse's facilities. View the full article

1/ST Racing's Gulfstream Park and the Florida Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association (FHBA) have reached an agreement to support changes to Chapter 550 of the existing State Legislation–decoupling regulations–that will enable Gulfstream Park's live racing schedule to become independent of the venue's parimutuel license, it was announced by 1/ST Racing Monday. The basis for the agreement, “unique and designed to address the needs of Florida and consistent with similar gaming entities in the region,” said 1/ST, “allows 1/ST to pursue necessary opportunities for development at Gulfstream Park. The agreement ensures purse revenues are unaffected and provides for additional contributions by Gulfstream Park to horsemen's workers' compensation premiums and meaningful increases to Thoroughbred aftercare efforts in Florida.” House Bill 105 was filed Monday January 6. If passed, tracks could still operate slot machines and card games while they are not running live racing. “As a supporter of the Thoroughbred Horse racing industry, I'm proud to sponsor House Bill 105,” said Representative Adam Anderson. “Gulfstream Park and the horse racing industry are integral to our state's economy and cultural heritage. Gulfstream Park is not just a premier destination for racing; it's a vital part of its local community, agriculture business and state's economy, providing jobs and driving tourism. Florida's horse racing industry is a symbol of excellence and tradition, and I will continue to advocate for policies that ensure its growth and success, securing its future in Florida for generations to come.” “We look forward to the upcoming legislative consideration process and to working in collaboration with Florida (horsemen) and other stakeholders to advocate for the passage of the statutory amendments to Chapter 550 that will provide the necessary foundation to support an economically sensible plan to protect year-round racing at Gulfstream Park,” said Stephen Screnci, President, Racing, 1/ST. “The Florida (horsemen) and 1/ST share an understanding of the issues critical to and facing year-round Thoroughbred racing at Gulfstream Park, and are committed to the same outcome,” said Herb Oster, Executive Director, of the Gulfstream horsemen's group. “By supporting the statutory amendments to Chapter 550 to enable Gulfstream Park's live racing schedule to become independent of the venue's parimutuel license, we are securing a sustainable future for horsemen in Florida that sensibily addresses the challenging economic realities facing the industry.” The post Gulfstream Park And Gulfstream Horsemen’s Group Align To Support Changes To Decoupling Regs In Florida appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A man was arrested in relation to a fire at Caulfield on Tuesday that caused extensive damage to racecourse facilities. View the full article

The all-weather action in Britain has had the floor to itself since Friday of last week, with the exception of two races at Chepstow on Sunday, before that card joined the growing list of National Hunt abandonments as a result of the extreme weather conditions which have devastated parts of the country. Our thoughts are with all of those who have been worst affected, including the team at Whatton Manor Stud, who posted a video to their X feed which showed at least two paddocks on their farm in Nottinghamshire completely engulfed by a few feet of water. Thankfully, they later reported that all of the animals who call Whatton Manor home were unharmed. I'd love to tell you that the all-weather racing has provided a welcome distraction over the past few days but, in truth, it's been relatively low-key stuff. Ideally, the scheduling would have been such that ITV Racing could have shown the racing from Southwell and/or Wolverhampton on Saturday, following the loss of the original fixtures at Sandown and Wincanton, but then take a look at what those cards actually entailed. Would a bunch of low-grade handicaps really have moved the dial in any meaningful way with the sort of casual racing fan that typically tunes in to ITV? What about the novice which kicked off Southwell's card where only three runners went to post, one of whom finished tailed off? I'm sure measures will be taken to try to prevent such a scenario from playing out again, and so they should, but in the meantime I'm finding it hard to lose any sleep over a one-off Saturday without any terrestrial TV coverage. Instead, let's focus on the small handful of notable performances and talking points that last week's all-weather racing did provide… pic.twitter.com/jAda8vIoNy — Whatton Manor Stud (@whattonmanor) January 6, 2025 Familiar Tale with Well-Backed Boatswain Away from the snow, ice and rain, Simon and Ed Crisford enjoyed a notable win on Friday's card at Meydan when stable stalwart Poker Face (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) won the G2 Zabeel Mile, with that success coming just 40 minutes after the three-year-old Boatswain (GB) had given the stable its first winner of 2025 in Britain. That victory came in a 10-furlong novice at Lingfield for which Boatswain was backed off the boards on debut, returning the even-money favourite, having been available at 10-3 earlier in the day. In the event, the contest proved just as one-sided as the market suggested it would as the son of New Bay (GB) ran out an impressive winner by three and a quarter lengths, readily asserting after being produced to lead inside the final furlong. Rabbah Racing's Boatswain fetched 240,000gns when offered by Longview Stud at Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale. He is the second foal out of the Lope De Vega (Ire) mare Bay Light (Ire), a full-sister to the G2 Al Rashidiya runner-up Bay Of Poets (Ire) and a half to the Listed-placed Highbank (Ire) (Kingman {GB}). This is also the family of the Deutsches Derby-winning siblings Borgia (Ger) (Acatenango {Ger}) and Boreal (Ger) (Java Gold). Boatswain's third dam, Bougainvillea (Ger), is a winning full-sister to German Horse of the Year Borgia, who also counted the Grosser Preis von Baden and Hong Kong Vase among her three Group 1 victories. Already gelded, Boatswain looks well capable of defying a penalty in a similar event, should his connections opt to go down that route, before attentions then turn to the turf season. Either way, it's shaping up to be an exciting 2025 for the Crisfords and Rabbah Racing, who have teamed up to good effect with a number of nice three-year-old prospects on the all-weather in recent weeks. In addition to Boatswain, Dixieland Blues (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), Don Pacifico (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Jolly Roger (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and Suzette Defoye (Fr) (Sea The Moon {Ger}) have all received positive mentions during our Winter Watch run. Plenty of talent there! Boatswain powers to the line at @LingfieldPark and makes a smart winning debut for @gainsboroughHQ and @Mitchelljack77… pic.twitter.com/ybzPszrNge — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) January 3, 2025 Rebel Foils Another Crisford Gamble Elsewhere on Friday, another gamble on a three-year-old trained by the Crisfords for Rabbah Racing went awry in the six-furlong novice at Southwell as Macedonian (Ire) (Kodiac {GB})–who returned an SP of 4/1 after opening at 9/1–weakened into fifth after leading for much of the journey. Instead, it was a one-two for champion sire Dark Angel (Ire) as Rebel's Gamble (Ire) made a successful debut at the expense of Stardancer (Ire), with just three-quarters of a length separating the pair at the line. It wasn't all bad news for the connections of Macedonian, either. Stardancer was filling the runner-up spot for the second start in succession and this effort gave a boost to the form of the aforementioned Don Pacifico, who had beaten him comprehensively, by nearly three lengths, when they met over this course and distance last month. As for Rebel's Gamble, he looks another promising son of Dark Angel for Karl Burke and Clipper Logistics after Night Raider (Ire), who produced one of the most striking debut performances ever seen at Southwell when winning by nine lengths last winter. The now-four-year-old has since won at Listed level and remains a top-class sprinting prospect for 2025. Whilst Rebel's Gamble's first appearance on a racecourse didn't have quite the same wow factor, it was a promising start to his career nonetheless, especially as he left the impression the experience would bring him on when edging right in the closing stages. The first two pulled nearly four lengths clear of the rest and the time was marginally quicker than both divisions of the classified stakes contested by older horses later on the card. Bred by Rossenarra Stud, Rebel's Gamble is the third winner from five runners out of the Redback (GB) mare Charlotte Rua (Ire), with the others including the G2 Duke Of York Stakes runner-up Nahaarr (Ire), also by Dark Angel. Rebel's Gamble initially sold to Yeomanstown Stud for 85,000gns at the Tattersalls December Foal Sale, before being bought for 135,000gns at Book 2 of the October Yearling Sale. He seems sure to progress and win more races. Rebel's Gamble makes a nice winning debut for @karl_burke and @CliffordleexLee as the front pair pull clear at @Southwell_Races… pic.twitter.com/1bXg9obZEQ — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) January 3, 2025 “We're Not At The Sales To Buy Clean X-Rays” The success of Wootton Bassett (GB) with his first Irish-bred crop of two-year-olds in 2024 was the talk of the town, featuring no fewer than four individual Group/Grade 1 winners. For others it's taken a bit longer for them to find their feet. Take Mdawi (Ire), for example, who belatedly opened his account in the aforementioned three-runner novice at Southwell on Saturday, looking well suited by the step up to 11 furlongs as he made all to beat the odds-on favourite, Nobleman (GB) (Sir Percy {GB}), by a length and a quarter in comfortable fashion. Now, it's plain for all to see that Mdawi is never going to emulate his Group 1-winning paternal siblings, but you won't find many three-year-old colts by Wootton Bassett (GB) with a more star-studded pedigree than this chap. He was bred by Coolmore out of their four-time Group 1 winner Peeping Fawn (Danehill), who has now produced six winners from nine runners, with the others including the Listed Chesham Stakes heroine and G1 Fillies' Mile runner-up September (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}). The fact that it cost a mere 22,000gns to secure Mdawi at the Tattersalls Guineas Breeze-up Sale suggests he perhaps isn't the model you might expect of one with his pedigree, but the Johnston team have never been afraid to overlook a perceived physical flaw if they're being compensated in other areas. As Mark Johnston summed up in this Q&A with TDN colleague Brian Sheerin back in 2022, “We're not at the sales to buy a set of clean X-rays–we're there to buy a racehorse.” Knowing how the Johnstons like to operate with their racehorses, we can expect to see plenty of Mdawi on the racecourse in 2025 and it will be a surprise if he's not capable of winning a few middle-distance handicaps from an opening mark of just 72. Toughed it out! Mdawi (Wootton Bassett x Peeping Fawn) sees off Nobleman to take the @Southwell_Races opener for @RKingscote and @Johnston_Racing… pic.twitter.com/MMrJabqPio — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) January 4, 2025 Not Miraculous, But Better Than First Thought If Mdawi was a relatively cheap buy at 22,000gns, then what do we make of Miraculous (Ire), a son of Too Darn Hot (GB) and the G2 Temple Stakes winner Priceless (GB) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}), who was completely overlooked by potential buyers on the two occasions he was previously offered for sale? After failing to find a buyer at 50,000gns at Book 2 of the October Yearling Sale, the colt was then bought back by owner-breeder Alan Spence for the measly sum of 1,500gns when he appeared in last year's Tattersalls Online January Sale. Clearly, Miraculous had been showing a bit more at home before his belated debut in a six-furlong novice at Newcastle on New Year's Day, with his SP of 2-7 (having opened at 8-13) suggesting victory should have been a formality. It proved anything but in the end, with Tsarinas Song (GB) (Sergei Prokofiev) pushing him all the way to the line, but he clung on by a head to pocket the £3,942 on offer to the winner. Spence would have had bigger dreams than that when he first conceived the plan to send his high-class sprinter Priceless, the dam of two other winners by Dubawi (Ire), to Too Darn Hot, but at least it's a start. The Roger Varian trainee is sure to improve with the experience under his belt and, like Mdawi, his story should serve as a reminder that the racecourse is the ultimate testing ground, rather than the sales ring. Winner in Waiting War And Love (GB) Iffraaj (GB)–El Gumryah (Ire), by No Nay Never Odds-on favourite Jiff's Army (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) put his experience to good use when winning the second division of the one-mile maiden at Lingfield on Friday, but it's likely that the best long-term prospect in the race finished third. A newcomer from the Sir Mark Prescott stable, War And Love looked clueless in the early stages, needing to be rousted along just to keep touch with the main pack, and she still had all eight of her rivals to pass when switched wide entering the straight. Somehow beaten only two lengths at the line, she finished with a rare rattle and ought to prove much sharper for the outing. The post Winter Watch: No ITV Racing, No Disaster in Overall Scheme of Things appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

by Thomas Baddock/Kristen Manning/TTR AusNZ Day 1 of the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale saw a rush of action late, with progeny by Written Tycoon (Aus), Wootton Bassett (GB), I Am Invincible (Aus) and Snitzel (Aus) sending buyers into a frenzy towards the end of the session. The auction began with a sense of caution, with several lots by champion sire Snitzel garnering most of the early attention, however the bidding became fast and fierce later in the afternoon with Written Tycoon, I Am Invincible and first-season sire Wootton Bassett (GB) stealing the show with three lots soaring past A$1.5 million. Lot 185 – Written Tycoon (Aus) x Away Game (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}), filly – A$1,800,000 Ciaron Maher was rather nostalgic after partnering with John Stewart's Resolute Bloodstock to secure the regally bred daughter of champion sire Written Tycoon out of his former star mare Away Game (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}). After a successful career on the track, which included multiple Group 1 placings and victory in the R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic, Away Game was sold to Yulong Stud for A$4 million at the 2022 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, who offered the filly for sale today. Maher was overjoyed to be partnering with American John Stewart, sighting similarities between Away Game and her daughter. “I'm rapt, I thought clearly she was one of the fillies of the sale,” Maher said. “Away Game took her and her owners–who were from the States as well, funnily enough–on a great ride and hopefully this filly can take John and Chelsey [Stone] on a similar ride. “She's a beautiful filly, [from a] great farm and hopefully she can be as good as her mum. There is similar movement [to Away Game]. She probably has a little more substance than Away Game, who was relatively neat. She was an over-achiever on the track, and it looks like she is going to be an over-achiever in the breeding barn as well.” Away Game foaled a full brother to Lot 185 this season and was served by fellow Yulong stallion Pierata. Lot 182 – I Am Invincible (Aus) x Avantage (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), filly – A$1,600,000 American John Stewart, under his banner of Resolute Bloodstock, triumphed in an intense bidding war for lot 182, securing the bay filly for A$1.6 million. The second foal of New Zealand Champion 2-Year-Old Avantage (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) by Yarraman Park's Australian Champion Sire I Am Invincible, she was bred by Katom and presented by Coolmore Stud. Avantage fetched a whopping NZ$4.1 million when sold to Coolmore's Tom Magnier via New Zealand Bloodstock's online platform Gavelhouse Plus in 2021. There was much anticipation surrounding lot 182, with her half-sister, a filly by Wootton Bassett (GB), topping last year's Magic Millions Gold Coast sale when selling to David Ellis for A$2.1 million, now named Avantaggia (Aus). “That Danzig cross is something you don't see a lot of in America,” John Stewart said, noting the strength of the Danehill branch in this part of the world. “It is a thread you will see amongst a lot of our purchases.” “Both fillies had a lot of traits we like; they are good movers from big families.” “She was a lovely filly and she's been that since she was a foal,” Coolmore's Tom Magnier said. “John Stewart, he's a great friend of ours and he's been a great supporter of us down here and I wish him every success with this filly. It is a great page and a great family, and I hope she becomes a successful broodmare. She's very nice. “We had a reserve on her and we were happy to keep her up to a level. Fair play to Magic Millions for getting the overseas people involved in the sales. She was one of our nicest fillies of the year. She's [Avantage] been a great producer and when you see the filly on the track here, we're delighted.” Avantage foaled another filly by I Am Invincible this season and visited Widden Stud's Australian Champion Sire Zoustar (Aus). John Stewart | Sarah Andrew Stewart Ready To Make His Mark In Australia Disappointed to have had to cancel his trip to the sales due to a family emergency, John Stewart is keen to be in Australia soon with six horses in work hopefully racing in the near future. He is proud of his recent achievements in the United States, noting that “70% of our runners have been in stakes races and 57% of those have been in the prize money.” “My strategy is to focus on quality, I want to be competitive,” said Stewart on Tuesday. “Australia was always going to be the second place where we wanted to establish ourselves.” Stewart is a keen student of Australian bloodlines, adding We do a lot of pedigree research and love how Australian pedigrees have evolved, it is very exciting for me to take notice of that.” Resolute also secured a number of lesser priced horses with Stewart saying that he does not look too much at the individual prices of his yearlings, rather than at the bigger picture, describing his purchases as “a portfolio.” “We paid up for a few and some we think we actually stole so overall I am really happy.” At A Glance Four horses fetched seven-figure sums on Day 1, the same number as last year's opening session, with Segenhoe Stud standing on top of the vendors' standings by gross after selling nine horses for a total of A$4,370,000. The opening session had an average of A$278,549 which was down slightly from last year's Day 1 record of A$281,767. The median, at A$200,000 was also slightly down on the 2024 Day 1 median of A$210,000. The total gross of A$45,125,000 was almost the same as last year's Day 1 figure of A$45,928,000, with 162 lots sold this year. Tuesday's clearance rate sat at 74.65%, down from last year's opening session clearance rate of 84.9%, although this may improve throughout the sale. The top lot (185) was purchased by Resolute Bloodstock and Ciaron Maher Bloodstock who spent A$1.8 million to secure the Written Tycoon filly who is the first foal of Australian Champion 2-Year-Old Filly Away Game (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}), who was offered by Yulong. Resolute Bloodstock was the leading buyer on Day 1, spending A$3.52 million on eight yearlings, not including the A$1.8 million they also spent in conjunction with Ciaron Maher Bloodstock on the sales topper. Home Affairs (Aus) led Day 1 by gross with 12 yearlings sold for A$4,165,000 at an average of A$347,083, making him also the leading first-season sire for the day by gross. Stay Inside (Aus) is the leading first-season sire by average with five sold at an average of A$494,000. For sires who've had 2 or more lots sell on Day 1, I Am Invincible leads the overall table by average with four sold at an average of A$750,000; while Snitzel isn't far behind with six sold at an average of A$654,167. Wootton Basset, Written Tycoon, and Extreme Choice (Aus) are the other three sires with two or more sold who averaged more than A$500,000 on Day 1. Lot 196 Wootton Bassett (GB) x Battleofwinterfell (Declaration Of War), colt, A$1,700,000 Following an unprecedented record-breaking performance in the Northern Hemisphere and an exceptional commencement to his stud career in Australia, Wootton Bassett (GB) was destined to attract significant attention at the 2025 Magic Millions Yearling Sales. Consequently, lot 196, a colt out of stakes-placed American mare Battleofwinterfell (Declaration Of War), emerged as the highest-priced colt during the opening session, selling to Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock (BAFNZ) for A$1.7 million. Currently recognised as the European Champion 2-Year-Old Sire of 2024, Wootton Bassett, who shuttles for Coolmore, is making a remarkable impact in Australia with his first crop of 2-year-olds. Namely, metropolitan winners Pallaton (Aus) and Gallo Nero (Aus), both of whom are poised to make their presence felt in the R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic this Saturday on the Gold Coast. “We went a little bit over what we thought but we thought he was the best colt in the sale,” Hawthorne said. “We probably went A$200,000 over than what we thought but we wanted the colt and there's nothing worse than getting beaten by a short margin and seeing those big colts come out and win big races. “Wootton Bassett is flying. We just thought we'd get in and get one. He's a lovely moving colt, a great athletic colt. Anthony Freedman will train him. He was Anthony's pick of the sale, and he was my top colt, so we sort of aligned. He will race in the red and white colours of Jonathan Munz and partners. “It's a family that has a lot of speed. He's just an athlete, he just moved like a dancer. We haven't bought here in a while, so we wanted to get back into the market. We want to sell down some shares in him, but we don't care if we don't. We were rapt to get him.” Battleofwinterfell was brought to Australia in 2021 by John Muir, the owner of Milburn Creek. Unfortunately, she produced only two foals before her untimely passing in 2023. Her first foal is a 2-year-old filly by Capitalist (Aus), which was sold by Milburn Creek at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale last year for A$45,000 to Elite Thoroughbreds. Lot 196, Tuesday's colt topper by Wootton Bassett | Magic Millions Lot 216 – Stay Inside (Aus) x Bleu Zebra (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}), colt – A$1,000,000 Lot 216, a colt by G1 Golden Slipper winner Stay Inside (Aus) from Bleu Zebra (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}), who is a half-sister to Cap D'Antibes Stakes winner Fox Swift (Aus) (Foxwedge {Aus}) was another to break the seven-figure mark after being knocked down for A$1 million to James Harron Bloodstock in partnership with Aquis Farm's Tony Fung. Offered by Eureka Stud, it was a dream come true for breeder, Brian Siemsen from Black Soil Bloodstock and the best result the Queensland-based farm has ever realised in a yearling sales ring. “It was our best seller ever, yearling wise,” Eureka's Bloodstock Manager Harry McAlpine said. “We have always wanted to sell at that sort of level, and he's been an amazing colt from day one, not that you think you can sell at that kind of level off that service fee. “Mr Brian Siemsen from Black Soil Bloodstock said to me a couple of years back, it was his dream to sell a million-dollar yearling and he's done it.” The colt comes from a family boasting plenty of speed, being closely related to notable sprinters White Moss (Aus) (Mossman {Aus}) and White Sage (Aus) (Reset {Aus}). “He's a gorgeous horse. All the team loved him,” James Harron said. “He's a real Magic Millions-type colt and the aim would be to have him back here next year. He's the right type of horse to try it. He comes from a great farm and a very exciting first-season sire. “He was one of our top picks of the sale. We had to push hard and that is the sort of marketplace we're in. The good ones are well-found. He didn't put a foot wrong all week.” Eureka Stud are renowned for producing tough and talented horses including, Group 1 winners Apache Chase (Aus) (Better Than Ready {Aus}), Pippie (Aus) (Written Tycoon {Aus}), Tinto (Aus) (Red Dazzler {Aus}), Temple Of Boom (Aus) (Piccolo {GB}), Show A Heart (Aus), Scenic Peak (Aus) (Scenic {Ire}), Just Now (Aus) (Semipalatinsk), as well as Eureka's flagship stallion Spirit Of Boom (Aus). It's exactly the kind of farm Harron was looking to buy from. “We love seeing horses coming off farms with rich histories and these horses are suited to Australian conditions,” Harron said. “She [Bleu Zebra] was a decent, fast mare and a city winner here in Queensland and by a champion sire who is becoming a good broodmare sire.” Bleu Zebra had a filly by Pinatubo (Ire) this season and visited Eureka Stud's Don Corleone (Aus). James Harron | James Harron Bloodstock Lot 187 – Snitzel (Aus) x Baaqyah (NZ) (I Am Invincible {Aus}), filly – A$950,000 Lot 187, a filly by Snitzel out of the I Am Invincible mare Baaqyah (NZ) was simply irresistible for Sheamus Mills, who forked out A$950,000 for the flashy chestnut offered by Newgate Farm. “I love the idea of a Snitzel out of a Vinnie mare,” Mills said. “I thought she had the really good attributes you see in both stallions. Just on paper, Vinnie and Snitzel–it doesn't get much better than that. So, hopefully you put two stars together and you get a star. She's bred to be fast, and she looks fast.” Mills was also attracted to the filly's attitude and energy during his inspections in the lead up to the sale. “I just love the way she handled the week,” he said. “She paraded just the way I like to see, those horses that have that aggressive energy but keep it fairly confined. I also like to see horses that don't seem to tire, she was one of the few. We didn't end up with a very long list actually and she was certainly one of the fillies that handled the stress well.” The filly was bred by SF Bloodstock, Henry Field Bloodstock and Hollymount Stud and it was Newgate Farm's best result for the session. Baaqyah had a filly by Snitzel this season and was served by Capitalist. The post Resolute Bloodstock Makes Statement With A$1.8 Million Away Game Filly appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article