Wandering Eyes

A black-type victory eluded My Lips Are Sealed by the barest of margins in the Gr.3 Eulogy Stakes (1600m) at Trentham last season, but the talented mare returned to Wellington on Saturday and went one better in the Gr.3 Rydges Wellington Airport Phar Lap Trophy (1600m). The daughter of Ace High showed plenty of early promise as a three-year-old, scoring a first-up victory by two and a half lengths at Avondale in September of 2023. She was unsuited to the Good4 track conditions when she contested the Gr.2 Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) and Listed O’Learys Fillies’ Stakes (1340m) later that spring, but finished close up behind the placegetters on both occasions including a fourth in the Fillies’ Stakes. My Lips Are Sealed struck a much more suitable Soft7 track for last season’s Eulogy Stakes at Trentham, where she produced a lion-hearted performance and was beaten by a nose by Still Bangon in a head-bobbing finish. But when her form fell away through the rest of her three-year-old season, it began to look like her best black-type opportunity had passed her by. Te Akau trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson have turned things around since My Lips Are Sealed turned four, stringing together back-to-back wins at Matamata and Te Rapa followed by a pair of placings at Te Rapa and Tauranga. She was a last-start fifth on firm ground in the Listed Matamata Cup (1600m) on December 20. With a 53-kilogram minimum weight for My Lips Are Sealed in Saturday’s Phar Lap Trophy, and overnight rain sending the Trentham track out to that same Soft7 rating as last year’s Eulogy, everything fell into place in the countdown to the $120,000 feature. In-form jockey Sam Spratt slotted My Lips Are Sealed into a perfect position in sixth, one off the rail, and her mount was travelling smoothly as Chantilly Lace led the bunched-up field around the home turn. There was a brief hitch as Saint Bathans moved out just in front of My Lips Are Sealed and forced Spratt to switch back to his inside, but the bay mare quickly rebalanced herself and warmed into her work again. My Lips Are Sealed surged to the front with 150m remaining and pulled right away late in the piece, scoring an emphatic victory by two lengths. Last-start Matamata Cup winner Khafre finished second, beating Talisker by a nose to prevent a Te Akau Racing quinella. “We got into a beautiful position and then she just cruised into it,” said Spratt, whose nine Group and Listed wins so far this season are her best since riding 10 of them in 2011-12. “She found really well down the straight. She skipped through that ground and just did everything right.” Walker and Bergerson were delighted to secure some Trentham redemption with My Lips Are Sealed after last-season’s Eulogy Stakes nail-biter. “It’s great to get that black-type win today after being beaten by a lip in the Eulogy,” Bergerson said. “She seems to love it here at Trentham. “Sam gave her a great ride and it was a really good effort. She relaxed beautifully in the running. Having the sting out of the track is ideal for her. The firmer ground just slows her down a little bit and she’s not able to fully let down on it. She was perfectly placed in the handicap today and got the result. “We’ll see how she pulls up and go from here. She’s had a bit of racing recently, so we’ll work out whether or not we give her a little break.” My Lips Are Sealed became the third Te Akau winner in the Phar Lap Trophy, which was formerly known as the Anniversary Handicap. The Matamata stable had previously won the race with Abidewithme in 2014 and Belle En Rouge in 2023, with Belle Of The Ball finishing second in the latter for a Te Akau quinella. The Phar Lap Trophy capped a successful Saturday for Rich Hill Stud stallion Ace High, who also sired the impressive Te Aroha maiden winner Dealt With. Rich Hill co-bred My Lips Are Sealed and offered her in Book 1 of Karaka 2022, where David Ellis bought her for $160,000. She has now had 16 starts for four wins, three placings and $178,610 in stakes. View the full article

Debutant runner Tale Of The Gypsy continued the winning roll for the Stephen Marsh stable when she headed off stablemate Miss Moet All to take out the opening event at Te Aroha, the Graeme Wright Transport (1000m). Although unseen at the trials before stepping out for the first time on race day on Saturday, the daughter of Written By had been spruiked as a major winning chance in the seven-horse field, starting a warm $2.90 favourite for the 1000m contest. Awkwardly away for rider George Rooke, Tale Of The Gypsy raced three wide throughout before moving up to issue her challenge shortly after commencing the long run home. Miss Moet All had raced to the lead at that point and looked to be holding her barn mare however Rooke got to work and the favourite lengthened stylishly to take control and win comfortably by a length and a half in a tidy 59.54 seconds on the Soft5 surface. Marsh admitted to a few nerves before the race and was thrilled to see the filly live up to what she had shown connections leading into race day. “She had to overcome a bad draw and didn’t have much luck,” Marsh said. “She has shown us plenty at home and I was starting to get nervous before the race, but I think she is quite good. “She has it all ahead of her that’s for sure.” Marsh also praised the effort of Rooke to navigate some awkward moments during the running as he looks ahead to the next challenge for the filly, which will be to qualify for a start in the $1 million TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) on 25 January. “I thought it was a good, cool and calm ride as he rode her like the best horse,” he said. “She won’t get into the Karaka Million as yet, but if she won today the plan is to head to Ellerslie for the meeting on the 12th of January to try and qualify her. “The Karaka Million looks very open at the moment, so that’s where we will be heading if she comes through this one well.” Rooke was also very complimentary about the performance of his mount. “She had a lot to stand up to today, but in the paddock she looked the best by far,” he said. “She didn’t have any trials and just a few jumpouts so she was very green throughout the race but her ability has got her home very nicely. “She has all the ability to take her a lot further.” Purchased by Marsh and Dylan Johnson Bloodstock for $180,000 out of the Wentwood Grange draft at Karaka last year, Tale Of The Cat comes from a family that includes her grand dam Gypsy Diamond, a multiple stakes winner in Australia. The $10,360 prizemoney earned by Tale Of The Gypsy places her 22nd on the current order of entry for the Karaka Million 2YO where prizemoney won determines the make-up of the final field of 14 starters plus six emergencies. View the full article

La Bella Boom wins Gold Pearl 2YO Fillies at Sunshine Coast with Craig Williams, Photo: Darren Winningham La Bella Boom has secured her place in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic after an impressive win in the Gold Pearl at the Sunshine Coast, giving trainer Tony Gollan another potential star for the big stage. In a race that unfolded at blistering speed, Rainbow Glow set a hot early pace, leading by five lengths at the 500m mark. Craig Williams, aboard La Bella Boom, bided his time, stalking the leaders before unleashing a powerful turn of foot at the 250m mark. Despite showing some signs of greenness under pressure, the $3.30 bookmaker favourite, La Bella Boom surged past Rainbow Glow and held off the late challenge of Forgotten Spirit to win comfortably. Sunshine Coast Race 2: Gold Pearl 2YO Fillies – La Bella Boom https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Sunshine-Coast-2025-Gold-Pearl-2YO-Fillies-04012025-La-Bella-Boom-Tony-Gollan-Craig-Williams.mp4 “She was still doing a little bit wrong under pressure, but while she was doing that, she was finding the line nicely,” Gollan said post-race. “So, good acceleration and fourth up into a big race, I think it’ll be key.” La Bella Boom stopped the clock at 1:04.89, marginally faster than the colts’ division earlier on the card. Gollan attributed her success to her natural precocity and race fitness. “She’s a real two-year-old. She has been from day one. She’s just at home. She does what she has to do. She doesn’t do any extra, but she’s the shape of a two-year-old,” Gollan said. “She looks like a two-year-old. She eats like one. You can’t make her unsound all prep. She’s a really happy horse.” Craig Williams, who gave the filly a perfect ride, was also pleased with her performance. “Lovely filly, very well prepared by Tony Gollan and his team,” Williams said. “Had me a lovely ride throughout off the speed, so showed versatility, and she’s very dominant. Still learning, still green, but lots to like about her.” The race’s hot early pace, set by Rainbow Glow, allowed La Bella Boom to capitalise late. Forgotten Spirit ran on gamely to finish second, while Don’t Doubt the Lady took third but was no match for the winner. Rainbow Glow, after her early exertions, faded late to finish fifth. La Bella Boom’s connections, including prominent ownership group Black Soil Bloodstock, were thrilled with her victory, which secures her spot in next week’s Magic Millions 2YO Classic. “My plan always was to space her out, give her that trial the other day in Brisbane, put her in amongst horses, go this week, and back up next week,” Gollan explained. “It’s been a good model for horses in the past, and this ground being up here today is nice and forgiving on them and just a perfect gallop she needed for next week.” Gollan compared La Bella Boom to his past Magic Millions winner, Skirt The Law. “Well, off today’s run, she’s up there now,” he said. “She reminds me of the way Skirt The Law was in herself. I guess next week, we’ll see how much she is like her.” With this victory, La Bella Boom has firmly established herself as a leading contender for the Magic Millions 2YO Classic, with her connections optimistic about her chances in the lucrative event, which she is now a $11 chance at Neds to win. Horse racing news View the full article

What Gilgandra Races Where Gilgandra Jockey Club – Racecourse Rd, Gilgandra NSW 2827 When Sunday, January 5, 2025 First Race 1pm AEDT Visit Dabble Gilgandra Jockey Club is the destination for country racing in NSW on Sunday afternoon, with a highly competitive eight-part program set for decision. The rail is in the true position the entire circuit, and with sunny skies forecast across the weekend, punters can expect a Good 4 surface for race-day. All the action for 2025 Gilgandra Cup Day is scheduled to get underway at 1pm local time. Gilgandra Cup Tip: Just Go Bang Just Go Bang Brings an element of class to the $50,000 Gilgandra Cup (1600m) and appears set to peak third-up into the campaign. The son of Sizzling was an impressive winner of the Queanbeyan Cup (1600m) when returning from a 138-day spell on November 29, and although he failed second-up, it shouldn’t worry punters as it tends to fit his usual pattern. Kody Nestor will attempt to lob into the one-one from barrier five, and although Just Go Bang will be tested with the 61kg on his back, this guy will prove too classy regardless of the hefty weight. Gilgandra Cup Race 7 – #1 Just Go Bang (5) 5yo Gelding | T: Nick Olive | J: Kody Nestor (61kg) +400 with Neds Best Bet at Gilgandra: Ain’t She Swell Ain’t She Swell is on the short turnaround after a luckless effort at Orange on December 30. The More Than Ready mare was making strong inroads on the worst part of the track on that occasion, and although she was held out comfortably by 2.4 lengths, the five-year-old caught the eye doing her best work late. Stepping out to 1800m should be ideal and provided Kody Nestor can drift back and find cover from stall 10, Ain’t She Swell should be right in this. Best Bet Race 3 – #3 Ain’t She Swell (10) 5yo Mare | T: Garry Lunn | J: Kody Nestor (57kg) +200 with BlondeBet Next Best at Gilgandra: Specula The Joseph Hodgson-trained Specula has been a costly commodity for punters, yet to claim victory in 16 starts. The daughter of Epaulette appears set to shirk the maiden tag, however, with the four-year-old hitting the line well in her most recent performance at Dubbo on December 21. Kody Nestor should gain a midfield position with cover throughout the journey, and with even luck turning for home, punters can expect Specula to justify the short price with horse racing bookmakers. Next Best Race 1 – #10 Specula (6) 4yo Mare | T: Joseph Hodgson | J: Kody Nestor (57kg) +170 with Picklebet Sunday quaddie tips for Gilgandra Gilgandra quadrella selections January 5, 2025 1-2-3-5-6 2-3-4-5 1-5 1-4-8-12 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

My Lips Are Sealed winning the Group 3 Phar Lap Trophy (1600m) at Trentham on Saturday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) A black-type victory eluded My Lips Are Sealed by the barest of margins in the Group 3 Eulogy Stakes (1600m) at Trentham last season, but the talented mare returned to Wellington on Saturday and went one better in the Group 3 Phar Lap Trophy (1600m). The daughter of Ace High showed plenty of early promise as a three-year-old, scoring a first-up victory by two and a half lengths at Avondale in September of 2023. She was unsuited to the Good 4 track conditions when she contested the Group 2 Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) and Listed O’Learys Fillies’ Stakes (1340m) later that spring, but finished close up behind the placegetters on both occasions including a fourth in the Fillies’ Stakes. My Lips Are Sealed struck a much more suitable Soft 7 track for last season’s Eulogy Stakes at Trentham, where she produced a lion-hearted performance and was beaten by a nose by Still Bangon in a head-bobbing finish. But when her form fell away through the rest of her three-year-old season, it began to look like her best black-type opportunity had passed her by. Te Akau trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson have turned things around since My Lips Are Sealed turned four, stringing together back-to-back wins at Matamata and Te Rapa followed by a pair of placings at Te Rapa and Tauranga. She was a last-start fifth on firm ground in the Listed Matamata Cup (1600m) on December 20. With a 53-kilogram minimum weight for My Lips Are Sealed in Saturday’s Phar Lap Trophy, and overnight rain sending the Trentham track out to that same Soft 7 rating as last year’s Eulogy, everything fell into place in the countdown to the $120,000 feature. In-form jockey Sam Spratt slotted My Lips Are Sealed into a perfect position in sixth, one off the rail, and her mount was travelling smoothly as Chantilly Lace led the bunched-up field around the home turn. There was a brief hitch as Saint Bathans moved out just in front of My Lips Are Sealed and forced Spratt to switch back to his inside, but the bay mare quickly rebalanced herself and warmed into her work again. My Lips Are Sealed surged to the front with 150m remaining and pulled right away late in the piece, scoring an emphatic victory by two lengths. Last-start Matamata Cup winner Khafre finished second, beating Talisker by a nose to prevent a Te Akau Racing quinella. 2025 Group 3 Phar Lap Trophy Replay – My Lips Are Sealed https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Trentham-2025-Group-3-Phar-Lap-Trophy-04012025-My-Lips-Are-Sealed-Mark-Walker-Sam-Bergerson-Sam-Spratt.mp4 “We got into a beautiful position and then she just cruised into it,” said Spratt, whose nine Group and Listed wins so far this season are her best since riding 10 of them in 2011-12. “She found really well down the straight. She skipped through that ground and just did everything right.” Walker and Bergerson were delighted to secure some Trentham redemption with My Lips Are Sealed after last-season’s Eulogy Stakes nail-biter. “It’s great to get that black-type win today after being beaten by a lip in the Eulogy,” Bergerson said. “She seems to love it here at Trentham. “Sam gave her a great ride and it was a really good effort. She relaxed beautifully in the running. Having the sting out of the track is ideal for her. The firmer ground just slows her down a little bit and she’s not able to fully let down on it. She was perfectly placed in the handicap today and got the result. “We’ll see how she pulls up and go from here. She’s had a bit of racing recently, so we’ll work out whether or not we give her a little break.” Horse racing news View the full article

Blake Shinn steers Quiently Arrogant to victory in the Gold Nugget 2YO at Sunshine Coast on January 4, 2025. Photo: Darren Winningham Quietly Arrogant delivered an impressive performance to claim victory in the Aquis Gold Nugget QTIS 2YO Colts and Geldings at the Sunshine Coast on January 4, 2025. The Peter Snowden-trained colt, ridden by Blake Shinn, showcased his raw ability and composure to prevail in the $150,000 contest over 1100m. The two-year-old son of Capitalist settled at the rear of the six-horse field early, as Erne de Berne set the pace. Bookmaker favourite Torque To Be Sure raced keenly in the midfield, causing jockey Nash Rawiller to battle for control throughout. Meanwhile, Quietly Arrogant bided his time, stalking the field from behind before making his move in the final 200m. Sweeping wide around the turn, Quietly Arrogant displayed a powerful finishing burst, overtaking the leaders with ease. The $4.80 Picklebet chance surged clear to score by 1.19 lengths in a time of 1:05.08 on a Soft 7 track, defeating the $1.55 favourite Torque To Be Sure, who ran greenly under pressure. Erne de Berne held on for third, while North Pole completed the top four. Sunshine Coast Race 1: Gold Nugget 2YO Replay – Queitly Arrogant https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Sunshine-Coast-2025-Gold-Nugget-2YO-Colts-And-Geldings-04012025-Quietly-Arrogant-Peter-Snowden-Blake-Shinn.mp4 Trainer Peter Snowden expressed his delight with the win, highlighting Quietly Arrogant’s promising future. “He’s still learning, but this was a big step forward,” Snowden said post-race. “Blake rode him perfectly, letting him find his rhythm before producing him at the right time. He’s got talent, and this sets him up nicely for the Magic Millions.” Jockey Blake Shinn was equally complimentary of the colt, praising his maturity and ability to respond under pressure. “The plan was to ride him quietly and let him finish strongly, and he executed it perfectly,” Shinn said. “He’s still raw but has plenty of upside. He had the race won at the 300m.” Torque To Be Sure, despite his second-place finish, left connections frustrated with his lack of focus and wayward running. Nash Rawiller described the colt as “a real handful,” adding that he will need further experience and education to fulfill his potential. Quietly Arrogant’s win marked his first career success from two starts, taking his prizemoney to $94,100. Owned by prominent syndicates including Newgate Bloodstock and China Horse Club, the colt is now set to contest the Magic Millions 2YO Classic, where Snowden believes his relaxed racing style and finishing ability could make him a threat in the open field. Currently Quietly Arrogant is a $13 Neds hope for the Magic Millions 2YO Classic set for Gold Coast on January 11, 2025. Horse racing news View the full article

Australian jockey has high hopes for Michael Chang’s progressive four-year-old making the leap to Class Three.View the full article

Champion jockey keen to see talented sprinter rebound in Class Two Tai Tong Handicap after disappointing defeat.View the full article

In this continuing series, TDN's Senior Racing Editor Steve Sherack catches up with the connections of promising maidens to keep on your radar. Father Ted (Practical Joke) split a pair of highly regarded Bob Baffert-trained runners to finish a strong second in his 2-year-old unveiling on Santa Anita's opening day program Dec. 26. A bit chilly on the board at 8-1 for trainer Mark Glatt, Father Ted broke like a shot, but was quickly outfooted to race in fifth as three of them lined up–led narrowly by a three-deep San Saba (Justify)–through an opening quarter in a sharp :21.99. Still racing in that same position with plenty to do leaving the quarter pole behind, Father Ted began to launch in the stretch, but favored Madaket Road (Quality Road), a debut second in the GIII Bob Hope Stakes, got the jump and enjoyed first run on the dueling leaders. Madaket Road stormed to the front in deep stretch and dug down gamely to cross the wire a half-length ahead of Father Ted, who blitzed home in a field-best :12.33. It was another 3 1/2 lengths back to the aforementioned first-time starter and second-choice San Saba in third. The final time for six furlongs was 1:09.97. Madaket Road received an 86 Beyer Speed Figure for the effort, two points higher than Father Ted. “We were super impressed with his debut,” Glatt said. “He had trained pretty forwardly. I knew that it was probably a little too short for him and it turned out to be. But you want to see a young horse like that finishing at the end. I don't think it was a soft group by any stretch of the imagination.” MADAKET ROAD ($3.80) closed like a pro when @JJHernandezS19 asked him in the 2nd at @santaanitapark. @BobBaffert trains the two-year-old colt by Quality Road (@LanesEndFarms). Get in on the next: https://t.co/7I3M5l53AE pic.twitter.com/6tGRDBPGxa — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) December 26, 2024 What's up next for the newly turned 3-year-old? “Our second condition book (at Santa Anita) was just released and I expect him to get right back in,” Glatt said. “I don't know yet if we'll sprint him one more time before we stretch him out. I think sometimes you can jump into a two turn a little too quickly. He may benefit from sprinting one more time before we do stretch him out. I think we're leaning that way right now and I'm sure there's gotta be a race, hopefully an elongated sprint of some kind going 6 1/2 or seven furlongs.” Glatt added, “We'll see how he does in start number two.” The Muir Hut Stables colorbearer, a $150,000 Keeneland September yearling turned $475,000 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic breezer (:10 1/5), was bred in Ontario by Robert Marzilli and is the first foal out of the 10-year-old Uncle Mo mare Cry Uncle. A five-time winner and $450,000 Keeneland September graduate, Cry Uncle was claimed by Zilli Racing Stables for just $10,000 at Woodbine in the summer of 2020 and she concluded her racing career later that fall. Father Ted is bred on the same Practical Joke x Indian Charlie cross as top sprinter Skelly (MGSW & GISP, $1,777,163). The 'Second Chances' Honor Roll is headed by Horse of the Year Cody's Wish (Curlin), fellow two-time Breeders' Cup winner Golden Pal (Uncle Mo) and GISWs A Mo Reay (Uncle Mo), Honor A. P. (Honor Code), Locked (Gun Runner), Paradise Woods (Union Rags) and Speaker's Corner (Street Sense). The post Second Chances: Father Ted – ‘You Want to See a Young Horse Like That Finishing at the End.’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With plenty of tasty birthday cake in the offing, a cadre of newly-minted 3-year-old colts have blown out their candles and are ready for stakes action across four tracks on Saturday. Leading the charge at Santa Anita is the GII San Vicente Stakes, which is the annual renewal of the seven furlong dirt race. Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert has won 13 prior editions, including last year with Muth (Good Magic). In customary fashion, the Hall of Famer enters a pair of runners in Barnes (Into Mischief) and Romanesque (Practical Joke). The former–a $3.2 million purchase by Zedan Racing at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale–was green as grass on debut under the Twin Spires Nov. 27, but he re-rallied to graduate by a head that afternoon. “He had every reason to get beat that day [at Churchill Downs],” Baffert said of Barnes's unveiling. “And 5 1/2 furlongs is probably a little short for him. We knew he was a nice horse. He shipped there and handled everything well. He was a little bit green. He was in a bad post and got jostled around a little bit. But he handled it well.” Since his first start, the bay has had four works at 'The Great RIP,' including a bullet six-furlong move from the gate in 1:12.80 Dec. 22. “We'll see how he handles the next step,” Baffert said. As for Romanesque, whose ownership group includes SF, Starlight, Madaket, Stonestreet, Dianne Bashor, Determined, Robert Matheson, Tom Ryan, Waves Edge and Catherine Donovan, the Pennsylvania-bred broke his maiden by 2 1/4 lengths at Del Mar Nov. 23. Bullard wins the Bob Hope at Del Mar | Benoit Not to be overlooked is San Vincente morning-line favorite Bullard (Gun Runner) for owners Talla, St. Elias, Three Chimneys and West Point. The Michael McCarthy trainee earned a 'TDN Rising Star' badge after he debuted a winner by 1 1/4 lengths at Del Mar Sept. 1. Next out, the $675,000 Keeneland September grad captured the GIII Bob Hope Stakes over the same surface with nearly a five-length score Nov. 17. The Saturday sophomore show for colts also includes a pair of races with Derby point implications to the tune of 10-5-3-2-1 for the top five finishers. First, all eyes will be fixed on the Jerome Stakes at Aqueduct where McAfee (Cloud Computing) is set for his stakes debut. Bred by Judy Hicks, the half-brother to potential Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) won an auction-restricted maiden special weight at first asking in Louisville Nov. 1 for trainer Rick Dutrow, then the colt was the runner-up in a starter allowance at Churchill Nov. 24. “He's huge,” said Dutrow. “He's a big horse and we love him. We were so happy with him [in defeat], he ran like a true racehorse on the inside, kept coming, just stuff you really love to see for a second-time starter.” Swinging over to Hot Springs, Oaklawn Park cards the Smarty Jones Stakes. Trainer Brad Cox has claimed three of the last four winners here and he potentially could have the race favorite in Hot Property (Medaglia d'Oro). The Gary and Mary West homebred conquered two turns going gate to wire in his first start at Fair Grounds Nov. 24. “Look, he's definitely a two-turn horse,” Cox said. “Glad the race is a mile and a sixteenth, as opposed to the old distance of one mile. I think it will suit him. Ran really well the first time. Took a little pressure on the front end, fought it off and finished up well. Once again, looks like a horse, the farther the better. It is a step up with having only the one race, but not a lot of options. I think the timing fits well. Pretty smart horse. I think he'll handle the ship and, hopefully, gets a good trip.” Finally at Gulfstream Park, the Mucho Macho Man Stakes is not a Derby prep, but it has been used as a stepping stone by barns to the Florida series. Look for 'TDN Rising Star' Guns Loaded (Gun Runner) to take money, but Resolute's Septarian (Protonico) and AMO's Cool Intentions (Authentic) are also of interest. The post ‘Let Them Eat Stake’ As New Sophomore Colts Tuck In Saturday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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Owner/trainer Juan Muñoz Cano, facing a pending Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit violation for the banned substance clenbuterol, had his Kentucky license suspended Jan. 2 pending an appearance before stewards in the state.View the full article

In yesterday's edition of Value Sires for 2025, Chris McGrath profiled the stallions standing between $20,000 and $29,999, awarding the gold medal to Darley's Hard Spun (read more here). Here, we asked the breeders to hand out their top picks for this category. Carrie Brogden Gold: Hard Spun (Danzig x Turkish Tryst, by Turkoman), Darley, $25,000 My top value sire in this bracket is Hard Spun. Even though he doesn't always throw the most commercial physical horses, if you choose your mare wisely, you can get a sales horse that is also a top racehorse which is the holy grail of commercial breeding. Ranked 20th on the General Sires List, his numbers compared to his fee make him the best value of a stallion standing in Kentucky in this range. Silver: Authentic (Into Mischief x Flawless, by Mr. Greeley), Spendthrift Farm, $25,000 My silver medal goes to Authentic. Finishing out seventh on the first-crop sires list and having only broken his maiden in one start himself as a 2-year-old, Authentic is stellar value. His progeny should relish two turns and excel as they mature and the distances get longer. He was well supported all through his first and bubble years at stud. He throws a very stretchy, correct horse and had 24 first crop 2-year-old winners. Bronze: Upstart (Flatter x Party Silks, by Touch Gold), Airdrie Stud, $25,000 With two three figure sized crops in the pipeline this stallion is poised for a big comeback after suffering through his small bubble crops. Already the sire of the physically stunning freshman, Zandon, Upstart throws a big walking, leggy strong horse. If the results from his first-crop replicate with the bigger books and better quality mares, he will become a sire back on fire once they hit the track. John Greathouse, III Gold: Hard Spun (Danzig x Turkish Tryst, by Turkoman), Darley, $25,000 Hard Spun has sired 15 Grade I winners over his career. I don't think there is another stallion available at $25,000 that has done that. He's been consistent year in and year out, getting tough and hard-knocking racehorses. For my money, I think that's the best value you can find at stud. Silver: Girvin (Tale of Ekati x Catch the Moon, by Malibu Moon), Airdrie Stud, $25,000 Girvin is a horse that could really explode over the next couple of years. His quality of mares has gone way up since moving to Kentucky and he's bred over 300 mares the last two years. He's got a Grade I winner in his first crop. There is a lot to like here and great value at $25,000. Bronze: Army Mule (Friesan Fire x Crafty Toast, by Crafty Prospector), Hill 'n' Dale Farm, $20,000 Army Mule is another horse that I think could be very sneaky over the next couple years. He has also bred over 350 mares the last two years, and the quality has increased as well. He's proven he can produce racehorses with a Grade I winner already, and he's capable of getting you a quality sales horse. At $20,000, I think he's incredible value. The post Value Sires–The 20-Somethings: The Breeders Speak appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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7th-SA, 61K, O/C, 4yo/up, 1m, 5:36 p.m. 'TDN Rising Star' EAGLES FLIGHT (Curlin), the 4-year-old half-brother to Horse of the Year Flightline (Tapit), returns to action Saturday off a lengthy layoff. Debuted in a six-furlong maiden special weight event at Santa Anita May 27, the John Sadler trainee earned his 'Rising Star' stamp with a 2 3/4-length come-from-behind win which garnered an 89 Beyer Speed Figure. Unraced since that unveiling, Eagles Flight was mentioned as a possible runner for opening weekend's GI Malibu Stakes but was never officially entered there. “We're anxious to get him started,” said Sadler. “He had some delays last year obviously, but he's a talented horse.” Opting for this spot instead, he will race with the addition of blinkers and with a new rider aboard as Umberto Rispoli takes over for Flavien Prat. TJCIS PPS 6th-GP, 94K, Msw, 3yo, 1mT, 2:49 p.m. Aqueous (Omaha Beach), purchased by Pin Oak Stud for $950,000 at KEESEP in 2023, is out of an unraced half-sister to Marion Ravenwood (A.P. Indy), better known as the dam of champion and MGISW Nest (Curlin) in addition to GISW Idol (Curlin) and MSW/GSP Lost Ark (Violence). Both mares are daughters of GSW/MGISP Andujar (Quiet American) who sold for $2.5m to My MeadowView Farm at FTKNOV in 2006. TJCIS PPS The post Saturday Insights: Eagles Flight Returns To Action At Santa Anita appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In his first work since finishing ninth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1), Godolphin homebred East Avenue breezed a half-mile at Fair Grounds Jan. 3. Trainer Brendan Walsh said the Feb. 15 Risen Star Stakes (G2) would be the colt's next start. View the full article

Chapel Stud has announced that dual St Leger winner Eldar Eldarov has joined its stallion ranks for 2025. The deal was brokered by Richard Venn Bloodstock.View the full article

Wagering on horse racing in the United States dropped 3.35% in 2024 to $11,265,210,514, according to figures published Jan. 3 by Equibase.View the full article

Grade I winner 'TDN Rising Star' East Avenue (Medaglia d'Oro) returned to the worktab Jan. 3 in his first published move since finishing ninth in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile last November. The well-beaten favorite in the championship race, the son of Medaglia d'Oro went onto the track shortly after a renovation break for a half-mile breeze in :49.20 with Declan Cannon in the irons. The sectionals were reported as :12 2/5, :24 4/5, and :37 2/5 and he galloped out five furlongs in 1:02 1/5, according to clocker Billy Pettingill. “This was the first time I've seen him in person and he really stands out on the track,” Petingill said. “The work was impressive. The time was fast, but what I really liked was how his momentum just carried him through the gallop out.” East Avenue is reportedly targeting the GII Risen Star at Fair Grounds Feb. 15, and at the current stage, all is going according to plan. “Our goal is to get him there [the Risen Star] in great shape and leave some room for improvement,” said trainer Brendan Walsh said. “He's naturally fast, but he's also a very cool horse with a great mind.” “Once he blew the start [in the Juvenile], we were dead in the water,” Walsh said. “We sprinted him first time out, and then sent him to the lead at Keeneland [Breeders' Futurity win]. In the Breeders' Cup, he just outbroke himself. His head was going faster than his body. It was disappointing, but you don't get a do over. It's horse racing. It's sports. Sometimes things just happen and you move on.” The post East Avenue Returns to Work Tab at Fair Grounds appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Dubai's champion sprinter, Tuz, dominated; Golden Vekoma showed promise as a UAE Derby (G3) candidate and the turf feature Jan. 3 at Meydan Racecourse ended in a three-way scrap to the wire.View the full article

2nd-Aqueduct, $80,000, Msw, 1-3, 3yo, 1 1/8m, 1:54.97, ft, 3 lengths. UNCLE HULKA (c, 3, Uncle Mo–Canteen, by Candy Ride {Arg}) a well-beaten fourth as the favorite in his one-mile debut over the local course Nov. 3, added Lasix Friday and drew outside with an extra 1/8th of a mile to run. The 4-5 favorite let second choice A Bourbon for Tony (Bernardini) handle the tempo and sat just off through fractions of :24.39 and :49.71. Up alongside that leader off the turn, Uncle Hulka dueled briefly outside the pacesetter before putting him away and edging clear in the final sixteenth to home geared down three lengths in front. Come-backing Tracking Error (Good Magic) came charging from last and was making up good ground late but had to settle for second while galloping out on even terms with the winner. First-time starter and 'Insight' runner Chowser (Constitution) came home a non-factor in fourth. Canteen, who sold for $240,000 at KEENOV in 2023 to Don Alberto Corp, has a newly-turned yearling Not This Time filly and visited both Uncle Mo and Tapit for her 2025 foal. Sales History: $340,000 Ylg '23 KEEJAN; $270,000 Ylg '23 FTSAUG; $750,000 2yo '24 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-0, $49,400. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Spendthrift Farm LLC, Big Easy Racing LLC, Titletown Racing Stables, Kanter, Rick, Golconda Stable, Goodrich, Ali and Parkinson, Mark; B-White Birch Farm, Inc. (KY); T-Chad C. Brown. #6 UNCLE HULKA ($3.70) proves to be the best in Race 2 at Aqueduct with @jockeyfranco in the irons for trainer Chad Brown. Congratulations to @SpendthriftFarm and all of the connections with this 3yo colt by Uncle Mo. pic.twitter.com/nkboijWJTw — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) January 3, 2025 The post Uncle Mo Colt A Second-Out Winner At Aqueduct appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In what is becoming a familiar trend for the sport of horse racing in North America, betting in 2024 declined by 3.35%. According to figures released Friday by Equibase, $11,265,210,514 was the all-sources yearly handle for 2024 for U.S. racing, down from 2023's total of $11,655,726,020. Handle was last up in 2021, but that was an outlier because those numbers were going up against 2020 figures when the pandemic shut down much of the sport. Prior to that, the last handle increase was in 2018. The more alarming trend is how far handle has fallen since it peaked in 2003 when $15.18 billion was wagered. When adjusted for inflation, since 2003 handle has fallen by 57.3%, and there doesn't appear to be anything on the horizon that will reverse the trend. It's also worth noting that the betting handle figures have fallen significantly since the early 2000's even though Computer Assisted Wagering (CAW) players are now pumping about $4 billion a year into the handle and were not a factor 15-20 years ago. The handle picture might have looked brighter if not for a poor fourth quarter during which handle fell by 14.44%. The number of races run in the U.S. fell by 2.82%, from 31,746 to 30,852, which could account for some of the decline in handle in 2024. A total of $1,252,385,694 in purses was paid out in 2023, a 0.23% increase from the prior year. The larger picture is that purses are no longer growing the way they did in 2021 and 2022 when revenues from Historical Horse Racing Machines and other forms of gaming were pumping millions into the purse accounts. Purses increased by 35% in 2021 and by 11% in 2022. In 2023 they were down 0.3%. The average field size held steady, showing a 0.19% increase over 2023. The average field size in 2024 was 7.45 starters per race. The post Handle Drops, Purses Up Slightly In 2024 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Eldar Eldarov, the Champion three-year-old stayer in Europe who won the St Leger at Doncaster followed by the Irish edition at the Curragh, has been retired to Chapel Stud where he will cover a limited book of mares. His stud fee has been set at £5,000. Trained by Roger Varian and campaigned by KHK Racing, Eldar Eldarov won five of his 10 starts and amassed over £1 million in prize-money. His career was cut short after he sustained neck injuries in a stalls accident in Dubai last March. Roisin Close of Chapel Stud said, “I would like to thank His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa for entrusting us with Eldar Eldarov. I am delighted to be able to bring a horse of this calibre to British breeders. Bred by Lanwades Stud, one of the best in the business, he boasts a pedigree full of top-class racehorses and producers.” She added, “He was an exceptional athlete, and had it not been for a freak accident, he would most likely be out of my league. It is no secret that he suffered a potentially life-threatening injury in Dubai, and it is thanks to his owner's dedication to his recovery that he is now able to stand at stud. With his welfare a priority, we will be limiting his mare numbers. We will also be offering a limited number of breeding rights. “I keep having to pinch myself—having a Champion three-year-old stayer and dual Classic winner standing at Chapel Stud is a dream come true.” On behalf of KHK Racing, Oliver St Lawrence added, “Eldar stood out as a colt for the future at the breeze ups especially with his fabulous Kirsten Rausing pedigree stuffed with Group 1 winners like the tough Alpinista. His will to win, guts and ability are what defined him.” The post “Dream Come True” For Chapel Stud As Eldar Eldarov Joins The Roster appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Former leading owner John Dance has appeared in court to deny taking more than £64 million from wealth management fund clients for himself. The 50-year-old businessman, who lives in Murton Village, Newcastle, pleaded not guilty to nine criminal charges including fraud by abuse of position, fraud by false misrepresentation and money laundering. The alleged offences cover the period from February 2014 until March 2023. Dance, once a part-time DJ and former nightclub owner, was the principal partner at wealth management fund Vertus Asset Management, which later became the firm WealthTek. He is accused of using some of the money from the alleged fraud to buy racehorses. Dance owned several high-profile horses, including six-times Group One winner Laurens and Bravemansgame, winner of the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park in 2022 and runner-up in the 2023 Cheltenham Gold Cup. The horse is no longer in his ownership. Dance appeared at North Tyneside Magistrates' Court for a 15-minute hearing on Friday. He answered “not guilty” in a hushed voice to each of the nine charges read out by the clerk. Helen Law, prosecuting, outlined the allegations against Dance as being £64m worth of fraud from his clients while he was a partner in the wealth management firm, which related to three charges of fraud by abuse of position. He also faced three charges of fraud by false representation related to documents he allegedly used, she said. Dance also faced three money laundering charges relating to how funds were allegedly used, including the purchase of racehorses. Josh Hart, defending, said, “The issues for trial will be whether the defendant's conduct was dishonest or not. The defendant denies any allegation of dishonesty.” Chairwoman of the Bench Margaret Higgins said the case will be dealt with at the crown court. Dance will next appear at Newcastle Crown Court on February 6 and he was granted conditional bail. Outside court, Mr Hart said his client did not wish to make any comment. The post Former Leading Owner John Dance Denies £64 Million Fraud appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), National Turf Writers And Broadcasters and Daily Racing Form will offer a live announcement on FanDuel TV of the finalists for the 2024 Resolute Racing Eclipse Awards on Sunday, Jan. 5 at Noon ET, the NTRA said via a press release on Friday. The network will televise live the 54th annual awards show itself, which is held at The Breakers Palm Beach in Florida, on Thursday, Jan. 23. New to this year's event, will be an Eclipse Awards Charity Golf Tournament benefitting the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, which will be held Thursday morning prior to the awards ceremony. Also for the first time, one fan and a guest will win a chance to attend the show as part of the Resolute Racing Eclipse Awards Sweepstakes. Entries for that drawing are currently being accepted online and will continue through Jan 7. Click here for more information. The post FanDuel TV To Release Eclipse Awards Finalists Live Jan. 5 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article