Wandering Eyes

The Green family's DJ Stable went to $850,000 to secure a colt by Candy Ride (Arg) (hip 843) early in Wednesday's third session of the Fasig-Tipton October Yearlings Sale in Lexington. The yearling, consigned by Gainesway and bred by Liberty Road Stables, is out of the unraced Unrivaled Princess (Tapit), who is a daughter of GI Breeders' Cup Distaff winner Unrivaled Belle (Unbridled's Song) and a full-sister to champion Unique Bella. The colt became the second-highest price so far at the four-day auction. A colt by Curlin sold for $90,000 during the sale's first session Monday. The post $850k Candy Ride Colt to DJ Stable appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Reigning Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna will be honored in a special retirement ceremony during the sixth race at Churchill Downs Oct. 26 before she begins her second career as a broodmare at Hill 'n' Dale Farms at Xalapa in Lexington.View the full article

Journeyman jockey Floyd Wethey Jr. got a head start on his 36th birthday celebration, winning three stakes races on the Oklahoma Classics card Oct. 17 at Remington Park. The panel of racing experts voted Wethey Jockey of the Week for Oct. 13-19.View the full article

Monmouth Park's 2025 meet ended Sept. 14, but 38 days later some horsemen are still looking to get paid. Dennis Drazin, Chairman and CEO of Darby Development, the operator of Monmouth Park, vowed that the money will be available shortly. Drazin said the problem is that the state has been late in turning funds over to Monmouth for the horsemen. The process is a complicated one. “The process with purses is that we collect money, from account wagering, live handle, our OTWs,” Drazin said. “We do seven-day reports and send them to the state and they have to reconcile all the numbers. Then they send us money back. I think we sent them money again last Friday. We're waiting to get more money from them and then we will pay purses. There should be no concern whatsoever that purses won't get paid. Drazin estimated that it has been “two to three weeks” since money was received from the state to fund the purse account. But one new Jersey horsemen who spoke on the condition of anonymity said he has been waiting more than seven weeks for his money. In addition, people who have had horses claimed off them toward the end of the meet have not been able to withdraw that money from their accounts. With New Jersey horsemen about to scatter across the country for the winter, some are saying that money is essential to pay for the costs of shipping out and re-establishing themselves at a new track. “It has all been straightened out and [the state] is probably going on a month-to-month basis,” Drazin said. “It's not just us, it's the Meadowlands and all the OTWs that have money coming to them. Drazin said he did not know how much money was still owed. Monmouth receives a $10 million annual subsidy from the state each year to help fund the purse account. The money for the 2026 meet will be available shortly, but Drazin said he did not want to dip into that fund. “This has nothing to do with annual subsidy the state pays Monmouth,” he said. The subsidy is for next year's purses. Even if I had that money I wouldn't eat into it to pay this year's purses. If I used $2 million for this year, I'd only have $8 million for next year and we'd have to lower purses. Monmouth also runs a nine-day all turf meet at the Meadowlands over a five-week period. Drazin was less optimistic that money would arrive shortly. He said that in addition to receiving money from the state, HISA must also clear the payments and will not do so until all the drug tests from the Meadowlands races have been completed. The post Monmouth Yet to Pay Out Purses From End of Meet appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Royal Ascot hero and prolific Bahrain winner Isle Of Jura (New Approach) has been retired from racing after suffering another setback. The five-year-old enjoyed a stellar 2024 season, notably securing the Bahrain Triple Crown, before returning to Britain to provide trainer George Scott with a first Royal Ascot triumph when beating the subsequent G1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Goliath in the G2 Hardwicke Stakes. Isle Of Jura spent 15 months on the sidelines following that landmark success, before returning last month with a runner-up finish in the Listed Godolphin Stakes at Newmarket. Scott had been looking forward to returning to Bahrain with his stable star this winter, but those plans have now had to be shelved. “Sadly, Isle Of Jura won't race again,” said the Newmarket trainer. “He picked up a niggle and it's unfortunate. Having spoken to Shaikh Nasser [of owners Victorious Forever], we just don't want to go through the process again. “It's happened in the last few days and it's nothing serious but just enough to say it's time to stop. He retires with a future ahead of him and he will go down the whole retraining of retired racehorses route. “It's heartbreaking. I know there are bigger things in life, but it is very sad because he was my favourite horse and a favourite for all of us at the yard. Now, we have to try to find another one like him.” Scott will forever be indebted to Isle Of Jura, who retires as the winner of eight of his 14 starts and over $600,000 in prize-money. He added, “He has done more for us than we could have asked. He won the Triple Crown in Bahrain which really cemented my relationship with Shaikh Nasser which has led to everything that is happening for me now. “Then, the day he gave me when winning the Hardwicke I will never forget. I was stood on the lawn with my dad watching the race and Shaikh Nasser was there. It was a special day. “It's sad, but these things happen and we look forward to seeing him enjoying a full retirement now.” The post Another Setback Brings the Curtain Down on Isle Of Jura’s Career appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Conditions were desperate at Deauville on Wednesday and while there won't be any prizes handed out for time performances Prince Faisal's homebred filly Sindalah (Dubawi) shaped with promise on her winning debut. Allowed her own way in front under Maxime Guyon in the mile debutantes race for fillies, the Andre Fabre-trained half-sister to the international heavyweight Mishriff (Make Believe) held on to prevail by a head from Flash Girl (The Grey Gatsby). A descendant of the Prix de Diane heroine and stellar broodmare Rafha, the winner returned at 4-1. The Aga Khan Studs representative Calasita (Zarak), a half-sister to Calandagan, was the 6-4 favourite but could never get involved and finished seventh. A very well-bred filly! A half-sister to Mishriff, SINDALAH (Dubawi x Contradict) makes a winning start for @maximeguyon_off and Andre Fabre… pic.twitter.com/jVUkyYmdYM — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 22, 2025 The post Mishriff’s Half-Sister Sindalah Off The Mark At Deauville appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Reigning Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) will be honored in a special retirement ceremony during Race 6 on Sunday at Churchill Downs before she begins her second career as a broodmare at Hill 'n' Dale Farms at Xalapa in Lexington, Ky. Last year's GI Kentucky Oaks heroine will walk over with the field for Race 6 at approximately 3 p.m. (all times Eastern) and remain in the Churchill Downs paddock for approximately 20 minutes until the race is completed at 3:26 p.m. Trainer Kenny McPeek announced Thorpedo Anna's retirement from racing Oct. 15. Now 4, she concluded her three-season career with a record of 16-12-2-0 and $5,440,913 in earnings. “I've used this analogy a lot in my career: horses are like surfing and you're trying to catch a big wave. This filly has been the most amazing wave I've ever been on,” McPeek said. According to McPeek, the champion will also be available to meet fans from 11am to noon at his Keeneland barn (25, Stall 1) on Oct. 25. Thorpedo Anna retires as a 10-time graded stakes winner, including seven Grade I victories, for owners Hill 'n' Dale Equine Holdings of John G. Sikura, breeder Judy Hicks, Mark Edwards and Sherri McPeek's Magdalena Racing. A 20% ownership share of Thorpedo Anna will be auctioned at Keeneland's Championship Sale on Oct. 29 at Del Mar. Her 3-year-old season included wins in the GII Fantasy, GI Kentucky Oaks, GI Acorn, GI Coaching Club American Oaks, GI Cotillion and GI Breeders' Cup Distaff as well as a narrow head defeat in the GI Travers. This year, Thorpedo Anna posted victories in the GII Azeri, GI Apple Blossom, GII Fleur de Lis and GI Personal Ensign before finishing fourth in the Oct. GI Spinster at Keeneland. The post Thorpedo Anna To Be Honored in Churchill Retirement Ceremony appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Zac Purton reached another Hong Kong first on his way to a three-timer and Mark Newnham gained even more momentum with his first treble of the year at Happy Valley on Wednesday night. After surpassing Douglas Whyte’s all-time Hong Kong win record last season, Purton became the first jockey to reach 1,900 victories in the city when he saluted aboard the Danny Shum Chap-shing-trained Talents Supremo in the Class Five Success Handicap (1,200m). “It’s a really good number to get to. Obviously I...View the full article

Harry Eustace trainee Docklands (Massaat) exited his fourth-place run in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on QIPCO British Champions Day in good order and is still on target for Japan's G1 Mile Championship on November 23, according to his trainer. A winner of the G1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot, the OTI Racing colourbearer will be ridden by Australian Mark Zahra in the one-mile race at Kyoto, which offers over £890,000 in prize-money for first place. After his Royal Ascot tally, the five-year-old ran fifth in the G1 Sussex Stakes at Goodwood in July, and was fourth in Deauville's G1 Prix Jacques le Marois in August. “He seems his usual self so all good there,” Eustace said. “I thought he ran super. Tom [Marquand, jockey] actually felt although visually it looked a slightly troubled passage, it was more the tacky ground that actually blunted his finish than the trip he got. “I thought with either a perfectly clear trip or better ground he might have been third and sort of stay on to the line, but we were delighted with him.” Added Eustace, “I thought he looked as good as ever and as long as he's in good form, he'll still go. He flies on November 7 and then he runs on November 23. “I'm pretty sure Mark Zahra's going to come and ride him. We are delighted with that, he messaged after watching the race and he's looking forward to it too.” The post Docklands On Track For Japan’s Mile Championship appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The 2025 edition of The Real Rider Cup held at the MARS Maryland 5 Star event at Fair Hill raised over $130,000, according to an organization release Wednesday. Honors were given for the top three individual and team entries, as well as to the rider with the highest-grossing fundraiser. Team SMACC Down retained its winning team result from 2024, anchored by the repeat individual champion Gabby Nguyen and Pet Me Pet Me. Team Pastured Place Two (the growing aftercare organization fielded 10 riders for this year's competition) took second place and Team Poplar Place Stables/Stirrup Some Fun took third. Kayleen Kollasch and American Cougar and Sandi Norris and Nakamura took home the second and third-placed individual results, respectively. Returning rider Michelle Hurley achieved the honor of the highest grossing fundraiser by raising $15,925, which also gained her entry to a small club of riders who have each raised over $20,000 over their years of RRC participation. The entry list included stakes horses Flash McCaul, Ninety One Assault, Nakamura, Call Provision, Target Sighted and Talk Or Listen (IRE). Connections represented by entries included PTK LLC, Pope McLean, Jonathan Sheppard, Graham Motion, Chad Brown, Klaravich Stables, Country Life Farm, Dixiana Farms, Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey, Harris Farms, Tommy Town Thoroughbreds, West Point Thoroughbreds, and more. WBAL Radio Baltimore's Scott Wykoff and renowned equestrian commentator Charlotte Skinner-Robson jointly covered emcee duties, providing lively color commentary while a cadre of Thoroughbred-loving celebrity team captains offered their expert guidance during the group course walk: Phillip and Olivia Dutton, Buck Davidson, Alex Conrad, Lynn Symansky, and respective 3 Star (CCI3*-L) and 5 Star (CCI5*-L) leaders following cross country, Isabelle Bosley and Monica Spencer. Full results and are available at www.therealridercup.com with updates about 2026 events to come. Proceeds of the Real Rider Cup benefit the Retired Racehorse Project, New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program and Beyond the Wire. The post The Real Rider Cup’s Maryland 5 Star Event Raises Over $130000 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Racing in Kentucky shifts from Lexington to Louisville Oct. 26 as Churchill Downs opens its 26-day fall meeting with an 11-race "Stars of Tomorrow I" program for 2-year-olds, highlighted by the Street Sense (G3) and Rags to Riches Stakes.View the full article

The prospect of testing conditions for Saturday's William Hill Futurity Trophy Stakes at Doncaster could scupper plans for two of the four entries not trained by Aidan O'Brien, including the Andrew Balding trainee Item, who is set to bypass the final Group 1 of the British Flat season if the ground is heavy. The son of Frankel is unbeaten in two starts to date, having followed up his debut victory at Kempton with a dominant performance at Bath last time, drawing right away in the final furlong to win by three and a half lengths. All roads now lead to Doncaster as the Juddmonte team seeks its fifth win in the Futurity Trophy – and first since American Post struck for Criquette Head-Maarek back in 2003 – but Barry Mahon, Juddmonte's European racing manager, revealed that the possibility of heavy downpours on Town Moor could force connections into a rethink. “Our intention is to go and we're going to declare tomorrow [Thursday],” Mahon told Sky Sports Racing. “Thursday is going to be the make or break day. There's anywhere between 10-30mm of rain forecast so, if the ground was to be heavy, I don't think we would run. If it's soft or good to soft, we'll most definitely run. “Andrew has been very happy with him and he worked well this morning. He's obviously lacking a bit of experience, hence why we went to Bath – we were very keen to get him on grass. He's a horse that only went into training in July, so he's relatively unexposed. Andrew has felt that, every time he's run, his work has improved after it. Again, this morning he was very positive so, fingers crossed, we're all set for Saturday.” The ground at Doncaster on Wednesday was described as heavy, soft in places. Should Item not take his chance on Saturday, Mahon confirmed that the son of GI Natalma Stakes winner Capla Temptress (Lope De Vega) will not run again this season. He added of future plans, “I think he's definitely going to get 10 furlongs and, just speaking to Andrew this morning, we felt there was a good chance he could even get 12 furlongs. Hopefully, he's a horse that could start off in a Derby trial next season and build his way up from there. If the ground came up heavy [at Doncaster], we wouldn't run and he'd be finished for the year.” Similar comments apply to the John and Thady Gosden-trained Oxagon (Frankel), who ran well on his previous visit to Doncaster when filling the runner-up spot in the G2 Champagne Stakes, won by the subsequent G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere hero Puerto Rico (Wootton Bassett). Prince Faisal's homebred again performed with credit when last seen finishing fifth in the G1 Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket, passing the post three and a half lengths behind Champagne also-ran Gewan (Night Of Thunder), but it remains to be seen whether conditions at Doncaster will allow him to make a quick return to action. “We're all on weather watch,” said Prince Faisal's racing manager, Ted Voute. “There are nine in of Aidan O'Brien's, and 13 in all, and I've been in communication with Peter [Shoemark, racing secretary] at John Gosden's. They're watching the weather. “I'm currently driving to Deauville for a runner that we've got and the weather's fine, but it's meant to hit tomorrow and come up through the country into England, so I would think it depends on that. But it will be quite soft anyhow. “It's up to John and his view of the weather. When we were in the Dewhurst, everybody felt that an extra furlong and a little more juice in the ground would do quite nicely. But whether this much juice is what is required, we'll leave that to John.” The betting for the Futurity Trophy is headed by O'Brien's G2 Beresford Stakes winner Hawk Mountain (Wootton Bassett) at a general 5/4, with stablemate Benvenuto Cellini (Frankel) next best at 3/1. Oxagon is available to back at 4/1, ahead of Item at 9/2. The post Futurity Trophy Starts in Doubt for Item and Oxagon Due to Wet Forecast appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A traceability survey has been launched by The Jockey Club. The survey records the status of a Thoroughbred, including the horse's use and location, so that the industry can better understand the whereabouts of Thoroughbreds that have retired from breeding and racing. The Jockey Club Traceability Initiative helps track Thoroughbreds after their breeding and racing careers, estimate the current population, and improve traceability. Analysis of information submitted through the initiative will enable The Jockey Club to more effectively direct information and resources regarding a horse's transition from racehorse to second career. The Jockey Club requests all Thoroughbred owners complete the survey, which should take only a few minutes per horse, by June 30, 2026, but the survey will remain open so owners can update their horse's future status. In July, The Jockey Club will assess the survey responses, and an analysis of the responses will be provided at the 2026 Round Table Conference. An Interactive Registration (IR) account, which is free at www.registry.jockeyclub.com, is required to complete the survey. Once logged on to IR, click Traceability Survey. “With the traceability survey, we hope everyone who owns, leases, or boards a retired or unraced Thoroughbred will voluntarily report the horse's status to help us improve traceability,” said Kristin Werner, deputy general counsel and director of Industry Initiatives, The Jockey Club. “Understanding where Thoroughbreds go after their racing and breeding careers will advance the entire industry's aftercare efforts and support welfare, accountability, and public trust in the sport.” For horses with no survey response, The Jockey Club Registry will follow up with emails to the last known connections of horses born in 2017 and prior with paper certificates of foal registration that do not have a Thoroughbred Incentive Program number or Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance activity and have not been reported as exported, deceased, or breeding stock. Connections of horses with a digital certificate will also receive follow-up notices from the Registry. Resources for horse owners looking to find new careers for their Thoroughbreds can be found on The Jockey Club's website, click here. Owners wishing to retire their horse from racing should use the Transferred as Retired from Racing process, which will permanently retire the horse. The post The Jockey Club Launches Traceability Survey appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

This Saturday at Santa Anita could prove something of a watershed moment in North American horse racing-the carding of two handicaps built upon a new national ratings system. One race, a $35,000 handicap over 6 furlongs for dirt horses rated between 70 and 79, has drawn seven entries. The next race on the card, a $65,000 handicap over 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course for fillies and mares rated between 80 and 95, has drawn six entries. The impetus for launching a ratings system in the U.S. has been well documented. Aside from helping racing secretaries card a suitable set of races for their backstretch inventory, such a system gives the connections of a claiming class of horse options to run without fear of losing it. One thing it's not designed to do, those familiar with the system stress, is replace these claiming races, which has long proven the backbone of the U.S. product. While North American is one of the last major jurisdictions to use such a ratings system, it appears to be the first to use an algorithm to generate the numbers (the others use human handicappers). “It's novel to my understanding,” said Chance Moquett, senior manager of strategic solutions at Equibase, the company responsible for building the algorithm. “I believe it's the only algorithmic rating of a population of racehorses in the world right now.” For any such system to work, however, the industry needs to have trust in it. “There's no right or wrong way. But the right way is one that works and people have confidence in,” long-time track executive Rick Hammerle told Steve Byk's radio show last Thursday. “You're only as good as the number.” Hammerle was involved in the building of a previous iteration of the ratings system which fell by the wayside earlier this year, but not with the version that has just launched. According to Moquett, Saturday's ratings-based races are part of a soft launch of a system meant to be refined and improved over time and with experience. “It's not necessarily a polished thing at this point in time. We wanted to make sure that we are continuing to work on it, and that people understand that,” said Moquett. “Feedback is important,” Moquett added. “Feedback in any form is good feedback.” The Building of the System Since February, around 40 to 50 industry stakeholders within four different “cohort” groups have been working on the system, said Moquett, estimating around “50 formal meetings” as it came together. These four groups comprise the worlds of data science, competition (including trainers and track executives), handicapping and wagering, and the international community. In April, the racing secretaries from 12 different tracks or jurisdictions sent to Equibase a batch of around 20 horses for the team to rate. (The 12 participating racing offices were at Keeneland, Churchill Downs, Gulfstream Park, Maryland, Oaklawn Park, Sam Houston, Prairie Meadows, NYRA, Canterbury, Assiniboia Downs, Del Mar and Santa Anita) “Then we would give back the ratings and ask, 'how does this look? Does this look right?' We worked with each one of those racing offices individually,” said Moquett. That process took a couple months. And then, when Equibase “felt like all the regional racing secretaries were largely pleased with how their selected bands seemed to seem to be rated,” they went back to test five years-worth of data on an individual yearly basis, said Moquett. “That means we took every horse and ran it through a ratings history process for each race,” said Moquett. “We basically re-ran every race for every horse for the calendar year 2020 forward, caught out any outliers.” What were some of those outliers? “We did correlation analysis between purse earnings versus what their figure was at any point in time, to make sure the horses that generally were earning more money were in line [ratings wise]. And we identified that our turf horses seemed to be rated a little bit higher at first,” said Moquett. More broadly, “I think another thing that we found, our rating was a little more volatile to surface switch and performance, and it had a hard time differentiating good horses from the elite level,” said Moquett. The modified result is a multi-factor algorithm that gives horses a numerical rating (from 0-150) based on performance metrics, race class adjustments, surface and distance factors, track-specific variability, and recent form. For a horse to be rated, they must have at least two North American starts. It's updated daily to reflect ongoing race results, so, even if a horse remains in its stall, its rating might fluctuate as its former rivals go out to compete. The formula is based on three main buckets, with the “performance score” providing the core of the ratings. “This has a litany of other factors peppered into it, but in essence, it's how fast did a horse run and how many lengths did it win or get beaten by,” said Moquett. The second is the “race strengths adjustments” component, which looks at things like the class of the race and field strength. The “track and distance adjustments” factor in information like track variance and bias, as well as post position. (A breakdown of the formula can be found here in an FAQ of the new system) The computer algorithm won't be open-sourced-Moquett pointed to the proprietary nature of the system. That said, “we welcome people to come under the hood, see what's going on,” he added. The theoretical ceiling is 150. “I think the highest rating we had during the annual testings was Flightline, who was 136. That's the highest it's ever gotten,” said Moquett. One thing stakeholders should bear in mind, Moquett stressed, is that a numerical rating is different from a speed figure. “A speed figure looks largely at time components of a single race,” said Moquett. “Whereas the Equibase rating takes the body of work in totality and grades aptitude.” As to how the rating stack up to a corresponding weight, that will be up to the individual jurisdiction. “This is not a handicapping tool, nor is it something that Equibase is trying to force on any institution,” Moquett explained. “We do not know yet how close or competitive these things are going to be from a weight standpoint,” Moquett added. “We are intentionally leaving that to the racing offices and the racing secretaries to do as they see fit.” Actual Numbers For those horses eligible for a rating, these numbers have already been displayed on their Equibase page. While some ratings have raised a few eyebrows, in some cases there appear to be explanations. Take leading middle-distance turf runner (and dual Breeders' Cup winner), Rebel's Romance (Dubawi), rated 90. In comparison, the four-year-old filly Antifona (Recoletos), whose entered in this Saturday's handicap on the downhill turf, is rated 95. Antifona is a stakes-winner who has not yet won a graded stake in three tries. For one, Moquett admits “we are not very good yet at international play.” Furthermore, the Godolphin runner has only had one run so far this year in North America. As Moquett puts it, the algorithm is more accurate the more recent North American starts a horse makes. “We reward consistent activity” said Moquett. In comparison, Antifona has not had a single start in 2025. But the algorithm also factors in the frequency and quality of official works. In Antifona's case, she boasts a busy work-tab leading up to her first run in over 14 months. “Her rating says this filly's working and working well. The last time she ran she was fast. And so, that's how this thing sees it,” said Moquett, explaining Antifona's 95-rating. “Right out the gate, we've got a horse coming off a 14-month layoff,” Moquett added. “Did we give that horse enough of a negative impact or not enough of one? We'll learn. If she wins the race by five lengths, I'm going to feel like we did not do a good job.” Another frequently raised example concerns top three-year-olds Sovereignty and Journalism, who have butted heads twice this year. Both times the Godolphin runner came out on top. And yet, Journalism is rated 104 while Sovereignty is rated 103. “The algorithm isn't saying that Journalism is head and shoulders above Sovereignty. They're relatively equally matched all things considered,” said Moquett. “What makes sense whenever you actually look at the form is our rating gives a little bit of extra credit for Journalism running against older horses in the Pacific Classic,” said Moquett. “What I would challenge people to think about is that we're not saying that horse A is faster than horse B,” Moquett added. “What we're saying is that we believe those two horses are relatively evenly matched within so many points.” The “loudest glaring mistakes” are most likely “fringe players on our rating system,” said Moquett, adding that the system build out so far has focused primarily on the population of horse most likely to fill races, typically at the lower end of the rating range. Attitudes towards the new system among Santa Anita's backstretch community has varied wildly. But if there's one main throughline, it's perhaps one of wait-and-see. “I'm not sure exactly how it's going to work here yet,” said trainer Sean McCarthy. “But I don't have an issue with it. It's one way to keep onto a horse.” “I don't feel like so far I have a great understanding of it. We're just feeling the water out,” said trainer John Sadler, who has Topalo (Tapiture) entered in the dirt handicap. “It's interesting. But it doesn't change the reality of California [a shrinking horse population].” With the launch looming, another question being asked is this: is the system ready? “We'll find out Saturday,” replied Moquett. “I think there's consensus in the industry that a new type of race and a new alternative to run horses is needed.” He added, “I would rather have something delivered and work through a soft launch with racing offices during a time of need-be able to better manage a horse population-than be able to say I can answer every question and defend every example that you bring me because I don't know that we'd ever get to that.” The post Equibase’s New Ratings System Launches Saturday. Is It Ready? appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Racing in Kentucky shifts from Lexington to Louisville Oct. 26 as Churchill Downs opens its 26-day fall meeting with an 11-race "Stars of Tomorrow I" program for 2-year-olds, highlighted by the Street Sense (G3) and Rags to Riches stakes.View the full article

Trainer Joe Pride will likely keep stable star Ceolwulf (NZ) (Tavistock) to a mile as he looks to round off his spring campaign with a first trip away. The five-year-old son of Tavistock ran out a ready winner of the Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes (1609m), defending his crown, despite having gone winless in the ensuing 12 months. “It has been good to us that day. Over the last three years we have won two King Charles and an Everest (Think About It), but our luck will run out eventually on that day. It’s been a good run,” Pride said. “It’s 12 months ago now that he won that race and, in the period in between, for two preparations, he’s put in some runs that have had me scratching my head and thinking was there a chance that that was just him at his absolute best. “To see him do it again last Saturday gives me great confidence that going forward, we’re still working with the same horse, and a horse that is going to win most races that he competes in when he performs to that level.” Pride will now set his sights on the Gr.1 Champions Mile (1600m) on the final day of the Flemington carnival. “It is unusual for one of mine to have had this many starts (24) and not had a trip away, but I’d love to bring him down to Flemington,” Pride said. “I’d say we’ll stick to the mile. He’s won three Group Ones at a mile now, and although I do need to see him at 2000m again at some stage, I don’t think it needs to be straight away. I’d say we’ll be down to Melbourne for the Champions Mile.” Pride would dearly love to set the gelding for the 2026 Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) but given there is only seven days between the King Charles and the Cox Plate, it is a case of one or the other. “To have a crack at the Cox plate, I’m going to have to forgo the chance to run for a third King Charles,” he said. “I’m going to have to be convinced in the autumn that he runs a strong 2000m to set him for the Cox Plate, because I’m not going to sacrifice that chance to win that race again for an outside chance of winning a Cox Plate.” “It will probably be in the Gr.1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) in the autumn, but, if he shows me that he’s really strong at 2000m, I’ll give it a go.” Ceolwulf was bred by Cambridge Stud owners Sir Brendan and Lady Jo Lindsay and is a son of the Shamardal mare Las Brisas. The gelding is a graduate of the 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, where Pride and part-owner Leighton Howl went to $170,000 to secure him from Riversley Park’s draft. Ceolwulf has now had 24 starts for six wins, seven placings and A$9.13 million in stakes, plus a one-off $750.000 Emerald bonus for winning both the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap and King Charles last spring. View the full article

Ten years on from the first of their four Cox Plates together, the band of Chris Waller and Hugh Bowman is getting back together. Bowman will jet in from Hong Kong to ride ATC Derby winner Aeliana (NZ) (Castelvecchio) in Saturday’s weight-for-age championship, which will be the first time that he’s ridden the four-year-old mare. “Obviously, I have a wonderful history in the race with Chris Waller of course,” Bowman said from Hong Kong. “Aeliana herself has been ultra impressive, I think, certainly at the back end of her three-year-old career and I think there’s been a lot of merit in all her runs this time in. “Obviously, Damian Lane being committed to Treasurethe Moment has had Chris Waller in the position where he’s needed a jockey, I’m really grateful and proud that he gave me the opportunity to come back and ride her. “There’s a great feeling about it and let’s hope that Aeliana puts her best foot forward. If she does, I certainly think she can be competitive.” Bowman’s previous experience with Waller has also given him extra confidence heading into Saturday’s $6 million contest. Aeliana is one of three Cox Plate runners from the Kiwi expat’s stable, with his attack on the race headlined by defending champion Via Sistina. “Although I’ve had nothing to do physically with Aeliana, it’s quite obvious to me looking back on her races that she appears to be going every bit as good as Via Sistina,” Bowman said. “She obviously lacks the maturity and the strength of her, her opposition but she’s a horse on the rise and having worked so closely with Chris and his stable for so many years, I do know one thing; he wouldn’t be taking her to the races unless she was a genuine, competitive, winning chance and in a physical and mental state to run to a premium, so that in itself gives me a great deal of confidence.” Saturday’s meeting at The Valley will be the last at the track in its current configuration, a venue where Bowman has ridden 14 winners, including his four Cox Plates on Winx. “It’s interesting; of all of the metropolitan tracks in Sydney and Melbourne, it’s probably my least acquainted because I probably go there once, maybe twice, maximum three times a year, so I haven’t ridden there much to be honest!” Bowman said. “It’s been a beautiful hunting ground, I do really love it, it’s got a great feel about it for obvious reasons. When I go to Moonee Valley, or walk onto the track, it brings back an abundance of emotions that are really good and positive. Let’s hope we can add to them this weekend.” Sportsbet has Aeliana at $8.50 in its Cox Plate market. View the full article

Northern Farm hosted its mixed sale at the Northern Horse Park on Tuesday which featured a 100 per cent clearance rate for the 66 weanlings offered. These were led by the Kitasan Black colt out of the Listed winner and G1 British Champion Fillies and Mares Stakes runner-up Delphinia (Galileo), who was bought by Louisville Racing for ¥460m (approximately €2.6m). The same buyer had also signed up the first foal through the ring, a colt by Epiphaneia from the champion Argentinean two-year-old filly Carta Embrujada (Storm Embrujada) for ¥220m (€1.25m). The demand for youngsters by Kitasan Black remains strong, and the Shadai stallion's four weanlings sold throughout the session returned an average of ¥205m (€1.16m). Iridessa (Ruler Of The World), the G1 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf winner of 2019, was represented in the catalogue by her colt foal by world champion Equinox, who was sold for ¥92m (€522,928) to Tsuyoshi Suzuki. Equinox is also the sire of a grey colt out of the G1 Prix Saint-Alary winner Incarville (Wootton Bassett), who brought the hammer down at ¥170m (€966,450) in favour of Masahide Abe. The turnover for foals amounted to ¥43bn (approximately €25m) at an average price of ¥65.79m (€373,884), a decrease of 3.8 per cent, and median of ¥49m (€278,418), which was up by 16.7 per cent. Of the 43 fillies and mares offered, eight failed to reach their reserve and the session was topped by the 10-year-old Danon Grace, a daughter of Deep Impact and the G1 Oaks d'Italia winner Cherry Collect (Oratorio) who was Grade 3-placed and a four-time winner. She was sold in foal to the young Frankel stallion Grenadier Guards for ¥40m (€263,560). The average for the broodmare session fell slightly by one per cent to ¥11.5m (€65,343) and the median was up by 22.5 per cent at ¥9.5m (€53,979). The post Northern Farm Mixed Sale Sees 66 Foals Sold for Equivalent of €25m appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Monday will mark 70 years since the first running of the Ashburton Flying Stakes. In that time only 11 horses have won the race and then gone on to win the New Zealand Cup in the same year. Only two horses have done it twice – Lazarus in 2016 and 2017 and Terror To Love in 2012 and 2013. The first horse to do the Stakes- Cup double was Our Roger. He won the very first Ashburton Flying Stakes on Oct 1, 1955 for driver Chief Stipe Watts in 2:53 and then went on to win the 1955 New Zealand Cup five weeks later in 4:12.2. Technically Jack Litten trained the quinella in the Flying Stakes with Our Roger and Caduceus though Caduceus dead heated for second with Johnny Globe who started off the back mark of 30 metres and had just run a world record of 2:50.2 for the mile and three furlongs (2200 metres approx)! Watts won the Stakes the very next year as well with Caduceus. They were his only wins in the race. He drove in the New Zealand Cup 27 times. As well as winning with Our Roger in 1955 he was also successful with Integrity in 1946. In the very first edition of the Ashburton Flying Stakes front marker Gay Lyric, one of the outsiders in the 18-strong field, led and set a hot pace and around the final turn was the one to catch along with Recent Choice. Our Roger, Ohio, Thelma Globe, Au Revoir, Caduceus, Johnny Globe, and Rupee were the most prominent of the rest until Watts shot Our Roger clear at the 200 metre mark as the leaders started to tire. Caduceus and Johnny Globe issued their challenges wider out but it was Our Roger who had their measure, winning by a length. Favourite Rupee was the day’s hard luck story. He was checked and lost ground around the 1200 metre mark but staged a remarkable recovery, making up eight lengths in the home straight before finishing fourth. Rupee was second in Our Roger’s New Zealand Cup, beaten by two lengths. Our Roger had settled just off the pace before overhauling Rupee and Excelsa to win going away by two lengths. It was Our Roger’s 15th and last career success as it turned out – not bad for a horse that had been written off earlier in his career because of a “wind affliction”. Horses to have completed the Ashburton Flying Stakes – IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup double : Lazarus – 2016/17 Adore Me – 2014 Terror To Love – 2012/13 Flashing Red – 2006 Yulestar – 2000 Christian Cullen – 1998 Iraklis – 1997 Trusty Scot – 1978 Lordship – 1962 False Step – 1960 Our Roger – 1955 To see the field for this Monday’s Ashburton Flying Stakes click here View the full article

Trainers who line up their horses in the up-coming World Driving Championship will be in the running for a “cash” bonus. Five Garrards vouchers, each worth $500, will be won by trainers, with each starter entered automatically into the draw for the following meetings : Kaikoura (November 2 and 3) Cambridge (November 5) Winton (November 9) Addington (November 7) Addington November 11 There’ll be one winner at each of the above, with all five drawn on Wednesday, November 12. The results will be announced on hrnz.co.nz “We want the best horses possible to be driven by the world’s top drivers throughout the WDC so we want to encourage trainers to get involved in what will be massive week or so for the sport throughout the country,” says HRNZ’s Head of Racing and Wagering Matthew Peden. “The vouchers are additional to the stakes increases the WDC has already seen across the series of heats. They are rating penalty free as well.” Over the nine days 10 of the globe’s best drivers including New Zealand representative Blair Orange will battle it out, with the champion being crowned on IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup day. The schedule for the WDC (20 heats) is : 3 heats at Kaikoura on Sunday, November 2 2 heats at Kaikoura on Monday, November 3 5 heats at Cambridge on Wednesday, November 5 5 heats at Addington on Friday, November 7 4 heats at Winton on Sunday, November 9 1 heat at Addington on Tuesday, November 11 For more information contact matthew.peden@hrnz.co.nz View the full article

The Nepheti (NZ) (Charm Spirit) of old showed her colours at Te Aroha on Wednesday, the mare kicking off her five-year-old campaign with a powerful victory in The George Abernathy and Associates 1150. Stakes-performed at three, Nepheti performed solidly without reaching those same heights last term, but looked ready to get back to the winner’s circle with two good trials this time in. In a competitive Rating 70 field, Nepheti’s $15 opening price was snapped up by punters, closing near the $7 mark. After a key rival in Magice was late-scratched at the gates, the mare got away well under jockey Joe Doyle and settled into the trial of pacemaker Oban, who ran along a good tempo alongside Mr Fortrus. Oban came well off the rail on straightening, leaving a big gap for Doyle to kick through and head for home on Nepheti as she started to go through her gears. Just as a competitive finish was shaping up across the track, Nepheti hit another gear, striding clear of her rivals to score by three-quarters of a length to Miss Madridista and Mr Fortrus. Her co-trainer Shaune Ritchie identified where he thought it might’ve gone wrong last prep, but couldn’t have been happier with how she returned as an older mare. “She was stakes-placed as a three-year-old and we thought she was going to be much stronger at four, but we just flatted her first-up running from a wide gate on an off track and she worked hard,” said Ritchie, who trains in partnership with Colm Murray. “That knocked her over as a four-year-old, so she’s come back stronger as a five-year-old. “There was a lot of depth in those trials and she was strong at the line, and when they trial like that, they never run poorly. “He’s (Doyle) given her a lovely ride. She looked a bit flat at the top of the straight and I was wondering if she was going to get into that next gear, but she did and the $15 looked good.” Nepheti brought her win tally to four from just 14 starts, carrying the silks of breeders Windsor Park Stud who race her alongside the Galaxy Racing No.7 Syndicate. View the full article

Michael Kent Jnr says he’s confident Globe (NZ) (Charm Spirit) will be cleared to take his place in the Cox Plate this Saturday. But the stable will accept whatever decision Racing Victoria’s vets come to on Thursday. The Group 1 winner must be given the tick of approval after an “irritation” was detected in a fetlock joint on Monday. One of Globe’s trainers provided a positive update on The Verdict podcast on Wednesday morning. “As of this morning, Max rode him and said he felt fantastic – he’s his regular rider – and thought he was very sound, full of energy,” Kent Jnr explained. “He’s hopped on the truck and gone down to Seaford beach for a paddle, again. “We are really happy and we’d expect he’d get through the 9.30am vet check, on Thursday, no problem.” Globe’s connections paid a $200,000 late entry fee for the Cox Plate after he defeated the likes of Treasurethe Moment and Buckaroo in the G1 Might And Power Stakes at Caulfield. He’s drawn barrier seven for Saturday’s race and looks the natural leader. “I think Moonee Valley is a good track for him,” Kent Jnr said. “The rain is very welcome. “I didn’t think he could win a big race on a Good 3, but he did, and he ran a career-best, last start. “He is a really, really good wet-tracker. “It has just been the most remarkable rollercoaster, with Globe. “He won his first four starts, then had an issue in the Feehan when he was third favourite for a Cox Plate, a few years ago. “He’s had water-walker accidents, been up and down, and now he wins a Group 1 and here we are, on the rollercoaster again.” View the full article

It was a full-circle moment for Te Akau Racing at Te Aroha on Wednesday when Avantaggia (Wootton Bassett) broke through for her maiden win in the Donaghys Moxipor (1150m). The blue-blooded filly is a daughter of Coolmore’s ill-fated stallion Wootton Bassett and Te Akau’s former nine-time Group One winner Avantage. Following her stellar racing career, Avantage was bought by Tom Magnier and global breeding giant Coolmore off New Zealand Bloodstock’s online platform Gavelhouse Plus for $4.1 million. Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis went to last year’s Gold Coast Yearling Sale where he purchased her first progeny, Avantaggia, for A$2.1 million. Avantaggia has shown trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson plenty, winning an 800m trial as a juvenile before returning at three where she won both of her trials over 800m and 850m. She then finished fourth on debut over 1200m at Ellerslie last month to subsequent Group Two winner Well Written and was subsequently backed into $1.90 favouritism for her second-up test. From her ace draw, she settled on the fence, a couple of lengths off pacemaker Earlicheer. In the home straight, jockey Opie Bosson weaved a path between runners and unleashed Avantaggia, who opened up several lengths on her rivals, and held off the late challenge of Confesara to win by three-quarters of a length. Bosson was pleased with her winning performance and said she had improved since her debut effort. “In her first start she had to work quite hard from the gate and probably used up a little too much petrol,” he said. “She bounced out of that race well and her work has been quite nice and barrier one was a big assist (today). “They were going quite quick and had her off the nickel most of the way, but she is a real professional and went through the gap as good as gold and the only thing she did wrong was look at the winning post.” Co-trainer Bergerson was rapt with the result and said it was a sentimental win for the stable. “It’s a bit of a full-circle moment,” he said. “We had so much to do with her mum and she has got plenty of her traits. “She was aided by a very good ride by Opie. He got a lovely track into the race and saved all the ground, which was probably the winning of it. “I think it was a sharp enough field, so hopefully she can go on with it. I am excited to see what is next.” Stakes assignments now await Avantaggia, but Bergerson said they will let the dust settle before making any firm plans. “We will just see how she comes through it,” he said. “The goal for her is certainly black-type and there are plenty of races coming up over that Christmas period, so hopefully we can steer her towards one of those.” View the full article

Levin trainer Josh Shaw will head to New Plymouth on Friday with a trio of runners, including two maideners he is hoping can breakthrough for an elusive win. Sweet Envy (NZ) (Sweet Orange) has been knocking on the door for some time, placing in five of her last six outings, and Shaw is hoping she can finally deliver for her connections in the NZB Mega Maiden Series (1200m). “She has been going good races,” Shaw said. “We would ideally have liked to have gone to Otaki a couple of weeks ago when they were called off. With five weeks between runs, I have freshened her up a little bit and dropping back to 1200m in what looks like a pretty good field, she should be half a chance.” Sweet Envy has drawn barrier one and will be ridden by Joe Doyle. “It’s not the best place to be, but she usually jumps the lids pretty quick,” Shaw said. “If she can jump clear of them, she might be able to work her way off them and get into a position where she needs to be.” Stablemate Predecessor (NZ) (Eminent) has placed in just one of her 14 starts to date, but TAB bookmakers have installed her a $3.70 favourite for Friday’s Bryce Revell (1600m), and Shaw shares their confidence. “She has had a good break after her last run at Hawera, which wasn’t too bad, and she has come back and put on really good condition,” Shaw said. “Amber (Riddell, apprentice jockey) takes a couple of kgs off, so she gets down to a nice, luxurious weight (54.5kg). “She has had the work put into her. Even though she hasn’t had a public trial, she has had three good, solid jumpouts, so she won’t lack for fitness. “I think she can really put her foot in the till, and I think we will see a different horse this campaign.” Shaw’s team on Friday will be rounded out by Billy Easton (NZ) (Road To Rock), who will be second-up in the Janelle Millar (1800m) after finishing last in his first-up assignment over 1700m last month following an 18-month break. “He is a mate. After Hinepara and Faraglioni have gone, he’s been there right the way through,” Shaw said. “He is just here to keep everyone in check. “I put him aside and gave him a long break, he had been in the stable from a two-year-old to a six-year-old, so he enjoyed a bit of downtime. “In-between times he came in and did a bit of work with the babies and got them going. He has always been in and around the stables, I have just never really pushed the button on him. This time he has filled out a little bit and he is going very well. “Whatever he does on Friday, he will improve on.” Meanwhile, Shaw has been pleased with the way Chart The Stars has come through her last-start victory over 1200m on Awapuni’s synthetic track last month. A half-sister to Shaw’s former Group One performer Faraglioni, Chart The Stars has shown Shaw plenty at home, but he said he is playing the waiting game with the four-year-old daughter of U S Navy Flag. “She has come through that win really well,” Shaw said. “She is a bit above average in ability. “She has gone to another level. I gave her 10 days in the paddock after that race, and I am just really waiting for better tracks. “It is a bit of a pain having to sit on your hands waiting for the better tracks, but they will come eventually and when they do, she will be putting her best foot forward.” View the full article

Edited Press Release The Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards (TIEA) marked its 10-year anniversary in North America on Oct. 21 in Lexington, Kentucky by once again honoring and awarding the individuals that make the Thoroughbred industry the unique and special industry it is. Winners were announced in a total of seven categories with a total of $122,000 awarded. Scott Hazelton, FanDuel TV analyst, served as the master of ceremonies. Joe Clancy, publisher and co-owner of the Saratoga Special, and this year's judging panels chair, said, “I commented earlier in July the difficult task in determining the three finalists in each category. I must admit we were presented with an even harder assignment in trying to choose the actual winners in each category. It's rare for a triple dead heat in our business but that's pretty much what we faced with these fantastic and talented individuals in each category. They truly are the backbone of our industry and are great ambassadors and representatives of our sport.” The full list of winners, finalists, and runners-up are as follows: Katherine McKee Administration Award, sponsored by Keeneland Winner: Isabel Escobar (Todd Pletcher Racing Stable) Finalists: Vicki Forbes (Thoroughbred Daily News), Sandy Martin (Race Track Chaplaincy of America) Runners-up: Lacey Coler (Barton Thoroughbreds), Lauren Monnet (National HBPA) Support Services Award, sponsored by 1/ST Racing Winner: Lynne Hewlett (Hagyard Equine Medical Institute) Finalists: Robert “Elmo” Richardson (KatieRich Farms), Nathan Stephens (Stephens Farrier Service, Inc.) Runners-up: Mary Perkins (Keeneland Association), Steve Peterman (Gulfstream Park) Dedication to Breeding Award, sponsored by Hallway Feeds Winner: Sara Patterson (Cedar Run Farm) Finalists: Juan Piedra (Stone Bridge Farm), Mario Ponce (Coolmore American) Runners-up: Luis Sanches (Kenneth McPeek Racing Stable), Alan Shell (Kenneth McPeek Racing Stable) Dedication to Racing Award, sponsored by the NTRA Winner: Fiona Goodwin (Jena Antonucci) Finalists: Jackie Dayutis (WinStar Farm), Carlos Alarcon (D/M Racing Stables) Runners-up: Rafael Fernandez (Herringswell Stable), Lee Vickers (Miguel Clement Racing Stable) Managerial Award, sponsored by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute Winner: Jesus Pinales (Mulholland) Finalists: John Motaung (Sequel Bloodstock), Duane Reed (Coolmore America) Runners-up: Kali Kleinfelt (Stone Bridge Farm), Edwyn Kiely (Hunter Valley Farm) Newcomer Award, sponsored by NYRABets Winner: Kinnon LaRose (Tom Amoss Racing Stables) Finalists: Braden Heath (Three Chimneys Farm), Ivanna Rabii (WinStar Farm) Runners-up: Madison Jackson (Churchill Downs), Maxine Pina (Taylor Made Sales Agency) Dr. J. David “Doc” Richardson Community Award, sponsored by Churchill Downs Winner: Nancy Turner (This Old Horse) Finalists: Peter Drumsta (Finger Lakes Thoroughbred Adoption Program), CJ Wilson (Win Place Home) Runners-up: Victoria Mangini (Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen's Assoc.), Caroline Tatum (Sterling Equestrian) The post Godolphin Names 2025 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Award Winners appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article