Wandering Eyes

Report from JapanView the full article

Mary Rachel Broman, who with her husband Chester established one of New York’s leading breeding and racing operations, passed away Oct. 16 at the age of 88.View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Monday's Observations features a TDN Rising Star stepping up in grade. 3.53 Deauville, Group 3, €80,000, 2yo, f, 8fT SANDTRAP (IRE) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) earned TDN Rising Star status with her impressive debut win at Salisbury last month and heads to Deauville to contest this G3 Darley Prix des Reservoirs for the in-form Ralph Beckett stable. Valmont and Ballylinch Stud's full-sister to Carl Spackler (Ire) encounters 10 rivals, with the standard being set by John Pearce's Ed Walker-trained Miss Tonnerre (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) who was fourth in the G2 May Hill Stakes at Doncaster. 2.30 Gowran, Mdn, €18,000, 2yo, 8f 75yT LIGHT AS AIR (IRE) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) bids to build on his debut third at Navan earlier this month for Masaaki Matsushima and the Coolmore partners in a maiden Ballydoyle have won six times in the last nine years. The half-brother to last year's G1 St Leger hero Continuous (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) from the family of Saxon Warrior (Jpn) is joined by stablemate Saints N Scholars (Ire) (Quality Road), a son of the G1 Nassau Stakes runner-up Wedding Vow (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) who was disappointing on debut at The Curragh last month. 6.15 Southwell, Novice, £6,300, 2yo, 7f 14y (AWT) KAIZEN (GB) (Kingman {GB}) was a 425,000gns Tattersalls October Book 1 purchase who represents a partnership of Qatar and China Bloodstock, David Howden and Newsells Park and the John and Thady Gosden stable. A half-brother to last year's G1 Fillies' Mile heroine Ylang Ylang (GB) (Frankel {GB}), he encounters 11 rivals. The post Sandtrap Takes Reservoirs Test appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sportsmen Stable, Parkland Thoroughbreds, Photos Finish, Corms Racing Stable and trainer Jorge Abreu's Grade I-winner Scottish Lassie (McKinzie) worked Sunday at Belmont Park in preparation for the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Nov. 1 at Del Mar. The 2-year-old filly was among the first to breeze after the training track reopened at 7:30 a.m., and was guided through her exercise by jockey Jose Lezcano, who piloted her to victory last out to the graduate in the GI Frizette Stakes Oct. 5. Scottish Lassie worked outside of Jody's Pride (American Pharoah), runner-up in last year's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, and was about one length behind as they came to the wire to complete a half-mile in :49.50 seconds, according to NYRA clockers. Scottish Lassie ranged up to sweep past her workmate into the track's first turn and galloped out strongly in front. Abreu said he wanted an easier work for Scottish Lassie in her first effort since winning the Frizette. “Lezcano said they went pretty well and in the gallop out, she was full of herself,” said Abreu. “I told Lezcano I didn't want her to get head-and-head right away. I was just trying to get her to relax. First breeze back, I didn't want her going in :47 or anything like that.” Scottish Lassie is the first graded stakes-winner for Abreu, who was a longtime assistant for Hall of Fame trainer Nick Zito and for four-time Eclipse Award-winning conditioner Chad Brown before going out on his own in 2016. The veteran horseman said it has been a special experience to prepare a horse of Scottish Lassie's stature for an event like the Breeders' Cup. “It's nerve-wracking day by day. But she's doing everything right. She's feeling good and she came out of her race in pretty good shape. She's got a pretty good head on her and has always been that way since Day One.” Abreu added Scottish Lassie will work once more at Belmont on either Friday or Saturday before shipping to Del Mar. Parkland Thoroughbreds and Sportsmen Stable's sophomore filly Jody's Pride was entered in the six-furlong Glen Cove Stakes that was originally slated for October 11, but did not re-enter when the race was rescheduled for the 18th. Abreu said Jody's Pride will instead target the GIII Pebbles Stakes Nov. 8. “I didn't want to go three-quarters against the filly for Brad Cox,” explained Abreu. “She's been great. She's ready to run a good race. I could have re-entered in the race, but the more I thought about it, I said, 'we've been running her long, why do we want to cut her back to three-quarters?'” G1 Frizette winner SCOTTISH LASSIE works a half-mile in 49 and 2/5 seconds to the outside of G1-placed JODY'S PRIDE. Jody was a bit ahead of Lassie through the wire, but Lassie galloped out past her with relative ease through the turn. pic.twitter.com/x6yRCIg95V — Mary Eddy (@singmysongbird) October 20, 2024 At Saratoga, trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. provided an update on Breeders' Cup-bound Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator) who is under consideration for both the GI Breeders' Cup Classic or the GI Dirt Mile. “He's doing good. He is going to work back again this week – one more work before the Breeders' Cup,” said Joseph, Jr. “We haven't decided yet, I would say right now we are probably leaning towards maybe the Mile, but no decision just yet. We are going to pre-enter both tomorrow. Most likely we are going to the Mile.” Joseph, Jr. said the two-turn mile configuration at Del Mar could be to Skippylongstocking's benefit. “If the mile was one-turn, we definitely would not go. The two-turn mile, that definitely plays into the decision,” said Joseph, Jr. “It is not decided yet, but we are definitely leaning towards the mile right now.” The post Breeders’ Cup Updates: Frizette Winner Scottish Lassie On Sunday Work Tab appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Urban Chic seized leadership in Japan's 3-year-old division with a decisive victory Oct. 20 in the Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger-G1) at Kyoto Racecourse.View the full article

34-year-old trainer Matt Sims, who recorded his first stakes win Saturday with 28-1 longshot Brunacini (Dortmund) in the GIII Perryville Stakes at Keeneland, is already looking for a second with his upset runner before the winter season. “He looks good this morning, and he wasn't tired after the race,” said Sims, who will split the winter between racing at Turfway Park and Oaklawn Park. “[We're] looking at the Cherokee Mile at Churchill Downs Dec. 1.” Meanwhile, Perryville favorite Book'em Danno (Bucchero) had to settle for second Saturday after a tricky trip had the Grade I winner further back than usual for trainer Derek Ryan. “He's good this morning,” said Ryan. “He ran his race, but that's just racing luck. I wish he could have gotten to the outside.” Ryan noted that the son of Bucchero would target the GII Cigar Mile Dec. 7 as his final start of the year. GII Lexus Raven Run winner Emery (More Than Ready) also rebounded well from her effort Saturday. “She probably will go back to Churchill Downs today or tomorrow,” said Blake Cox, assistant to his father, trainer Brad Cox. “She ran up to expectations yesterday. She is a very good, consistent filly.” Future plans are yet to be determined for the 3-year-old filly with Cox noting that whatever came next would be determined after talking with owner Stonestreet Stable. The post Saturday Winners Brunacini And Emery Exit In Good Order, Future Plans Pending appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October Yearlings Sale, with a catalogue of 1,614 head, brings the curtain down on what has been a record-setting yearling sales season with its four-day run beginning Monday in Lexington. Bidding for each session begins at 10 a.m. Consignors are optimistic that the competitive market that has been prevalent from the season's beginning at the Fasig-Tipton July Sale, to the company's Saratoga sales, and to the Keeneland September Yearling Sale last month, will continue through its conclusion this week. “Coming off the way the prices were and the stats from July, Saratoga, and September, and even the Tattersalls sales, I think the market is very strong,” said Warrendale Sales' Hunter Simms. “I wouldn't see any particular reason for it to stop. In September, with 4,000 horses through the ring, we were busy the entire time. I don't think it will subside all from that.” For Simms, the competitive market is a pure case of supply and demand. “I know the foal crop keeps declining, but with purses and everything the way they are, less supply is going to equal more demand,” he said. “I don't think the foal crop can continue its downward trend, that's obviously not good for the business, but right now, people are hungry for horses at all levels. We are running $100,000 maiden special weights with auction-restricted races for $50,000 and under. It gives those people an opportunity to buy horses at all levels and get their investment back. You win a nice race, and you get it back off of one run.” Consignor Colin Brennan said the strength of the previous sales this season will likely set up a seller's market at the October auction. “From a pinhooker's point of view, I've talked to plenty of people at Keeneland and earlier sales, they just weren't getting that stock bought,” Brennan said. “They have to have stock, so they are going to come and shop here and I'd imagine they will swing a little bit harder here just to fill their barns. It's good for a seller's market anyway.” A year ago, 1,064 yearlings sold at the October sale for a gross of $51,120,000. The average was $48,045 and the median was $24,000. Five horses sold for $500,000 or over, led by a sale-topping son of Justify who brought a final bid of $725,000. Brennan is looking for the auction's 2024 results to continue on from its strong 2023 renewal. “Last year, there were 50-some horses who sold for over $200,000 up here,” he said. “If they can keep that up, then we should be in good shape. And from what I can tell, the buyers that were here spending big money last year, I've seen most of them already on Saturday alone. There is pretty good attendance and we are seeing all the right people. So I am expecting things to continue that way.” An expanding resume of impressive graduates, led this year by GI Kentucky Oaks winner Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna), has made the October auction a fixture on the sales calendar, according to Simms. “They have great success coming out of Fasig October, especially with Thorpedo Anna doing as well as she is this year, a potential Horse of the Year coming out of the sale,” Simms said. “I think overall, it's not just a sale for horses who were RNAs earlier on in the year. We target certain horses for this sale that might need the extra 30 days from September to develop. So it's become a destination spot to send nice horses to and, judging by the catalogue, with the sire power that they have and the female side of families that they have, you can see that consignors are thinking the exact same way.” Chris Shelli of Fort Christopher's Thoroughbreds agreed there was plenty to recommend the October sale. “We just enjoy being in Kentucky in the fall and the experience that Fasig-Tipton puts on through the sale,” Shelli said. “We think it's a really good, positive atmosphere. And for the sellers, obviously, if you have a horse that is a little immature or has a later foaling date–we have a few May foals we felt were better suited for a later sale. And we've had a luck there. We have a lot of confidence in this sale.” The October sale has grown beyond its old reputation as a fall-back plan for sellers, Brennan agreed. “Just looking through the catalogue, you do see horses who were RNAs or pinhooks from earlier sales, but there is a fine mix of horses who this is the first sale they have been to and this was their target,” Brennan said. “I think it's a little bit of both, but I think it's less of a fall-back sale than it used to be.” Fort Christopher's will bring a consignment of eight New York-breds to the October sale and the strength of the state's breeding program has made those horses popular to a wider range of buyers, according to Shelli. “With the new increase in purses and breeders awards, and the new surfaces that will be coming on line soon at Belmont, we feel like we've got a really diverse, solid group to bring to the marketplace,” he said. “We have been selling fewer horses at the New York sale and more recently in the Kentucky October sale, purely because we had a lot of good luck and a good experience there. With our operations in New York and Kentucky, we are actually prepping 100% of the yearlings in Kentucky, so it made sense to just ship a few minutes down the road versus ship all the way back up to Saratoga.” Of the appeal of New York-breds to buyers in the bluegrass, Shelli said, “Specifically by having Kentucky-sired New York-breds, the mare quality in New York has improved tremendously. So in the past, where we found we had a much smaller buyer base for those horses, we don't feel that anymore. It's been a diverse group of buyers between pinhookers, end-users, trainers, etc. We don't feel that there is a difference anymore. We have had a lot of good luck selling our Kentucky-sired horses to everyone, so we felt that whether we sold in Saratoga or sold in Kentucky October, it didn't make a difference. We feel there is a good buyer base at both sales.” The post ‘A Destination Spot’: Fasig-Tipton October Sale Starts Monday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Longtime owner/breeder Mary Broman passed away October 16 at the age of 88. The following is an obituary provided by the New York Thoroughbred Breeders' Inc: Mary Rachel Broman, who with her husband Chester established New York's leading breeding and racing operations, passed away October 16 at the age of 88. Born April 13, 1936, and a resident of Babylon Village, New York, and Wellington, Florida, Mary was devoted wife of Chester Sr., beloved mother of Chester Jr. and his wife Holly, son Christopher and his wife Tamera and the late Rachel Broman. Cherished grandmother of Sarah, Nicholas, Brandon and Hannah, and dear sister of Roseanne McWilliams and Paula Hoey. The Bromans own and operate Chestertown Farm in the tiny community of the same name in the heart of New York's Adirondack Mountains. The couple were honored by the New York Thoroughbred Breeders Inc. with the state's Breeder of the Year title eight times, the most recent crown in 2022. “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Mrs. Broman,” said Executive Director of New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. Najja Thompson. “In addition to her tremendous accomplishments in the New York-bred program alongside her husband Chester, she was also a warm and welcome presence. We express our deepest condolences to Chester and the entire Broman family.” The Bromans sit well atop the state's list of leading breeders for 2024 with purse earnings of $2,256,979 through October 14, along with 42 wins from 227 starts. Stakes winners in 2024 bred by the Bromans include Bank Frenzy (Central Banker), Spirit of St Louis (Medaglia d'Oro) and Sweet Brown Sugar (Collected). “Mrs. Broman will be missed by the entire New York breeding and racing community,” added Vice President of Government Affairs for the New York Racing Association and former Executive Director of the NYTB Jeffrey Cannizzo. “She was a personal friend and I sincerely enjoyed all our time spent together. I'd like to extend sincere and heartfelt condolences to Chester and the Broman family.” New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association President Tina Bond said, “We are so sorry to hear of Mary's passing. She and Chester have been pillars of the New York breeding industry for so many years, and they set a standard of excellence that we all strive to meet. Mary was very much a partner in the Chestertown operations, and she was also a classy and lovely woman. Her passing is a real loss to our community.” The Bromans also led the state's breeders list in 2023 with New York-bred earnings of $3,243,042. Hejazi, a son of Bernardini who brought $3.55 million at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May 2-year-olds in training sale, was a finalist for New York-bred champion 2-year-old male honors in 2022 and earned the New York-bred 3-year-old championship in 2023. The Bromans also bred 2023 champion older female New York-bred Classy Edition (Classic Empire). Spirit of St Louis also earned finalist consideration for champion male turf honors in 2023. The Bromans racked up New York-bred earnings of $3,157,109 in 2022, nearly $1 million more than the state's next closest breeder. Leading runners that season included New York-bred champion 2-year-old male Acoustic Ave (Maclean's Music), who raced in their familiar green and white silks. Hejazi and Classy Edition were the 11th and 12th New York-bred champions bred by the Bromans since 2000. The group also includes 2017 Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint winner Bar of Gold (Medaglia d'Oro) and Grade I winners Artemis Agrotera (Roman Ruler), Friends Lake (A.P. Indy) and $1,403,536-earner and multiple stakes winner Mr. Buff (Friend or Foe). Bar of Gold, who retired with earnings of more than $1.55 million, and Mr. Buff won multiple titles and rank in the top 30 among all-time New York-bred earners. The post New York’s Mary Broman, Longtime Owner/Breeder, Dies At 88 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Gestut Ebbesloh's homebred Nicoreni (Ger) (Brametot {Ire}–Nouvelle Neige {Ger, by Big Shuffle) broke through over seven furlongs with an impressive debut triumph in an Aug. 24 Baden-Baden maiden and continued on the upgrade with an equally taking display in Sunday's G3 Carla Kellner Zukunftsrennen Preis der Winterkonigin back at the Iffezheim venue. The 77-10 chance was swiftly into stride from the inside stall and occupied a position racing in a handy third through halfway in this one-mile contest. Looming large off the home turn, she was ridden along to seize control passing the quarter-mile pole and surged clear under mild urging in the latter stages to easily overpower French raider La Guapisima (Fr) (City Light {Fr}) by three lengths. The remainder came home at intervals with Bella Sinfonia (Ger) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) finishing 2 1/2 lengths adrift of the runner-up in third. The victory provided conditioner Peter Schiergen with a fifth renewal, but is was a first for Sibylle Vogt. “I have always wanted to win this race after placing so many times before and, now that it has happened, I am absolutely stunned,” the winning rider commented. “We had the ideal trip and eased to the outside when we reached the straight. I possibly hit the front a bit too early, but I know her very well from her work in training. She is a tough and genuine filly.” Pedigree Notes Nicoreni, who becomes the first pattern-race winner for her sire, is the seventh of eight foals and one of six scorers from as many runners produced by Listed Kolner Zweijahrigen Trophy victrix Nouvelle Neige (Ger) (Big Shuffle). The April-foaled homebred bay is a half-sister to the dual Group 3-placed New York City (Ger) (Sea The Moon {Ger}), who hit the board in this race last year, the dual stakes-placed Scandinavian champion Nouvelle Lune (Ger) (Sea The Moon {Ger}) and to the dam of the dual Group 3-placed New Emerald (Ger) (Protectionist {Ger}). Nouvelle Neige, who is the leading performer out of Listed Frankfurter Stutenpreis winner and G1 Preis der Diana (German Oaks) third Nouvelle Fortune (Ire) (Alzao), has a weanling colt by Sea The Moon (Ger) to come. Carla Kellner Future Race – Prize of the Winter Queen Baden Baden – Groupe 3 – Femelles – 2 ans – 1600m – 9 Pts – 155 000 € Nicoreni (f) (Ger) Sibylle Vog La Guapisima (@HeadRacing1 ) Bella Sinfonia (Brametot (Ire)… pic.twitter.com/GUDTHDZFQh — French and International Horse Racing (@Vincenzo0612) October 20, 2024 The post First Group Winner for Brametot as Nicoreni Blitzes Winterkonigin Rivals appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sunday's G2 Prix du Conseil de Paris at ParisLongchamp witnessed the return of the King George hero Goliath (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}–Gouache {Ger}, by Shamardal) and it was a case of plain sailing as he successfully prepped for the G1 Japan Cup. Always in cruise mode under Christophe Soumillon tracking the modest pace, the 6-5 favourite tanked his way to the front two out and was always holding Hamish (GB) (Motivator {GB}) comfortably at bay en route to a half-length success. “After the minor setback he had in September we had no other choice than this race to give him a prep before the Japan Cup and it worked out really well,” trainer Francis-Henri Graffard said. “Christophe knows how to handle him and he will come on a lot for that. I am happy for his new part-owner Mr Stewart, a very enthusiastic person who has a new vision about what racing should be. We look forward to the race in Japan with enthusiasm as a new step in the career of this horse who has great potential on the international circuit for older horses.” Back with a bang! King George hero Goliath sees off the challenge of Hamish to score cosily in the G2 Prix du Conseil de Paris for @GraffardRacing… pic.twitter.com/A814CJI9C8 — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 20, 2024 The post Goliath Breezes Through His Japan Cup Prep appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Caspar Fownes puts Ladies Purse on the table for progressive galloper, while jockey is in doubt for Wednesday night.View the full article

It's been tricky to focus on the racing of late with all the theatrics at Tattersalls, so let's call this fourteen days and attempt a catch-up in the brief period between the sales starting up again at Arqana on Tuesday. The extraordinary prices of Books 1 and 2 at the October Yearling Sale tell only half the story, and we all know that in any sales season there are tales of the haves and the have-nots. Perhaps the most interesting element of the top end is what feels like a new wave of major investors, many from the Gulf nations, and seemingly intent on eventually establishing breeding operations based in Britain. Depending on when you were born, you either lived through the 1980s emergence of the Godolphin, Shadwell and Juddmonte operations as Sheikh Mohammed, in particular, went toe to toe with Robert Sangster, MV O'Brien and the early Coolmore partners in those glory days in Kentucky, or you have read about it in Horse Trader. This was the birth of the bloodstock superpower. Now comes a sort-of renaissance. It is not only now, of course. Sheikh Fahad Al Thani's Qatar Racing (initially Pearl Bloodstock) appeared on the scene around 2010 and has certainly been a force to be reckoned with in the intervening years, standing stallions and owning broodmares in various jurisdictions. Dunaden (Fr), Roaring Lion and Elm Park (GB) are among the operation's key successes on the track. It has been acknowledged that Sheikh Fahad's focus has shifted in recent years, though it must be said that Tweenhills, where the stallions have been based, looks to have a promising young sire on its books in the 2,000 Guineas winner Kameko. The operation of Sheikh Fahad's cousin Sheikh Joaan Al Thani also flexed its muscles at a similar time and, based predominantly in France where its stallions stand at Haras de Bouquetot, has been associated with the dual Arc winner Treve (Fr) along with Group 1 winners Galileo Gold (GB), Shalaa (Ire) and Toronado (Ire) among others. If it felt like Al Shaqab went a little quiet for a while that is no longer the case. In a notable new partnership, Al Shaqab's COO Mohammed Al Mansour was alongside the team from Amo Racing throughout much of the early books of the October Yearling Sale and together they signed for 10 yearlings through Books 1 and 2 for 4 million gns, while Al Shaqab Racing bought another nine in their own name for 2.5 million gns. Notwithstanding that Godolphin remains a really major force in the sale ring and was the largest individual purchasing entity during Book 1, it was Kia Joorabchian's Amo Racing which really raised eyebrows at Tattersalls over the past fortnight. In addition to those bought in partnership, Amo Racing alone signed for 23 yearlings for more than 21 million gns. “We were going for pedigrees of an outstanding nature and that's why we played hard at Book 1,” said Joorabchian, who has been working in partnership with Nottingham Forest owner and shipping magnate Evangelos Marinakis. While Joorabchian is no newcomer – he owned his first racehorse 20 years ago – this is obviously a serious change of focus in his bloodstock interests. On Friday, Amo Racing announced that its 2023 Champion Stakes winner King Of Steel would be joining its G2 July Stakes winner Persian Force (Ire) at Tally-Ho Stud. The operation also has a number of other stallion prospects on its books, including the G1 Phoenix Stakes winner Bucanero Fuerte (GB), who, like King Of Steel, is a son of Wootton Bassett (GB). That same stallion was involved when Amo set a new European record price for a yearling colt in its purchase of Lodge Park Stud's son of Park Bloom (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) for 4.3 million gns. Joorabchian also bought the top-priced filly of the sale for 4.4 million gns. That daughter of Frankel (GB) is being sent into training with Ralph Beckett in a renewal of their association. While Amo has been prominent in the sales headlines in recent weeks, one of the running stories of this season and last has been the steady acquisition of a serious team of horses – for presumably serious money – by Wathnan Racing, which is owned by Sheikh Tamim Al Thani, the emir of Qatar and the brother of Sheikh Joaan. The team includes of course Saturday's G1 Qipco British Sprint Stakes winner Kind Of Blue (GB) (Blue Point {Ire}), who is plainly now a stallion prospect, though hopefully we will see plenty more of him on the track next year and perhaps beyond. Wathnan also has a number of broodmare prospects, including this year's G2 Queen Mary Stakes winner, Leovanni (Ire) (Kodi Bear {Ire}). Wathnan representative and agent Richard Brown insists that, for now, it is all about enjoying the action on the track, but it is not hard to see a time when Wathnan Racing will also incorporate a significant breeding operation. Don't forget, either, the Bahraini racing teams of KHK Racing and Victorious Racing. They too have been significant spenders in recent years and each of them has at least one stallion heading to stud this year, including Vandeek (GB) and Bradsell (GB). From Saudi Arabia, too, is Mohammed Saleh Bin Laden's Salhia Stud. Bloodstock agent Richard Knight has been representing this owner at the sales in recent seasons and said after spending 2.2 million gns on four well-bred lots during Book 1 that it is the intention of Bin Laden, who is a major owner and breeder of Arab horses in his homeland, to establish a broodmare band in Britain. The Buzz Abounds Through its Qipco Holdings, members of the Qatari royal family, including Sheikh Fahad's brother Sheikh Hamad, have been major backers of British racing for 14 years through the British Champions Series, which has its finale on British Champions Day at Ascot. Yes, soft ground took its toll to a degree on this year's Champions Day, as it has done in the past, but the sun made an appearance just at the right time, and there was no denying the buzz at Ascot on Saturday. The roar through the last few scrimmaging furlongs of an eventful Champion Stakes was on a par with any day at the royal meeting. The day rightly kicked off with another stellar performance from the mighty Kyprios (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). His tale of recovery from serious illness has been well told, but you would never know there's been a thing wrong with him as he cantered to post under Ryan Moore, those lovely chestnut ears rammed forward in anticipation, and later pogoed his way out of the winner's enclosure as if it say, 'Would you look at me – I've done it again!' From stayers to sprinters the action jumped, and there was no sellers' remorse for Jan and Peter Hopper as they stood in the parade ring cheering in Kind Of Blue (GB) at Ascot on Sunday. The couple bred the son of Blue Point (GB) with Mike and Michelle Morris and, until his previous start when beaten a head in the G1 Haydock Sprint Cup, he raced in their colours. The three-year-old, who is the third Group 1 winner from the first crop of Blue Point, was one of a number of high-profile purchases for Wathnan Racing this season, and he became their second Group 1 winner in Europe after Courage Mon Ami (GB) (Frankel {GB}). “We really ought to let someone else win this race,” said Peter Hopper with a smile as Kind Of Blue was led out triumphant. “A lot of credit must go to the National Stud,” added Jan. “They looked after him all the way through and the mare still lives there. She's in foal to Pinatubo and we hope to go back to Blue Point next year.” The mare in question is Blues Sister (GB) (Compton Place {GB}), well named in this case as she is indeed a sister to Deacon Blues (GB), who won the inaugural running of the Qipco British Champions Sprint in 2011 when it was still a Group 2. By the time his half-brother The Tin Man (GB) (Equiano {Fr}) won it five years later it had been promoted to Group 1 status. Remarkably, The Tin Man ran in the race in six consecutive years. One of the key links in these three winners is the Bishop Of Cashel (Fr) mare Persario (GB), dam of the first two and granddam of Kind Of Blue, who was owned by the Hoppers in partnership with Ken and Elizabeth Grundy. Another important link is their trainer James Fanshawe, who also trained Bishop Of Cashel to win three group races for Cheveley Park Stud back in the mid-1990s, as well as his daughter Persario. That tells you a little about Fanshawe's longevity, but his admirable career has never been just about training sprinters. He is one of the most versatile trainers in the business, with two Champion Hurdlers to his credit along with top-level runners across myriad distances on the Flat. It can get a little wearying to hear people banging on about Royal Ascot two-year-olds. A racehorse's career should be about much more than that, and owners looking for a trainer to get the best out of their horse could do worse than send their charge to Fanshawe's Pegasus Stables. Kind Of Blue, who only made his first appearance on a racecourse this April and is now a Group 1 winner, is merely the latest case in point. Study In Excellence 'She's such a legend,” said a beaming Tyla Macfarlane, the daily rider of Kalpana (GB), who was watching on with her friend as the Juddmonte filly returned following her first win in the big time. Moments later Tyla was whisked into the winner's circle by Annalisa Balding. “The prince wants to meet you,” said the trainer's wife to the young rider. Prince Ahmad Abdullah, the youngest son of the late Juddmonte founder Prince Khalid, was also beaming, and with good reason. It has been a terrific season for the Juddmonte fillies in particular, with Kalpana's Champions Day success following on from the win of Bluestocking (GB) (Camelot {GB}) in the Arc. It is scarcely believable that Kalpana was once entered for Part II of the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale. Sensibly, she was withdrawn, and she is now the star performer for her sire Study Of Man (Ire), whose profile is rightly rising to the degree that members of his 57-strong crop of yearlings this year have been in demand at the sales over the last few weeks. Five of his nine yearlings in Book 2 returned six-figure sums, with Andrew Balding (unsurprisingly), Joseph O'Brien, Dylan Cunha, Tom Clover and Charlie Johnston among the trainers who have added a Study Of Man juvenile to their stable for next year. Kirsten Rausing, who stands the stallion at Lanwades Stud, has lent considerable support to the Niarchos-bred son of Deep Impact (Jpn) and she was understandably another one to be thrilled with the result of the British Champions Fillies and Mares Stakes – a race she won herself 10 years ago with Madame Chiang (GB) (Archipenko). Indeed, that mare's current three-year-old Sinology (GB), a winner at Newbury in April, is another from Study Of Man's first crop. This spring he also covered the Arc winner Alpinista (GB) (Frankel {GB}) at Lanwades among what was his first three-figure book of mares. By his percentage of black-type winners to runners, Study Of Man is ahead of his contemporaries Blue Point and Too Darn Hot (GB), and he is clearly a stallion to follow closely in the coming years. Angel Rising Charyn (Ire), the standout miler of the season in Europe, has been winning from March to October and he added a third Group 1 to his record in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on Saturday. It won't just have been trainer Roger Varian and owner Nurlan Bizakov who delighted in that victory as Charyn's valuable win promoted his sire Dark Angel (Ire) to the top of the sires' table for Britain and Ireland. Charyn was bred at Grangemore Stud by brothers Guy and David O'Callaghan, whose family has stood Dark Angel throughout this long and honourable career. There would be few people in the bloodstock industry who would not revel in the championship going to the Yeomanstown Stud resident, who has worked his way up through the ranks by siring sound and genuine horses, and is also becoming a notable broodmare sire. If you are in any doubt as to what Dark Angel means to Yeomanstown's Gay O'Callaghan, then have a quick watch of this TDN video interview with the stallion master from earlier in the year. Dukes Rules Caulfield The superb season of Lope De Vega (Ire) continued in fine style on Saturday when his son Duke De Sessa (Ire) claimed a major international victory in the G1 Caulfield Cup. Homebred by Maurice Regan of Newtown Anner Stud, who still races the five-year-old with partners, the gelding started his racing career with Dermot Weld before switching to the stable of Ciaron Maher early last year. A dual Group 3 winner in Ireland and fifth in the Irish 2,000 Guineas, he has been a consistent campaigner in Australia, with several Group 1 placings prior to this major breakthrough victory. It has already been quite the year for Lope De Vega around the world. Look De Vega (Fr) and Rouhiya (Fr) each won Classics in France, Program Trading (GB) and Carl Spackler (Ire) have won Grade 1s in America, and of the youngest generation, Goldolphin's Shadow Of Light (GB) is a standout with his victories in the Dewhurst and the Middle Park Stakes. The post Seven Days: A Second Wave of Superpowers? appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Francis-Henri Graffard trainee Azimpour (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}–Azmiyna {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}), a half-brother to multiple Group 1-winning sire The Autumn Sun (Aus) (Redoute's Choice {Aus}), sidestepped an engagement at Saint-Cloud earlier in the month and made no mistake in his debut proper with a 3/4-of-a-length tally in Sunday's €50,000 Prix de Belleville over nine furlongs at ParisLongchamp. 1st-ParisLongchamp, €50,000, Mdn, 10-20, unraced 2yo, c/g, 9fT, 2:04.32, hy. AZIMPOUR (IRE) (c, 2, Dubawi {Ire}–Azmiyna {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}) was within range of the leaders racing at the tail of the seven-runner field for most of this debut. Making continued headway under pressure in the straight, the even-money favourite challenged out wide with 100 metres remaining and was ridden out to prevail by 3/4-of-a-length from Batal Youmzain (Fr) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}). Azimpour is the latest of eight foals and sixth scorer from as many runners produced by an unraced half-sister to multiple Group 1-winning sire Azamour (Ire) (Night Shift). The April-foaled homebred bay is a half-brother to five-time Group 1-winning Australian champion The Autumn Sun (Aus) (Redoute's Choice {Aus}) and last week's Listed Garnet Stakes victrix Azada (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}). Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, €25,000. O-H H The Aga Khan; B-H H The Aga Khan's Studs SC (IRE); T-Francis-Henri Graffard. Prix De Belleville @paris_longchamp Longchamp – Inédit – 2 ans – 1800m – 7 Pts – Lourd (4.7) – 50 000€ Azimpour (m) (Ire) Mickael Barzalona @mickaelbarzalon (Dubawi (Ire) @DarleyEurope – Azmiyna (Ire) par Galileo ((Ire)) Francis-Henri… pic.twitter.com/jIQjaE01dO — French and International Horse Racing (@Vincenzo0612) October 20, 2024 The post Dubawi Half to The Autumn Sun Makes Winning Debut at ParisLongchamp appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

David Hayes-trained sprinter narrowly misses out on the track record with breathtaking Group Two success.View the full article

Bill Thurlow’s team of gallopers were simply unstoppable at Waverley on Sunday, with his four winners capped off by Battle Secret (NZ) (Battle Paint) taking home the Steelformers Waverley Cup (2200m). The seven-year-old son of Battle Paint has had a sterling campaign so far, winning three of his five starts, alongside a game second behind Sacred Pearl in the Egmont Cup (2100m) a fortnight ago. Battle Secret was then aimed towards the local feature, where he closed the $3.80 favourite with Craig Grylls in the saddle. Jumping away positively from barrier two, Battle Secret settled on the fence in third, while Mahoe strode out to lead in the early stages and attempted to steady the pace along the back straight. The field stacked up turning for home and Grylls waited for the gap with Battle Secret, and when it came, the gelding burst through and kicked strongly, just holding Mehzebeen by a nose with Canheroc in third. Thurlow indicated that not all went to plan in the running, but he couldn’t be prouder of Battle Secret’s performance. “It was a massive run, he probably didn’t get quite the right spot and Craig backed that up, he got a beautiful run until about the woolshed and then he couldn’t get off (the fence),” Thurlow said. “He’s just one of those horses that needs to be rolling, so when he got out and going he was really good. Even though he got chased late, it was a very good effort and we’re just rapt with him. “We’ve got an amazing crowd here at Waverley, they’re still here enjoying the day and it’s been a brilliant day for racing.” The victory was Battle Secret’s seventh in 28 starts, earning just shy of $135,000 in stakes for a large syndicate, in a career that was restricted for a period due to injury. “In his early career, he had been winning high weights and running around in lesser company, but in these last six or eight weeks, he’s really turned a corner. He’s matured and he looked fantastic in the parade today, he’s just come of age,” Thurlow said. “We’re not 100% sure where we’ll go next, whether we carry on to the Fielding Cup or just wait a bit longer. He’s spend a few days in the paddock, we won’t get too ahead of ourselves but I think there is another nice Cup in him somewhere. “I became really good friends with the Brausch’s (co-owners) through the show jumping world with my daughters Emma and Jamie. We ended up getting some horses for them and they are just lovely people, they haven’t had a lot of luck but have been so loyal over a long period of time, so it’s great to see them have this success.” Battle Secret’s victory was the final of Thurlow’s winning quartet, which kicked off in the opener with Crunchie Boy (NZ) (Tavistock) winning the Total Transport (1400m). The son of Tavistock has proved an enigma at times, but he indicated he was back in strong form with a second behind Footloose last start and closed the $2.10 favourite to go one better on Sunday. In the hands of apprentice Ciel Butler, Crunchie Boy controlled proceedings off the front and showed plenty of fight to hold of the booming charge of Danjuro to score by a neck. “It was good to see him win and for a very good friend of mine, Nigel Baker, who is the President of the Waverley Racing Club,” Thurlow said. “He was placed to win this race, I’m not sure how far we will go but he’s a nice galloper and if we can get things right, there’s another win or two in him.” Crunchie Boy was purchased by Thurlow for $25,000 at the Karaka Yearling Sales in 2021 through the draft of Cambridge Stud, while his next winner, The Big Picture, carried the familiar colours of breeder-owners Humphrey and Fiona O’Leary. The Big Picture (NZ) (Proisir) lives up to his name with an imposing stature last seen at the races in February, contesting a maiden 2000m contest. Returning in the Waverley Harvesting/Big Blade over just 1200m, the son of Proisir jumped a $28 chance, but he travelled like the winner turning for home and did just that, powering clear by an extending two lengths to race-favourite Doctor Askar. “He’s a really interesting horse, we sat down with the owners to decide what to do with him because in his last prep, he looked like he should be winning, but wasn’t,” Thurlow said. “We didn’t think he could be beaten off his work in a few of those runs, but he was, and we were running him over that 1600m-2000m range. “I’ll put my hands up and be the first to say I probably got it wrong with him, he’s more of a sprinting type of horse and he won really impressively over 1000m in a jump-out, which he showed again today and he was pretty impressive.” The Big Picture was a pick-up ride for apprentice Niranjan Parmar, who also successfully guided a fast-improving Frank The Tank (NZ) (Burgundy) to victory in the Chris Grace/Tony Wilson Livestock (1650m). Frank The Tank defeated another well-performed local in Sheaf at the venue on October 9 and punters had every faith he could repeat the dose as the equal top-weight. Ridden just off the speed throughout, the gelding tracked into the race effortlessly coming off the turn and continued to find plenty in the closing stages, holding off Beavertown Boy and Bozo to go back-to-back. “Frankie was just brilliant today,” Thurlow said. “He’s a seriously nice horse and there’s a really good race in him, I think that’ll be when we get over ground. “He’s up in grade now and will be in open company, so we’ll look to take that step up in distance. I’m not sure where, but it’ll probably be a Cup’s type of race somewhere. We’ve got him and Battle Secret in similar situations and I don’t want to run them against each other, so we’ve got to find the right races.” Reflecting on an incredible afternoon where he earned his first four-timer, Thurlow was swift in thanking his team for the work behind the scenes. “We’ve only really ever won a couple in a day and this is our best result yet,” he said. “I remember one day I had five horses in at Waverley and four of them ran second so that was quite frustrating, but today, everything went to plan. We were very lucky. “I really want to thank the guys that work for me, Sam O’Malley has been with me for about a year and Paul and Jonty Reid for over ten years. They do so much hard work, they are good horsemen and they put the hard yards in. They have never let me down and I’m really proud of them all, I wouldn’t be able to do it without them. “It’s a great result for the whole team.” From just 34 starters so far this season, Thurlow has accumulated 11 winners and sits in seventh on the National Trainer’s Premiership, with a dazzling strike rate of 3.09. View the full article

Francis Lui’s talented galloper continues winning ways as first leg of four-year-old series beckons.View the full article

Keayang Zahara goes 10 from 10, Catch A Wave looks Christchurch bound and Cantfindabettorman just keeps winning in this week’s Aussie News. By Adam Hamilton Freakish Aussie three-year-old trotting filly Keayang Zahara will very likely head to New Zealand unbeaten in 11 starts. The Marg Lee-trained superstar made it a perfect 10 when she cruised to victory in a heat of the Victoria Trotters’ Derby against the boys at Maryborough today (Sunday). Importantly, her gate speed keeps improving, too. She began well and quickly worked to the front before cruising to victory in a very slick 1min59.2sec mile rate for the long 2690m trip. She will dominate betting in the $75,000 final at the same track next Sunday. Keayang Zahara will be chasing her fifth Group 1 victory in the Derby final. She is booked on the November 5 flight from Melbourne to Auckland and then on down to Christchurch for the inaugural $500,000 The Ascent at Addington on November 15. Beyond that, she is likely to stay for the NZ Oaks and Derby. Many say the daughter of Volstead is as good a three-year-old trotting filly as Australia has produced. X X X The Aussie powerhouse Jess Tubbs and Greg Sugars’ team will have three, maybe even four, raiders at New Zealand Cup Week. Champion trotter Just Believe and Auckland Cup winner Better Eclipse will return after successful trips across the ditch earlier this year. Tough and classy former Kiwi trotter One Over All also booked his ticket with an eye-catching second in a blistering last half to the exciting Keayang Chucky at Melton last Saturday night. One Over All was clocked to run a 55.9sec last half at the end of a 1miun57.6sec mile rate for 2240m. And there is growing talk He’s From Heaven, who ran a solid fifth in last Saturday week’s Group 1 Victoria Derby at Melton, is in contention for a slot in the inaugural $500,000 The Velocity at Addington on Show Day. Just Believe will tackle the $400,000 Renwick Farms Dominion Trot on Cup Day as well as the $100,000 NZ Trotting Free-For-All on Show Day. Better Eclipse is expected to contest both the $1m IRT NZ Cup and the $200,000 Group 1 NZ Free-For-All on November 15. One Over All’s staying prowess should make him an outside place hope in the Dominion. X X X Andy and Kate Gath will be at IRT NZ Trotting Cup Week, it’s just a matter of which horses they have with them. Andy Gath said former Miracle Mile winner Catch A Wave was “almost certain” to make the trip across for the two races – the “Junior” free-for-all on Cup Day and the NZ free-for-all on Show Day. “His bloods showed he had a bit of a virus in the Victoria Cup. He’s bounced back now and races so well away from home. “We’re going to trial him and Callmethebreeze on Tuesday week, then run them November 2 at Melton. We’ll make a final on Callmethebreeze and NZ after that run. “If he doesn’t go, there’s a chance the (trotting) mare Im Ready Jet might go with Catch A Wave instead.” X X X Former Kiwi colt Christopher Dance showed why is hot favourite for the Group 1 WA Derby when he narrowly but impressively won the $50,000 Group 3 Western Gateway (2536m) at Gloucester Park last night. Having just his second WA start for Team Bond, the son of Sweet Lou sat parked for driver Deni Roberts, gave a good kick when needed and staved-off talented stablemate Vegas Strip to win by a head. The race underlined Team Bond’s strong WA Derby hand as they also had Golden Lode run a good fourth and Tualou finish fifth. Earlier, last season’s NZ Oaks winner Aardiebytheseaside suffered her first WA loss. After winning her first seven starts for Team Bond, the four-year-old sat parked outside main danger Steno in the $50,000 Group 3 Schrader, but was struggling before the home bend and tired badly to finish almost 30m away in ninth spot. Former NSW mare Steno was brilliant in front for trainer-driver Jocelyn Young, scorching a 1min53.5sec mile rate for 2130m and ripping home in 56.1 and 28.4sec. In the free-for-all, champion driver Gary Hall Jr won his “own” race. Named the Congratulations Gary Hall Jr 4000 Winners free-for-all, Hall Jr took Tricky Miki straight to the front from gate one and scored as he liked by 8.2m in a 1min57.9sec mile rate for 2536m, beating main danger Lavra Joe, who sat parked. X X X Classy former Kiwi pacer Cantfindabettorman is loving his move to Victoria. When Luke McCarthy decided to spend some time in the US after last month’s TAB Eureka, Cantfindabettorman and stablemate Spirit Of Arion were transferred to Isabel and Peter Walsh in Victoria. Between them, they have raced 11 times for the Walsh’s for five wins. Cantfindabettorman made it two wins on end when paced a brilliant 1min51.4sec mile rate for 1720m to win the free-for-all at Melton last Saturday night. “They’re certainly two lovely horses to have come into the stable,” Peter Walsh said. X X X Former Kiwi gelding Always Smokin smashed the clock winning the opening race at Albion Park last Saturday. The Chantal Turpin-trained four-year-old ripped along in front and found plenty to win easily in a 1min49.6sec mile rate for 1660m. The time was just 0.4sec outside stablemate Blacksadance’s track record. View the full article

First-year trainer Dom Sutton may have fallen just short of a fairytale maiden Group 1 win in last weekend’s Caulfield Guineas, but the young horseman will now eye off a win on racing’s biggest day. Sutton confirmed Feroce (NZ) (Super Seth), who fell just a half-head short of Private Life, will head to the Gr.3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) on Victoria Derby Day at Flemington. “When he had that really soft first-up run (McNeil Stakes) it put into consideration he could have four runs for the prep,” he explained. “He has just taken improvement each time, in the Prelude he had a lot of improvement to come coat-wise and he still had a little bit there on Saturday as well and that’s really tightened him up. “The way he’s presenting now is almost bang on. “I think the form has been pretty good out of the Guineas for horses without winning and then going on to the Carbine Club … you can’t turn your head away for a A$500,000 race.” Crosshaven finished fourth behind Ole Kirk in the 2020 Caulfield Guineas and went on to win the Carbine Club, while Dalasan finished fifth in 2019 and Levindi sixth in 2017, before both likewise went on to win the Carbine Club. The Ballarat-based horseman said consideration was given to the G1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) next weekend, but he feels leaving the horse in Melbourne at the 1600 metres is the best option. “We looked at it and discussed it for a short while, but we just think at this stage he’s probably not ready for the 10 furlongs,” he said of the Spring Champion Stakes. “I think he’ll get 10 furlongs in time and he will be a 2000-metre horse. “But he is quite a big, gangly horse, so to take him up to Sydney on the other leg when he’s just starting to put things together down here made Melbourne a better decision.” Caulfield Guineas third placegetter Evaporate (NZ) (Per Incanto) will also head to to the November 2 contest. Sutton said autumn targets could include the Australian Guineas or The Kiwi, a NZ$3.5 million slot race restricted to Kiwi-bred three-year-olds over 1500m in March at Ellerslie. Stablemate Khadime, who finished third last Saturday, is likely to join Feroce at Flemington on Derby Day and run in the Gr.3 Vanity Stakes (1400m). View the full article

Ciaron Maher said he saw nothing in Pride Of Jenni’s Randwick run and post-race recovery on Saturday to suggest she will not take her place in the highly select A$5 million Cox Plate this week. Such news will bring a major sigh of relief for those at the Moonee Valley Racing Club as currently, it appears Saturday’s race will feature just six runners and no horse will have a bigger bearing on the shape of the race than the hugely popular on-pace runner. Maher said on Sunday morning that he’d long had a plan to get the Trelawney Stud bred mare back to The Valley for the Cox Plate (2040m) from the Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m) at Randwick and he said the early signs were encouraging after she beat all but the emerging Ceolwulf in the race. “I’ll assess her tomorrow and the next day, but I monitored her quite closely yesterday and post-race,” Maher explained. “She had fluid straight after the race and she’s now in a nice paddock this morning at Bong Bong (at Maher’s property south of Sydney), so she’s got every opportunity to get there. “I certainly didn’t see anything yesterday that would deter us from racing in seven days. “I was very pleased with her effort. She ran super but was just beaten by a better horse on the day.” At this stage, the Cox Plate field will contain the two visiting imports Prognosis and Docklands as well as the four locals in Pride Of Jenni, Broadsiding, Via Sistina and Mr Brightside. The Cox Plate field looks unlikely to get beyond those six runners, although there is some consideration from connections of the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Gr.1 placegetter Royal Patronage to pay-up for the race by Tuesday morning’s deadline. There is a provision for a late entry for an older horse of $200,000 by noon on Monday and $100,000 for a three-year-old, but at this stage it appears unlikely there will be any new players on the scene. View the full article

The Melbourne Cup dream is over for this year for Warmonger (NZ) (War Decree), who has been sent to the paddock following his eighth placing in Saturday’s Caulfield Cup. OTI Racing director Terry Henderson confirmed on Sunday morning that Warmonger’s spring campaign was over after connections decided pressing on to the Melbourne Cup would “be pushing it”. “He pulled up fine, but he’s just had enough,” Henderson said of the Queensland Derby winner. “The Caulfield Cup was always going to be the swinging door as it were, and he knows he’s had a hard run. “He’s been up for a long time and I think it’s a good move. “He’s a four-year-old and had a long season, as he only had three weeks off in the middle of the year, and Mick (Price) said this morning, you could tell he’s had enough. “His sectional times were good, but the reality is that was a peak run and two miles in two weeks would be pushing it. “If we put him out now, he has that extra couple of weeks to get him ready for a race like the Tancred in Sydney in the autumn.” OTI Racing still has a chance of landing the Melbourne Cup as Sydney Cup runner-up Athabascan returned to winning form in the Group 3 St Leger (2600m) at Randwick. Meanwhile, Henderson said another horse could also appear on the Cup scene late with import Sea King likely to run in the Bendigo Cup on Wednesday week where he could qualify himself for a Melbourne Cup start. “He ran fifth on the Ebor and he is a two-miler, so he might end up finding himself in the Cup if he can win at Bendigo,” Henderson said. View the full article

Te Akau Racing’s winning form in the Central Districts continued at Waverley on Sunday, with promising three-year-old Class (NZ) (Embellish) claiming his maiden on debut in the Summit Electrical (1400m). The son of Embellish had made six appearances at the trials since mid-February this year and that experience was evident from the jump, gliding to the lead under Lily Sutherland and setting up a solid tempo. Fellow debutant Movin Out joined the gelding at the 600m but Class gained a break turning for home, showing a slick turn-of-foot to score easing down by 3 – ¼ lengths to Only The Lonely. Mark Walker, who trains Class in partnership with Sam Bergerson, anticipates the son of Embellish will only continue to improve as the distances rise. “It was a lovely positive ride by Lily and he’ll only get better as we step him up over more distance,” Walker said. “He was bred out at the farm, so he’s had plenty of time to develop and it’s always great to see the horses bred at Te Akau Stud as weanlings, then yearlings, and train on to win the way he did. “He may become the type once we get him up in trip, and with further maturity, that he could have a nice staying future.” Te Akau’s racing manager Reece Trumper added that Class will continue south from Waverley to the stable’s barn at Riccarton Park, with an intention to target the South Island Guineas’ races through the season. Class is a homebred galloper, with the Te Akau Opulent Syndicate breeding him alongside Glenn and Cathie Holmes. Te Akau principal David Ellis initially purchased the four-win dam, Opulent, as a yearling in 2013, and she has gone on to produce four individual winners including Luxuriant, Plenty O’ Style and the Australian-based Called To Account. “It’s always especially exciting for Karyn and I, and the Te Akau owners that breed horses like this, to see them win,” Ellis said. “Opulent is from one of the best families in the studbook and a beautiful filly with plenty of strength and great balance when we bought her as a yearling at Karaka. “She was a smart filly that worked effortlessly and looked the part when trialling as a two-year-old, and while she may not have reached the heights we hoped for, she has become a great mother and bred talented horses.” View the full article

Progressive mare Arabian Songbird (NZ) (Pierro) took a step up in grade all in her stride at Ellerslie on Saturday, powering to victory in the Barfoot and Thompson 1600. The daughter of Pierro commenced her racing career in the care of Peter and Dawn Williams, and following their retirement, entered the stable of Roger James and Robert Wellwood, of whom she made a winning debut for at the venue last month. Remaining in the hands of jockey Masa Hashizume, Arabian Songbird jumped positively from her wide barrier and found a comfortable position off the fence midfield, with Val Di Zoldo dictating terms off the front. Drawing wider on the home turn, Arabian Songbird began to wind up and set off to hunt down Val Di Zoldo and Bourbon Empress, scorching home in the final 200m to score by a length to the latter, with Jolted running home well to fill the first three. James indicated the Cambridge partnership had been on a fact-finding mission the contest, with the performance putting her in good stead for future assignments. “It was a big jump up in class from her last start and was going to be a test as to where her future lies, it was a good field with well-backed and well-fancied runners,” he said. “If we could be competitive, that would auger well for her future, and she was able to make that jump and do so impressively. “Peter said that he rated her early on but then her form deteriorated later in the season, so he put her out to spell. “We were the lucky ones to get her in lovely order after a long spell.” Arabian Songbird will remain in Rating 75 company at her next appearance, and beyond that, James is happy to allow until next autumn before entering the pressures of potential stakes racing. “She’s a filly with a pedigree and obviously when she gets to the right stage in her career, we would be looking for some black-type to make her as a broodmare,” he said. “I do think she will be up to that but it’s one step at a time at this stage, she’s only had the two runs and is a little while away from that, so it is definitely an autumn assignment. “While she’s racing well at a mile, I see no point leaving that distance. But, I have no doubt that 2000m will be well within her grasp.” The four-year-old was bred by Jamieson Park and purchased by Sarah Green and Ger Beemsterboer of Barneswood Farm for $260,000 at the 2022 National Yearling Sales at Karaka. The owners also race her half-sister Saint Alice, a Listed Kaimai Stakes (2000m) winner and multiple Group Two-placegetter. Arabian Songbird’s victory completed a double for James and Wellwood on the card, after winning the Head To Trackside.co.nz 1100 with Sweynesday (NZ) (Sweynesse). Having just his third race day appearance, Sweynesday was fresh-up since winning his maiden in mid-April and was rated a $4.70 second-favourite behind Tossuforit. Also ridden by Hashizume, the son of Sweynesse settled into a good rhythm in midfield and was cruising into the straight where Wind Of Change held him off until just prior to the line, where Sweynesday found a closing surge to get over the top by a long head. “He was ultra-professional and was beautifully ridden yesterday by Masa,” James said. “We were very happy with him going into this race and his form suggested he would be more than competitive, as he proved. “Maturity as forced us to do that (be patient), but I think we will reap the benefits. He’s not a big fellow and has a good level of sprinting ability. “He’ll quite possibly get 1400m, whether he could get a mile is questionable at this stage, but who knows.” Sweynesday raced in the colours of his owners Falcon Racing, who purchased him for $80,000 out of Pertab Racing’s draft at the 2022 Ready To Run Sale. View the full article

Guy Heveldt, is joined by Aidan Rodley in the studio and Jayne Ivil live from Sydney as they break down The Everest with Mark Chittick. Review the Caulfield Cup, and races from Ellerslie and Otaki Weigh In, October 20 View the full article

Lightly raced six-year-old Marotiri Molly (NZ) (Per Incanto) made it back-to back victories as she ran her rivals off their feet to capture the AR Painters Handicap (1400m) at Otaki on Saturday. The late blooming daughter of Per Incanto had won three of her eight starts to date since making her debut in July last year, including a last-start front-running performance at Hawera a fortnight ago in the hands of Kate Hercock, who was aboard again on Saturday. Hercock took the Matt Dixon-prepared mare straight to the front and she dictated proceedings at a muddling speed before being joined on her outer by McKhan with 800m to run. Marotiri Miss quickly shook off those attentions as she broke clear early in the run home, comfortably holding a three-length advantage at the post ahead of a gallant Duncan Creek, who chased her hard in the closing stages. Dixon was feeling especially satisfied with his charge who has proved a handful from the day she entered his stable. “She was broken in as a late two-year-old and time has been her friend as she has battled shin soreness for quite some time,” Dixon said. “We seem to have overcome that, but she is a real tough individual who can take a fair bit of looking after at home. “Now that she has matured a little more, she has come right with her manners, as early on you wouldn’t have thought she would get beyond 1000m as she just wanted to go too hard and run through the bridle. “Her last two wins have been over 1400m, and she has settled well in front and got the trip nicely so I think she might even get out to a mile the way she is racing.” Dixon has a number of options for his charge with the thought she might be suited to a race like the Gr.3 Windsor Park Stud Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) at Riccarton on 13 November. “The way she is going she could be a candidate to get some black type on her record,” he said. “I have been thinking about a race like the Breeders’ Stakes at Riccarton on the middle day of the carnival, but we will make that decision a little further down the track. “She won’t cope with a really rock-hard track so that would be a factor in how we go forward with her from here.” Raced by her breeders Beven Parlato and his wife Christine, Marotiri Molly is out of the stakes placed mare Marotiri Miss who won five races and finished runner-up in the 2014 Gr.3 Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton. She has now won four of her nine starts, all with Hercock in the saddle and just under $92,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

What Warrnambool Races Where Warrnambool Racing Club – 2-64 Grafton Rd, Warrnambool VIC 3280 When Monday, October 21, 2024 First Race 12:30pm AEDT Visit Dabble A new week of racing in Victoria kicks off with a competitive nine-race card at Warrnambool on Monday, October 21, 2024. Having seemingly missed most of the rain that the rest of the state copped on Friday, the track has come up a Soft 5, while the rail will stick to its true position the entire circuit. Action from the ‘Bool is set to commence at 12:30pm AEDT. Best Bet at Warrnambool: Autumn Colours The Symon Wilde-trained Autumn Colours has caught the eye in her two runs this time in, and under highweight conditions, the mare looks well-placed to bring up a second career win at start six. Despite hitting a flat spot on the home turn at Morphettville last time out, the four-year-old picked herself up late to grab third. Despite being well beaten, the run showed she is seemingly an out-and-out stayer, and from barrier three, she should gain an economical run in transit. With even luck, Autumn Colours should be winning. Best Bet Race 2 – #2 Autumn Colours (3) 4yo Mare | T: Symon Wilde | J: Aaron Kuru (69.5kg) +120 with PlayUp Next Best at Warrnambool: King Neptune Dominic Sutton’s King Neptune has put the writing on the wall with three smart efforts to begin his spring campaign. The six-year-old gelding has not been beaten far in recent times in tough company, and stepping back to BM58 seems perfect for the son of Ocean Park to get back into the winners stall. He doesn’t win out of turn, winning once in 13 starts but has placed on seven occasions. Jarrod Fry will look to hold a prominent position, and as long as King Neptune does not get caught wide the trip, he looks hard to beat. Next Best Race 7 – #5 King Neptune (9) 5yo Gelding | T: Dominic Sutton | J: Jarrod Fry (61.5kg) +150 with Dabble Best Value at Warrnambool: Geffina Geffina has two lengths to make up on race favourite Fickle from when they met on October 4, but drawn in barrier one, the mare presents as great value with horse racing bookmakers. Formerly with Peter & Paul Snowden, the I Am Invincible mare has shown plenty of potential, and drawn the rail, and stepping up to the 1100m second-up from a long spell, there’s plenty to be excited about. She will have improved with the run under her belt, and with the sit on the leaders, Geffina will just need even luck in the straight to feature in the finish. Best Value Race 3 – #13 Geffina (1) 3yo Filly | T: Aaron Purcell | J: Tom Madden (55kg) +700 with Picklebet Monday quaddie tips for Warrnambool races Warrnambool quadrella selections Monday, October 21, 2024 1-2-9-14 1-2-5 2-3-4-5-8 1-2-3-4-5 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article