Wandering Eyes

Jockey Cristian Torres hit a personal milestone Friday, Jan. 2 when he piloted Tiz in Sight (Tiz the Law) to victory against starter optional claimers, and in the process secured Oaklawn win 300 in his career. Torres moved tack to the venue in early 2021, and produced one of the best seasons in the track's history in 2022-23 when he finished with 100 victories and over $6.1-million in earnings. It was a single-season local record, and he joined a rarified group as Hall of Famer Pat Day is the only other jockey to reach 100 wins at an Oaklawn meeting. Torres was also the riding champion in 2023-24 with 82 trips to the winner's enclosure, and finished second last year with 62. “Really happy to accomplish that here, the place that I call home,” Torres said after Friday's final race. “Just to win 300, in what, four or five years? I'm just really thankful to all the trainers and the owners that have supported me. It took a little time to give them the confidence to let me ride their horses. The post Cristian Torres Hits 300 Career Oaklawn Wins appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Opportune black type awaits some of the five fillies and mares contesting the $100,000 Las Flores Stakes (G3) Jan. 4 at Santa Anita Park.View the full article

My World (Essential Quality), winner of the Nashua S. at Aqueduct Nov. 1, made it three straight wins in Saturday's $150,000 Jerome S. at the Big A, good for 10 points on the road to the Kentucky Derby. The gray, off at odds of 5-2 in this scratched-down field of four, trailed the quartet through an opening quarter in :23.58. He began to make his move on the far turn, set his sights on favored Balboa (Not This Time) at the quarter pole and kept on coming in the stretch to win by 1 1/2 lengths. My World becomes the fourth black-type winner from the first crop of Essential Quality. The winner's dam MSW & GSP Quebec (Into Mischief), a $105,000 purchase by breeder Cove Springs at the 2019 Keeneland November Sale, had a colt by Uncle Mo in 2024 and a filly by Constitution in 2025. She was bred back to Independence Hall. Sales history: $350,000 yrl '24 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 4-3-0-0. O-LaPenta, Robert V. & Madaket Stables LLC. B-Cove Springs, LLC. T-Brad H. Cox. MY WORLD ($7.24) earns 10 points toward the @KentuckyDerby as he takes the $150,000 Jerome Stakes at Aqueduct. The son of @DarleyAmerica's Essential Quality was ridden by Jaime Rodriguez, trained by @bradcoxracing and owned by @RVLaPentaStable and @MadaketStables. pic.twitter.com/pCb9l5VOcV — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) January 3, 2026 The post My World Outboxes Balboa in Jerome appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Jockey Alex Birzer recorded his 4,000th Thoroughbred victory Jan. 2 at Delta Downs when he piloted Big Duck to victory in the fifth race. The 52-year-old rider also has 51 wins aboard Quarter Horses.View the full article

7th-GP, 84K, Msw, 3yo, f, 1m, 3:18 p.m. The Danny Gargan-trained SONG OF SARAH (Curlin) makes her Gulfstream Park debut Sunday for owners CSLR Racing Partners, R. A. Hill Stable and Belmar Racing and Breeding. The $140,000 Keeneland September yearling turned $500,000 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Sale grad of last year is the latest foal out of Canadian Champion Older Mare Embur's Song who banked north of $616,000 in her own racing career including a track record-setting score in Keeneland's GIII Hilliard Lyons Doubledogdare Stakes. Embur's Song is also a half-sister to the stakes-placed dam of MGISW and sire Exaggerator (Curlin). Song of Sarah drew the rail in this one-turn mile and gets Hall of Famer John Velazquez aboard. Making her second start and looking to go one better is Paradise (Gun Runner), a daughter of MGSW/MGISP Venetian Harbor. Picked up for $700,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale as a yearling, Paradise debuted in a six-furlong spot at Churchill Downs Nov. 13 where she broke at the back but finished up nicely to run second 1 1/4 lengths behind the winner. Brad Cox will give the leg up to Edgard Zayas who replaces jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. Sunday. TJCIS PPS The post Sunday Insights: Curlin Filly Draws The Rail For Gulfstream Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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Santa Anita Park canceled racing Jan. 3 due to anticipated heavy rain. A decision for Jan. 4 racing program will be made early Sunday morning to evaluate the most up-to-date forecast.View the full article

Toshi Onikubo is a respected journalist and analyst who can be spotted at the majority of the big race meetings across the globe. The Japanese native is a graduate of the Godolphin Flying Start and is perhaps best known currently for his role with netkeiba.com. He is next up in the Hot Seat. You were all over the world in 2025. Was there been a particular highlight for you and why? The Shergar Cup at Ascot was definitely a highlight. It was great to see a young Japanese rider, Ryusei Sakai, win a race and witness one of his dreams come true. I truly appreciate the support given by the Ascot team. And on a personal level, my first daughter was born this past April. And if you could only go to one major festival in 2026, which one would it be and why? I am so lucky that I never thought I needed to pick only one. If I had to choose, it would be the Hong Kong International Races (HKIR). It is undoubtedly a fantastic international meeting, and the Hong Kong Jockey Club is exceptionally well-organised. Importantly, the timing is convenient as I don't need to worry about the rest of the year's schedule after that stage. Tell us something that people don't know about Toshi Onikubo? I'm a 33-year-old paper veterinarian who's a bit of a box walker, but I'd run hard for you if you're a good trainer for me! What motivates you? People and the future. I would be delighted if I can contribute to making a difference. Who is your inspiration? Dr. Harry Sweeney. A tough mentor but straight and fair. But perhaps not at the poker table, which invariably cost me. But as the great man often reminded me, 'a good education costs money.' Your guilty pleasure? Listening to songs by Ado, a Japanese singer. Just trust me and give her songs a listen. Give us one horse to look out for in 2026… Jantar Mantar. The Japanese champion miler will surprise the world. Who would be your for ideal dinner guests and why? Reliable friends, because I don't need to behave formally. And finally, any goals or ambitions for the new year? Recruit Japanese horses for the Dubai Racing Carnival, The Jockey Club (UK), France Galop, and the Irish Champions Festival. Achieving profitability for one of Netkeiba's business segments. Restarting my exercise routine to lose weight. The post In The Hot Seat: Toshi Onikubo appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It's that time of year where everybody who's anybody in racing is being asked for their 2026 predictions. Already, I've seen four different staying chasers nominated as the likeliest winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup – Galopin Des Champs is a decent bet to regain his crown at 6/1, if you're asking – while Flat racing fans can be found staring deep into their crystal balls, trying to pinpoint the five Classic winners of 2026. On Friday, it was exactly four months until the 2,000 Guineas kicks off the proper stuff at Newmarket. The ante-post market for that Classic suggests it's Aidan O'Brien who holds all of the aces, with Albert Einstein, Gstaad and Puerto Rico currently occupying three of the first five positions in the betting. In the 1,000 Guineas, the Ballydoyle challenge looks even more formidable, with Precise and Diamond Necklace the only two runners currently trading at single-figure odds. A lot can change in four months, however. Just ask Charlie Appleby, who dominated last year's Newmarket Classics when Ruling Court and Shadow Of Light finished first and third, respectively, in the 2,000 Guineas, before Desert Flower completed a landmark weekend for Godolphin with her success in the 1,000 Guineas. Within four months, Ruling Court had sadly succumbed to laminitis, while Desert Flower never ran again after finishing third in the Oaks and Shadow Of Light failed to win any of his three subsequent starts. It's fair to say that the three-year-old team at Moulton Paddocks was severely diminished by the absence or underperformance of those star players during the second half of 2025. Symbol Of Honour (Sandy Lane Stakes) and Silent Love (Princess Of Royal Stakes) were the only other members of that age group to win a Group race in Europe last year, suggesting the stable stalwarts Rebel's Romance and Notable Speech will be required to do plenty more heavy lifting in the older horse division in 2026. What about the latest crop of three-year-olds coming through, I hear you ask? Well, whisper it quietly, but this division is where Appleby is potentially blessed with far more strength in depth than he was in 2025. For a start, Appleby sent out no fewer than eight individual Group-winning juveniles in Europe last year, namely Wise Approach (won the G1 Middle Park Stakes), Saba Desert (G2 Superlative Stakes), Words Of Truth (G2 Mill Reef Stakes), Dance To The Music (G3 Sweet Solera Stakes), Distant Storm (G3 Tattersalls Stakes), Beckford's Folly (G3 Cornwallis Stakes), Time To Turn (G3 Horris Hill Stakes) and Al Zanati (G3 Prix Thomas Byron). Perhaps just as exciting is the swathe of novice/maiden winners coming up behind them with the potential to do so much better than what they've had the opportunity to show so far. Talk Of New York (Wootton Bassett), for example, is not far behind the likes of Albert Einstein and Gstaad in the ante-post betting for the 2,000 Guineas, despite having only won a 1m maiden at Kempton in October. More recently, 'TDN Rising Star' Nation's Hope (Ghaiyyath), Abashiri (Frankel), Hidden Force (Frankel) and King's Trail (Sea The Stars) have all emulated Talk Of New York with impressive Kempton victories of their own. In December alone, Appleby saddled eight new juvenile winners, another four of whom we'll discuss below. First, though, how about a prediction? Charlie Appleby will win at least one Group 1 race in Europe in 2026 with a three-year-old that started its career on the all-weather. You heard it here first. More to Come from Maho Bay Perhaps the most exciting colt from Moulton Paddocks to put his name into that conversation in recent days is Maho Bay (Dubawi), who justified odds-on favouritism in straightforward fashion when winning the 11f maiden run at Kempton on December 17. Ridden by Billy Loughnane in his ultimately successful push to reach 222 winners in 2025, a record tally for a Flat jockey since the turn of the century, Maho Bay treated his young partner to an armchair ride. Racing in a clear second for much of the contest, he moved up to lead two furlongs out, before drawing right away under a hands-and-heels ride to hit the line six lengths clear of his closest pursuer. Maho Bay is the third winner from as many runners out of Appleby's GI Natalma Stakes heroine La Pelosa (Dandy Man), with the others including the GIII With Anticipation Stakes third Cavallo Bay (Pinatubo). This colt must be considered a smart middle-distance prospect in the making, with a step up to a mile and a half – and perhaps further still – promising to play to his strengths in time. It's Wednesday and it's Kempton, so of course @godolphin unleash yet another potentially smart newcomer. Step forward Dubawi colt, Maho Bay @loughnane_billy | @WillHillRacing pic.twitter.com/FXNh8WpR8r — Racing TV (@RacingTV) December 17, 2025 Meanwhile, stablemate Golden View looked a speedier much proposition in winning the 7f novice staged on the same card. The son of Dubawi showed signs of inexperience with a sluggish exit from the stalls and when hanging right under pressure, but he was ultimately well on top at the finish, beating Aqpan (Blue Point) by 1 1/4 lengths as the first two pulled fully nine lengths clear of the rest. By way of comparison, Aqpan had finished 1 3/4 lengths behind Appleby's Hidden Force when making his debut at Kempton over a fortnight earlier. Golden View is the first foal out of the G3 Grosser Preis der Landeshauptstadt Dresden winner Alpen Rose (Sea The Stars) and can count the 1,000 Guineas heroine Sleepytime (Royal Academy) as his fourth dam. Alpen Rose showed her best form at up to a mile and the promising Golden View looks cut from a similar cloth in terms of his trip requirements. Completing Appleby's quartet of juvenile winners since Winter Watch last went to print are Man Of Vision (Dubawi) and Carnival Queen (Ghaiyyath), both of whom got off the mark at Wolverhampton. Gelded after twice failing to win on turf, Man Of Vision made it third time lucky with an emphatic display to land the 7f novice staged on December 27, forging clear in the final furlong to land the spoils by four lengths. He probably isn't in his stable's A-team for 2026, but his pedigree will be an ongoing recommendation as the first foal out of the G2 Balanchine winner Summer Romance (Kingman), from the family of last year's G1 Irish 2,000 Guineas and G1 St James's Palace Stakes scorer Field Of Gold (Kingman), among others. As for Carnival Queen, she proved a much sharper model with her debut run under her belt when shedding her maiden tag over just shy of 10f on December 20. She'll be suited by longer trips if the manner in which she powered to the line is anything to go by, getting the verdict by 2 1/2 lengths to become the fourth winner out of the unraced Fastnet Rock mare Rocana. The others include the G3 Chester Vase hero Youth Spirit (Camelot) and Listed Feilden Stakes scorer Canberra Legend (Australia). Extremely Zain Looks Extremely Good The first lot to go through the ring at the inaugural Goffs Classic Breeze-up Sale last June, Extremely Zain emerged as one of the headline acts at Kildare Paddocks when purchased by Mark McStay of Avenue Bloodstock for €185,000, having previously fetched €75,000 at the Arqana October Yearling Sale. The Classic Breeze-up Sale was introduced to cater for later-maturing juveniles in Ireland and Extremely Zain's debut in the final days of his two-year-old campaign certainly proved well worth the wait. Facing nine rivals in the 6f novice staged at Newcastle on December 29, the son of Hello Youmzain looked a colt potentially out of the top drawer in winning by seven lengths, going on the bridle for a long way and quickly sprinting clear when shaken up in the final 100 yards. Extremely Zain is one of five winners from six runners out of an unraced full-sister to the multiple Group 1 heroine Lush Lashes (Galileo), from the family of the G1 Deutsches Derby-winning sire Buzzword. It's a pedigree of contrasts, with Hello Youmzain an influence for speed and plenty of stamina on the distaff side, so it's hard to know what his optimum trip will prove to be. Either way, the change of gear Extremely Zain showed at Gosforth Park should stand him in good stead when the time comes for him to be tested in a higher grade. He's in good hands with William Haggas and it will be interesting to see whether the Somerville Lodge trainer chooses to save him for a turf campaign or give him a bit more experience on the all-weather in the meantime. Extremely Zain, remember the name! @WilliamHaggas' charge showcases an eyecatching turn of foot when romping to victory on debut at @NewcastleRaces…@CierenFallonJr3 pic.twitter.com/kqz4J51St1 — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) December 29, 2025 Guildmaster Adds to Godolphin Riches The Gosden stable has taken out a couple of big prizes on the all-weather in recent days, with the improving Shader (Shamardal) winning the Listed Wild Flower Stakes at Kempton and Nebras (Dubawi) battling to victory in the Listed Quebec Stakes at Lingfield. It's the next generation of talent at Clarehaven Stables that we're more interested in for the purposes of Winter Watch, though, including a colt such as Guildmaster, who looked another bright prospect in the Godolphin blue when winning the 1m novice at Lingfield on December 22. Sent off the 13/8 favourite in a field of 12, Guildmaster impressed most with his strength at the finish after running a bit green on the home turn, drawing right away once back on an even keel to win by three lengths in dominant fashion, with the runner-up, Northern Empire (Night Of Thunder), pulling another five lengths clear of the third. Bred by Jim Bolger, the son of Teofilo first sold for €100,000 at the Goffs November Foal Sale, before changing hands again for 325,000gns at Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale. A full-brother to the G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud hero Gear Up and the G3 Eyrefield Stakes victor Guaranteed, he is bred to stay well and should progress and win more races when he steps up to middle-distances as a three-year-old. A horse to follow for team Gosden! Guildmaster was plenty green enough but has all the tools to open his account at the first time of asking and does so in good style in our @LingfieldPark opener! pic.twitter.com/X14SyYRBrB — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) December 22, 2025 Then, perhaps in a neighbouring box at Clarehaven, there's Marc Chan's Saxon Street, who looked a similar type to Guildmaster when making a successful debut at Chelmsford on December 18. Sent off the 8/11 favourite for that 1m novice, the son of Saxon Warrior made life difficult for himself with a slow start, but he too was doing his best work late on after navigating traffic early in the straight, responding well to his rider's urgings from there to run out an authoritative winner by a length. Like Guildmaster, Saxon Street, a €170,000 purchase at Book 1 of the Goffs Orby Yearling Sale, has a pedigree that suggests he'll have more to offer as his stamina is drawn out further. He is out of the Sea The Stars mare Sea Is Gold, an unraced full-sister to the G1 Sydney Cup hero Shraaoh, multiple Group winner Raheen House and Listed Prix des Tourelles – Fonds Europeen de l'Elevage scorer Sea Of Faith. The Wolves Novice with a Rich Roll Of Honour Finally, a word for two horses trained by George Scott and Richard Hughes, both of whom will look back on 2025 fondly having celebrated their breakthrough triumphs at the top level. Scott was responsible for Objector who, on December 27, won a novice at Wolverhampton which has a rich history, with the subsequent Group scorers Anisette (2022), Lady Of Spain (2023) and Merchant (2024) featuring among its previous winners. The 7/1 fourth choice of punters in a field of 12, Objector travelled sweetly in mid-division, before making smooth headway to track the leaders with two furlongs to run. Produced to lead entering the final furlong, he soon put daylight between himself and the chasing pack, ultimately winning by three lengths in good style. That race was run over an extended mile and there shouldn't be any rush to go up in distance with a gelding whose pedigree is all speed. Sold by Yeomanstown Stud for €100,000 at Book 1 of the Orby Yearling Sale, Objector is a Dark Angel full-brother to the G3 Princess Margaret Stakes winner Angel's Hideaway and G2 Mill Reef Stakes runner-up Perfect Angel. Hughes, meanwhile, was on the money with Free Your Spirit, who showed his true worth at Wolverhampton on December 22, having been beaten at odds of 1/3 when making his debut at Lingfield five days earlier. Dropping back to 7f at Wolves, he raced in the box seat throughout, travelling smoothly on the coattails of the pacesetter, before asserting in the final furlong to run out a comfortable, three-length winner. One of 45 first-crop winners in Europe for Tally-Ho Stud's Starman, Free Your Spirit is out of a half-sister to the G1 Al Quoz Sprint scorer The Right Man (Lope De Vega) and his fourth dam is the French champion Three Troikas (Lyphard). He cost Hughes only £40,000 at the Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale and looks well bought for a stable which enjoyed such a productive 2025. The post Winter Watch: The Big Charlie Appleby Prediction for 2026 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Santa Anita Park has canceled live racing for Saturday, Jan. 3 as the latest in a series of powerful storms is set to drop more rain on the Southern California area throughout the afternoon, the track said in a press release early on Saturday. A decision for Sunday's racing program will be made early in the morning to evaluate the most up-to-date forecast for the saturated Southland. A makeup live racing day will be added Thursday, Jan. 15. This is in addition to the previously announced addition of live racing on Thursday, Jan. 8 to the schedule. The 48-hour postponement of Santa Anita's Opening Day races did not dampen the spirits of fans as the largest crowd in nine years showed up for the start of the season. The 41,962 attendance was also the most for a Sunday opener since 1999. The post More Wet Weather Hits Santa Anita Park As Racing Nixed Saturday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Jay Rooney COLOURFUL KING - R8 (6) Brilliant track and distance winner last start and can handle the Group Three rise Owen Goulding MONARCH COUNTY - R5 (1) Down in grade, drawn perfectly on rail and gets Hugh Bowman on board Trackwork Spy EVERYONE'S STAR - R11 (1) Bursting to win a race this term and gets a great chance here Phillip Woo EVERYONE'S STAR - R11 (1) Deserves to win after three consecutive placings and gets a good chance in this Shannon (Vincent Wong) REWARDING TWINKLE - R1...View the full article

Six-year-old mare Precious Charm showed her trademark grit to overcome a firm Geelong track and a quick back-up, scoring her ninth career win in a thrilling A$200,000 Coastal Classic (1700m) at Geelong on Saturday. Jockey Harry Coffey said the firm nature of the track was a factor as the daughter of Per Incanto only narrowly defeated Verdad and Reset The Jazz. “She might have been feeling that firm ground on the back-up, so it took a lot of urging to get her to win, but she may have been looking after herself,” Coffey said. “That’s understandable, she’s done a great job, she’s been racing in true heart and this track’s starting to get firm now and I don’t know if that’s right in her wheelhouse.” In a driving finish, Precious Charm edged out Verdad, who posted his ninth second placing, while front-runner Reset The Jazz stuck on gamely for third. Holymanz, winner of the previous Coastal Classic editions, loomed as a threat turning for home but failed to finish off. Wilde had returned to Warrnambool after Darkbonee’s win, leaving stable manager Ben Casanelia to reflect on the mare’s outstanding campaign. “Even the run last week in the Lord Stakes had some merit. She never had a lot of luck and Jamie was kind to her in the end and Symon said we’ll roll the dice a little bit backing her up and the glass half full coming into today was that she was probably as good as any of these,” Casanelia said. “She had no weight and she was drawn well. She is in form and the negatives were probably the harder track and the back-up. You’re never quite sure how mares will back up. “She put it together and Harry rode her an absolute treat.” With three wins from her past five starts, Precious Charm continues to reward her connections for their patience and looks primed for more summer success, with her career earnings already surpassing A$430,000. Bred by Olly and Annabel Tuthill’s Beaufort Downs, Precious Charm is by Little Avondale Stud’s high-class stallion Per Incanto out of the High Chaparral mare Highly Valued, herself a daughter of a stakes-placed sister to Showcasing. The well-related filly was purchased from the Rangiora nursery for $80,000 at the 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale by Wilde Racing in conjunction with John White Bloodstock and Dave Mee’s Pinhook Bloodstock. View the full article

Promising two-year-old Warwoven has stamped himself as the horse to beat in the A$3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) as the son of Cambridge Stud stallion Sword Of State remained unbeaten in two starts with a facile victory at Eagle Farm on Saturday. Carrying 59kg topweight, the Bjorn Baker-trained youngster relaxed beautifully behind the speed and accelerated when a gap presented at the top of the straight for rider Rachel King to score by just over three lengths from runner-up Lumbini. “It’s always great to win and it’s not so much about today, it’s just about having a good hit-out in terms of two weeks and getting to the Magic Millions,” Baker said. “The one thing he did do today which I was very happy with, he paraded beautifully. He was lovely and relaxed and if you didn’t like him pre-race, after his parade, you would have had to. “I’ve been lucky enough to have won the Magic Millions twice before, where they’ve had great attitudes and he’s definitely got that and it just carries you so far, particularly in a high pressure race, at a high pressure time of the year. “It’s very exciting, we’ve got a lot of very important clients in this horse including the Cunningham family, my great mate Keith Ferrel amongst others and of course a great purchase by Jim Clark. The colt was sourced by Baker’s bloodstock agent Jim Clarke at the Gold Coast Yearling Sale where he was offered by breeder Kia Ora Stud and knocked down for A$380,000. Warwoven, who is now $2.20 favourite for the Magic Millions, is the first foal of the Makfi mare Needle And Thread, who was the winner of the Gr.2 Royal Stakes (2000m) and placed at Group Two level in the Sir Tristram Fillies’ Classic and Eight Carat Classic. First season sire Sword Of State has enjoyed a terrific start to his stud career., with just the two runners in Australia to this point, the other being stakes winner Torture. That Lindsay Park-trained juvenile won the Listed Debutant Stakes (1000m) at Caulfield in October and closed well for fourth in the Geelong Diamond (1100m) on Saturday in a prep run for the Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m). Sword Of State also sired the quinella in a two-year-old race at Te Aroha on Saturday, where State The Obvious defeated Imperial Rose. A Group One winning son of Snitzel, Sword Of State is well represented at January’s Karaka Yearling Sales, with a total of 50 yearlings by the emerging young sire catalogued across Book 1 (21), Book 2 (25) and the Summer Sale (4). View the full article

Te Rapa visitor First Five delivered on his enormous potential when he gave trainer David Greene his first Group One success when taking out the Gr.1 TAB Telegraph (1200m) at Trentham. Carrying his favourite number 10 saddlecloth, the strapping son of Almanzor took full advantage of that good omen as he dominated the closing stages of the time-honoured sprint feature to head off the challenge of last year’s third placegetter Navigator and the winner of the 2025 contest, Grail Seeker. Successful in the Gr.3 J Swap Sprint (1400m) on his home track at Te Rapa last month, Greene immediately declared the Telegraph as the major target for his charge and never waivered in his faith that this was the horse who could provide him with a Group One victory. Rider Wiremu Pinn took advantage of a good draw as First Five jumped well and put himself right on the speed that was set by outsiders Lhasa and Party Rocking. Navigator was first to pounce in the home straight as he dived through against the rail and put more than a length on First Five, who was issuing his challenge three off the fence. As the pair entered a duel, Grail Seeker emerged out of the ruck and began to chase hard after them, but at the finish it was First Five and Pinn who held a length advantage over Navigator with a neck further back to Grail Seeker. Greene has made no secret of his regard for First Five and cut an emotional figure as he recalled how close he had been to success at elite-level in the past. “This is unbelievable really and thanks be to God as we have been waiting for a while (to win a Group One),” Greene said. “It’s pretty special and just great to do it with this group of owners. “When he (First Five) was sitting outside the leader I was just thinking he looked to be travelling comfortably, but I wasn’t sure if that was good or not. “Wiremu knew what he had underneath him and he was strong all the way through the line. “To win a Group One, weight-for-age race at Trentham, it doesn’t get any better than this.” Pinn, who had missed the win at Te Rapa through suspension, admitted he was prepared to ignore Greene’s instructions once the barriers opened. “He is a big, beautiful and strong horse,” he said. “Unfortunately, I was suspended at Te Rapa so I couldn’t ride him, so I’m very thankful to David and the owners who have been very loyal to me since the day I started. “I had my own plans and didn’t quite listen to David’s instructions as you have to take the bull by the horns in these Group One races and there didn’t look to be any speed on paper. “When I did the form, I couldn’t put together the puzzle so I thought I’m just going to wing it and luckily it worked. “I was a little worried up the straight as I saw Navigator go and I didn’t think I was going to be able to pick him up, but once I let his head go, he has just flown. “He was a bit of a sitting duck as he had a good look at the winning post, but he is a really exciting horse.” By Cambridge Stud stallion Almanzor out of the six-race winner Payette, First Five carried the familiar colours of his breeder Gerald Shand who co-owns him along with Jenna McLeod and Jackie and Philip Rogers. He has now won seven of his 19 starts and more than $523,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

All eyes and money were on Argo prior to the Gr.2 Levin Track Supporters Levin Classic (1400m), with the world’s leading jockey James McDonald aboard the gelding, but it was La Dorada who scored top honours when returning to her brilliant best in the Trentham feature on Saturday. The Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained filly was victorious over the same track and distance when taking out last season’s Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) on her way to being crowned Champion New Zealand Two-Year-Old. She has been disappointing in her subsequent three starts as a three-year-old, finishing second-to-last and last in the Gr.1 Moir Stakes (1000m) and Gr.3 Scarborough Stakes (1200m) respectively in Australia before a subpar fourth placed run when resuming at Te Rapa last month. Her trainers thought she may have needed the run, and that proved to be the case when she bounced back to form on Saturday, but it wasn’t all smooth sailing at the Upper Hutt track. There was an injection of early pace in the race, but jockey Craig Grylls didn’t want any part of the fight and drifted back from their ace draw to settle La Dorada off the pace in midfield. However, as the pace slackened, she got pushed further back and had just three horses behind her when turning for home. Grylls was able to weave his way through runners and La Dorada showed her brilliance of old when storming home to score a half-length victory over Swiss Prince, with Argo back in third. “She hopped away okay but there were about five horses that wanted to go hard for the first 100m and I was happy to take a sit, I didn’t want to use up too much,” Grylls said. “As soon as they crossed us the anchors just went on, it was pretty rough, we all got shuffled back. I have just kept on riding her through, it has all opened up, and what a wicked turn of foot she had. She is back to her best. “It wasn’t ideal how it worked out but a good horse like that can get you out of sticky situations. She is not big, but she is all heart.” Bergerson was trackside, and while he was despondent with her position for much of the journey, he was rapt with her finish and admitted to being a relieved man post-race. “It was a massive relief, I can’t thank the team enough at home that have done a fantastic job with her,” he said. “We were scratching our heads after Te Rapa. She did have a good blow after it and we thought there was improvement in her. We kept the work up to her, she has thrived and done really well. We made sure we were up to the mark and it was fantastic to see her bounce back like that. “When she got shuffled back on the fence and there was no speed, I thought it was going to be a disaster, but it was a great ride and it was great to see her back in form. “Hopefully she can come through this well and we can crack on to the Karaka Million.” La Dorada won the TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) last year and now looms as a key contender for the $1.5 million TAB Karaka Millions (1600m) at Ellerslie on January 24. “She has got the good attitude where she loves her racing and she is just so tough,” Bergerson said. “I am confident that she can travel home, do everything well, and I am really excited for three weeks’ time.” Bred by Chittick Investments Ltd and Waikato Stud Ltd, the Super Seth filly was offered through the Matamata farm’s 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft where she was purchased by Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis for $190,000. She has gone on to win five of her nine starts, including four at stakes level, and has earned just shy of $1.3 million in prizemoney. With Saturday’s winning performance, La Dorada has re-entered calculations to fill Te Akau Racing’s slot in the $4 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) at Ellerslie in March, a race the country’s leading stable won last year with Damask Rose. View the full article

Gold Coast trainers Tony and Maddy Sears have another talented stayer on their hands as Nightline gave them back-to-back winners of the Eagle Way (2100m) with a dominant performance at Eagle Farm on Saturday. The father-daughter training combination sent out Beau Dazzler to win the three-year-old feature last year before he returned to place in the Gr.2 Queensland Guineas (1600m) prior to an unplaced tilt at the Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m). A New Zealand bred daughter of Redwood, Nightline will now be saved for the Queensland Winter Carnival with Classic aspirations. Nightline was a long-odds winner of the City to Surf 3YO (1600m) at Doomben two starts ago before enduring a torrid run when 12th in the Gr.3 Grand Prix Stakes (1800m) won by Matias. The filly proved that performance was an aberration, comfortably defeating Mr Worthington with Grand Prix placegetters Tambeloa and Agent Zero well held in third and fourth respectively. “It’s great to see her do that. We’ve got a very, high opinion of her,” Maddy Sears said. “When she won at big odds, it wasn’t a fluke, and we thought she would win very well again today, and, it happened.” Ridden by Mark Du Plessis, Nightline shouldered her way into the clear upon entering the home straight. “She’s almost a bit colt-like. In her demeanour, in her work, everything about her. You look at her and she doesn’t look like a filly, she’s a brute of a horse,” Sears said. “When she was travelling and I saw the favourite under a bit of pressure, and we were still just smoking the pipe, I thought, ‘I think we’re home here’. “I was a little bit worried on straightening when Mr Worthington loomed up on straightening, but Mark hadn’t even moved her and I don’t think he hit her with the stick. “She’s booked on a truck on Monday to go straight to the paddock, and then we’ll get ready for the (Queensland) Oaks, but she’s very classy and they would want to look out for her in the Oaks.” Sears Racing purchased the daughter of Redwood from the Karaka Book 2 Yearling Sales from the draft of Westbury Stud for $75,000 in conjunction with Paul Moroney Bloodstock and Catheryne Bruggeman. The filly is from the family of Group One gallopers Fontelina and Electrique. View the full article

Sha Tin will be the battleground for a rare clash on Sunday as Brazilian Group One winners Winfield and Sagacious Life take each other on for the second time in the Class Two Leighton Handicap (1,600m). Sagacious Life, trained by Pierre Ng Pang-chi, caused a $33 shock when collecting the Class Two Panasonic Cup (1,600m) on local debut, before finishing a held-up sixth in the same grade since. Things will get no easier for him on Sunday as he will be taking on the now Mark Newnham-trained...View the full article

New Year’s Day didn’t go to plan for David Eustace, but the British trainer can get back on track with a first Group Three success in Hong Kong if Colourful King reigns supreme in Sunday’s Bauhinia Sprint Trophy (1,000m). Eustace had to settle for close seconds courtesy of Sea Sapphire and Majestic Delight on Thursday, while one of his stable stars, Light Years Charm, could only manage eighth as one of the leading fancies in the Group Three Chinese Club Challenge Cup (1,400m). The 34-year-old...View the full article

Rider Matt Cameron’s love affair with one of the feature mile races at Trentham each year came to the fore once again when he guided consistent performer Khanshe to a stunning victory in the Gr.3 Ron Stanley Memorial Phar Lap Trophy (1600m) on Saturday. Punters weren’t enamoured with his chances aboard the Fraser Auret-trained Khanshe, allowing the daughter of Mongolian Khan to start at $18 in the Fixed Odds market which was dominated by up and comers Ma Te Wa ($2.90) and Omega Boy ($5). However, those who had followed the history of the race may have had an inkling Cameron was in line for victory as he was shooting for his fourth win in the event, formerly known as the Anniversary Handicap, having been successful aboard Glad in 2013, Abidewithme in 2014 and Seize The Moment in 2017. While the two favourites were in the firing line during the early stages of the contest as both settled in the top six behind pacemaker Khafre, Cameron and Khanshe appeared to be in considerable trouble as they settled last of the 13 runners after being buffeted shortly after the jump. Still last on the final bend, Cameron hooked Khanshe to the outside in the run home and began the chase after Omega Boy, Rusty Lane and Doctor Askar, who were fighting out the finish at the 200m. With several huge bounds Khanshe joined the leaders and burst clear to head home Doctor Askar, who held out the fast-finishing Enrico for second. Auret was delighted to see the patient approach he has taken with the mare beginning to pay off. “It has been a bit of a slow burn with her, and it has taken some time, but she has always had a really good turn of foot,” Auret said. “She has progressed really nicely as that was only her 16th start, so we have given her the time that she needs. “She certainly had more work to do (during the race) than I was hoping for, but Matt summed it up nicely and she does like clear air. “I think next year could be her year as while she won a stakes race as a three-year-old, she is a very fine boned and weaker type, so we are in no hurry with her. “We don’t have any set plans as I wanted to get through today with her.” Raced by the estate of her breeder Rick Orr, Khanshe is out of the unraced O’Reilly mare Folies Bergere, a daughter of stakes winning sprinter Dashing Donna who finished runner-up in the 2009 Gr.1 Railway Stakes (1200m). A stakes winner during her three-year-old campaign, where she took out the Listed Oaks Prelude (1800m) at New Plymouth, Khanshe has now won five of her 16 starts and in excess of $223,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

Progressive stayer Leonchroi scored a narrow victory in the Geelong Homes BM70 Handicap (2400m) at the standalone meeting at Geelong on Saturday under a perfectly-timed run by Logan Bates. The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained son of Contributer looks an improving staying type and had previously finished runner-up to Shockletz at Pakenham. Leonchroi started a $3 favourite in an event that was held up with three late scratchings at the gates with jockey Jason Maskiell taken to hospital after a barrier mishap on Star Testymony. “We were following the right ones where we were able to get out eventually, probably a little bit later than I would have liked,” Bates said. “But one thing I do know about him, he’s got a good turn of foot for a stayer, which not many of them have. “He was a couple kilos up in the weights today, but I still trusted he would have that zip to put himself there and in the end he just did enough. “He’s not the greatest beginner and he stepped okay considering all the commotion we had pre-race and we got into not a bad spot following one of the key runners and it just had to drag us in and the horse did the rest. “He’s a lovely horse and he’s a promising stayer.” Raced by Grand Syndicates, the four-year-old gelding has now won two of his nine starts with a further four placings. Co-trainer Michael Kent Jnr said the horse would now have a break and return a better horse next campaign. Bred by Mapperley Stud’s Simms Davison, Leonchroi is by proven sire Contributer out of Miss Lioness, a half-sister to high-class stayer Lion Tamer. View the full article

Robbie Patterson is fizzing to get to the Gr.3 NZ Campus Of Innovation & Sport Wellington Cup (3200m) with his Group One winner One Bold Cat later this month. The Taranaki horseman was confident heading towards the two-mile feature prior to Saturday, but One Bold Cat’s victory in the Listed Vernon & Vazey Truck Parts LTD (2200m) at Trentham has further added to that sentiment. The seven-year-old gelding was dropping back from elite-level company, having last raced when fifth in the Listed Mufhasa Classic (1600m) at the Upper Hutt track last month, and Patterson was confident of an improved showing. Sagunto set his customary hot tempo upfront, stringing out the field for much of the journey, with jockey Craig Grylls settling One Bold Cat off the pace in midfield. The frontrunners began to tire from the 600m, and a wall of horses loomed ominously at the turn, with One Bold Cat in behind them. Grylls navigated his charge into clear running room out wide and once he balanced up, he closed late to win by half a length over a brave Tshiebwe, with a further neck back to Freddie Time in third. “They ran along at a good speed and he tracked up nicely,” Grylls said. “There was a bit of a wall when they got going and I was able to track up in behind them and got a nice drag into it and he has balanced up and sprinted out to the line. If anything, he was probably starting to get tired and feel the pinch a bit in the last 100m, but he is so honest and is a Group One winner in the past. “He is an absolute gentleman and is a pleasure to ride. He is a good horse too. I think they plan to press onto the Wellington Cup, he hasn’t been tried at the distance, but he just relaxes so nicely I think he will be alright.” Patterson was rapt to see One Bold Cat return to winning form and he is excited to press on and test his charge over two miles for the first time later this month. “It’s just fantastic to have a good old horse like him back,” he said. “He has been going quite well in Group Ones and I knew he would go well today. He is such a beautiful, relaxed horse and they were going so go hard. He is as honest as the day is long. “I can’t wait for the Wellington Cup. I don’t know whether I will run him in the Trentham Stakes (Gr.3, 2100m), I don’t know I have to, he is not carrying a lot of condition, he is pretty hard fit so I will make up my mind whether he goes straight to the Wellington Cup. “He won’t get two miles on pedigree, but he will get two miles because he is such a good horse and such a relaxed horse.” Further elite-level targets could beckon the son of The Bold One, who holds a nomination for the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa next month, a race he placed in two years ago. “The Herbie Dyke is still on the radar with La Crique retired,” Patterson said. “It would only take one or two more to drop away and we would probably look at the Herbie Dyke.” One Bold Cat has now won nine of his 26 starts, including the Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m), and has amassed more than $630,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

Talented filly Lassified showed her rivals a clean pair of heels as she dominated proceedings to take out the first stakes race at Trentham on Saturday, the Listed JR & N Berkett Wellesley Stakes (1100m). Cambridge trainer Andrew Forsman hasn’t been afraid of travelling the daughter of Gr.1 Golden Slipper (1200m) winner Stay Inside, having taken her to Tauherenikau to win on debut before tackling the Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) at Saturday’s venue where she performed with credit in running fourth to unbeaten filly Lara Antipova. Rider Bruno Queiroz took the reins on this occasion and bounced her away nicely from the starting gates to take up the pacemaking duties inside of debutant Sweetest Thing. Cuddled up around the home bend Lassified found a good kick to shoot away from her rivals at the 300m and despite eventual runner-up Sweetest Thing trying her heart out, the Cambridge filly was too slick, winning by half a length. Stable representative Joe Walker was thrilled with the victory and the thoroughly professional attitude the filly displays in all her activity. “She is so professional, tough and has a great attitude,” Walker said. “It’s a massive thrill for everyone involved, including OTI and our ladies syndicate, and with a couple of owners on-course today it is very special. “She has had a couple of big trips to Tauherenikau and twice here. We thought she was very game last time where it didn’t work out for her, but she was as tough as. “The key was getting her down to the fence today and leading, where she was always going to take some catching.” Walker advised the filly, who is not Karaka Millions eligible, would be set for some of the two-year-old Group races coming up later in the summer. “There is a question as to where we go next, but she is so professional and that will put her in good stead as we look towards some of those bigger races,” he said. “It was a case of getting her here in one piece and getting the result, which now opens up a lot of options for her.” Purchased out of the 2025 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale for A$110,000 by Forsman and Andrew Williams Bloodstock, Lassified is raced by the FR Lassified Syndicate and long-time stable clients OTI Management Pty Ltd. She is out of the stakes winning Nicconi mare Exclusive Lass and comes from an extended family that includes Arletty, Xtravagant and He’s Remarkable. View the full article

Nearly may have punched his ticket to the $250,000 Holy Bull Stakes (G3) Jan. 31, putting away favored Confessional in midstretch and pulling clear to a 5-length victory in a first-level allowance optional claiming race at Gulfstream Park.View the full article

Opportune black type awaits some of the five fillies and mares contesting the $100,000 Las Flores Stakes (G3) Jan. 4 at Santa Anita Park.View the full article

Nearly (Not This Time), who could make the starting gate for the GIII Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park Jan. 31, was well-beaten on debut during the Belmont At The Big A meet Oct. 26. Shipping to South Florida to face state breds, the dark bay won by an eye-catching 9 1/4 lengths Nov. 22. Tabbed as the 6-5 second choice after the pre-race scratch of intended favorite Mob (Gun Runner), Nearly was bumped hard by Confessional (Essential Quality) at the break, which put him several lengths behind coming on to the backstretch. The 3-year-old did not show any signs that he was ready to throw in the towel as he sprinted to put a nose in front of his rival–the chalk–around the far turn. Firing down the lane, the colt announced his presence with authority and sailed home to clear the condition by five lengths over Confessional. “Kind of a messy start but he was able to kind of settle after that and get in a good rhythm, made a good run and finished up well,” trainer Todd Pletcher said. “He's always trained [well]. “We were shocked he didn't run better in his debut than he did,” he said. “He just reacted very negatively to the kickback. I'm glad to have him regroup and show what he's capable of,” he added. “It seems like he's a little more professional each start. I liked the way he finished and we look forward to stretching him out. “We know there's options almost every weekend all spring, so we'll talk to the Centennial guys and come up with a plan. He's 2-for-2 here at Gulfstream so you have to think about the Holy Bull,” Pletcher said. “If he needs a little more time, there's other options as well.” The second to the races for his dam, the winner has a 2-year-old half-sister by Authentic and a yearling half-brother by Taiba. Ib Prospecting was not reported as bred for this season. Nearly's second dam, MSW Stormy Frolic (Summer Squall), is a half-sister to GSW Super Frolic (Pine Bluff). She is responsible for MSW Frolic's Revenge (Vindication), who herself produced MSW & UAE-bound as of 2024 Drew's Gold (Violence). 8th-Gulfstream, $77,900, Alw (NW1$X)/Opt. Clm ($75,000), 1-2, 3yo, 7f, 1:22.88, ft, 5 lengths. NEARLY (c, 3, Not This Time–Ib Prospecting, by Mineshaft) Sales History: $350,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-0, $78,950. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Centennial Farms; B-Wind Hill Farm (FL); T-Todd A. Pletcher. NEARLY ($4.60) overcomes a bumpy start and recovers under the hall-of-fame hands of jockey @ljlmvel to win Race 8 at @GulfstreamPark for @PletcherRacing and owner @Centennial_Farm. Bet LIVE racing with @FanDuel https://t.co/D7Oyk4P0QQ pic.twitter.com/xQI9j9l0Qx — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) January 2, 2026 The post Not This Time’s Nearly Rolls In Optional Claimer At Gulfstream appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article