Wandering Eyes

There are horses who are special to us because of their quality, and there are horses who are special for what their names evoke in our memory. And then there are those who are special for both reasons. When Chad Brown left his position as an assistant to Bobby Frankel in 2007, the first person he hired was Mary McKulick, a bookkeeper with whom he credits for helping him build his company. She passed away in October, 2020 after losing a battle with cancer, and so when Brown was given his first offspring to train by Frankel, the sire, he asked Klaravich Stable if he could name the filly after Mary. McKulick (Frankel), doubly special for her incredible, durable career and the memory of Mary McKulick, will be offered as hip 289 at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale on Nov. 4, the first Grade I-winning daughter of Frankel to ever be offered at public auction. “When I went out on my own, the first person I hired was Mary, and she was instrumental in helping me build a company, all the way up to her retirement,” said Brown. “And, sadly, just soon after her retirement, she developed cancer and passed. Bobby Frankel was my mentor, and when I had this opportunity to name a horse by Frankel, I thought it was fitting to name this beautiful Frankel filly after Mary, and the Klarmans were so nice to let me do it.” McKulick did Mary proud right from the start, said Brown. “As soon as we gave her this name that meant so much to us, we were hopeful that she'd turn into a stakes horse. And she's exceeded all expectations, really. Mary's husband, Ron McKulick, has been closely following the horse, as have Mary's brothers and sister and all the different family members. It has just been a great story.” The Grade I stakes winner and six-time graded winner of almost $2 million has been campaigned over four years. She was the leading money-earning three-year-old filly of 2022, won the Grade I Belmont Oaks Invitational, and set a new course record for one mile and three-eighths at Aqueduct in the Jockey Club Oaks Invitational. Remarkably consistent, she has been first, second or third in 15 of 20 starts. A 180,000 guineas Tattersalls October yearling purchase in 2020, McKulick was selected by Mike Ryan. Brown said that Ryan and his wife, Mary, go to the Tattersalls October yearling sale every year to scout horses for him, and he typically goes and physically inspects their short list. “But this was the year of Covid where I couldn't get into the country myself,” said Brown, “so Mike and Mary really picked this one all out on their own. From the start, they just thought she was a really attractive horse that would do well in America, a lighter-framed, smaller horse. She was very early in the sale, and we were able to buy her at a very modest price for a Frankel. We shipped her off to Ocala just like we do all of our Tattersalls purchases, and she really was a star in training from the beginning.” Recalled Mike Ryan, “When we saw her, we thought she was magnificent. An absolutely gorgeous filly, very elegant. Oozes quality and class. It was hard to fault her in any way, shape or form. We've been to Europe every year now for eight years, and I don't think I've ever seen a Frankel filly look as good, or be as nice as McKulick. She's got so much elegance, presence and quality about her. And I stand by that. I don't think I've ever seen a Frankel look like this filly.” With travel being so difficult in 2020, a lot of potential buyers weren't able to get over to the sale, Ryan surmised, which could help to explain how they got her for the price they did. “She was just an absolutely gorgeous physical,” Ryan said. “When people see her, they will appreciate what I'm saying. She will fit so many stallions because her quality is extraordinary. And obviously her race record is outstanding as well. Her performance matched her physical appearance and her quality. And she's by the greatest sire in the world today, Frankel. He's ranked globally the number one sire in the world and has been for some time. An extraordinary stallion, never beaten, 14-for-14 on the racecourse. And as a stallion, he's the fastest horse in history to reach 100 graded or group winners, which is an extraordinary feat.” While she may have been smaller and lighter framed as a yearling, she has grown into an imposing physical presence, said Brown. “It's been wonderful to see her fill out and grow as a trainer would want to see from year to year,” he said. “She's grown into a really solid, strong, good-size mare. Year to year, she's gotten faster, and she's become better in the mornings and a little stronger in her races. And you just love to see that. We have had her from two to five. And the development has been remarkable.” Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning said that her sale would represent a first for the company. “The opportunity to offer a Grade I-winning daughter of Frankel's was very special to us at Fasig-Tipton. We've had some spectacular November sales in recent years for some spectacular offerings, and this is the first time we've had an opportunity to sell a Grade I-winning daughter of Frankel. And we're very appreciative of Seth Klarmen, Klaravich Stables and Chad Brown of having that opportunity.” Among her six graded stakes wins, Brown singles out her GI Belmont Oaks, where she defeated multiple graded stakes winner With The Moonlight (Ire) as a particularly special one. “She's had so many great races. I'd say her Belmont Oaks is right at the top of the list. I thought that that race was terrific in the way she went and ran down a really, really top-class horse. It was a really a true Grade I, very solid field and and a close finish between two top fillies at the end. She's had so many nice races and memorable races. But that would be at the top.” To make it more special for Brown, she won the race on Bobby Frankel's birthday. “You just hope to somehow buy a horse that's even close to her in the future,” said Brown. “It's very difficult to do. She's a special horse emotionally.” Browning concurred. “She's been consistent. She's been outstanding. She's been durable. All the superlatives that you want to use to describe a race filly, she fits those bills. She's got a tremendous pedigree. She's a half-sister to two graded stakes winners and out of a graded stakes performing mare. So she's got the the quality of the pedigree that that the collectors are looking for and she's certainly a collector's type of of pedigree and a collector's type of racehorse.” Brown said that when he's shopping for yearlings, soundness in the mare is one of his top priorities. “When I look for young horses to buy at the sales, at the top of my list is if the mare was sound, then a high-level racehorse and was a good-looking horse,” he said. “McKulick is all of those things, and as far as her appeal in the marketplace, I could see the biggest operations all over the world that race on turf interested in this horse. I don't see any particular owner at that level or operation that wouldn't love to have her in their broodmare band.” “She's the type of physical that's going to appeal to to American buyers,” said Browning. “She's going to appeal to a European buyer. She's got size, she's got scope, she's got balance. And when Mike Ryan says she's the best-looking Frankel that he's ever seen, I put a lot of credence in that. We're looking forward to seeing her on the sales grounds and looking forward to seeing how buyers see this kind of once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, a very unique offering to buy a Grade I-winning daughter of Frankel.” Additional reporting by Katie Petrunyak. The post Consistent, `Remarkable’ McKulick, A GI Winner by Frankel, On Offer at Night of the Stars appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

When the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Fall Mixed catalogue came out, Blaine Isaacs earmarked one page in particular and when he was driving home to Lexington Wednesday, he had acquired his objective, purchasing the $230,000 sale-topping daughter of Cyberknife (hip 301) Tuesday in upstate New York. “When they released the catalogue about a month ago, I did the Auction Edge on all the horses in the sale and I was just really impressed by the mare's produce report on her,” Isaacs said. “[D'Fashion] had a McKinzie filly [Cash Call, who sold for $600,000] in OBS April that had the co-fastest breeze of the OBS sales this spring. She hasn't broken her maiden yet, but she's hit the board in maiden special weights twice. So I think she could be a special filly. And then also, the yearling half by Game Winner was the highest-priced Game Winner [$450,000] at Keeneland September Book 2, so there were two really good horses in the pipeline. And when I got to see her in person, she's a beautiful filly and I didn't want to go home without her.” Isaacs, the son of longtime Bridlewood Farm manager George Isaacs, was signing just his second ticket when he purchased the weanling for a record-tying price at the Saratoga Fall sale, but he has already had plenty of pinhooking success in partnerships. “I started pinhooking back in 2021,” he said. “The first pinhook I ever had, I just had a leg of it with Brian Graves, but it ended up being Federal Judge (Army Mule), the horse who won the GII Ogden Phoenix at Keeneland a couple weeks back and is going to the Breeders' Cup. That's the first horse I ever had a piece of pinhooking.” Now a 4-year-old, Federal Judge was purchased for $40,000 at the 2021 OBS Winter Mixed Sale and resold for $200,000 at the following year's Fasig-Tipton July sale. “From there, I met Tami Bobo and did some pinhooking with her,” Isaacs continued. “And then I also bought one at Keeneland November with my dad and it ended up being the Instagrand that sold for $350,000. It was the highest price for the stallion, and he's in training with Bill Mott.” Now named Chatbot (Instagrand), that colt was purchased for $85,000 and sold to Pin Oak Stud at last year's Keeneland September sale. “I had a small piece of the Gun Runner who sold for $2.2 million last April,” Isaacs continued. “I got in with Tami Bobo with that horse for a small percentage. Over the past few years, I got to be in on some really nice horses with some really good pinhookers.” Isaacs made his first solo pinhooking purchase when buying a son of Modernist for $65,000 at last year's Keeneland November sale. Prepped by Carlos and Sarah Estrada and consigned under the couple's C & S Thoroughbreds banner, the colt sold for $100,000 at this year's Fasig-Tipton July sale. “So I kind of broke even on him, made a couple of bucks,” Isaacs said of the result. “Maddie Mattmiller bought the horse for Black-Type Stables and Swinbank Stables and he is going to George Weaver. Maddie says there is a good chance he will be a Royal Ascot horse next year.” In addition to being his first pinhooking purchase on his own, that result marked Isaac's first collaboration with the Estradas. “Tami introduced me to Sarah and Carlos back at the 2021 Night of the Stars sale,” he said. “I spoke to them a lot in the back ring because I had been shopping with Tami and her husband Fernando. I would always just talk to them when we were looking at horses in the chute. When I bought that Modernist colt back in November, I was going to leave the horse up in Kentucky, since I had moved up here. I just walked up to Sarah and Carlos and said, 'Hey, I just bought this colt. Can he go to you guys? They said, 'We just bought a Practical Joke, so he can go on the trailor with him. I went over to the house just about every weekend to see how that horse was coming along and I ended up being really good friends. with them.” The Estradas will be prepping the Cybernife filly for Isaacs for a potential return to the Saratoga sales ring next August. Isaacs, who relocated from Ocala to Lexington last summer, has been working at Taylor Made Farm and currently serves as the farm's sales coordinator. But his involvement in the racing game has been a lifelong endeavor. “From the time I was four or five, my mom had always done Quarter Horses,” Isaacs said. “So I went all over the country riding Quater Horses, Western Pleasure and Cutting Horses. When I was 13, I started working on the farm for my dad. And then I shopped all the sales and short listed horses with my dad. I was part of the selection process when we bought Tapwrit, who won the Belmont back in 2017. I got to see a lot of really nice horses growing up and I got to sales prep a lot of nice yearlings for my dad back home.” Long-term, Isaacs hopes to continue working with Taylor Made while adding to his pinhooking portfolio. “I love working for Taylor Made and the Taylors have been amazing,” he said. “They have treated me like family. And someone that I've always looked up to is Brian Graves. He is one of the top pinhookers in the industry, but he's also the general manager and runs the consignment for Gainesway. I would love to keep working for Taylor Made and do high-end pinhooking like Brian Graves has done over the years. That would be my long-term goal.” In the shorter term, Isaacs can look forward to watching how his newest acquistion matures over the next several months. “The only ticket I had ever signed was the one for $65,000, so this [$230,000] was almost four times as much. I have gotten to be part of some really big horses, but never signed the ticket on them. It was nerve-wracking, but I think she has a lot coming up in the pedigree and I think she can be a special filly next year.” The post Blaine Isaacs Makes a Splash at Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Fall Mixed Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The catalog includes 42 2-year-olds, 106 3-year-olds and 59 horses aged four and older with progeny of many of the world’s most sought-after stallions. A print catalog will be available Oct. 31.View the full article

Star dirt marathoner Next logged his final breeze ahead of the Oct. 21 Breeders' Cup pre-entries, leaving a decision on whether he will participate in the World Championships to be decided this weekend.View the full article

Fierceness maintains his hold on the top spot. Despite losing six points in the standings, he grew his lead over filly Thorpedo Anna from four to six points. View the full article

Trainer Chief Stipe Cowans discusses Next's Oct. 16 breeze, the status of his Breeders' Cup decision, and what Next has meant to his team.View the full article

Seize the Grey (Arrogate), the winner the GI Preakness Stakes and GI Pennsylvania Derby, will point directly to the GI Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile on Saturday Nov. 2 at Del Mar, the Daily Racing Form first reported on Tuesday, Oct. 15. After taking home his second Grade I score, Seize the Grey's Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas left the door open to go to the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Classic, but he told DRF after conferring with ownership groups MyRacehorse and Gainesway Farm that the Dirt Mile would be a better option. “I just think he might be more tactically suited there, we're a good fit there,” Lukas was quoted in the DRF article. “They were leaning toward the Mile and I couldn't argue with that.” As previously reported by turf outlets, the Seize the Grey stallion deal between MyRacehorse and Gainesway has an additional monetary kicker should he win a Breeders' Cup race. “You gotta win it to get it so I don't think that had much to do with [the decision],” Lukas told DRF. “We're more concerned about seeing if we can get the best performance out of him we can.” Seize the Grey has breezed twice at Lukas's base in Louisville. The colt traveled five furlongs in 59 flat Oct. 3 and five furlongs in 59.40 seconds Oct. 13. “He's had two dandy works, he's held his weight beautifully,” continued Lukas in the piece. “I even let him two-minute lick a mile because I thought he might be getting a little heavy on me.” The decision to run Seize the Grey in the Dirt Mile sets up a meeting between the last two winners of the Preakness as National Treasure (Quality Road) is expected to draw in. The post Seize The Grey Headed To Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile At Del Mar appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

First-season sire Sands Of Mali (Fr) is at the centre of allegations brought by Steve Parkin against Joe Foley's Ballyhane Stud, the Irish Independent reported on Wednesday. Parkin and his company Clipper BCS, LLP say he acquired the horse for £270,000 in August of 2020, but that Foley is now claiming a 50% share of the son of Panis. In his affidavit, Parkin said that the defendants did not purchase any share in the stallion. Parkin also said the defendant claims that he indicated acknowledgment of shared ownership in a WhatsApp message in November 2023. Parkin said, “I sent no such WhatsApp message and deny the contents and indication of such an allegation.” Clipper BCS and Parkin are seeking injunctions and orders requiring the defendants to relinquish possession of the 9-year-old stallion, who has sired 15 winners to date, including the stakes winner Ain't Nobody (Ire). Justice Brian Cregan granted Robert Beatty SC, for Parkin and Clipper BCS, permission to bring short service of the proceedings on the defendants on Tuesday. Only the plaintiff's side was represented, and Cregan indicated the matter could be addressed as early as next week. In the spring, the Parkin-owned stallions Asymmetric (Ire) and Space Traveller (GB) moved from Ballyhane and spent the remainder of the breeding season at Starfield Stud in Ireland. Parkin, the owner of Branton Court Stud in Yorkshire, also stands Soldier's Call (GB) and Shaquille (GB) at his Dullingham Park near Newmarket. The operation has sold a number of yearlings and horses in training throughout the year, including Parkin's homebred dual Group 1 winner Fallen Angel (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), who is now owned by Wathnan Racing. The post Parkin Alleges Sands Of Mali Unlawfully Held At Ballyhane Stud appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Pre-entered fields for the 2024 Breeders' Cup World Championships will be named live on FanDuel TV and on the Breeders' Cup website, official Mobile App, and Facebook, X, and YouTube channels on Wednesday, Oct. 23 at 9:00 a.m. PT/12:00 p.m. ET., the Breeders' Cup said via a press release on Wednesday. Pre-entry is the first of a two-step process for all owners intending to start a horse in one of the 14 Breeders' Cup World Championships races on either Nov. 1 or Nov. 2. The entry stage then takes place on Monday, Oct. 28, when post positions are also drawn. The pre-entry announcement will be hosted by FanDuel TV talent Christina Blacker and Todd Schrupp. The post Breeders’ Cup Pre-Entered Fields Released Live Oct. 23 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Marathon specialist Next (Not This Time) worked five furlongs in 1:00.60 Wednesday morning at Turfway Park and, as long as things stay on track, he will start in a Breeders' Cup race, reports trainer Chief Stipe Cowans. It was Next's first work since his 10-length romp in the Sept. 21 Greenwood Cup at Parx. “The update is that he breezed well this morning,” Cowans said. “We'll see how he comes out of the work and if all goes well he'll be nominated to both the [GI Longines Breeders' Cup] Turf and the [GI Longines Breeders' Cup] Classic and we'll go from there.” Pre-entries for the Breeders' Cup must be made by Monday, Oct.21. Before shipping to Del Mar, Next will have his final drill Oct. 24. What has yet to be decided is which Breeders' Cup race Next will target. Neither is a perfect fit as the Classic, run at a mile-and-quarter, may be too short for the horse. The Turf, which is run a mile-an-a-half, is a better fit distance-wise, but Next's form suggests he's better on dirt than grass. “I'm not leaning either way at the moment,” Cowans said. “I want to see how both races look, how he would fit and how the race would play into his hands and try to pick the best of the two. As long as he goes back to track on Friday and does well, we'll pre-enter in both. I just want to make sure he's in good order before I nominate him.” Willam D. Cowans | Bill Denver/Equi-Photo Cowans had thought that Next would conclude his year in the GII Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Stakes, a mile-and-five-eighths race he won in 2022. Though not officially part of the Breeders' Cup, the race traveled to Santa Anita in 2023, but it was discontinued this year. “Last year they had The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance at a mile-and-five eighths, so there was no thought of anything else,” Cowans said. “If that race was there again we would take the easy road again. They're not having that race this year and I keep asking why and no one will tell me.” Next started to turn into a star after Cowans claimed him for $62,500 in an Apr. 16, 2022 race at Keeneland going seven furlongs. Two starts later, he went in the mile-and-a-half Cape Henlopen Stakes at Delaware Park. The event was taken off-the-turf and Next scorched the field by 18 1/4 lengths. Since then, Cowans has run him exclusively in dirt races at a mile-and-a-half or longer. He has won nine of 10 since and his average margin has been almost 13 lengths. The 6-year-old has run seven times on the turf, with three wins, including a victory in the War Chant Stakes at a mile on the grass at Churchill Downs. “The horse is doing well and we are confident in our horse, so we're willing to give him a shot,” Cowans said. “Number one will be the competition, to see who shows up in each race. Secondly, we'll look at what the pace scenario might look like in both races and where he would fit best in that regard.” The post Next Likely To Be Pre-Entered In Both Classic And Turf appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The catalogue for the Goffs November Foal Sale, which features 1,021 lots, was released on Wednesday. Set to run from Monday, Nov. 18 through Thursday, Nov. 21, the sale will have lots catalogued alphabetically by dam each day from Monday to Thursday inclusive. Monday and Thursday are billed as equal, Tuesday raising the bar to an extent, and Wednesday traditionally attracting the most black-type pedigrees. Successful alumni include Japanese Group 1 winner Mad Cool (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), and Classic victories in the G2 German 2000 Guineas by Devil's Point (Ire) (New Bay {GB}) and the G3 Italian 1000 Guineas by Beenham (Ire) (Havana Grey {GB}). Among the lots of note are Sea The Stars (Ire) full-brothers to Group 1 winners Teona (Ire) (lot 566) and Emily Upjohn (GB) (lot 641); lot 754, a Kingman (GB) half-brother to Group 1 winner Jannah Rose (Ire) (Frankel {GB}); a colt by Camelot (GB) who is a half-brother to Classic winner Mother Earth (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) (lot 677); a son of Wootton Bassett (GB) (lot 755) out of a sister to Group 1 winner Broome (Ire) (Australia {GB}); a Mehmas (Ire) filly who is a half-sister to the Group 1-placed Soprano (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) (lot 667) out of a sister to GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint hero Obviously (Ire) (Choisir {Aus}); and a Minzaal (Ire) half-sister to Group 1-placed Gold Vibe (Ire) (Dream Ahead) (lot 547). There are also a variety of sires represented including Blue Point (Ire), Camelot, Dark Angel, Havana Grey, Hello Youmzain (Fr), Invincible Spirit (Ire), Kingman, Lope de Vega (Ire), Mehmas, Night Of Thunder (Ire), No Nay Never, Sea The Stars, Siyouni (Fr), Starspangledbanner, Too Darn Hot (GB), Wootton Bassett, Zarak (Fr) etc, while Goffs November is the first opportunity in Europe to acquire foals by the likes of Baaeed (GB), Bayside Boy (Ire), Blackbeard (Ire), Minzaal, Persian Force (Ire) and State Of Rest (Ire) among other exciting new sires. In 2023, 709 foals sold from 902 offered for a gross of €25,821,500 and a clearance rate of 79%. The average was €36,420 and the median was €24,000. Topping the sale was a full-brother to Ghaiyyath (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) at €700,000. Goffs Group chief executive Henry Beeby said, “Goffs November Foal Sale has enjoyed another season of success on the track followed by many lucrative pinhooks, and we are proud to feature the overwhelming majority share of the best Irish foals once again. We are grateful to our vendors who continue to choose Goffs November as their first choice for their quality foals as they recognise its market leading status. “Foal buyers will find the customary strength, depth and diversity at every level of the market at Goffs this November, whether seeking to race or to resell. For the latter category the sale has so many attributes, not least our unique Customer Loyalty Scheme that rewards pinhookers who buy and resell with Goffs whilst being the first foal sale of the season means that order books are fresh.” After the four-day foal sale, Goffs will conduct the November Breeding Stock Sale on Friday, Nov. 22 and Saturday, Nov. 23. That catalogue will be released later this week. The post ‘Strength, Depth And Diversity’ Highlight The Goffs November Foal Catalogue appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Keeneland has catalogued 209 horses to the November Horses of Racing Age Sale to be held Nov. 14, the day after the conclusion of the November Breeding Stock Sale, the auction company said in a Wednesday press release. The sale will start at noon ET., which will enable trainers and racing entities to complete their morning activities. The majority of horses in the catalogue will be stabled at Keeneland in Barns 18-26 with some horses offered remotely from their training locations. The catalogue comprises 42 juveniles, 106 3-year-olds and 59 horses aged four and older with progeny from a wide-array of stallions such as Constitution, Curlin, Good Magic, Gun Runner, Into Mischief, Justify, McKinzie, Not This Time, Nyquist, Practical Joke, Quality Road, Tapit and Uncle Mo. International sires also present such as Dubawi, Frankel and No Nay Never. “This year's November Horses of Racing Age Sale combines the excitement of the brick-and-mortar auction event with the versatility of selling horses from remote locations,” said Keeneland Senior Director of Sales Operations Cormac Breathnach. “This sale will provide buyers the opportunity to replenish their racing stock with the best horses available ahead of the winter racing season. As always, we will take supplemental entries up to the last minute. We are looking forward to another exciting sale.” A print version for the auction with Equibase past performances for the entrants will be available for pickup at Keeneland as early as Oct. 31. Click here for past performances and other information to assist with pre-sale shortlisting. Internet and phone bidding will be available. The post Keeneland Catalogues 209 Horses For November Horses Of Racing Age Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

French jockey Marie Velon is counting down the days until her return to Ascot on Saturday when she reunites with her beloved Iresine (Fr) (Manduro {Ger}) in a red-hot edition of the G1 QIPCO Champion Stakes, with top-class three-year-olds Economics (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) and Calandagan (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) featuring among the likely opposition. Trained by Jean-Pierre Gauvin, Iresine provided his rider with a landmark success in October 2022 when winning the Prix Royal-Oak, the first Group 1 victory of Velon's career. The pair struck again last year in another Group 1, the Prix Ganay, and most recently they won last month's G2 Prix Foy at Longchamp to take their overall tally of wins together to 15. Having been a part of the winning Ladies Team at this year's Shergar Cup on her only previous visit to a British racecourse, Velon is hopeful of another memorable result back at Ascot on Saturday when she teams up with Iresine in the £1.3 million feature race on QIPCO British Champions Day. “Im very excited to be returning to Ascot,” she summed up. “My first experience of it was amazing. I didn't win but my team did! To ride in the Champion Stakes on Iresine is a dream, as he is the best horse of my life. We grew up together, so to run in this big race is unbelievable, for both me and the team.” Velon added, “Calandagan and Economics are the best horses of the season, but I will count on Iresine's experience to beat them. It's a beautiful challenge and we will do our best. He is in great form, better than last time. He will be 100% for Saturday and the ground will be perfect for him. I can't wait!” Suborics Seeking Biggest Victory as a Trainer with Quantanamera Former jockey Andreas Suborics is another Shergar Cup alumnus set to be involved in the action at Ascot on Saturday, this time as a trainer when he saddles Quantanamera (Ger) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) in the G1 QIPCO British Champions Fillies and Mares Stakes. A four-length winner of the G2 Grand Prix de Deauville when last seen in August, Quantanamera is a general 10-1 chance to provide the Austrian-born Suborics with his most notable success since he turned his attentions to training, with the testing conditions at Ascot promising to play to her strengths. “We have been looking forward to this race and the ground is ideal for her,” said Suborics. “She had her best performance on this kind of ground. Hopefully, they stay on the outside track and don't move to the inside. She's in great condition and everything has gone brilliantly with her.” He continued, “She was a champion two-year-old in Germany, but then she injured her back leg in March last year, so for all of her three-year-old season we were more concerned with keeping her healthy than her races. This time she started out not too bad. She was second at Saint-Cloud [in the G2 Prix Corrida] and then she had an infection when she ran at Cologne. I brought her back a bit too quickly from that at Hamburg. “In Munich [when finishing fourth in the G1 Grosser Dallmayr-Preis – Bayerisches Zuchtrennen) she was the fastest horse in the end, but the 2,000 metres is just a bit sharp for her, so I was confident going into Deauville and the way she won was impressive. She showed her true ability that day.” On his previous experiences at Ascot as a rider, Suborics added, “I rode there three or four times in the Shergar Cup and won two or three races. I rode Paolini in the Prince of Wales's Stakes, so I know the track a bit. I also rode Overdose in the Group 1 sprint [the King's Stand Stakes] and finished fourth, so I have had a few rides at the track. “Of course, there's an amazing grandstand now and it's brilliant to be a part of this big day as a trainer–I'm really looking forward to flying over for Saturday.” The post Velon Hoping to Challenge Champion Stakes Headliners with Iresine appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Jockey Luan Machado discusses star dirt marathoner Next's Oct. 16 breeze and what riding the 6-year-old gelding has meant to him.View the full article

Following the news released last week by The Thoroughbred Report that The Everest and the All-Star Mile had been elevated to Group 1 status by Racing Australia, Weatherbys will wait until they receive official confirmation from a relevant industry body, Weatherbys head of bloodstock and data James McHale told TDN Europe on Wednesday. Although the changes have been approved by the Asian Pattern Committee, the International Cataloguing Standards Committee (ICSC), Society of International Thoroughbred Auctioneers (SITA) and International Grading and Race Planning Advisory Committee (IRPAC) have not followed suit. “Weatherbys is waiting for official confirmation from a relevant industry body–ICSC/ SITA/ IRPAC–that these race upgrades can be recognised internationally in sales catalogues,” McHale said. Arion Pedigrees also refused Group 1 recognition of the two races on Monday, while the U.S. Jockey Club will record both races as Group 1s at this time. The post Weatherbys Will Wait To Recognise The Everest And All-Star Mile As Group 1s appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Leading home-grown jockey returns to top form at city circuit with first three-timer since October 1 last year.View the full article

Darley America has released its fee schedule for its stallion roster and leading the way is Medaglia d'Oro (El Prado {Ire}) at $75,000, while the amount for Nyquist (Uncle Mo) will be named after this year's Breeders' Cup, according to Jonabell Farm's management in a Wednesday presser. After Medaglia d'Oro, Horse of the Year Cody's Wish (Curlin) is tabbed at $65,000, while multiple Eclipse champion Essential Quality (Tapit) and sire of sires Street Sense (Street Cry {Ire}) both come in at $50,000. “The 2024 breeding season was one of our busiest ever at Jonabell”, said Darley Sales Manager Darren Fox. “Nyquist continues to go from strength to strength and was very much in demand while Cody's Wish continued his immense popularity in his new career. “We certainly expect much of the same from those two in 2025, but if you look at the entire roster of 12 stallions, breeders will enjoy a good range of stud fees and bloodlines from which to choose.” The complete 2025 Jonabell Farm roster is: Stallion / Fee Nyquist / TBD Medaglia d'Oro / $75,000 Cody's Wish / $65,000 Essential Quality / $50,000 Street Sense / $50,000 Maxfield / $40,000 Hard Spun / $25,000 Frosted / $15,000 Midshipman / $15,000 Proxy / $15,000 Speaker's Corner / $10,000 Mystic Guide / $7,500 The post Darley America Names 2025 Stud Fees, Nyquist’s To Be Released After Breeders’ Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Top-class sprinter Bradsell (GB) will retire to the National Stud following his tilt at the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar on Saturday, November 2. Trained by Archie Watson for Shaikh Nasser's Victorious Racing, Bradsell heads to the Breeders' Cup as the winner of six of his 12 career starts, with three of his victories coming at the top level. In 2024, he added wins in the Nunthorpe Stakes and Flying Five Stakes to his King's Stand Stakes success as a three-year-old. That was the second year in a row that he'd struck at Royal Ascot, having also won the Coventry Stakes at two. Bred by Deborah O'Brien, Bradsell is out of the Listed-winning Archipenko mare Russian Punch (GB). He first sold for 12,000gns at the Tattersalls Somerville Yearling Sale and was later bought by Blandford Bloodstock for £47,000 at the Goffs UK Doncaster Breeze-up Sale before his private purchase by Shaikh Nasser following his impressive maiden victory. “We are delighted to welcome Bradsell to the National Stud and stand him in partnership with Shaikh Nasser's Victorious Racing,” said National Stud CEO Anna Kerr. “He is the standout sprinter of recent years with a great [physique]. We are looking forward to presenting him to breeders at the December Sales.” Oliver St Lawrence, racing manager to Victorious Racing, said, “Bradsell has been an exceptional flag bearer for Shaikh Nasser, winning every top sprint race and showing his incredible toughness, tenacity and sheer will to win. The Shaikh is looking forward to supporting him with mares at stud and in the sales ring in the future.” The son of Tasleet (GB) has been a flagbearer for Watson, who said, “Bradsell has so much speed, so much class and is so tough. He is a pleasure to do anything with and is just so good over five. If he puts an ounce of that into his stock, I'm looking forward to training them.” A fee for Bradsell will be announced after the Breeders' Cup. The post Bradsell to Retire to The National Stud after Breeders’ Cup Swansong appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Emulating her half-sister Remarquee (GB) (Kingman {GB}) in making a winning debut, Julian Richmond-Watson's Revoir (GB) (Study Of Man {Ire})–Regardez {GB}, by Champs Elysees {GB}) pierced the gloom at Nottingham on Wednesday to further bolster Ralph Beckett's juvenile challenge. Sent off the 6-4 favourite for the extended-mile maiden staged on heavy ground, the homebred tracked the early pace under Rossa Ryan before taking command two out. Chased to the line by November Air (Ire) (Ribchester {Ire}), she had 1 1/4 lengths to spare there. Remarquee, who went on to capture the G3 Fred Darling Stakes and finish second in the G1 Coronation Stakes and G1 Falmouth Stakes, is so far the best progeny out of the dam who is a half-sister to the ill-fated G1 Prix Royal-Oak winner Scope (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) from the family of the Oaks heroine Look Here (GB) (Hernando {Fr}). Nice debut Revoir (Study Of Man) is a half-sister to Remarquee & gives @RalphBeckett & @Rossaryan15 a quickfire double @NottsRacecourse pic.twitter.com/LF2JUFWgwP — Racing TV (@RacingTV) October 16, 2024 The post Study Of Man Half To Remarquee Off The Mark At Nottingham appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Uptowncharlybrown Stud is relocating Pennsylvania's leading active sire Uptowncharlybrown (Limehouse–La Iluminada, by Langfuhr) and GSP Eastwood (Speightstown–Fifth Avenue Ball, Deputy Minister) to Mountain Springs Farm in Palmyra, Pennsylvania, the stallion management company said in a release Wednesday. In 2023, the now-17-year-old Uptowncharlybrown set Pennsylvania's all-time record for combined stallion and breeder awards in a single season at $868,885. As for Eastwood, the current 14-year-old was the Keystone state's leading stallion in average earnings at $44,623; black type horses at 27.3%; and winners to starters at 82%. On Oct. 15 via X, Mountain Springs said that GSW Enticed (Medaglia d'Oro) was relocating to the farm from Kentucky. The post Pennsylvania Stallions Relocating To Mountain Springs For Next Season appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards, now in its ninth year in the United States, concluded Oct. 15 with a ceremony in the sales pavilion at Keeneland, said primary sponsor Godolphin in a release late Tuesday. A total of $122,000 in prize money was awarded across seven cateogries, and FanDuel TV host Todd Schrupp served as the master of ceremonies. This year's awards received additional support from category sponsors NYRA, 1/ST Racing, Keeneland, Hallway Feeds, NTRA, Hagyard Equine Medical Institute and Churchill Downs. The TDN served as one of several media partners for the event. Tom Law, managing editor of the Saratoga Special and this year's judging panels chair said, “This is my fourth year on the judging panels and each year I am truly inspired and moved by the special individuals who sincerely care for our industry and our equine athletes. To all the finalists, as well as all of the nominees, please know that we appreciate you and what you do.” Katie Petrunyak, TDN producer, was a finalist for the Newcomer Award. The full list of winners, finalists and runners-up are as follows: Katherine McKee Administration Award, sponsored by Keeneland Winner: Lauren Marks (Ocala Breeders' Sales Company) Finalists: Deeann Ruppert (Claiborne Farm), Tia Murphy (Turfway Park) Runners-up: Gretchen Feld (Lane's End Farm & David Ingordo), Tiffany Leggett (1/ST Racing) Support Services Award, sponsored by 1/ST Racing Winner: Cass Dewey (Desert Oasis Rescue) Finalists: Keith and Joy Cooper (Cooper Horse Transport), Vicki Tomlinson (Churchill Downs) Runners-up: Justine “Tina” Elam (Hagyard Equine Medical InstituteCon), Kevin Moran (Keeneland Association) Dedication to Breeding Award, sponsored by Hallway Feeds Winner: Steve Vargas (Bridlewood Farm) Finalists: Francisco “Poncho” Sanchez (Craig Wheeler Thoroughbreds, Inc.), Sue Hooper (Havens Oaks Farm) Runners-up: Abel Garibay (C&S Thoroughbreds), Christine Sgorrano (Sugar Plum Farm, LLC) Dedication to Racing Award, sponsored by the NTRA Winner: Milver Martinez (Brendan Walsh Racing) Finalists: Erma Lee Scott (William I. Mott Racing), Francisco D'Angelo (D'Angelo Racing Team) Runners-up: Darquin “Darwin” Aguilar-Valenzuela (Brad H. Cox Racing Stables, LLC), Lee Vickers (Christophe Clement Racing Stable) Managerial Award, sponsored by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute Winner: Christine Jones (Pleasant Acres Stallions) Finalists: Jack Sadler (Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners), Stuart Angus (Taylor Made Farm) Runners-up: Lauren Eads (Watercress Farm), Debbie Ward (Safari North Farm) Newcomer Award, sponsored by NYRA Winner: Julianne Stowell (Niall Brennan Stables) Finalists: Demetrio Rabadan (Christophe Clement Racing Stable), Katie Petrunyak (Thoroughbred Daily News) Runners-up: Nicole Dreiling (Bel-Mar Farm), Ethan Fry (O'Sullivan Farms) Dr. J. David “Doc” Richardson Community Award, sponsored by Churchill Downs Winner: Nancy LaSala (PDJF) Finalists: Bob Miller (Ocala Farm Ministry), Joel Helmburg (TRF at Blackburn Correctional Facility) Runners-up: Melanie Case (Kentucky Race Track Chaplaincy), Christian Countzler (Stable Recovery) The post Godolphin Awards Honor Employees Across Seven Categories appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Apprentice jockey Rhys Elliott is said to be recovering in hospital after he suffered a punctured lung and small fractures of the neck and spine in a fall at Newcastle on Wednesday evening. Elliott was riding the Michael Dods-trained Masterpainter (Ire) in the penultimate race on the card when the pair suffered a heavy fall approaching the final furlong after finding themselves short of room. In a statement on X, Michael Dods Racing said, “An update on our apprentice Rhys Elliott following a heavy fall from Masterpainter at Newcastle Racecourse last night… “Rhys is in hospital and Michael has spoken to him this morning. He has a punctured lung and small fractures of the neck and spine, but the good news is that they will heal and he's hoping to be out of hospital soon. “He is very grateful to the racecourse medical team and the hospital staff for their expert care. He also wants to say thanks for all the messages he's received since the news broke. “Masterpainter is battered and bruised but he's OK. Obviously, it could have been a lot worse and both Rhys and the horse are very lucky. “All the team here at Denton Hall wish Rhys a speedy recovery and we are all thinking of him. We will post an update as soon as we have further information.” The post Apprentice Rhys Elliott Recovering in Hospital after Newcastle Fall appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Donnacha O'Brien is looking forward to taking on the boys with Porta Fortuna (Ire) when she bids for her fourth top-level victory of the campaign in the Breeders' Cup Mile at Del Mar on Saturday, November 2. The daughter of Caravaggio has been on a roll since returning to action this season with a narrow defeat to Elmalka (GB) in the 1,000 Guineas, subsequently reeling off a Group 1 hat-trick in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket and Matron Stakes at Leopardstown. All roads now lead back to the Breeders' Cup for Porta Fortuna and a potential clash with the likes of Notable Speech (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Ramatuelle (Justify) as she tries to go one place better than when runner-up in last year's Juvenile Fillies Turf. “She has a few more bits of work to go, but all is going well so far and we're on track,” O'Brien said of his stable star. “It's going to be a very good race and it is probably going to be the strongest field she has ever faced. She's a filly who is progressing with every run and she's enjoyed a super season, so I think she has deserved a crack against the boys and we will see what she can do. “She ran a cracker at the Breeders' Cup last year. She's the kind of filly who is very tactically versatile in terms of European racing, but it is also a big advantage when you go to America. It means you can break on terms and get a decent position if you get a good draw, which is obviously going to be very important. I'm looking forward to getting her back over there.” O'Brien also reported that Tom Marquand, who has been in the saddle for all but one of Porta Fortuna's four starts this season, is likely to continue his association with the filly at Del Mar. He continued, “I think Tom Marquand will ride her. He's going to be over there for Big Evs and a couple of other horses and he obviously rode a Breeders' Cup winner last year. He knows her very well and I'm not sure if it's 100 per cent confirmed, but it's looking like it will be Tom.” As well as saddling Porta Fortuna at the Breeders' Cup, O'Brien will be firmly in the corner of his father's City Of Troy (Justify) when the brilliant Derby winner lines up in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic. The Classic is one of the few big races on the world stage to have so far eluded Aidan O'Brien, but his son is optimistic that City Of Troy could be the horse to deliver a famous success. “I think it's very hard to predict what a horse will do on dirt, but in my opinion it is the biggest chance he [Aidan] has had in a long time,” added O'Brien. “He's a horse that looks like he has the right attributes. He has early pace and is able to sustain a strong gallop, which you have to be able to do in America. “I think draw and pace and just how the race works out for him will be very important, but I think if he could just get comfortable in the first few furlongs, I fancy him to go and win it. You will know after the first half-mile how it is going to go, but I think he is a best chance he will have had in a long time.” The post Porta Fortuna Ready for “Strongest Field She Has Ever Faced” at Breeders’ Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Season 12 of the All-Weather Championships kicks off at Newcastle on Tuesday, October 22, and once again culminates on Good Friday, April 18, with Finals Day at Newcastle and the All-Weather Vase at Lingfield Park. The £1-million Finals Day at Newcastle includes amendments to the BetUK Marathon Final, with the field size increased to 20 and a prize fund of £175,000 (from £150,000). The structure of the All-Weather Championships remains largely unchanged, with horses requiring a minimum of three runs on all-weather surfaces in Britain, Ireland and France during the qualifying period to be eligible for Finals Day. One of these three qualifying runs will continue to be permitted to take place on dirt in either Dubai or Saudi Arabia. For the first time this season, horses may also qualify for Finals Day with three runs on an all-weather surface in the USA during the qualifying period. The winner of the Carousel Club Handicap at Gulfstream Park on Saturday, January 25 will receive free (but not guaranteed) entry into the Mile Final on Good Friday. Mark Spincer, managing director of ARC's Racing Division, said, “We are delighted to be bringing the All-Weather Championships back for its 12th season. The changes we made to the programme last year were well received and we aim to build on that with some further tweaks for the forthcoming season. Coupled with ARC's £1-million All-Weather Bonus scheme, there are plenty of incentives for trainers, jockeys and owners on the all-weather throughout the winter.” For more information, please visit https://www.awchampionships.co.uk/. The post Marathon Final Enhanced as All-Weather Championships Return for Season 12 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Invincible GG (IGG), a competitive gaming platform and technology company, has announced that it will celebrate the partnership between its Owners Club racing game and the QIPCO British Champions Series, by showcasing its flagship virtual race, the Champions Stakes, on the big screens at Ascot on Saturday. The Owners Club community, totalling around 10,000 players, has been actively training their AI-powered virtual horses, with the aim of qualifying for the in-game Champions Series Challenge races. The Champions Stakes will be shown as-live on prominent video screens around the various Ascot enclosures just before midday, before the first race on QIPCO British Champions Day. The partnership between Owners Club and the QIPCO British Champions Series is designed to deliver an interactive experience that converts young sports fans and gaming enthusiasts into horse racing aficionados. Jonathan Strause, Invincible GG CEO, said, “As race days go, they don't come much bigger than the Flat season-closing QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot racecourse, and we're delighted to be showcasing Owners Club in all its glory to what should be a full house in the lead up to the first race. “The Champions Stakes will provide racing fans anywhere near a big screen the thrill of a new kind of live virtual racing, with the key difference that players have true ownership of the AI horses in question, along with control over their training regimen, race tactics, and related breeding strategies.” IGG will also be hosting an Owners Club party at Ascot. The team will be present to celebrate with the owners of the virtual horses racing in the Champions Stakes, game ambassadors, including Izzy Phillips and Basher Watts, and various other prominent racing and tech figures. Young racegoers attending through the Club26 and Invades initiatives will be also be welcomed to this event. The post Ascot to Screen ‘Owners Club’ Virtual Race on Champions Day appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article