Wandering Eyes

Owner Mike Repole believes he might have the best 4-year-old in the country in his barn at the start of the new year, and that horse isn't necessarily Fierceness (City of Light). Mindframe (Constitution) has been out of sight, out of mind since finishing second in the July 20 GI Haskell S. at Monmouth. In his prior start, he was second in the GI Belmont S. While he didn't win either race, he overcame the fact that he had only two lifetime starts before the Belmont and was an inexperienced, lightly raced horse with a lot to learn. He could only get better. But trainer Todd Pletcher and Repole had to take a step back after Mindframe developed some minor problems after the Haskell. “He didn't have anything done surgically,” Pletcher said. “There was some minor bone bruising. We felt that we were running out of time to make the [Breeders' Cup] Classic and so we felt the right thing to do was to stop on him.” On Tuesday, Mindframe had his first work of the year, breezing at Stonestreet Ocala. Repole was so impressed by the colt's work that he played it on X, while adding this comment: “Look who's back!!!!! Maybe the best 4 year old colt in the country next year. Guess??? Hint…It's not Fierceness.” Look who's back!!!!! Maybe the best 4 year old colt in the country next year. Guess??? Hint……..it's not Fierceness. pic.twitter.com/ka8cshTMWz — Repole Stable (@RepoleStable) December 16, 2024 Pletcher said he would not compare the two horses. “I have a lot of confidence in both horses and I will not compare them,” he said. “They are both big-time talents and I am fortunate to train both of them.” He knows, however, that Mindframe has the potential to have a huge 4-year-old campaign. “He accomplished a lot in a short period of time,” said Pletcher, who has still another quality soon-to-be 4-year-old in Locked (Gun Runner) in his barn. “Mindframe went from a maiden to an 'a other than' to runner-up in the Belmont and the Haskell. He showed tremendous talent for a May foal. I think he proved he was one of the best 3-year-olds last year. He's a big, strong colt that you would think would improve with some more experience and maturity.” Mindframe left Ocala Tuesday and arrived later in the day at Pletcher's winter headquarters at Palm Beach Downs. He was getting nothing but positive reports from the people looking after him in Ocala. “He's responded really well.” Pletcher said. “Ian Brennan has been very high on how the horse has been training coming back. His first breeze was quite good. We anticipate he will come to hand pretty quickly like he did once he got into serious training earlier this year.” For both Fierceness and Mindframe, Pletcher has yet to map out a 2025 schedule. Repole has mentioned that he'd like to see Fierceness run in the GI Metropolitan Handicap. Fierceness is owned solely by Repole, while Mindframe is owned by the Repole-St. Elias Stables partnership. It may not be easy to keep them apart. “It's a little early to project what race they will run in first next year,” he said. “As Mike has stated, the Met Mile is an early goal for Fierceness. That might put Mindframe into a longer race around the same time. When it will be a challenge is when the Whitney comes around and obviously the Breeders' Cup Classic, too. We'll hope we'll be in a poistion to run them both in a race like that.” This is somewhat new territory for Pletcher, whose top 3-year-olds are usually so good that they are sent off to stud and don't run at four. “We're in a fortunate situation,” he said. “It was Mike's decision to bring Fierceness back as a 4-year-old. As we know from an economic standpoint, even though he'll be running in races with lucrative purses, he would be more valuable as a stallion, but Mike wants to race him again. That's fantastic for us. To have three really good horse in Fierceness, Mindframe and Locked is really something special.” The post Repole, Pletcher Looking Forward to Return of Mindframe appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The rate of racing-related equine fatalities declined for the third straight quarter, according to statistics released Tuesday by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority. For the third quarter of 2024 (from July 1 through Sept. 30), the fatality rate decreased approximately 21% year-over-year, with racetracks operating under HISA's rules reporting 0.93 racing-related equine fatalities per 1,000 starts, as compared to a rate of 1.18 in the third quarter of 2023. “The consistent year-over-year declines in the racing-related equine fatality rate are a testament to the dedication and collaboration of all stakeholders in our industry,” said HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus. “As safety and integrity continue to improve, we're reminded that our mission to protect the well-being of horses and riders will preserve the sport for generations to come. There's still more to achieve, but the progress so far is inspiring.” The aggregate year-to-date fatality rate for HISA racetracks (Jan. 1 to Sept. 30) was 0.85 per 1,000 starts, approximately a 36% decrease as compared to the same period in 2023. HISA submitted public disclosure requests for racing-related fatalities in Louisiana, Texas and West Virginia and received responses after releasing its own second-quarter results. During the second quarter of 2024, fatalities at racetracks in these non-HISA states amounted to 2.38 racing-related fatalities per 1,000 starts, more than triple the fatality rate at racetracks operating under HISA's rules during the same period, which was 0.76 racing-related fatalities per 1,000 starts. This story will be updated. The post HISA Reports Continued Declines in Racing Fatalities appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A 1/50th share in the Aga Khan Studs stallion Zarak (Fr) took top billing in the Arqana December Online Sale when going the way of Alex Elliott for €800,000. Of the 13 stallion shares and breeding rights offered, nine sold for a total of €1,323,000. A four-time winner when trained by Alain de Royer-Dupré, notably landing the G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, Zarak boasts an exceptional pedigree as a son of Dubawi (Ire) and the unbeaten G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe heroine Zarkava (Ire) (Zamindar). Zarak stood his first season at Haras de Bonneval in 2018 and is set to command a career-high fee of €80,000 in 2025, having produced three Group 1 winners from his early crops, including this year's Poule d'Essai des Poulains winner Metropolitan (Fr). Haya Zark (Fr) also struck at the top level this year in the Prix Ganay, while Zagrey (Fr) became his sire's first Group 1 winner when successful in the Grosser Preis von Baden in 2023. The share gives the right to one covering per year, plus an additional covering every odd-numbered year, meaning two coverings in 2025 followed by one covering in 2026, and so on. A 1/50th share in Haras d'Etreham resident Hello Youmzain (Fr) was the most expensive of the other lots offered at €250,000. The Broadhurst Agency's Laurent Benoit was the successful bidder. The leading first-season sire in France in 2024, Hello Youmzain has produced 20 individual two-year-old winners in Europe, including the G3 Prix des Chines scorer and G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere third Misunderstood (Fr). He will stand for a fee of €40,000 in 2025. The post Zarak Share Tops the Arqana December Online Sale at €800,000 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Rae Guest has announced that he is to cease training in January after 36 years with a licence. The Newmarket trainer told David Milnes of the Racing Post that he has sold his Chestnut Tree Stables to Jack Jones, who has rented some boxes there since he started training in 2022. Now 74, Guest, who is also a former jockey with notable success in Scandinavia, India and Britain, is renowned as a trainer of fillies in particular. He notched his first Group 1 win in the Yorkshire Oaks with My Emma (GB) (Marju {Ire}), who later followed up in the Prix Vermeille. He also trained the Cheveley Park Stakes winner Serious Attitude (Ire) (Mtoto {GB}), while his latest black-type success came with Divina Grace (GB) (Golden Horn {GB}), winner of the Listed Chalice Stakes at Newmarket in August. A widely popular member of the Newmarket training fraternity, Guest hails from a famous racing dynasty. His father Charlie Guest was a jockey, as was his uncle, Joe, while another uncle, Nelson, trained. Rae's brother Richard is a Grand National and Champion Hurdle-winning jockey and former trainer, sister Jane was married to Sir Henry Cecil and later trained successfully in her own right, and another of his sisters, Sally, was a leading amateur rider on the Flat and one of Sir Michael Stoute's key work riders. Guest told Milnes, “I'm not giving up training because I don't enjoy it any more – I still love the game and some of my owners will have horses with Jack. I'll be following them and [wife] Rachel has a few mares, so I'll still be in the sport but just not the day-to-day training.” The post Group 1-Winning Trainer Rae Guest to Retire appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The breeding community lost a friend and asset last week. Annette Covault died Friday, Dec. 13, from complications of ill health that she had dealt with for several years. As the booking secretary for Claiborne Farm first and then Gainesway Farm over several decades, Covault, known to her familiars as “Netto,” provided common sense and good humor to breeders and farm managers working through the prickly process of getting mares booked to stallions in a timely manner. The stallion veterinarian at Gainesway from 2008 to 2019, Rocky Mason, DVM, noted that, “Annette elevated the horse industry; she was a consummate professional. With witty quips or prosing on the latest New Yorker article, she was always charming to be near. Annette looked after me like I was family, an attribute not celebrated enough in this world.” In addition to serving breeders and farm managers, Covault would also be called upon to advise the hapless, wandering scribe in search of a story. When an editor would peek round the corner and say, “Mr. Prospector is dead. Check it out,” the call went out. Annette Covault took those calls with good humor and would summarize the situation with a “few cogent comments,” like “He's standing up and grazing, but if you'd like to come take his pulse …” As booking secretary and general knower of things, Annette Covault looked out on the stallion paddocks at the historic nursery for more than 20 years. Born in Fletcher, Ohio, Covault did not come from horse people. After graduating college, Covault moved to Kentucky in the mid-1970s, where she initially took a job with The Thoroughbred Record magazine. The publication and its printing press were both located on North Broadway in Lexington, in a little colony of racing and breeding people. Heeding the call of her favorite horse, Secretariat, Covault moved her tack to Claiborne Farm. “Mrs. Downing was looking to retire, I seem to recall,” said Dell Hancock, “and Annette came in to take her place. Mrs. Downing thought a lot of her and described Annette this way: Annette's a Brahmin,” a member of the highest class. “She was a dedicated person, and she worked hard,” said Seth Hancock. “She dedicated her life to the work she was engaged in doing.” Dedicated, competitive, and yet with a streak of humor, Annette was recalled in this story from Dell Hancock: “After Swale won the Derby, we were standing around and feeling pretty good, and John Sosby said, 'I think I'm responsible for Swale because I take care of the farm.' Then the broodmare manager said, 'I'm responsible because I took care of the mares.' Then the foaling man said, 'I was responsible for him because I foaled the mare.' “Then Annette said, 'Well, there wouldn't have been a Swale if I hadn't booked that mare on the right day.' She thought she had trumped everyone with that. “But then Dr. Kaufmann said, 'I knew him when he was just a follicle.'” Good humor helps to leaven a world of situations, including those that arise on a horse farm and with horse people. Dealing with legendary breeders, such as the Whitneys, Alfred Vanderbilt, William Haggin Perry, and the Phippses, and working around horses like her beloved Secretariat, leading sires Nijinsky, Hoist the Flag, Danzig, and Mr. Prospector, Covault developed a cordial working relationship with these and many other owners and breeders involved in the daily process of breeding championship-quality racing stock year after year. After Claiborne, Covault became booking secretary to Gainesway Farm, and in her decades-long specialty, Covault combined the delicate mix of qualities required of the position: uncommon diplomatic tact and a salty sense of humor. “Annette brought a great reputation and years of experience to Gainesway,” said Michael Hernon, who was in charge of selling seasons at Gainesway at the time. “She was my cherished friend. Her word was her bond.” Dr. Dede McGehee, horse breeder and owner of Heaven Trees Farm, summarized her experience. “Annette, She was the best.” The post Annette Covault Passes Away appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The racehorse aftercare charity LoneStar Outreach to Place Ex-Racers (LOPE) has served 300 students and educators in 2024–a year ahead of its goal to hit that mark in 2025. By combining racehorse aftercare with STEM education, LOPE's ex-racers (mostly retired racehorses with over 50 races) are providing hands-on ways to help kids learn math, science, and veterinary skills. “Warhorses like Jet Set Cat, who raced 106 times with one eye, offer more than science lessons–they teach kids about grit and perseverance,” says LOPE founder Lynn Reardon. “Every child leaves here with a new perspective, whether they're future veterinarians or simply seeking comfort in a horse's presence.” Reardon founded LOPE in the Texas Hill Country in 2004. The organization hosts dynamic field trips and internships, engaging youth aged four through 18 with subjects like biology, physics, and equine veterinary science. Highlights of the 2024 program include partnerships with the Texas Equine Veterinary Association and the American Association of Equine Veterinary Technicians and Assistants. “With the U.S. facing a looming shortage of equine veterinarians, programs like ours are crucial for inspiring the next generation of animal care professionals,” Reardon said. “Through hands-on experiences, students learn not only how to care for horses, but also how to translate their passion into a career.” LOPE's upcoming expansion includes a nearly complete mini-campus and a vision for year-round youth programs. For more information, visit www.lopetx.org. The post LOPE Celebrates Student Milestone appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It's time to revisit our annual series to assess the sires of 2025 with the aim of working out where the value lies. We'll reissue the usual caveat that value means different things to different people. For the benefit of this series, we are using the euro as our currency for bracketing, and will deal with stallions in the following four tiers: €50,000 and up €20,000 to €49,999 €10,000 to €19,999 Under €10,000. Only one of the new additions to the European stallion ranks for 2025 makes it into the upper tier, which we are dealing with in Part I, and that is the 2024 Derby winner City Of Troy, who retires to Coolmore at a fee of €75,000. There has been a lot of social media silliness about the height of this horse. Breeders who go to see him in the flesh will find a well-proportioned individual whose stature should be complementary to most mares. Only time will tell if he throws horses more in the mould of his imposing sire Justify, or whether his offspring will cleave to his own greater similarity to his damsire Galileo (Ire). The mares obviously play a part in this physical jigsaw, too. What breeders will get for that fee is a well-bred stallion, whose Group 1-winning dam Together Forever (Ire), the sister of an Oaks winner, has 4×4 inbreeding to the influential mare Special. City Of Troy's race record speaks for itself. He was unbeaten at two, including in the G1 Dewhurst Stakes. At three, his Derby, Eclipse and Juddmonte International wins earned him Cartier Horse of the Year honours and more than made up for a disappointing run in the 2,000 Guineas and an apparent dislike of the dirt in the Breeders' Cup Classic. He faces rivalry from within his own stable from his competitively priced fellow Derby winner Auguste Rodin (Ire), whom we will deal with in Part II. City Of Troy provided racing fans with an unusual non-racing day out to Southwell in September when he had an away-day from Ballydoyle, with both Ryan Moore and Aidan O'Brien entering into the sprit of the occasion by spending time signing autographs and posing for photographs after his racecourse gallop. This scribbler didn't get a selfie or a signature but was left with a lasting visual impression of an athletic colt with a quite extraordinary elevated action at top speed. If City Of Troy can pass that movement on to some of his offspring he'll do just fine. He's in this bracket for his performance and pedigree, but what of the others who either retired into this top tier and have stayed there, or those who have worked their way up from more humble beginnings? Of the former category, only Frankel (GB), Sea The Stars (Ire) and the latter's son Baaeed (GB) have started at this level and remained in place, and it is of course early days for Baaeed, who will have his first yearlings for sale next year and has dropped from his opening fee of £80,000 to stand at £65,000 for his third season. Sea The Stars, who turns 19 in 2025, was such a magnificent racehorse and he continues to throw classy individuals. It is fervently hoped that some of his sons enjoy proper success as Flat sires. Sea The Moon (Ger) has shown the way, and the top miler Baaeed, from a family endowed with some decent stallions, could be another to make that breakthrough. As the joint-most expensive stallions in the world at £350,000, Frankel and Dubawi (Ire) have earned their place at the top of the table. Frankel was the champion sire of 2021 and 2023, with Dubawi taking the championship from him in 2022. Neither will lack for quality or support. Managing the quantity is the hardest part for those connected with the veteran Dubawi, who is knocking on the door of 23 and has done wonders to keep the memory and bloodline of Dubai Millennium (GB) thriving. Dubawi's stud career has been a happy and lengthy epilogue to the tragic tale of his sire's demise from grass sickness at the age of only five. To use Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale as a barometer for these two elite sparring partners, Frankel topped the pile with 18 sold (from 19 offered) for an average of 902,778gns, and these were youngsters conceived when his fee was still £200,000. Dubawi had 12 sold (19 offered) for an average of 778,333gns, from his 2022 fee of £250,000. Humble Beginnings Few stallions have forced their way into the reckoning like Wootton Bassett (GB) has done and plenty of us would love to be able to go back in time to 2014 or 2015 when he stood for only €4,000, having started out at €6,000 at Haras d'Etreham in 2012. The mighty has risen, and the son of Iffraaj (GB), now knocking on the door of 17, opened his Irish innings at Coolmore on €100,000. He now commands a fee three times that amount. In 2024 we saw the results of his first Irish-conceived crop of two-year-olds, which included the Group 1 winners Camille Pissarro (Ire), Henri Matisse (Ire), Twain (Ire), and Tennessee Stud (Ire). The G3 Prix Thomas Bryon winner Maranoa Charlie (Ire) is another to keep an eye on as next spring's Classics come around. Wootton Bassett, whose 19 Book 1 yearlings sold for an average of €600,000 (from a €150,000 fee) has a growing throng of sons at stud, with King Of Steel and Bucanero Fuerte (GB) joining the list in 2025. Similar comments apply to Siyouni (Fr) at the Aga Khan Studs, who won the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere the year before Wootton Bassett took the same race, and started at Haras de Bonneval at €7,000, having narrowly avoided a gelding appointment with his vet. That he was spared the cruellest cut has been very much to the benefit of the European bloodstock industry and to France in particular, where he has towered over the domestic stallion ranks in recent years. He remains at €200,000 for 2025, having enjoyed a similar upward trajectory to his own sire Pivotal (GB) throughout the course of his career. His 19 Arqana August yearlings, conceived when he was still at €140,000, sold for an average of €242,474. Global Success Ballylinch Stud's Lope De Vega (Ire) has had a tremendous year. A truly global success story, despite the fact that he has not shuttled south since 2015, his 33 black-type winners worldwide in 2024 matches the tally of Dubawi and puts the pair ahead of all other stallions standing in Europe, as does his list of six Group 1 winners, which is equal to the late Galileo. This is properly elite territory, which is reflected in his price hike for 2025 to €175,000 from €125,000. Remove Frankel from the equation and Kingman (GB) would be the undisputed star of the Juddmonte stallion ranks. In a year in which he supplied the winners of the 1,000 Guineas (Elmalka (GB)) and Prix de Diane (Sparkling Plenty (Fr)), his haul of 17 stakes winners included the G1 Prix de l'Opera winner Friendly Soul (GB), who should be back for more in 2025, while the G2 Lowther Stakes winner Celandine (GB) has Classic pretensions. The Dubawi Brigade In those tricky third and fourth seasons, Night Of Thunder (Ire) stood for €15,000. Now his fee is ten times that amount. By the end of 2019, he had become the champion first-season sire, prompting a jump to €25,000 before really taking off into this top price bracket, where he has remained for four seasons. Two new Group 1 winners this year – Economics (GB) and Desert Flower (Ire) – have pushed his tally to five and one of his hallmarks, a bit like his sire Dubawi, is the breadth of his offspring's success across a range of distances. He's teetering on the brink of 100 stakes winners from six crops of racing age and will need to continue that upward progression at this new chunky fee, though that shouldn't be a problem given the associated rise in the quality of his mates. Two notable names among his 2024 coverings were six-time Group 1 winner Snow Fairy (Ire) and the Arc winner Solemia (Ire). Another son of Dubawi climbing the ranks from a relatively modest beginning is Zarak (Fr). Having remained at €12,000 for his first four years at Bonneval, his fee has risen steadily to his 2025 high of €80,000 on the back of a year in which he sired his first Classic winner, Metropolitan (Fr), while Haya Zark (Fr) took the G1 Prix Ganay. With 18 stakes winners this year, he was equal to Frankel and Night Of Thunder, with only Dubawi, Lope De Vega, Sea The Stars and Wootton Bassett ahead of him. The Darley duo of Too Darn Hot (GB) and Blue Point (Ire) has built on a solid start with first-crop two-year-olds. They each have three Group 1 winners, though one of Too Darn Hot's, Broadsiding (Aus), is from his first southern hemisphere crop. Blue Point is the leading second-crop sire in Europe by a decent margin, and his fee has leapt accordingly from €35,000 in his fourth season to €100,000 just two years later. First-crop Classic winner Rosallion (Ire) and rising sprinting star Kind Of Blue (GB) have aided that progression, and he already has a son at stud in the Breeders' Cup winner Big Evs (Ire), who will make his debut on the Tally-Ho Stud roster in 2025. Shamardal's legacy looks secure through Lope De Vega and Blue Point, to name just two of his stallion sons. Too Darn Hot also had a breakthrough Classic winner, Fallen Angel (GB), while G1 Futurity Trophy winner Hotazhell (GB) led the charge from his second crop. Hugely sought after on both sides of the globe, he could soon be challenging Night Of Thunder and Zarak as the leading son of Dubawi. Don't, however, overlook New Bay (GB) in this regard. He somehow seems to be more of a quiet achiever, but an achiever he undoubtedly is. He has been represented by 29 juvenile winners this year, which makes him seventh in Europe in this category, and that group includes the impressive G2 Champagne Stakes winner Bay City Roller (Ire). New Bay's fee was doubled in 2023, to €75,000, and there he remains. No Nay Never's fee has done a bit of yoyo-ing in recent years. Available for two years at €17,500 back in 2016 and 2017, he shot up to €100,000 in 2019 and has remained at six figures ever since. With two seasons at €175,000, he has dropped gradually back to €125,000. The G1 Prix Morny winner Whistlejacket (Ire), a brother to Little Big Bear (Ire), was his star of 2024, while the G2 Rockfel winner Bubbling (Ire) is a filly with Guineas potential. Commercial and Classic No stallion can get close to Mehmas (Ire) when it comes to two-year-old winners. His record-breaking haul this year is now a whopping 71, and that includes the Group/Grade 1 winners Vertical Blue (Ire) (who sold for 3.2 million gns at the December Mares Sale), Scorthy Champ (Ire) and Magnum Force (Ire). Admittedly, the returns at Book 1 this year almost defied any sort of reality, but it is worth considering that Mehmas, who only four years ago had no representation in this section of the October catalogue, had all 16 of his yearlings offered sold for an average 343,125gns. Top price was 1 million gns for the half-brother to Perfect Power (Ire), but every other one of them made a six-figure sum, which shows decent returns from his 2022 fee of €50,000. Though that has been raised for 2025 to €70,000, that is still a reasonable mark for a very much in-demand stallion. One could say that we've saved the best for last. Camelot (GB) returns to his previous 2022 peak fee of €75,000 following a year in which his daughter Bluestocking (GB) won the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. The Juddmonte filly's annus mirabilis also included victories in the G1 Prix Vermeille, G1 Pretty Polly Stakes and G2 Middleton Stakes bringing her total earnings to more than £3.6m and helping her sire to finish 2024 as the leading sire in Europe. She was not alone as a Group 1 winner for Camelot this year. Luxembourg (Ire) gained his fourth top-level win – one in each season in training – in the Coronation Cup, while Los Angeles (Ire) won the Irish Derby after finishing third in the Derby and, later, third to Bluestocking in the Arc. With just shy of €9m in progeny earnings in Europe, Camelot topped the table ahead of his fellow Irish-based stallions Lope De Vega and Sea The Stars. It is encouraging to see two Derby winners who are not Galileo in the top three. In fourth on European earnings but the champion sire of Britain and Ireland was Dark Angel (Ire), whose first title we discussed with his owner and breeder Gay O'Callaghan in TDN last week. This was the first time the champion sire had been based in Ireland but not at Coolmore since the posthumous title won by Petingo (GB) in 1979 (Pitcairn was champion the following year, by which time he had already been exported to Japan). Available between 2018 and 2020 at his highest fee of €85,000, Dark Angel had stood for as low as €7,000 in his third and fourth seasons but will remain at €60,000 for a fifth consecutive year. Over the last five seasons he has covered 163, 180, 193, 166 and 134 mares in 2024 and it is easy to suppose that the tally may decrease steadily as he hits his twenties. For his body of work, €60,000 looks to be the best bit of value out there at this elite level. Value Podium Gold: Dark Angel, Yeomanstown Stud A champion sire for €60,000. Say no more. Silver: Camelot, Coolmore The only son of the great Montjeu (Ire) remaining on a Flat roster. A proper, proven sire at €75,000 remains an excellent option for anyone serious about breeding a Classic winner. Bronze: Mehmas, Tally-Ho Stud Bred on the same cross as Dark Angel, he is the perfect package for a commercial breeder. At €70,000, he may be becoming too pricey for some but he's still a youngster and, given the evidence of his early years at stud, that fee could justifiably rise again in the near future. The post Value Sires Part I: Deep Pockets Required appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The New York State Gaming Commission has named seven individuals to form an advisory board to assist in directing contributions from New York's Thoroughbred and Standardbred breeding funds to responsible racehorse aftercare organizations. The newly named board members are: Joseph Battaglia, Lois Engel, Bill Ketzer, Robin Malatino, Lisa Malloy, Liz O'Connell, and Rick Schosberg. “These dedicated individuals recognize the importance of making sure racehorses have viable options after they leave the track,” said gaming commission chairman Brian O'Dwyer. “Their collective expertise will undoubtedly help the cause, and I thank each member for volunteering their time to promote responsible aftercare.” New Yorkers may make contributions on personal and/or corporate state income tax returns to fund the operation of retired racehorse aftercare facilities via the New York State Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund and/or the Agriculture and New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund (for Standardbreds). In addition, any fines collected for violations of New York State law prohibiting the slaughter of racehorses and racehorse breeding stock (Section 382 of the Agriculture & Markets Law) are remitted to the respective funds to be spent solely for the purpose of the care of retired racehorses. The funds will then be distributed to organizations, with consideration as to whether the group is an accredited horse retirement and rescue program. To learn more about the commission's commitment to responsible horse breeding and aftercare, visit https://gaming.ny.gov/horse-breeding-and-aftercare. The post NYS Gaming Commission Names Aftercare Funding Advisory Committee appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Dan Illman has been named Director of Communications of the new Maryland Jockey Club. Previously a writer, correspondent, analyst and handicapper at Daily Racing Form, Illman will lead the organization's media relations department when the new TMJC, a non-profit entity under the auspices of the Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority, assumes control of Maryland's day-to-day racing operations Jan. 1. “We are incredibly pleased to welcome Dan to the team at the new TMJC,” said President and General Manager Bill Knauf. “He is a proven leader in the field of communications and media, and we are excited for him to spread the message of the strong future of Maryland racing.” “I'm honored to join the team at TMJC and contribute to the new vision in Maryland,” said Illman. “I am excited to collaborate with horsemen, media colleagues and industry partners to enhance coverage of racing in the state and look forward to delivering compelling multi-media content that aids and informs the horseplayer, handicapper and racing fan.” The post Dan Illman Named TMJC Director of Communications appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Fans will have a chance to win a trip to the Resolute Racing Eclipse Awards Ceremony, presented by John Deere, Keeneland and The Jockey Club, as well as attend the Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park as part of the Resolute Racing Eclipse Awards Sweepstakes. The grand prize winner of the sweepstakes will receive airfare, hotel, and two tickets to the Eclipse Awards to be held Jan. 23 at The Breakers Palm Beach, as well as tickets to the Pegasus World Cup held at Gulfstream Park Jan. 25. There is no purchase necessary to participate in the promotion and entries may be made on the Resolute Racing website, or its accompanying social media channels, or the NTRA website, or its accompanying social media channels. Fans can enter the contest by submitting their name, information, and explanation as to why they want to win this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Entries are now open online and continue through Jan. 7 and the winners will be announced Jan. 10. “We are excited to welcome two lucky fans to the most glamorous night in racing at the 54th annual Eclipse Awards,” said NTRA President and CEO Tom Rooney. “In partnership with Resolute Racing, two fans will have a fantastic weekend we hope they remember forever.” Resolute owner John Stewart added, “Racing fans are the backbone of the sport, and Resolute Racing is delighted to team with the NTRA to provide an avenue for two lucky people to attend the Eclipse Awards, which is Thoroughbred racing's version of the Academy Awards. We also look forward to hosting the winners at the Pegasus World Cup.” The post NTRA, Resolute Racing Offer Chance to Win Trip to Eclipse Awards Ceremony, Pegasus appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sam Agars EXCEL WONGCHOY - R5 (2) Racing in top form and gets his chance to bank another victory here Jay Rooney EXCEL WONGCHOY - R5 (2) Broke through two starts ago and can go one better than last time out Jack Dawling TOP GUN - R8 (10) Back on track last start and could be too classy for this bunch Phillip Woo VULCANUS - R4 (10) Has turned the corner this season and can win again off a light weight Shannon (Vincent Wong) SOARING BRONCO - R2 (2) Drawn well for his first run in Class Five and looks hard to beat tonight Racing Post Online JUMBO FORTUNE - R6 (7) Has been knocking on the door and should score with James McDonald aboard Tom Wood TALENTS AMBITION - R8 (4) Conditions of the race sees him carry less weight than what he won with last startView the full article

The treble Group 1-winning sprinter Advertise (Ire) is on the move to Ireland and will stand at Gordon Doyle's Knockmullen House Stud in Co Wexford at a fee of €5,000 for 2025. The son of Showcasing (GB) remains in the ownership of his former trainer Martyn Meade. He stood initially at the National Stud from 2020 and, for the last two seasons, at Manton Park Stud. “It's a pretty big departure for us to be standing a Flat sire but when a horse like Advertise pops up you can't really say no,” said Doyle, who also stands former Manton Park resident Technician (Ire), Mekhtaal (GB) and Silas Marner (Fr). “He is a top-class racehorse with great looks who produces good lookers and has made a great start to his stud career with three group winners in 2024. I am very grateful to Martyn Meade and the team at Manton for the opportunity.” Advertise, bred by Cheveley Park Stud from the Pivotal (GB) mare Furbelow (GB), won the G1 Phoenix Stakes and G2 July Stakes at two, as well as finishing runner-up to Too Darn Hot (GB) in the G1 Dewhurst Stakes. At three he added both the G1 Commonwealth Cup and G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest to his record, as well as finishing second to Ten Sovereigns (Ire) in the G1 July Cup. Doyle added, “I am under no illusion that it's going to be hard to turn the commercial opinion of him around as it can be a very unforgiving place but he had a very good season in 2024. To sire horses like Cool Hoof Luke, winner of the G2 Gimcrack [Stakes], Secret Satire, who won the G3 Musidora, and Al Shabab Storm, who was victorious in the G3 Goldene Peitsche, from just two crops is very exciting. He has some exciting prospects for 2025 including Shout, Bullet Point, and Minstrel Knight.” Doyle said that comments from trainers had also swayed his decision to diversify with a Flat stallion. “The feedback was very positive and, after all, our aim is to produce racehorses,” he noted. “So, if the trainers like them and keep buying them hopefully he will continue to prove himself a good sire. His oldest are only three so, in my opinion, it is too early to write him off.” Advertise and his fellow Knockmullen House stallions will be available for viewing on the Irish Stallion Trail, which is currently scheduled to take place on January 10 and 11. Martyn Meade said, “Whilst retaining full ownership and acknowledging Advertise had a brilliant season this year, siring the winner of the Gimcrack and the Musidora, I feel he will have an even better chance being based in Ireland where there is a far greater breeding appetite than the UK. I will as always be supporting him. I know he is in good hands with Gordon and his team.” The post ‘The Feedback Was Very Positive’: Advertise Moves to Knockmullen House Stud appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB) published its 2023/24 Annual Report & Accounts on Tuesday. They revealed that the HBLB's statutory Levy income to the year ended Sunday, March 31 was £105m, the highest since the reforms of 2017 which added to the scope of the Levy non-retail bets placed in Great Britain with betting operators based overseas. This £105m surpassed the £100m in 2022/23 and was achieved against a backdrop of a further fall in betting turnover (amount staked) which, as in 2022/23, was mitigated by improved margins and gross win (amount retained by bookmakers after returns to customers, the basis of the Levy calculation). Levy income of £105m, plus investment income of over £3m, enabled the Board to achieve a surplus of £13.7m, the first significant surplus of the post-Covid period. This followed operating deficits in the wake of Covid. The Board also pays tribute in the report to Paul Darling OBE KC, who died suddenly and unexpectedly in August 2024. The Board notes that he gave 10 years of service to the Board–six as a Board member from 2008 to 2014 and a further four as chairman from 2020–and that his passing has deprived the sport of one of its best known and most influential industry figures. The Annual Report & Accounts record that betting turnover has continued to fall in 2024/25 to date but that margins have not so far compensated for this. On current estimates this will lead to a lower Levy yield in 2024/25 than last year. In his chief executive's statement, Alan Delmonte notes that, “The Board is itself not privy to the commercial information around individual bookmakers' businesses. However, it is clear that there has been a material change in the industry environment with turnover down by around 20% in two years. “There is bound to be an interplay of factors causing this, including the impacts of risk-based financial checks by operators, in particular on higher-staking customers, and changes to certain turnover-based commercial rights deals. The Board has also observed changes in the types and frequency of promotions of betting on British racing, also likely to have had a downward effect on turnover levels.” The Annual Report & Accounts, formally audited by the National Audit Office, provide comprehensive information about the Board's work throughout 2023/24, including its substantial investment in prize money, regulation and integrity, horse welfare, equine disease surveillance and prevention, veterinary science and education as well as the sport's people training and education projects. The 2023/24 Annual Report & Accounts are available in full here. The post HBLB Annual Report & Accounts Confirm Highest Income Since 2017 Reforms appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The five-year-old broodmare Sedaka (NZ), offered in foal to Too Darn Hot (GB) on a Southern Hemisphere cover, has been sold for a record 210,000gns to Bruce Slade of Kestrel Thoroughbreds, on behalf of Nocab Racing. The top-priced lot in the Tattersalls Online December Sale, she also becomes the highest-priced broodmare ever sold on the platform. The daughter of Savabeel (Aus), who was twice Group-placed as a three-year-old, was consigned by Watership Down Stud and is set to stay in Britain in the short term, with a return visit to Too Darn Hot potentially on the cards in 2025. “Nocab Racing are building up a very select broodmare band with high-end profiles and Sedaka fit that as a Group performer by a champion sire in Savabeel,” said Slade. “I have a really healthy respect for Too Darn Hot who's doing the job in both hemispheres. The mare will stay in Europe with the view to being bred to Too Darn Hot or another Australian compatible UK-based sire in 2025. Then we'll look to bring her home from there.” Alongside seven other broodmares in the Southern Hemisphere Session, Sedaka was covered by Too Darn Hot to Southern Hemisphere time. The session saw four lots sell for a total of 640,000gns and at an average of 160,000gns. Tattersalls Online sales manager Katherine Sheridan added, “The December Online Sale, featuring the inaugural sale of Southern Hemisphere covered mares, has exceeded expectations with multiple records broken. The sale of Sedaka for 210,000 guineas represents the highest price for a broodmare to be offered on Tattersalls Online, whilst the sale turnover of 940,650 guineas is a record for a Tattersalls Online sale since the platform's inception. “The joint venture with Inglis Digital has been the first collaboration of its kind and we thank all the team at Inglis for their assistance and promotion of this concept. The success of the inaugural Southern Hemisphere Session has opened a gateway of opportunities that we can look to build on for the future. We are very grateful for the support of our vendors and purchasers and extend our most sincere thanks to all who have supported the Tattersalls Online sales.” The post Sedaka the Highest-Priced Broodmare Ever Sold on Tattersalls Online at 210,000gns appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Well-travelled gelding Here To Shock (NZ) (Shocking) will have his first start in Victoria for close to four months when he lines up in the $1 million Supernova slot race at Pakenham on Saturday. After racing in Queensland during the winter, the Lindsay Park-trained galloper ran a gallant second to Another Wil on Memsie Stakes Day but was soon back on the road again. He enjoyed a successful stint in New South Wales during the spring, winning the Gr.3 Cameron Handicap at Newcastle and the lucrative Alan Brown Stakes at Randwick, before he finished midfield in the Big Dance at his most recent start on Melbourne Cup Day. “He’s had a very good campaign, he was a very good campaign on the road, striking a number of times interstate,” said Will Hayes, who trains in partnership with his brothers Ben and JD. “He came out of the Big Dance with a little bit of a heart arrhythmia, so we’ve just given him a bit of time between runs. He did a really nice jumpout at Flemington last week, so we go to the race with a nice bit of confidence behind us.” The Hayes boys will mount a dual assault on the Supernova, with Arkansaw Kid to also take his place in the race. The stable will be hoping for a bit more luck with him this time after he was narrowly beaten in the Gr.3 Kevin Heffernan Stakes in his previous start. “It’s the second time this prep that he’s got nailed on the line, so it was a little bit hard to watch, but I think he did really run out a strong 1400 (metres) on a Heavy 10 as well, a testing track,” Hayes said. “We’ll get a better surface this weekend and I’d just like to thank Cavallo Park Stud for the opportunity to race in their slot.” Hayes said there isn’t much between their two runners looking to strike in The Supernova. “I think they’re both going to make their own luck being forward of midfield,” he said. “Here To Shock we know likes to bowl along at a decent pace and Arkansaw Kid, I think the key to him running a strong 1400m is settling early, so I think if they both get the right runs in transit, they should be fighting out the finish.” View the full article

The final day of The Pinnacles at Ascot headlined last Saturday’s racing in Australia, while Caulfield Heath, Eagle Farm and Randwick held strong support meetings with the weather differing at each venue. In this week’s edition of The Follow Files, we have focused on three runners that will be worth keeping an eye on over the summer months as they continue their preparations. You can add these horses to your blackbook and receive notifications when they are set to race again. Caulfield Heath Track rating: Good 4 Rail position: True entire circuit Race 9: Magic Million VIC 2YO Classic (1100m) | Time: 1:04.15 Horse to follow: Invincible Woman (1st) Invincible Woman made her debut for the Lloyd Kennewell & Lucy Yeomans stable at the Caulfield Heath meeting, and the two-year-old filly was able to lead all of the way to victory. Invincible Woman was eased down in the concluding stages but still recorded an impressive 2.75-length win. When to bet: After claiming victory in a Magic Millions race, it is expected that Invincible Woman will head to the Gold Coast to compete in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic on January 11. https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Caulfield-Heath-2024-Magic-Millions-Vic-2YO-Classic-14122024-Invincible-Woman-Lloyd-Kennewell-Lucy-Yeomans-Damian-Lane.mp4 Ascot Track rating: Good 4 Rail position: +3m entire circuit Race 4: RTG78+ Handicap (1400m) | Time: 1:23.90 Horse to follow: Rockin’ Rupert (2nd) Following fifth-place finishes in both the Group 3 Colonel Reeves Stakes and Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes, Rockin’ Rupert dropped back to handicap grade and nearly claimed the prize last Saturday. The son of Winning Rupert battled on gamely in the concluding stages of the 1400m race but was overrun by The Boss Lady, going down by a head on the line. When to bet: If the Casey’s can find another 1400m race in a slightly tougher grade to drop down in the weights, Rockin’ Rupert can go one better next start. https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2024-Ascot-14122024-Race4-The-Boss-Lady-Michael-Lane-Chris-Parnham.mp4 Eagle Farm Track rating: Soft 7 (up to Heavy 10 after R6) Rail position: True entire circuit Race 4: Benchmark 78 Handicap (1000m) | Time: 0:59.77 Horse to follow: Bohemian Lad (2nd) Bohemian Lad returned from a three-month spell at Eagle Farm and showed a blistering turn of foot on the Heavy 8 surface to finish second behind Find Your Own. Jockey Ron Stewart got everything out of the four-year-old gelding, who took significant ground off the winner in the final 150m. When to bet: With strong form on Soft ground and when second-up, if David Vandyke can find a 1200m race on a rain-affected track, Bohemian Lad will get every chance to record a win with a similar performance. https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2024-Eagle-Farm-14122024-Race4-Find-Your-Own-Scott-Morrisey-Noel-Callow.mp4 Top horse racing sites for blackbook features Horse racing tips View the full article

Every month HRNZ selects a breeder and owner of the month. It is done at random, with the only proviso being that their horse must have won during the month. November’s breeding winner was Grant Smith from Ashburton after Selsey Anne’s impressive win on debut for trainer Mark Jones at Kaikoura on November 4. The Lather Up two-year-old filly came from last to win at South Bay by a length for driver Robbie Close. She has not been seen on race day since. Stewart Gillan is the owner of the month after Cathy Freeman won at Manawatu for trainer Scott Dickson on November 19. It was the Sweet Lou filly’s first win in eight starts. He also bred the filly (Sweet Lou – Tres Vite) along with Kevin Watson. “We have raced a few from this breed starting with buying Tres Bien Franco at the yearling sales.” A seven race winner, Tres Bien Franco is Tres Vite’s dam. From Winton Gillan watched Cathy Freeman’s maiden win on Trackside. “We were thrilled to see her win, unfortunately she’s not as fast as her namesake.” As a 27-year-old Cathy Freeman became an Australian sporting legend when she won the 400 metre gold medal at her home Olympics in Sydney in 2000 in a time of 49.11 seconds. “We’ve had shares in many horses – Thefixer, Titan Banner, Eamon Maguire.” “I really enjoy racing horses, have met many good people and always look forward to having a horse race.” Plaques have been sent to both of November’s winners – congratulations. View the full article

The New Zealand Equine Education Trust is looking for an Executive Officer. To find out more click here View the full article

Blue Sky At Night (NZ) (Shamexpress) gave owner-breeder’s Isabel and Alistaire Barker a massive thrill last Saturday at Te Rapa when taking out the Gr.3 Waikato Cup (2400m), extending the couple’s great association with her family. “It was pretty amazing,” Isabel Barker said. “She is a very genuine mare, she gives 120 percent. It was very close (half head winning margin), but a win is a win.” With victory, Blue Sky At Night attained coveted black-type and assured her future broodmare career. “That (black-type) was the aim,” Barker said. “To have any sort of future as a broodmare, she really needed to do that, just in terms of being commercial and being able to go to commercial stallions. “Shelley (Hale, trainer) said last year that she thought she was up to black-type over a staying trip, and she has been dead right. “We have taken her along quietly. She didn’t really have a full season until she was five. Shelley has been really patient with her. We boxed along with her, and she said the penny would drop, and as a four-year-old it finally did. “She is a lovely mare and has furnished. She has got a big heart and she is very genuine. She gets on really well with Tayla (Mitchell, winning jockey), and it was good for Tayla to get that win because she comes and does a lot of work on her. She has clicked with the mare.” The victory also continued the strong record the Barkers have with Blue Sky At Night’s family, an association that spans three decades and four generations. “She is the fourth generation, and we have had a black-type performer in each generation,” Barker said. “We have been a bit lucky really.” Racing hasn’t always been Barker’s chosen equine pursuit, with endurance riding being her passion for many years, and it was on her search for her next endurance horse that led the couple, who farm in the Waikato, into the racing world. “I used to be into endurance riding and I was looking for an endurance horse at the time,” Barker said. “I went out and saw this mare (Va Bene) on the hills at Raglan with a foal at foot. “Va Bene was a rescue mare, she was rescued by the horse protection league.” Barker liked the look of the Va Bene and took her on lease before subsequently being gifted the mare, and that is where her thoroughbred breeding journey began, and she struck gold with her first mating. “I got her when she was about 14, she was a beautiful mare,” Barker said. “I bred her to an Arab stallion initially because that was my thing. I was then gifted the mare, and she (previous owner) said to me that she crossed quite well with Sir Tristram blood. “I didn’t know much about bloodlines at all way back then, so we went to Sir Sian (a son of Sir Tristram) and Soldier Blue was the result of that mating. “He was amazing, he won in Australia as well as a New Zealand Cup (Gr.2, 3200m). We had him until he was 27.” While the Barkers had plenty of success and enjoyment with Soldier Blue, he may not have seen a racetrack hadn’t it been for a fortuitous conversation with the Barkers’ livestock agent Chief Stipe Ancell, who would also be instrumental in the Barkers breeding their first Group One winner. “We weren’t going to race Soldier Blue, I thought he would be a nice sporthorse, but our livestock buyer, Chief Stipe Ancell, saw him in the paddock and said he would talk to his mate and he would come and have a look, and that is how the whole racing thing started. “Chief Stipe Ancell was reducing his (horse) numbers (later on) and he had a mare, Over The Limit, who raced at the same time as Soldier Blue. We bought her and she had (five-time Group One winner) Veyron.” Buoyed by her early success with Soldier Blue, Barker elected to continue breeding from the family, and had plenty of success with subsequent generations, culminating in Blue Sky At Night. “A half-sister (Daytime) of his (Soldier Blue) is the second-dam of Blue Sky At Night and she was by Heroicity. She never raced because she got a bit of a blood infection as a foal and ended up with a damaged valve,” Barker said. “We used her on the farm, and she was a beautiful looking mare and was a lovely type, just like her mum. Out of her we bred Overkaast, who was her first foal. She raced at Group One level and placed in the Oaks, Zabeel Classic and Avondale Cup, when it was a Group One. “We then had After Midnight (dam of Blue Sky At Night), who placed as a two-year-old, which was pretty amazing as it’s not an early family. She was a stunning mare. We bought a share in Shamexpress and we sent her to him, and Blue Sky At Night was the result of that mating.” Last Saturday’s victory was a sentimental one for the Barker, with the Group Three result adding more depth to the family. “It is just really good with Blue Sky At Night because that is a family I have had for a long time. It is quite nice to front up and get the results,” Barker said. The Barkers are hoping Blue Sky At Night can continue on her winning ways, while they also have some younger stock that are showing early promise. “I have got three in work with Shelley and a couple with Alex Oliveira,” Barker said. View the full article

Such is the form his vast Darby Racing stable of horses are in that Scott Darby suspects Saturday’s $300,000 Pakenham Cup could see a reversal in fortunes of his syndicate’s runner Goldman (NZ) (Verdi). A one-time early Melbourne Cup favourite in 2023 after beating Soulcombe in the Roy Higgins Quality (2500m) at Flemington, Goldman has since gone on a puzzling nine-run losing streak. “It’s been a while between drinks, but Gai (Waterhouse) tells me he’s going along well,” Darby said on Tuesday. “Getting back that way (anti-clockwise) and down in the grades a bit, he’ll get his chance and we’d love to see him break through.” Goldman easily won his first three Australian starts after coming from New Zealand, but his form started to fall away for seemingly no reason 18 months ago. “We can’t really put a finger on it,” Darby said. “He had that poor spring and then in the autumn he wasn’t too bad. But he’s just struggling to find that top-end form. “Whether he just levelled out, as he went through the grades very quickly. “He’s the sort of horse I think that if we can get him back to form, he might hold it, so Saturday is a pretty important race for him.” Darby Racing has enjoyed a golden run in recent weeks, with their star sprinter Overpass again winning the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes in Perth, before last week their $160,000 September purchase Robusto snared the $2 million Ingham at Randwick, hours after the team’s unbeaten juvenile Within The Law ran away with the $500,000 Inglis Nursery. Darby said it is hoped Robusto could earn a wildcard into the Magic Millions Cup next month on the Gold Coast, where he could be joined by a most promising stablemate. He said Raikkonen, a three-year-old who has won two of his three starts for trainer Bjorn Baker, is also being aimed at a Magic Millions Cup spot, where Darby said he could unveil himself as a future star. “He’s showing all the signs he’s a Group 1 horse in the making so we’re very excited about him,” he said. View the full article

What Sha Tin Races Where Sha Tin Racecourse – Tai Po Rd, Sha Tin District, Hong Kong When Wednesday, December 18, 2024 First Race 7:15pm HKT (10:15pm AEDT) Visit Dabble Hong Kong racing returns to Sha Tin Racecourse on Wednesday evening, with a competitive eight-part program set for decision on the all-weather circuit. The rail is in the true position for the meeting, and with pristine conditions forecast on Monday and Tuesday, it should be a perfect night of racing. All the action is scheduled to get underway at 7:15pm local time. Best Bet at Sha Tin: Dragon Air Force Dragon Air Force appears set to peak heading into start six after giving a good account of himself on the all-weather surface last time out. The son of Swiss Ace hit the line well under Zac Purton, closing to within 2.8 lengths of Offroad Master. Watch for Purton to be more positive drawn in barrier six this time around, and provided he can land in the first four turning for home, Dragon Air Force should justify the short price with Neds Best Bet Race 3 – #7 Dragon Air Force (6) 4yo Gelding | T: Ricky Yiu | J: Zac Purton (56kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Sha Tin: Mojave Desert The Mark Newnham-trained Mojave Desert caught the eye in a recent barrier trial on the all-weather surface and finally draws a barrier (3) to sit handier. The I Am Invincible gelding has only drawn better than barrier eight once in his seven starts since arriving in Hong Kong and gets the opportunity to get on the leaders’ back throughout the journey. There should be no excuses for Mojave Desert to figure in the finish, and at the price with horse racing bookmakers, this guy warrants an each-way ticket. Next Best Race 4 – #4 Mojave Desert (3) 4yo Gelding | T: Mark Newnham | J: Luke Ferraris (59.5kg) Bet with BlondeBet Best Value at Sha Tin: Tale Of Perth Tale Of Perth appears perfectly placed to strike dropping into Class 4 company for the first time. The son of Supido was impressive over 1200m last time out, hitting the line well to suggest the step up to the 1650m should be ideal. Gate one should allow Ben Thompson to take closer order, and although he must lug 61kg to victory, Tale Of Perth should get every chance to claim his Hong Kong maiden at the fourth time of asking. Best Value Race 6 – #1 Tale Of Perth (1) 5yo Gelding | T: Mark Newnham | J: Ben Thompson (61kg) Bet with Picklebet Wednesday quaddie tips for Sha Tin Sha Tin quadrella selections December 18, 2024 2-6-7-8-13 1-4-6-7 1-2-6-11 2-3-4-6-7 Horse racing tips View the full article

What Warwick Farm Races Where Warwick Farm Racecourse – 2 Hume Hwy, Warwick Farm NSW 2170 When Wednesday, December 18, 2024 First Race 2:20pm AEDT Visit Dabble Warwick Farm Racecourse is the destination for metro racing on Wednesday afternoon, with a quickfire seven-part program set for decision. The rail moves out +3m the entire circuit, and with only light rainfall predicted in the lead-up, punters can expect a Good 4 surface come race-day morning. The opening event is scheduled to get underway at 2:20pm local time. Best Bet at Warwick Farm: Tempted Tempted is one of four Godolphin debutants in the opening event at Warwick Farm, and based on her recent barrier trials, she must be considered the one to beat. The daughter of Street Boss cruised through the wire in her latest piece of work at Rosehill on December 10, closing to within a length of In Limbo as she crossed the wire with plenty left in hand. Gate two should allow Zac Lloyd to lob into the one-one throughout, and provided she can bring that trial form to race-day conditions, Tempted should prove hard to hold out. Best Bet Race 1 – #7 Tempted (2) 2yo Filly | T: James Cummings | J: Zac Lloyd (58kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Warwick Farm: Cosmonova Cosmonova returns after a 136-day spell and appears primed for a first-up assault. The Zoustar mare produced back-to-back wins last preparation before being sent to the paddock, and the lightly raced four-year-old appears to be going just as well after stepping out at Canterbury on December 3. Zac Wadick will search for cover from barrier four, and with even luck in transit, Cosmonova should prove too classy for this lot. Next Best Race 4 – #2 Cosmonova (4) 4yo Mare | T: Joseph Pride | J: Zac Wadick (a2kg) (60kg) Bet with BlondeBet Best Value at Warwick Farm: Piggyback The Ciaron Maher-trained Piggyback returns after 164 days off the scene, and after being tested over a staying journey at the end of last preparation, the 1400m first-up could be when punters get an each-way price with horse racing bookmakers. The daughter of Trapeze Artist has won over the shorter trip in the past, and with her recent barrier trial victory at Canterbury on December 3 suggests she can sprint well fresh. Stall one allows Tim Clark to sit on the heels of the leading pair, and provided he can get off the inside at a crucial stage, Piggyback should get the last crack at her rivals. Best Value Race 5 – #3 Piggyback (1) 4yo Mare | T: Ciaron Maher | J: Tim Clark (58kg) Bet with Picklebet Wednesday quaddie tips for Warwick Farm Warwick Farm quadrella selections December 18, 2024 2-4-8 3-4 3-4-6-9 2-3-4 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

What Caulfield Heath Races Where Caulfield Racecourse – Gate 2, Station St, Caulfield East VIC 3145 When Wednesday, December 18, 2024 First Race 3:40pm AEDT Visit Dabble The Heath track at Caulfield is scheduled to host its third meeting in the space of six days this Wednesday. Perfect conditions above are set to match those on the ground, and an upgrade to a Good 3 track rating at some stage is more than likely. The rail will be out 6m after being set true on Saturday, with the first of eight races set to get underway at 3:40pm AEDT. Best Bet at Caulfield Heath: Panigale Panigale was a deserving maiden winner at Morphettville on November 30 when resuming from a six-month spell. The three-year-old gelding was forced to work early to find the lead, and the run was better than the half-head margin might suggest. From barrier eight, and with Logan Bates on board claiming 3kg, Panigale should have no issue in finding the front and leading throughout. Best Bet Race 4 – #5 Panigale (8) 3yo Gelding | T: Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | J: Logan Bates (a3) (59kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Caulfield Heath: Chosen Legend Chosen Legend relished the step up to the mile when winning at this track on December 4. While the Extreme Choice filly appeared to flag in the last 50m, the way she built through her gears suggests the step back to 1500m will be ideal. Declan Bates will have her towards the rear of the field, but with a similar finish, Chosen Legend should be winning once again. Next Best Race 6 – #12 Chosen Legend (5) 3yo Filly | T: Archie Alexander | J: Declan Bates (56kg) Bet with BlondeBet Best Value at Caulfield Heath: Sea Mist Sea Mist was massive in defeat at Geelong last time out and shapes as a nice each-way play with horse racing bookmakers. The four-year-old mare blew the start, was held up for a run with 200m to go, and still had the audacity to finish fourth, beaten a length. From barrier three, if Harry Coffey can have Sea Mist out of the barriers cleanly, she should get an ideal run in transit. Best Value Race 7 – #7 Sea Mist (3) 4yo Mare | T: Matt Laurie | J: Harry Coffey (58kg) Bet with Picklebet Wednesday quaddie tips for Caulfield Heath Caulfield Heath quadrella selections Wednesday, December 18, 2024 1-2-5-8 7-11-12 1-2-3-7 1-2-3-6-7-8-11 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

What Ascot races Where Ascot Racecourse – 71 Grandstand Rd, Ascot WA 6104 When Wednesday, December 18, 2024 First Race 1:44pm AWST Visit Dabble The Listed A.T.A. Stakes will headline proceedings at Ascot this Wednesday afternoon, with the first of seven races set to kick off at 1:44pm AWST. The track is expected to remain in the Good 4 rating that was posted at acceptances, with no rain forecast in the lead-up to the meeting. The rail will be pushed out to the +12m position for the entire circuit. A.T.A. Stakes tip: In Good Order In Good Order has struggled to win of late since stepping up into open-age company; however, the A.T.A. Stakes looks like the perfect race for him to record his first win in six starts. Last start in the Listed G.A. Towton Cup, the Daniel Morton-trained gelding settled midfield and appeared to have the leading pack covered with 400m to go, but after a slow speed was set, the leaders kicked strongly to hold him off. With more speed expected in this contest, In Good Order can settle in a similar position and use his turn of foot to power over the top of his rivals late. A.T.A. Stakes Race 6 – #7 In Good Order (5) 4yo Mare | T: Daniel Morton | J: Shaun O’Donnell (55.5kg) Bet with Picklebet Best Bet at Ascot: Lifeisbutadream Lifeisbutadream made the jump from Maiden grade to Class 3 company with relative ease last preparation, recording back-to-back wins before ending the campaign with a credible seventh-place finish at Belmont over 1200m. The Jayson Hines-trained mare produced a very good effort to finish second in a 1000m barrier trial at Belmont and appears ready to strike first-up. This daughter of Astern will push forward from barrier 10, and if she finishes off like she did in her most recent trial, Lifeisbutadream will prove too speedy for this lot. Best Bet Race 4 – #4 Lifeisbutadream (10) 4yo Mare | T: Jayson Hines | J: Clint Johnston-Porter (58.5kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Ascot: Ceili Ceili built on her fresh second-place finish by claiming a dominant victory in Maiden grade at Bunbury over 1400m. The Robert & Kate Witten-trained mare settled outside the leader before taking over with 300m to go, and even though the chasers started to take ground off her, she continued to find under Steven Parnham and won by 1.4 lengths. With a similar race shape expected here, Parnham will attempt to replicate that ride on Ceili to bring up back-to-back wins. Next Best Race 3 – #6 Ceili (7) 5yo Mare | T: Robert & Kate Witten | J: Steven Parnham (58kg) Bet with PlayUp Wednesday quaddie tips for Ascot races Ascot quadrella selections Wednesday, December 18, 2024 1-3-4-5 1-3-4 1-6-7-12 1-7-9-11 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Reliable Profit has won three races in a row. Reliable Profit has evolved into a serious player on Sha Tin’s dirt course, and the Reliable Man gelding is chasing a fourth consecutive win on the alternate surface on Wednesday nigh. Since finding his winning groove three starts ago on dirt, Hong Kong International Sale graduate Reliable Profit has worked his way up to Class 4, and a rating of 57, for trainer Danny Shum and jockey Hugh Bowman – who rides the six-year-old grey from barrier 10. “He’s found his niche on the dirt and his last three wins have been great – he’s enjoying his racing. I’ve ridden him since his last win and he’s working well, so I’d expect a similar performance to what we’ve seen,” Bowman said. The New Zealand-bred sold for HK$3.6 million at the 2022 Hong Kong International Sale to Mr & Mrs William Yem Wai Lai, who race the ‘Profit’ series of horses in Hong Kong, including nine-time winner Supreme Profit – also a Hong Kong International Sale graduate. “This horse (Reliable Profit) actually appreciates the room and he does look after himself in the run, you just have to trust that if he is happy in the run that he will finish strongly, so I’m not to deterred by the draw – it suits his racing style. “If they don’t go fast, he can be right up on the pace and if they do then I’ll give him a chance where he’s comfortable and trust that he’s going to finish strongly like he has in his last three races,” Bowman said. Reliable Profit faces 12 rivals: Tale Of Perth (135lb), The Way We Win (135lb), Massive Action (133lb), Viva Chaleur (131lb), All Are Mine (128lb), Jumbo Fortune (128lb), Ace Power (124lb), Regent Glory (124lb), Sight Supreme (121lb), Yeah Buddy (121lb), Spangle Fortune (119lb) and Yoda’s Choice (116lb). Both Viva Chaleur and Yoda’s Choice raced on Sunday at Sha Tin. Bowman also seeks consecutive wins on the dirt aboard Talents Ambition for trainer Mark Newnham from stall 10. “He gave me a very good feel. I haven’t been on his back since his last win but I did ride him a couple of times prior to that, just in work, and he’s a really lovely horse. “I think we’re far from seeing where his benchmark is. Whether he can transfer that form to the turf is another story but at the moment he has the ideal programme to continue on the dirt,” Bowman said. Wednesday night’s eight-race all-dirt meeting also features the HK$1.17 million Class 4 Prince Of Wales Hospital 40th Anniversary Cup Handicap (1650m), where Vincent Ho will aim to drive Excel Wongchoy to a second win for championship-leading trainer Pierre Ng. “He’s very consistent. You just need a race to pan out well for him. I think he can handle both (1800m and 1650m). Hopefully the pace will be on a bit more than over 1800, so he will be a bit more comfortable,” Ho said. Four-time Group 1 winner Lucky Sweynesse – crowned Hong Kong Champion Sprinter (2022/23) for trainer Manfred Man – stepped out for his first barrier trial at Sha Tin on the grass over 1000m on Tuesday morning as he aims to return from setbacks. Jockey James McDonald rode the 132-rater and said: “He looks great and feels really good. He had a tendency to lay in last preparation when I last rode him, but he didn’t do anything up the straight there this morning, so he’s feeling really good in his action.” Lucky Sweynesse was an untested last over the line behind a runaway Magic Control for trainer Cody Mo, who said: “He trialled nicely. It was good to see him relax, he’ll run in the Group 3 (Bauhinia Sprint Trophy Handicap, 1000m) on 1 January.” Horse racing news View the full article