Wandering Eyes

Age 7 and still at the top of his game, Get Smokin can still win races under various conditions.View the full article

For jockey Flavien Prat, it was an unforgettable trifecta. In one fell swoop, he managed to break the record for stakes wins in a year, tie the mark for most graded stakes victories, and come up an intriguing Triple Crown prospect.View the full article

Noted Kentucky horseman Craig Bandoroff will receive the Uphill Push Award and speak at the 10th annual fundraiser for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF) to be held at Gulfstream Park Jan. 11th, according to a press release from the Jockeys and Jeans organization. Each year the award is given to the person who provides the most meaningful help to the 60 jockeys who suffered career-ending injuries. In December of 1974, Bandoroff was the leading apprentice jockey at Monmouth Park and Garden State Park. In a race his mount bolted towards the inside rail shortly after the start and his right arm was paralyzed. Despite adversity, Bandoroff's passion for Thoroughbreds and racing remained intact. A graduate of the University of Virginia and University of Kentucky, Bandoroff and his wife Holly founded Denali Stud in 1990 on leased land and with a handful of mares. Today, the property includes 800 acres as Denali is one of the nation's leading consigners. In 2023, Bandoroff turned over the day-to-day operations to his son, Conrad. “As a young man, all I wanted to be was a jockey,” he said. “But as the saying goes, 'God had a different plan.' Any success I have had is a result of many people believing in me. My ability to overcome my accident is because my parents were on my side during a very difficult time. I share this award with Holly and with them. Bandoroff has been a consistent donor to PDJF, and has helped Jockeys and Jeans raise funds for disabled riders. “It's obvious Bandoroff shares their same overcoming spirits,” said Dr. Eddie Donnally, interim Jockeys and Jeans president. “His story has been an inspiration to many, and I know it will touch the hearts and souls of all who attend, especially our sports fallen riders. All of us at Jockeys and Jeans are pleased to provide him with a platform to share his life's adventure. He looked adversity in the eye and conquered it; something those former jockeys in wheelchairs do every day of their lives.” “I guess we don't stop to think that what we did inspires other people,” said Bandoroff. “It's gratifying to know that perhaps I have. I am honored and gratified to receive this award.” Click here to purchase tickets. The post Craig Bandoroff To Receive The 2024 Jockeys And Jeans Uphill Push Award appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Saturday 6 April 2024 Group 1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) Manawatu Racing Club at RACE Trentham Move To Strike (AUS) [Not eligible] Saturday 26 October 2024 Group 2 Callander Presnell Stakes (1600m) Australian Turf Club at Royal Randwick Prost (AUS) [Not eligible] Wednesday 30 October 2024 Group 2 James and Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m) Waikato Thoroughbred Racing at Te Aroha Racecourse Savaglee (NZ) Saturday 2 November 2024 Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) Victoria Racing Club at Flemington Racecourse Aeliana (NZ) Saturday 9 November 2024 Group 1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Two Thousand Guineas (1600m) Canterbury Jockey Club at Riccarton Park Savaglee (NZ) Saturday 16 November 2024 Group 1 Barneswood Farm One Thousand Guineas (1600m) Canterbury Jockey Club at Riccarton Park Captured By Love (AUS) [Not eligible] Savaglee and Aeliana are the only eligible winners so far. Savaglee is headed to Australia to seek Grp wins. Aeliana just beaten in the Caufield Guineas. Probably heading for Australian Grp 1 races.

Trainer Brad Cox appears well positioned to potentially win a third Kentucky Oaks (G1) in the spring. He trains Immersive, Good Cheer, and Muhimma—winner of the Dec. 7 Demoiselle Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct Racetrack.View the full article

Connie K bowed out a winner Dec. 6 at Oaklawn Park and retired as the winningest Arkansas-bred female of all time with earnings of $620,612.View the full article

In only his second start of the season, Eclipse Thoroughbreds and Walmac Farm's Locked (Gun Runner-Luna Rosa, by Malibu Moon) closed from off the pace to annex Aqueduct's GII Cigar Mile Saturday. Reserved off a sharp early pace by Johnny Velazquez, the $425,000 KEESEP yearling purchase was in contention approaching the quarter pole and found himeself withing striking distance of the late-leading Mullikin (Violence) straightening for home. Finally overhauling the GI Forego winner midstretch, the 2-1 chance drew off to score by two lengths. Post Time (Frosted) closed to be third. Final time for the 8-furlong test was 1:34.52. Named a TDN Rising Star at two, Locked also won last season's GI Breeders' Futurity prior to a third in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita. He won his seasonal debut going seven panels at the Big A Oct. 19. Lifetime Record: 6-4-0-2, $960,650. O-Eclipse Thoroughbreds & Walmac Farm; B-Rosa Colasanti (KY); T-Todd Pletcher. LOCKED ($6.30), under @ljlmvel, took advantage of a pace and flew home to win the $500,000 Cigar Mile (G2) at Aqueduct. @PletcherRacing trains the Gun Runner (@Three_Chimneys) colt for owners @EclipseTBP and @WalmacLLC. Play the finale: https://t.co/R7YWKvTAyu pic.twitter.com/YVhmV9UcnV — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) December 7, 2024 The post Gun Runner’s Locked is Loaded in Cigar Mile appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Adam Hamilton A shock third round heat defeat and tricky barrier draw has seen Kiwi-owned mare Queen Elida’s odds drift sharply for the Inter Dominion trotting final. The Brent Lilley-trained mare, who has run third in the past two finals, was $3 for the final before last night, but is out to $6.50. She will start from barrier five and despite having loads of early speed, her two main dangers – The Locomotive (gate four, $1.55) and Keayang Chucky (three, $5) – hve drawn inside her for the 2300m race at Menangle next Saturday night. The biggest shock of the trotting series came when Queen Elida was rundown late after a perfect run by underrated Victorian Parisian Artiste in the second of last night’s heats. Driver Chris Alford opted to trail leader Royal Dan instead of pushing for the front and had Parisian Artiste on his back. Royal Dan was gone at the 350m, so Alford popped out and went for him, but despite Parisian Artiste hanging and veering out a lot in the last 150m, he got up to snatch the win. Emerging mare Aldebaran Vera made late ground for third to give trainer Marg Lee, of Keayang Zahara fame, a remarkable three finalists. Keayang Chucky and Keayang Stuka being the others. Former top Victorian juvenile The Locomotive also went through the heats unbeaten after winning a thrilling stoush with the classy Keayang Chucky last night. Jason Lee led on Keayang Chucky, but was happy to trail and stalk The Locomotive and got with 2.1m in a blazing 1min55.5sec mile rate for 2300m, just 0.1sec outside the winner’s own track record. “I was wary of how good and sharp the horse was trailing me so I tried to take some gas out of him with the 27.6sec down the back,” The Locomotive’s trainer-driver Brad Hewitt said. “The plugs are in, but the cord broke so maybe there was still even more there. Once the other horse first came at him, he was never going to get me.” Last year’s Inter Dominion runner-up Mufasa Metro made ground from a long way back for third to make the final, but he was still beaten almost 25m last night. Plymouth Chubb, who ran extra well in his first two heats, got well back and made no impact back in sixth spot raising queries about how well he’s handling the series. GRAND FINAL DRAW Front Row 1. Toro Stride ($151) 2. Aldebaran Vera ($26) 3. Keayang Chuckie ($5) 4. The Locomotive ($1.55) 5. Queen Elida ($6.50) 6. Mufasa Metro ($26) 7. Aldebaran Zeus ($31) 8. Speedy Lover ($151) Back row 9. Keayang Stuka ($51) 10. Royal Dan ($41) 11. Plymouth Chubb ($15) 12. Parisian Artiste ($8.50) 13. Courage Stride (1st emerg, $151) 14. Constantinople (2nd emerg, $151) Don Hugo new favourite for Pacing Final A back row draw has made life a lot harder for Kiwi-owned Minstrel in next Saturday night’s $500,000 Inter Dominion pacing final (2300m) at Menangle. The Team Bond-trained star will start from three-out on the back row (gate 11), while Luke McCarthy’s TAB Eureka winner Don Hugo (gate three) is the new outright favourite at $2.60. The other big winner from the draw was emerging Victorian four-year-old Dangerous, who landed gate two and firmed to $5. Dual qualifying heat winner Captains Knock eased from $4 to $4.80 after drawing the most awkward of all barriers, inside the back row (gate nine) behind outsider Jilliby Nitro (gate one). Jason Grimson qualified two finalists – Curly James (gate five, $12) and Nerano (eight, $26) – in his quest for a third Inter Dominion grand final win in the past four years. Minstrel, who broke gear and finished tailed-out in round two, cemented his spot in the final with a fantastic second at Menangle last night. The WA Cup winner did all the work outside the leader and ran closing quarters in 27.5, 27.1 and 27.6sec to be just edged-out late by emerging Victorian four-year-old Dangerous, who had the one-one sit on him. “It’s a great feeling to win an Inter Dominion heat and get a good run like that for a change on him,” young driver Ryan Sanderson said. “He can be right in the finish of the final with the right run.” Driver Deni Roberts was thrilled with Minstrel’s run. “Terrific. We’re through and with a horse who will be better again next week.” In the first of last night’s pacing heats, TAB Eureka winner Don Hugo lifted the bar again on his stunning second round win at Bathurst last Wednesday. Last night Don Hugo had to work three-wide for the first 800m before trainer-driver Luke McCarthy surged forward to take the lead. “That was a big effort because even when he found the front he got very keen, but kept going,” he said. “It was training error on night one, I didn’t quite have him wound up enough, but he came on from that at Bathurst and again tonight. He’s a stallion in the zone with a great chance in the final. “The draw looks great and he’s going to take some beating in the final now.” Dangerous’ 1min52.2sec mile rate was slightly quicker than Don Hugo’s 1min52.6sec and both compared well with the track record 1min51.4sec. Another four-year-old, Captains Knock, snared his second heat win of the series when he worked across to take the lead and cruised home in last night’s third Menangle heat. His 1min52.4sec mile rate was right up with the other two heats, but he sprinted home the quickest with closing splits of 53.7 and 26.7sec. Talented former Kiwi mare My Moonlite Dream trailed the leader and ran a brave but well held second, while Curly James ran home well in such strong closing splits to finish third. The Seaton Grima-trained My Moonlite Dream is the only mare to qualify for the final. GRAND FINAL DRAW Front Row 1. Jilliby Nitro ($16) 2. Dangerous ($4.60) 3. Don Hugo ($2.60) 4. My Moonlite Dream ($14) 5. Curly James ($12) 6. Terry ($101) 7. Jimartee ($71) 8. Nerano ($26) Back row 9. Captains Knock ($4.80) 10. Max Delight ($18) 11. Minstrel ($5.50) 12. Petes Said So ($51) 13. Cantfindabettorman (1st emerg, $35) 14. Perfect Stride (2nd emerg, $151) View the full article

By Jonny Turner Craig Ferguson may have to clear a little space in his trophy cabinet before Sunday’s Wingatui trots. The reinsman has been driving in the best form of his career recently and has collected three Group 1 trophies recently including the Garrards New Zealand Derby on Friday night with We Walk By Faith. While the conditions on the Wingatui grass may be a world away from the electric atmosphere of elite races at Addington, Ferguson’s winning hopes still look good. The reinsman combines with two big winning threats in the Kia Ora Campers Pacing Cup (4.15pm) and the Icon Interior Construction Trotting Cup (5.31pm) on Sunday. Ferguson starts Nutcracker from his own stable on the back on a solid fresh-up fourth, also on grass, at Motukarara. The mare not only strips fitter for her Wingatui assignment, she has the advantage of starting from the front row, ahead of her key rivals who are off handicaps. “She is usually a good beginner, so being off the front should be a help to her,” Ferguson said. “If she can get away well and get a bit of cover, that would be her best go. “She seems to have come on from that first-up run and I have been quite happy with her.” “She’s gone well on the grass before too, so hopefully she’s a good chance.” Ferguson combines with the Amber Hoffman-trained Moment Of What in the Forbury Park Trotting Cup. The trotter ran to a slick victory at Ascot Park in his latest outing, beating Rata who has gone on to win at group 2 level at Addington since. The trotter is in the opposite position to Nutcracker, starting off 30m and giving some of his key rivals a head start. However, Ferguson does not think it is a big factor. “He has been beginning quite well, so I don’t think the handicap is too much of a worry.” “Hopefully, he can step away and make it up reasonably quickly.” “He looks well enough placed in that field and, he has shown he can do a bit of work and that he’s got speed to.” “He would have to be a handy chance.” Punters may see Moment Of What is unplaced in all three of his prior attempts on grass. Those efforts came in the first three starts of the horse’s career, when he was learning and making mistakes in his races. Ferguson takes a handful of drives outside of his cup assignments. Grass-track specialist Nyla looks the strongest chance among them in Race 8, the Taieri Wool and Skin (1998) Ltd Mobile Pace (4.44pm). View the full article

3rd-LRC, $39K, Msw, 3yo/up, 1m, 4:30 p.m. ET. The gone-too-soon Arrogate had a total of 325 foals of racing age, and in the current year his runners have made 800 starts and delivered 146 wins (18%). As a sire, the champion only had the chance to claim three crops and the last of them are now finishing up their 3-year-old season. At Los Alamitos on Sunday, TAIF is set for his unveiling under Arrogate trainer Bob Baffert. A purchase by Zedan Racing for $1.45 million at the 2023 OBS April Sale, the colt is out of unraced Destine (War Front), who is responsible for six foals, three of whom have raced and delivered two winners. Taif's extended female family includes champion Smoke Glacken (Two Punch), MGSW Smokey Glacken (Forestry) and MGSW Crown of Thorns (Repent). TJCIS PPS The post Sunday Racing Insight: Last Of The Debuting Arrogates As Pricey Taif Goes At Los Al appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Looking like a pro in the Inaugural Stakes at Tampa Bay on Saturday afternoon it was Donut God (Into Mischief–Sweet Kisses, by Carpe Diem) who ran on nicely and captured his first black-type. After delivering a slop-skimming maiden-breaking score at Churchill Downs Nov. 14, the juvenile was tabbed as the clear favorite here. Donut God shot out of the gate from the bell. Not asked for much before entering the lane, the colt kept his cool even though second choice Naughty Rascal (Rogueish) tried to make a race of it in the final sixteenth. The Brian Lynch trainee won by 3/4 of a length. The final running time was 1:09.13. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0. Sales History: $250,000 '22 FTKNOV; $400,000 '23 KEESEP. O-Flying Dutchmen Breeding and Racing LLC; B-Aaron & Marie Jones LLC (Ky); T-Brian Lynch. #5 DONUT GOD ($3.80) goes gate-to-wire to win the $125,000 Inaugural Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs and improve to 2 for 2 in his young career. The 2yo son of Into Mischief (@spendthriftfarm) was ridden by @SamyCamacho1 and is trained by Brian Lynch. pic.twitter.com/G2zKlvToBI — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) December 7, 2024 The post Donut God Awfully Crisp In Inaugural Stakes At Tampa appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sparkling in both prior starts, including a TDN Rising Star-earning performance at Churchill in September, Shadwell's Muhimma (Munnings–Princessa Carolina, by Tapit) added further luster to her shining profile while remaining undefeated in Saturday's GII Demoiselle Stakes at Aqueduct. A point-earning race for next season's GI Kentucky Oaks, the 2-5 favorite completed the nine-furlong distance in 1:49.84, faster than the colt equivalent one race earlier. A beat slow out of the gate, the $700,000 KEESEP yearling purchase quickly scooted to the front, clicking off splits in :23.94 and :48.24. Comfortably in front turning for home, she remained clear all the way home, scoring by a length over Ballerina d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro). Liam in the Dust (Liam's Map) was third. With the win, Coolmore sire Munnings swept both graded stakes for 2-year-olds on Saturday's card at Aqueduct. Lifetime Record: 3-3-0-0, $291,960. O-Shadwell; B-Three Chimneys (KY); T-Brad Cox. MUHIMMA ($2.80) stayed undefeated as @flothejock got her home first in the $250,000 Demoiselle Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct. The daughter of Munnings (@CoolmoreAmerica) is trained by @bradcoxracing. The Cigar Mile is next: https://t.co/KE0J71TrkF pic.twitter.com/Nbtn7aaTsi — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) December 7, 2024 The post Rising Star Muhimma Gives Munnings Juvenile Stakes Sweep at Aqueduct in Demoiselle appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Jockey Flavien Prat notched his 79th stakes race of 2024 in piloting Tizzy in the Sky to victory in the $200,000 Go for Wand Stakes (G3) Dec. 7 at Aqueduct. Later, he would win a record-establishing 80th aboard Godolphin's Poster in the Remsen (G2).View the full article

Godolphin's Poster (Munnings–Pin Up, by Tapit) came into Saturday's GII Remsen Stakes with a pair of turf wins under his belt and he added his third career victory, also his first win on the dirt, while giving jockey Flavien Prat his record 80th stakes score of the season. A win in the Kentucky Derby-points earning test also gave Prat his 55th graded stakes triumph of the season, tying Hall of Famer Jerry Bailey. Unhurried in the early going, the 9-2 chance surveyed affairs as Tux (Tapit) led through an opening quarter in :23.95. Making some headway through a :48.59 half, Poster closed from four out approaching the quarter pole, swung out even wider turning for home and spurted clear in early stretch. Getting a little leg weary late, he had enough left to hold off the closing 9-1 chance Aviator Gui (Uncle Mo) in a photo finish. Tux rounded out the trifecta. Final time for the nine-furlong test was 1:50.37. Lifetime Record: 3-3-0-0, $254,128, O/B-Godolphin (KY); T-Eoin Harty. POSTER ($11.60) stays undefeated in an exciting rendition of the $250,000 Remsen Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct. The Eoin Harty trained son of Munnings (@CoolmoreAmerica) gives Flavien Prat his record 80th stakes win in 2024. @godolphin owns the colt who earns 10 @KentuckyDerby points. pic.twitter.com/RVgXlwlmLj — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) December 7, 2024 The post Poster Remains Perfect While Earning Stakes Wins Record for Prat in Remsen appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

John Stewart warned his doubters not to undermine the scale of his ambitions in racing after signing for Prix Rothschild runner-up Excellent Truth (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}) for €1.6 million through Goliath's trainer Francis Graffard [Stamford Bloodstock] and bloodstock agent Ghislain Bozo [Meridian Bloodstock] on Saturday. It didn't take long for the champagne to be corked after Stewart made his mark on his first visit to the French sale ground with the addition of the highest-rated filly in the entire sale to compliment his $8 million haul at Tattersalls earlier in the week. He said, “She was number one on my list so she was going home with me, just like Vertical Blue [at Tattersalls]. I'm looking for horses to take to America that will dominate on the turf. I came over here specifically because I've won races all around the world but I haven't won any at Keeneland yet and it's my home track. I'm going to dominate there next year so I came up with this strategy to come over here. “All of these horses that I'm buying, I'm looking at their pedigrees to bring diversity back to the herd in Kentucky. We just exported, exported, exported for so long and there's really not a lot of people buying horses from Europe and bringing them back to America in large quantities. I think that's very important for all of us because Kentucky is very important to the global industry from a breeding standpoint and so I'm trying to focus on their pedigrees, only looking at horses that I think can win Graded races in America. That's what I'm here to do.” He added, “I think that's a very reasonable price. The thing about this industry is there's a handful of buyers that are buying these top-of-the market horses so that market has never been stronger. I'm an investor, that's what I do for a living. I own a private equity firm. When you're getting into something, it costs more money but it's less risky to buy higher quality assets. That's what I think of these horses as. And I'm indifferent to price on an individual horse because I buy so many horses. I look at this as a portfolio. Like stocks. I may buy one horse and I may end up paying 500,000 more than I wanted, but then I may buy one for 500,000 less, and so then I just look at the overall spend. It's a different way of thinking about it.” “Every time my horses have run against his horses, I've won,” – John Stewart There are plenty of words one could use to describe Stewart, who has blown into the racing game this past year similarly to the hurricane-like weather that took over the sale ground on Saturday evening. Punchy might well be one of those words. “I'm just getting started,” he said. “I have a really big plan. Anybody that thinks that I did a lot in 2024 has no idea what I'm doing in 2025. I'm just trying to bring attention to horse racing globally. I make a lot of statements about what I'm going to do and things like that. It's not being arrogant, I'm just trying to get people to take notice that there's people investing in the industry when a lot of other people are saying that the industry is dying and all those different things and I just don't believe that.” In the past week alone, leading American-based owners Mike Repole and LNJ Foxwoods expressed their dissatisfaction with Stewart's all-in approach to bloodstock separately. The 55-year-old revealed that those interactions actually spurred him on to spend more this week. He explained, “When I started my private equity firm, I didn't [and still doesn't] have a finance degree. So everybody told me that nobody is ever going to invest in you because you don't have a finance degree. I went and had 350 meetings to get 22 people to say yes so I thrive on people telling me no. What has happened in the last 24 hours [with the spat on X], I actually doubled my intentions of what I was going to do. “Because the way I'm going to do it, I'm going to let my horses speak on the track and I'm going to let them win the races. I got called out by somebody [Repole] last year. He said I didn't know what I was doing-come on, I'll give you a tour of the winner's circle when I come to the track. He didn't know it but I'd bought Pounce at the Fasig-Tipton Digital Sale. Just 10 days later my horse beat his horse in a Group 3. Then I beat his horse in the New York Stakes in a Grade I. Every time my horses have run against his horses, I've won.” He added, “I'm not trying to bid him up, but at Saratoga I purposely positioned myself right behind him so I could keep an eye on exactly what he was doing. He was the one making statements about bidding me up and you really can't bid me up.” Stewart also spent a combined €1,050,000 through his own Resolute Racing on Flamme Rouge (Fr) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and Tazara (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}). His 6,265,000gns spend at Tattersalls was headed by 3.2 million gns buy Vertical Blue (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), with the Group 1 Prix Marcel Boussac winner understood to be staying in training with Graffard. On plans for his recent additions, he concluded, “I use a variety of trainers. My team will sit down and digest these and then we'll have to take a look at them and see which ones suit them. Village Voice is going to Chad Brown and then Vertical Blue is staying here. Chad Brown wanted that horse bad.” Asked who was helping him buy at Tattersalls, given all of his bidding was done online, he said, “Francis is checking stuff out for me. I had other people as well. The Coolmore guys. When I'm not there, I'll have someone else looking at the horses and telling me what they think. We're giving them a list and then we have of course the vets and that kind of stuff that help us.” The post “I’m Just Getting Started” – Stewart Lays Down Gauntlet To His Doubters At Arqana appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

How did we get hooked on this sport? We all have stories about how our love affair developed and blossomed. The TDN reached out to numerous notable people in the industry to get their stories to find out how they got hooked and stayed hooked on the sport. Rocco Landesman, Broadway Producer and former chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts I've always been an excitement junkie. I love the risk, love the adrenaline you get from that. I've had a career in the Broadway Theater and there's nothing riskier than that. I was in high school in St. Louis. There was no pari-mutuel wagering in Missouri, but there was in Illinois. East St. Louis had two tracks, Cahokia Downs and Fairmount Park. A friend of mine in high school loved going over there and playing the horses. I guess when you're 16, 17, they can't call you a degenerate horseplayer. You're not old enough. He brought me one day. Of course, the worst thing that could happen, happened. I won. I'm sure everybody begins with the same story. They go to the track for the first time and win money and you think to yourself 'they're giving away money here, this is the greatest.' We started going to Cahokia Downs fairly regularly. The racetrack is an ecosystem of its own; it's a world unto itself. The colorful silks, the backstretch life, the characters. You enter a whole world when you go to the racetrack and the whole thing was magical for me. I later became a horse owner and have had a lifelong love affair with horse racing. I never lost that when I went to college in Madison, Wisconsin. Very often I would drive down to Chicago to go to Arlington, Sportsman's or Hawthorne. I went to a conference for writers once in Vermont, so I would drive to Pownal to go to Green Mountain. Wherever I was, I'd find a racetrack and we would go. I love not only the excitement of it, but the entire world of racing, a world unto itself. I've always been entranced and seduced by that world and I still am. One of the down sides of having digital access is that I don't go to the track nearly as much as I used to. Today, I am going to play the Fair Grounds on my computer. With the advent of slots and with places like Gulfstream being part of retail developments, a lot has changed, but not for the better. I still enjoy it. I still enjoy going to Saratoga, Monmouth, the racetracks that have kept a lot of their character. I'm doing to it more casually now. It's hard to find the time to do the handicapping work and following all the trips and all the details of the past performances. I use the Ragozin sheets, which are useful, but so many people use Ragozin and Thoro-Graph now that it's hard to find much of an advantage in that. When the Ragozin sheets first came out, I had friends who were early adopters of the sheets and they had an advantage. Now with everybody having the same data, it's much harder to have an edge. So these days, I do it much more as a recreation without much expectation of it being any kind of a business. I should add that contributing to the excitement of those early days at Cahokia was that there was a fantastic race caller there who added a lot of excitement. His name is Dave Johnson. I feel like I've spent my whole life with Dave Johnson because when I moved east to New York I feel like Dave came with me. That's when he became the race caller at the NYRA tracks. I feel like my life at the races has been pretty much parallel to Dave. That's's been a fun part of it. We've had a lifelong friendship and he's been an investor in some of my shows. It's been a great friendship. The post How I Got Hooked On Racing: Rocco Landesman appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

As expected, Sparkling Plenty (Fr) (Kingman {GB}) (lot 200) caused quite a stir in the Arqana ring, and the 2024 G1 Prix de Diane scorer will join the Coolmore partners' fold, after selling to Oceanic Bloodstock on behalf of MV Magnier and associates for €5,000,000. Consigned by Haras de Bouquetot, the bay, also successful in the Prix de Sandringham and third in the G1 Nassau Stakes and G1 Prix de l'Opera, is a full-sister to G3 Jersey Stakes hero Noble Truth (Fr) (Kingman {GB}), who was second in the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere. The female family features fellow Diane heroine Stacelita (Fr) (Monsun {Ger}) and her G1 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks)-winning daughter Soul Stirring (Jpn) (Frankel {GB}). She was bred by Jean-Pierre Dubois. The post Oceanic Bloodstock Signs €5-Million Ticket For Sparkling Plenty On Behalf Of MV Magnier And Associates appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Selections for Wingatui today Head to www.tab.co.nz to place your bet! Race Jonny Turner Racing Journalist Race 1 12.58pm 6 Tarragindi 1 Almighty 4 Niamh 8 Birch Race 2 1.24pm 1 Donald Trot 7 Miki’s Beauty 4 Cold Pursuit 10 Janaka’s Delight Race 3 2.00pm 5 It’s A Pleasure 4 Jay R Tolkien 8 Prosperity 1 Crackasky Race 4 2.38pm 6 Airwaves 3 Haley Robyn 7 Paradise Valley 1 Avenger Race 5 3.05pm 6 Blithe 12 Our Superfund 4 Top Pocket Chance 14 Markthewarrior Race 6 3.39pm 9 Forever Arden 6 Havarti Arden 2 Lily’s A Star 1 Asta Race 7 4.15pm 3 Nutcracker 12 South Seas Rock 8 Still Rockin 4 Hacksaw Ridge Race 8 4.44pm 3 Hazer 1 Lou’s Deal 10 Flying Bird 6 Nyla Race 9 5.13pm 8 Moment Of What 3 Styrax 5 Julie Jaccka 7 Superfast Ronnie Race 10 5.39pm 7 Bobbies Rock 2 Insarchatwist 5 Rightazz 10 Sinai Sermon View the full article

Alex Elliott was in action for G2 Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte heroine Classic Flower (GB) (Calyx {GB}) (lot 191) at €1,800,000 to take the lead at Arqana. The chestnut, consigned by Haras de Beaumont, was purchased on behalf of MV Magnier and White Birch Farm. From the same family as multiple stakes winner and multiple group-placed Bahia Breeze (GB) (Mister Baileys {GB}), Classic Flower changed hands for 45,000gns as a Tattersalls December foal in 2021 when purchased by Arthur Hoyeau. She was bred by Petches Farm, Ltd. A new top lot at #VentedElevage as @AlexElliott secures Group 2 winner and multiple Group performer CLASSIC FLOWER (lot 1️⃣9️⃣1️⃣) for €1,800,000 on behalf of MV Magnier & @Whitebirchfarm. She was offered by @HarasBeaumont. pic.twitter.com/ZPY44bQWGZ — ARQANA (@InfoArqana) December 7, 2024 The post Alex Elliott Strikes For €1,800,000 For Classic Flower On Behalf of MV Magnier And White Birch Farm appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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Zoffany (Ire) mare Tres Magnifique (Fr) (lot 188), best known as the dam of G1 Sun Chariot Stakes heroine Tamfana (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}), was purchased by MV Magnier for €1,400,000 at Arqana. Gestut Etzean offered the 11-year-old mare, who is carrying a full-sibling to the Sun Chariot winner and G1 Prix de Diane third. Tres Magnifique, herself, is a half-sister to GI Beverly D Stakes herone Sea Calisi (Fr) (Youmzain {Ire}) and two more stakes winners. TRES MAGNIFIQUE, dam of G1 winner Tamfana, sells as Lot 188 with Gestut Etzean at @InfoArqana Vente d'Elevage! She is once again in foal to Soldier Hollow. Learn more: https://t.co/jts9hinL1l pic.twitter.com/xSJlPqBCRr — TDN (@theTDN) November 28, 2024 The post Hammer Falls At €1,400,000, As MV Magnier Buys Tres Magnifique, Dam Of Tamfana appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Lot 180, G1 Preis der Diana runner-up Spanish Eyes (Ger) (Zarak {Fr}) sold for €1,300,000 to Hannah Wall at Arqana. Out of G1 Premio Lydia Tesio heroine Sortilege (Ire) (Tiger Hill {Ire}), the bay was consigned by Ecurie des Monceaux. The 3-year-old filly is a full-sister to G3 Premio Guido e Alessandro Berardelli winner Sirjan (Ger) (Zarak {Fr}). Bred by Gestut Karlshof, Spanish Eyes was a €95,000 buy-back out of the Arqana October Yearling Sale in 2022. The post Hannah Wall Signs For Spanish Eyes At €1,300,000 At Arqana appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Mauricio Delcher Sanchez sent G3 Prix de Psyche heroine Excellent Truth (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}) through the ring at Arqana, and the G1 Prix Rothschild runner-up was knocked down for €1,600,000 to Stamford Bloodstock/Meridian Bloodstock on behalf of John Stewart's Resolute Racing, as the first millionaire of the 2024 Vente d'Elevage. Sold as lot 171, the daughter of Moment Of Truth (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) is a half-sister to the Group 3-placed Memo De L'Alguer (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}). Bred by Sandra Russell, the 4-year-old was a €52,000 purchase out of the Goffs Orby Sale in 2021 by Montgomery Motto. The seven-figure mark has been broken at the #VentedElevage as Group winner and Group 1-placed EXCELLENT TRUTH (Lot 1️⃣7️⃣1️⃣) sells for €1,600,000 to Stamford Bloodstock & @MERIDIAN7 on behalf of @resracingky. She was offered by Mauricio Delcher Sanchez. pic.twitter.com/srCy8S2dc3 — ARQANA (@InfoArqana) December 7, 2024 The post Excellent Truth Joins The Resolute Team, After Stamford Bloodstock And Meridian Bloodstock Pay €1,600,000 At Arqana appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sam Agars VOYAGE BUBBLE - R7 (2) Underrated miler can show the world just how good he is Jay Rooney VOYAGE BUBBLE - R7 (2) Drawn to get a perfect run and this consistent miler looks the one to beat Jack Dawling FAMILY JEWEL - R6 (8) Progressive youngster can take another step forward from favourable draw Phillip Woo FAMILY JEWEL - R6 (8) Still improving and can return a winner for a third time Shannon (Vincent Wong) PACKING ANGEL - R2 (7) Been knocking on the door and gets a chance to break through here Racing Post Online CHARMING LEGEND - R9 (6) Australian import won well last start and looks hard to beat today Tom Wood MASTER PHOENIX - R2 (6) Great debut run from the rear and goes to 1400m, big hopeView the full article

There’s not much that hasn’t been said about Ka Ying Rising this week, but now it is time for action.View the full article