Wandering Eyes

Fined $4,000 by the New York Gaming Commission over a rule regarding when a trainer can run a horse outside of New York after it has been claimed, trainer Gary Contessa was afforded a hearing Wednesday before a hearing officer assigned to the case by the commission. The hearing officer will now consider the facts that were presented Wednesday and make a recommendation to the Gaming Commission regarding whether or not the fine should be upheld. Contessa was charged after he ran a horse named Answer the Call (Dialed In) in a Sept. 25 claiming race at Delaware Park. He claimed the horse out of an Aug. 4 race at Saratoga and believed the filly was allowed to run outside of New York because more than 30 days had transpired since the claim. What he did not know was that the rule had recently been changed so that no claimed horse could run at any track but the NYRA tracks for 60 days. Contessa said that he checked the NYRA website to make sure he could ship the horse out of town when he did and that the website had not been updated and still listed the time a horse had to remain “in jail” as 30 days. “The hearing went 3 1/2 hours and it was an arduous task,” attorney Drew Mollica said. “We look forward to common sense carrying the day. Contessa followed what was on the NYRA website which directed him to the rules of the Gaming Commission. The rule had gone into effect just three weeks earlier but the website had not been updated. Nothing can be a more mitigating factor than that. There is no justification for this. The fine him $4,000 is just madness.” According to Mollica, trainer Amy Albright violated the same rule when shipping a horse she had claimed at Finger Lakes out of town without waiting out the 60-day period and was fined just $200. “We had a long hearing and not only does the penalty shock the conscience it shocks common sense,” Mollica said. “The hearing officer will make his finding of facts and conclusions of law and he will send them to the Gaming Commission and they will have a meeting and decide what to do. Anything can happen. We'll see.” The post Contessa States His Case Before Gaming Commission Hearing Officer appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

There are six horse racing meetings set for Australia on Thursday, February 13. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the best bets and the quaddie numbers for Pakenham. Thursday’s Free Horse Racing Tips – February 13, 2025 Pakenham Racing Tips As always, there are plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans. Check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on February 13, 2025 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. Neds Code GETON 1 Take It To The Neds Level Neds Only orange bookie! Check Out Neds Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit today. “GETON is not a bonus code. Neds does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. Full terms. BlondeBet Signup Code GETON 2 Punters Prefer Blondes BlondeBet Blonde Boosts – Elevate your prices! Join BlondeBet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. WHAT ARE YOU REALLY GAMBLING WITH? full terms. 3 Next Gen Racing Betting Picklebet Top 4 Betting. Extra Place. Every Race. Join Picklebet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Full terms. Recommended! 4 It Pays To Play PlayUp Aussie-owned horse racing specialists! Check Out PlayUp Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Full terms. Dabble Signup Code AUSRACING 5 Say Hey to the social bet! Dabble You Better Believe It Join Dabble Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? Full terms. Bet365 Signup Code GETON 6 Never Ordinary Bet365 World Favourite! Visit Bet365 Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. GETON is not a bonus code. bet365 does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. What’s gambling really costing you? Full terms. Horse racing tips View the full article

Haras D'Etreham boss Nicolas de Chambure said that he jumped at the opportunity to snap up a weanling foal by Australian super sire Extreme Choice (Aus) for €110,000 from JK Thoroughbreds at the Arqana February Mixed Sale on Wednesday. De Chambure, who spent time in Australia prior to taking the reins at Haras D'Etreham, revealed that he will be playing the long game with the sale-topper who it is hoped will one day join the broodmare band at the leading French stud. “I thought she was a filly we really needed to see on paper and I liked her physically so I said we'd give it a go,” a delighted de Chambure said on Wednesday evening. Extreme Choice stands for a whopping $275,000 at Newgate Stud in Australia. It is well-documented that the brilliant sire of Golden Slipper winner Stay Inside (Aus), Melbourne Cup hero Knight's Choice (Aus), multiple Group 1 winner She's Extreme (Aus) and much more has overcome issues with subfertility. Lot 115, who was offered by Irish native John Kilpatrick, very much represented something of a rarity at Arqana, with de Chambure revealing that the plan will be for the filly to be put into training in due course. He continued, “Extreme Choice is very well-managed at Newgate Stud and is getting roughly 50 or 60 mares in foal every year, which is pretty good for him. He is a very good stallion down there and I always like to buy different pedigrees and different bloodlines for the broodmare band later on. So she will be kept to race and hopefully she will be good enough to join the broodmare band down the road. “It was nice to have a filly like her available in France without having to go all the way to Australia to secure bloodlines like this. I thought it was a good opportunity to buy a filly like her and to diversify our bloodlines a little bit.” The Extreme Choice filly is out of a winning More Than Ready mare Grey Queen, who is a half-sister to Australian Group 1 performer Our Gold Hope (Aus) (Lope De Vega {Ire}). Grey Queen is also a sister to a Group winner and from the family of Daylami (Ire), Dalakhani (Ire), Dolniya (Fr) and more. Commenting on the filly's physicality, he said, “I thought she had the strength of the Australian horses and plenty of substance. She has a bit of a sprinter's walk but has very good size and strength. Very happy with her physically and, knowing what the stallion can do in Australia, I thought the price was very fair. Really happy.” De Chambure added, “John Kilpatrick is an Irish guy who set up in France maybe 10 or 15 years ago now and he has a very good reputation here in France. He lives close to us so we do quite a bit with him. The filly was born with him and he has done a very good job with her.” The Extreme Choice filly was one of three lots to make six figures on a day when turnover reached €2,691,000–down €140,500 on last year's trade that saw 28 more horses offered. The clearance rate rested at 80% while the average was €11,960 and the median was €5,000. The post De Chambure Spies “Good Opportunity” To Land Extreme Choice Filly At Arqana appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sabrina Nakasone, a senior and Leslie Batista, a junior, were selected for this year's class have been selected to join Santa Anita as interns through an ongoing partnership with California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona), studying in the Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences Equine Studies program. Both are majoring in Animal Science Pre-Veterinary with a minor in Equine Studies at Cal Poly Pomona. The internship program, which began last year, is designed to provide students with work experience in the Thoroughbred racing industry with a focus on veterinary best practices and racetrack operations. Each student will complete a minimum of 60 hours between now and the internships end on May 10. “We are excited to continue our partnership with Cal Poly Pomona, providing driven Equine Studies students an introduction to the Thoroughbred racing industry and best veterinary practices with Santa Anita's incredible team,” said Jodie Vella-Gregory, Vice President of Industry Relations for 1/ST Racing. “These internships provide invaluable experience and insight for the next generation of professionals.” Nakasone will graduate this semester and Batista is on track to graduate in May 2026. Both plan to attend veterinary school after completing their undergraduate degrees. Cal Poly Pomona's Holly Greene, an equine lecturer in the Animal and Veterinary Sciences Department, helped select this year's class. “As an educator, mentoring and guiding students is one of the greatest rewards,” Greene said. “Providing students with the internship at Santa Anita presents them with work experience and first-hand knowledge of the equine racing industry. What they learn during the internship will provide them with a stronger equine foundation for their future veterinary school goals.” To be selected, students are required to provide a statement of interest for the internship to Cal Poly Pomona's Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences. Preferences is given to students majoring in the Animal Science/Pre-Vet option or Animal Health Science option. In addition, students with the intent of working in the equine veterinary medicine (DVM or RVT) are strongly desired. The post Santa Anita, Cal Poly Pomona Dept. of Animal and Veterinary Sciences Extend Partnership appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Invincible Spirit (Ire) mare Red Maids (GB) topped the Tattersalls Online February Sale on Wednesday. The 5-year-old, sold as lot 134 from the draft of Mark Rimell Racing, went to JS Bloodstock/Moigne Combe Stud for 64,000gns. A winner on turf and the all-weather, the bay is a half-sister to stakes winner and multiple group-placed mare Duneflower (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). Billy Jackson-Stops said, “She has been bought for new breeders, Moigne Combe Stud, who are well known on the polo scene. It's a family we can watch improve and, as an Invincible Spirit mare, she could work well with the Dubawi line which has produced the likes of [2000 Guineas winner] Notable Speech.” Next on the buyers' sheet was a breeding right in Ardad (Ire) (lot 127), which sold to Childwickbury Stud for 23,000gns. The sire of Perfect Power (Ire), the son of Kodiac (GB) won the G2 Flying Childers Stakes and Listed Windsor Castle Stakes. Goldie Racing offered Nathaniel (Ire) gelding Midnight Lion (GB) (lot 32), and Durcan Bloodstock shelled out 21,000gns for the five-time winner. His dam has also foaled G3 Park Express Stakes heroine Oh Goodness Me (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), as well as listed winner Eradicate (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}), who was placed in the G3 Prix Gontaut-Biron on the Flat and twice was a winner of the G3 Swinton Handicap Hurdle. From 126 lots offered, 49 lots (39%) sold for a gross of 343,800gns. The average was 7,016gns and the median was 3,600gns. The post Five-Time Winner Red Maids Leads The Way At Tattersalls Online February Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The 2024 California-bred Horse of the Year will be announced at the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Awards Dinner and Annual Meeting March 3 at Le Meridien Hotel in Arcadia, Calif.View the full article

Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from around the country. The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit's (HIWU) “pending” and “resolved” cases portals. In this week's rulings, trainer Peter Miller has been suspended 15 days and fined $2,500 after his trainee Forgiving Spirit tested positive for Tramadol after finishing third at Del Mar Aug. 10 last year. The suspension began on Feb. 7. Tramadol is Class B controlled medication under HISA. It's used as a pain reliever. This was Miller's second resolved Class B controlled medication violation since the advent of HISA's anti-doping and medication control program. Miller has a prior Acepromazine case resolved in September of 2023. Acepromazine-a sedative widely used across U.S. backstretches-is a Class B controlled substance under HISA. Miller has a separate pending Acepromazine violation after his trainee Enjoy it Strait allegedly tested positive for the substance after finishing tenth at Del Mar on Nov. 9 last year. According to HISA's penalty program, because of the penalty points Miller has accumulated, he could be facing a maximum 120-day period of ineligibility and fine of $5,000 for that case. Resolved ADMC Violations Date: 02/11/2025 Licensee: Donna Kutt, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Bivol, who finished fifth at Tampa Bay on 12/29/24. Date: 02/11/2025 Licensee: Glenroy Brown, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision of HIWU. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Dexamethasone-a controlled substance (Class C)-in a sample taken from Tammy's Toy, who won at Mahoning Valley on 12/23/24. Date: 02/07/2025 Licensee: Darlene Green, trainer Penalty: A written Reprimand; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); imposition of 2 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Caffeine-a controlled substance (Class B)-in a sample taken from Lookin at Justice, who finished sixth at Horseshoe Indianapolis on 10/10/24. Date: 02/06/2025 Licensee: Christine Hicklin, trainer Penalty: A fine of $500 per violation, for a total fine of $2,000; imposition of 1 Penalty Point per violation, for a total of 4 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: According to the case resolution, HIWU investigators found the following controlled medication substances-Equate ibuprofen tablets containing an unknown liquid, Acepromazine Maleate, Sulfadiazine/Trimethoprim, and Regu-mate/Altrenogest-when they conducted a search of Hicklin's stable areas and vehicle at Prairie Meadows. The possession of these substances is in violation of state law, according to the resolution. Date: 02/06/2025 Licensee: Peter Miller, trainer Penalty: 15-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on February 7, 2025; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $2,500; imposition of 2 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Tramadol-Controlled Medication (Class B)-in a sample taken from Forgiving Spirit, who finished third at Del Mar on 8/10/24. Violations of Crop Rule Mahoning Valley Roberto Perez – violation date Feb 6; $250 fine, no other info available Santa Anita Park Manuel Americano – violation date Feb 7; $250 fine, one-day suspension Welfin Orantes – violation date Feb 8; $500 fine, one-day suspension Sunland Park Miguel Fuentes – violation date Feb 6; $250 fine, one-day suspension The post Weekly National Regulatory Rulings – Feb. 6 -12 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (“HISA”) and its prohibited substance enforcement unit, the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (“HIWU”), are to be commended for withdrawing the TCO2 charges against numerous trainers with respect to a rash of positives in Pennsylvania, which, by inference, they allege are caused by so-called “milkshaking.” “Milkshaking” is the practice of pumping baking soda into a horse's stomach, which is believed to prevent or slow lactic acid buildup in horses and allow them to run faster and for longer periods. The numerous positives coming out of the Pennsylvania Equine Toxicology and Research Laboratory seemed to make little sense, as more and more Pennsylvania horsemen were being charged, yet very few positives for the same violation were found elsewhere, nor had there been a TCO2 violation in Pennsylvania for several years before the recent rash of alleged violations. While the problem with the Pennsylvania lab is apparently resolved, little attention has been given to the “elephant in the room”–the outrageously unfair rule that governs TCO2 testing. While virtually all equine drug testing has procedures in place for split sample testing after a positive test result, with the second sample going to a different lab, no such procedures exist for TCO2 testing. Under HISA rule 5430(l), TCO2 testing may be conducted not only post-race but also pre-race. Horsemen have to pay the cost of obtaining a so-called duplicate test. Horsemen may only request the duplicate sample prior to the taking of the official sample. This means horsemen cannot wait to ascertain whether the official sample yields a result higher than the permitted threshold or whether their horse won, hit the board, or earned a substantial purse before making the request. Not only do horsemen have to pay for a second sample before they know if it is necessary, the sample they are paying to obtain will not show whether the problem lies with the sample or with the lab conducting the testing because the duplicate sample is transmitted to the same lab as the official sample. While HISA may argue that this rule makes sense because of the degradation of a TCO2 sample within a few days and that TCO2 test results can take weeks to be received, the rule is simply unfair and, in my opinion will not withstand due process analysis. Why not change the rule to provide for two samples to be taken every time a sample is collected? Why not provide that horsemen pay for the second test only when there is a positive result? Why not provide that the duplicate sample be forwarded to different laboratories for analysis? Why not arrange for 48-hour test results? Another issue is that not all higher-than-permitted carbon dioxide results are caused by milkshaking. Lasix, medications, supplements, dehydration, illness, feed, the environment, the horse's physiology and other random factors may cause a high result. While TCO2 testing is necessary, the rule change is required to ensure the fairness that split-sample testing provides for the testing of other prohibited substances. Amendments to the rules should be undertaken in short order by HISA and the Federal Trade Commission before more honest and decent horsemen have their lives disrupted, get their names blasted over the internet being labeled as crooks, lose purse money, lose owners and incur unnecessary suspensions and counsel fees. –Richard J. Hackerman, P.C. is an attorney based in Baltimore, Maryland. The post Letter To The Editor: The Elephant In The Room, Total Carbon Dioxide Testing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Good Cheer, one of three undefeated graded stakes-winning 3-year-old fillies from the Brad Cox barn, is set to make her season bow in the $300,000 Rachel Alexandra Stakes (G2) Feb. 15 at Fair Grounds.View the full article

It sometimes seems that not a weekend goes by where Brad Cox isn't making news and visiting the winner's circle somewhere after winning another important race. That was the case last weekend as Cox won the Sam F. Davis S. at Tampa Bay Downs with John Hancock (Constitution). This coming weekend he'll send out one of his top threats for the GI Kentucky Oaks when the filly Good Cheer (Medaglia d'Oro) makes her 2025 debut in the GII Rachel Alexandra S. at the Fair Grounds. To talk about past successes and what's ahead for his stable, Cox was this week's Gainesway Guest of the Week on the TDN Writers' Room podcast presented by Keeneland. Cox hasn't decided where John Hancock, who has made just two career starts, will run next, but he said he'll have just one more race before the Derby. “I think all the preps at the end of March and the beginning of April are in play,” he said. “Arkansas, Louisiana, Florida Derby, the Wood Memorial, all those races. He came out of the race in good order and I'm happy with what we saw from him the day after. I want to give the horse an opportunity to regroup a little bit and take one big swing at a 100-point race.” He also has the lightly raced Tappan Street (Into Mischief), who is coming off a second-place finish in the GIII Holy Bull S. “I think he's going to go next in the Florida Derby,” Cox said. “It's a race that offers 100 points to the winner. He picked up eight points in the Holy Bull, so we'll give him one big swing. Obviously this Derby trail, it's tough to go through the grind of it. It's not just about getting in the Derby. You want to have something left if you are able to get to the Derby. He's had two runs there at Gulfstream and will have one more run if all goes well. I hope that would propel him forward.” Good Cheer is undefeated in four starts, but the Rachel Alexandra will not be in easy spot. The competition includes GII Demoiselle S. runner-up Ballerina d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro) and Silverbulletday S. winner Simply Joking (Practical Joke). “I really love how she's doing,” Cox said. “I know it's typical trainer talk, but she is training well. We've had her down at Payson Park training her. She gets through that track very well. I think if you can get through that track and you're working well, galloping out well, you can normally take your show on the road. This is our first season there and we've had some success out of there. So I'm hoping she can show up as a three-year-old just like she did as a two-year-old. It's not a big field, but I think it's a very good group of three-year-old fillies. And a lot of people know that this path through New Orleans is a very good path toward having success in the Kentucky Oaks. So I'm excited about getting her started on Saturday.” In our “Fastest Horse of the Week,” segment, which is sponsored by WinStar, we went over the many reasons there are breed to WinStar stallion Independence Hall. The fastest horse of the week was Colloquial (Vekoma), who earned a 106 Beyer when winning a maiden race at Aqueduct. Elsewhere on the podcast, which is also sponsored by the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders' Association,https://pabred.com/https://www.kentuckybred.org/https://www.nyrabets.com/ West Point Thoroughbreds, the KTOB, 1/ST Racing and 1/ST TV, the team of Randy Moss, Zoe Cadman and Bill Finley dissected the ultra-impressive performance by Colloquial and discussed his future. Is he a Kentucky Derby horse or will he prove to be best suited to sprint races? The team also discussed the future of Tampa Bay Downs, which has now been included in the on-going decoupling efforts in Florida, and gave their picks for the upcoming GII Risen Star S. and the Rachel Alexandra. The post Brad Cox Joins The TDN Writer’s Room Podcast Presented by Keeneland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Horseplay, an exhibit showcasing over 50 rare and antique board games focused on horseracing, will be displayed at the National Horseracing Museum in Newmarket beginning on Apr. 4. The games are on loan to the NHM from a private collection, and the exhibition is thought to be the largest display of horseracing-themed board games ever opened to the public. The games on display range from a wooden box with a hand crank dating from 1880, to a madcap drinking game where nobody can visit the loo before a 'pee break' card is drawn. Others include antique playing cards, a board game endorsed by a Hollywood legend and another invented by a famous composer. Visitors follow a Grand National-themed racetrack through the exhibition, rolling a giant dice to proceed, and pausing at interactive stations named after the jumps at Aintree. Along the way, people can view antique and contemporary games, and have a go at playing on replicas. Tickets for the NHM are £15, with children under 16 free of charge. the NHM is open Tuesday-Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. To buy tickets and find out more about the Horseplay exhibit, please visit the NHM website. The post Horseracing Board Game Exhibit To Begin At NHM In April appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Keeneland will open ticket sales for its 2025 spring meet, to be held April 4-25, on Feb. 18 at 9 a.m. ET. A variety of ticket options for dining, grandstand reserved seating, and general admission will be available. View the full article

Juddmonte homebred Laurel River, co-winner of the 2024 Longines World's Best Racehorse award last month, will miss an intended start in the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) at King Abdulaziz Racecourse Feb. 22.View the full article

With an economic impact of more than $3.2 billion to the state, the importance of the Thoroughbred industry in Marion County, and Florida as a whole, cannot be overstated. Any action that threatens the viability of our racing and breeding operations is deeply troubling and unacceptable. Ocala Breeders' Sales Company, Inc. (OBS) is proud to be the leading seller of two-year-olds in training in the world and while the sales attract a broad group of domestic and international buyers, it is critical that OBS along with the Florida horsemen and breeders have a stable environment in our own backyard. OBS is a center of commerce for the Thoroughbred marketplace in Florida and often relied upon to generate income to help sustain training and breeding operations. Therefore, we have been steadfast in our opposition to decoupling. It is important to understand that the bill for decoupling is in the initial stages and has a long way to get to the finish line. Simply put, decoupling will allow a Thoroughbred racetrack to operate a stand-alone slot and card casino by removing the statutory requirement to conduct racing and fund purses and breeder awards for the horsemen that helped them qualify for the gaming license and supply the horses for the races. The push for decoupling by 1/ST Racing is disturbing, selfish and unfounded. 1/ST Racing should be applauded for their significant investment in racing, but it is counterintuitive that a company with “Racing” in their name would want to do anything that would harm racing in Florida and throughout the country. Make no mistake, if this bill passes, the impact WILL harm racing and will not be limited to Florida, the ripple effects will be nationwide, and the message will be deafening. It is our hope and belief that decoupling of Thoroughbred racing will not become a reality in Florida. The problem is that the existence of the bill itself has created obvious concern, uncertainties throughout the industry and has likely impacted breeding decisions. This is not an isolated Florida issue; it is a national issue and opposition to the bill includes leaders from throughout the country that actually compete with Florida in attracting horsemen and breeders to race and breed in their state. This bill creates a disincentive to race. The legislators have consistently and historically recognized the importance of Thoroughbred racing and breeding in Florida by creating a statutory framework that protects and promotes the Thoroughbred industry. The current effort to pass decoupling is ill founded and will favor one company while inflicting wide reaching damage to a signature industry of Florida and more importantly the livelihood of the thousands of people that rely upon the stability of the Thoroughbred industry. In 2021, the legislators once again recognized the profound impact of the Thoroughbred industry to the state and specifically excluded Thoroughbred racing from being decoupled and retained other protective measures to maintain racing days. In fact, when slot machines were initially approved in 2005, statutory language for Thoroughbred permitholders were unique compared to the other pari-mutuel permitholders. Since day one with the support of horsemen, breeders, and the Thoroughbred tracks (including Gulfstream Park and Calder), there has been a statutory requirement for an agreement for purses and breeders' awards to be in place before a slot license could be issued to a Thoroughbred permitholder. Since the inception of slots, Jai Alai, Greyhound, and Standardbred permitholders have never been required to share slots revenue or have an agreement with the underlying participants. The requirements for Quarter Horse permitholders were ineffective due to loopholes in the statute. Owners, breeders, trainers, and all horsemen have options when considering where to race and breed. Hence, it is vital that Florida continues to support Thoroughbred racing and breeding and not force businesses and jobs to flee Florida to more welcoming states. Having a vibrant horse industry in Florida that is competitive with other states protects an established, signature industry that not only provides a tremendous economic impact but promotes and preserves greenspace. While it is certainly the prerogative of the owners of Gulfstream Park to walk away from racing and develop or sell their property, they do not and should not have the right to walk away with parting gifts of standalone slots and cards from the backs of the horsemen and breeders that are their partners and were critical in obtaining these privileges. Decoupling will send the wrong message. Now is the time to do the right thing; step up, withdraw the bill as well as the notion of decoupling before it creates any more damage. The post OBS Open Letter To The Industry On Florida Decoupling Legislation appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A total of two dozen point-to-pointers have been catalogued for the Feb. 21 Tattersalls Cheltenham February Sale, which begins at 1 p.m. It is the first sale of 4-year-old point-to-pointers of the year and features a quartet of debut winners. Hitintheheadlines (Ire) (Harzand {Ire}) won by 14 lengths at Tallow, while Taurus Bay (Ire) (Poet's Word {Ire}) landed a Comea point-to-point. Kanzler (Fr) (Tai Chi {Ger}) scored at Kirkistown by seven lengths, and the final debut winner is Lion Rose Sivola (Fr) (Victory Song {Ire}). To view the catalogue, or to make an entry, please visit the Tattersalls Cheltenham website. The post Initial Entries Released For Tattersalls Cheltenham February Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

I read with interest and a certain amount of confusion, Sue Finley's TDN article about the woes of Kentucky stallion studs. On the one hand, everyone is agreed that it is difficult to fill stallion books, and on the other, the idea of any book being full has long been consigned to the history books. When I worked at Ashford in the mid-90s, Woodman topped the active sires list ('96 or '97) and the size of his book caused scandalized conversation in some quarters. One breeder even told me it was impossible to cover so many mares and that we simply had to be cheating and using AI (no, the other one). I politely replied that were simply using hard work and long hours. The 148-odd mares he covered that season seems positively quaint by today's standards! To read this morning that Hard Spun is considered a failure at 95 bookings (so far) is shocking and of course a result of unlimited books and the over-commercialization of breeding. Which, according to the article, everyone now, finally, admits is a problem. And yet, nobody seems to want to look at the obvious fix and hit the necessary reset to bring it about. If ever there was a moment to limit stallion book numbers, it is surely now? Ideally, there would be one limit for proven sires and an even lower one for the unproven. We all seem to have forgotten that good sires tend to make it regardless of their book sizes! With book limits in place, the resulting trickledown effect would see capable underused sires getting their fair share. Book limits would also force many people in breeding solely for commercial reasons to re-evaluate their reasons for being in the game and either change their priorities or stop breeding. This process might be a painful one for some, but it would lead to a change in mentality, an end to the current tail-wags-dog situation with regard to sales/commercial value and racing spectacle, and most importantly, it would end the current fashion for calling horses a product (several times in this article alone) and treating them as financial commodities. If we were able to do all that, then we wouldn't need slick marketing to gloss over problems and convince the general public to go racing or new fans to become owner/breeders because the public would feel and see the change and thus regard horse racing once more as the sport of kings. Here's hoping meaningful change will one day happen for the sake of our wonderful sport. All the best, Eric Eric Ward grew up in Ireland and spent nearly 30 years in stud farming all over the world including a decade with Coolmore. He managed studs in Ireland, China and Turkey. Now based in Gaillac, France he assists his winemaker wife, writes novels and is also a volunteer fire-fighter/first responder. The post Letter To the Editor: Here’s Hoping For Meaningful Change appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Keeneland will open ticket sales for its 2025 Spring Meet, to be held Apr. 4-25, on Tuesday, Feb. 18 at 9 a.m. ET, according to a press release from the track on Wednesday. A variety of options for Dining, Grandstand reserved seating and General Admission will be available. All tickets must be purchased in advance via Keeneland's Official Online Ticket Office. The 15-day Spring Meet features racing Wednesdays through Sundays with a daily first post of 1 p.m. ET, except closing day, Friday, Apr. 25, when the first race is 12:30 p.m. ET. There will be no racing on Sunday, Apr. 20, in observance of the Easter holiday. Ticket pricing for General Admission and Grandstand reserved seating for the Spring Meet are: General Admission: Wednesday/Thursday tickets are $7; Friday/Saturday/Sunday tickets are $10; opening Saturday tickets are $15. Children 12 and under are free. General Admission Spring Meet Season Passes: $50. Passes are pre-sold until April 3. Grandstand Reserved Seats: Wednesday/Thursday seats are $15; Friday/Saturday/Sunday seats are $25; opening Saturday seats are $30. Price includes General Admission. The post Keeneland Tickets For Spring Meet On Sale Feb. 18 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer gets the chocolates with Daily Trophy, Charming Steed and Capital Delight at Sha Tin on Wednesday night.View the full article

Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races has canceled live racing Feb. 12 due to the winter storm that impacted the area Feb. 11 into the early morning hours Wednesday.View the full article

Reigning Eclipse Award winner Flavien Prat won the Sam F. Davis Stakes aboard John Hancock Feb. 8, then flew to Santa Anita Park Feb. 9 where he won the Sweet Life Stakes aboard Casalu.View the full article

Juddmonte Farms's Laurel River (Into Mischief) has been removed from consideration for the $20-million G1 Saudi Cup on Feb. 22 after picking up a minor injury that will require 'two weeks' rest', according to a tweet from racing personality Nick Luck, who was first to report the news. “Just a knock apparently, but it prevented him from getting in a critical workout before traveling,” Juddmonte USA's General Manager Garrett O'Rourke said in a text message. “Will wait for the Dubai World Cup.” Trained by Bhupat Seemar, the homebred 7-year-old demolished a field including defending champion Ushba Tesoro (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) and 2024 Saudi Cup hero Senor Buscador (Mineshaft) in last year's World Cup, for which he was recently recognized as the world's joint top-rated runner in the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings. Put away for the season with an eye on the Saudi Cup and a title defense at Meydan in April, Laurel River returned to action in the G3 Firebreak Stakes on the Fashion Friday program Jan. 24. Aggressive in the run beneath his regular rider Tadhg O'Shea, Laurel River carried what appeared to be an insurmountable advantage into the final 400 meters, but he began to feel the pinch, shortened stride and was nabbed on the wire by King Gold (Fr) (Anodin {Ire}). Seemar told the Dubai Racing Club: “He had a small setback in training and missed his intended workout for the Saudi Cup. We will keep him in Dubai and aim him at the Dubai World Cup.” Laurel River began his career under the care of Bob Baffert, winning four of seven starts, including the GII Pat O'Brien Stakes in 2022. The would-be favorite for that year's GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, he was taken out in the days leading up to the race and was transferred to Seemar. After faltering in a Group 3 sprint over 1200 meters on his local debut last winter, the bay bounced back in no uncertain terms in the G3 Burj Nahaar, a course-and-distance prep for the G2 Godolphin Mile. Connections elected to take their shot in the World Cup instead and the results were sensational, as he had 8 1/2 lengths on Ushba Tesoro on the wire. A full field of 14 is still expected for the 1800-meter contest. With Laurel River's defection, Wootton'sun (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) is eligible to draw in from the reserves. He is also entered for the G2 Red Sea Turf Handicap over 3000 meters. The post Laurel River Ruled Out of Saudi Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With the 2025 breeding season upon us, the TDN staff is once again sitting down with leading breeders to find out what stallions they have chosen for their mares, and why. Susan Anderson is involved in every aspect of the industry as an owner, breeder, and trainer. She runs Point Of View Farm in Ohio, where she bred 'TDN Rising Star' GSW Jonathan's Way (Vekoma), who currently sits in eighth on the 'Road to the Kentucky Derby' leaderboard with 15 points. Anderson shares her 2025 mating plans, including for her newest additions to her broodmare band–a homebred stakes winner and the half-sister to Jonathan's Way. Female Drama (18, Indian Charlie-Newhall Road, by Dixieland Band) to be bred to Twirling Candy. Female Drama is currently in foal to Nashville and is going to Twirling Candy this year. I decided she deserves a proven stallion and Twirling Candy fits that bill. She nicks well with him and I love him as a sire. Windsail (14, Grand Appointment–Windcat, by Iroquois Park) to be bred to Kingsbarns. Windsail is going to Kingsbarns. I loved him immediately when I saw him. He fits Windsail physically as she is a big mare and he is average in height but very fast looking with a great shoulder and nice hip. She is the dam of SW Windy Lu Who (Justin Phillip), MSP Angel's Sassy (Cinco Charlie), and SP Maleah (Mitole). Her 2024 filly is by Drain the Clock and Windsail currently in foal to Two Phil's. Bode's Rose (6, Bodemeister–Female Drama, by Indian Charlie) to be bred to Vekoma. She is a maiden mare and a half-sister to Jonathan's Way, which is the reason for my choice, as well as MSP Startdfromdabottom (Kantharos). I believe she fits Vekoma physically as well. Angel's Sassy (7, Cinco Charlie–Windsail, by Grand Appointment) to be bred to Bolt d'Oro. Angel's Sassy is a young, unproven stakes-placed mare. Her first foal is a yearling colt by Jimmy Creed. She is in foal to Drain the Clock and is booked to Bolt d'Oro. He is a great value at $15,000 this year. Angel's Sassy is an A+ Nick with him. Windy Lu Who (8, Justin Phillip–Windsail, by Grand Appointment) to be bred to Arabian Lion. Windy Lu Who is a stakes winning mare by Justin Phillip. She was my first stakes winner as the breeder and has earnings over $300,000. She is booked to Arabian Lion. He is a second-year sire and she nicks very well with him. The post 2025 Mating Plans, Presented By Spendthrift Farm: Susan Anderson appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sands Of Mali (Fr) will remain at Ballyhane Stud after an injunction application by Steve Parkin to have the stallion removed from the care of his former advisor Joe Foley was turned down by the High Court in Ireland. The injunction hearing, which took place in Dublin on January 23, outlined the disputed ownership of Sands Of Mali, with Parkin claiming to have bought the son of Panis outright while Foley, owner of Ballyhane, countered that Parkin had taken a 50 per cent share of the horse with him. Foley's claim to shared ownership of the stallion was backed up by affadavits from Sands Of Mali's former trainer Richard Fahey and bloodstock agent Federico Barberini, who was formerly employed by Parkin. The latter had made payment to Sands Of Mali's former owner The Cool Silk Partnership but in court Foley stated that his share in the stallion was credited against boarding and training fees due for Parkin-owned horses residing at Ballyhane Stud. This is disputed by Parkin, who claims that there was a profit-sharing agreement for Sands Of Mali but no partnership. Delivering his judgement, Mr Justice Nolan determined that Sands Of Mali should remain at Ballyhane Stud on the proviso that he is examined by a vet at least once every six weeks and that monthly accounts pertaining to the stallion are made available to Parkin. Parkin had claimed that there were welfare issues in regard to Sands Of Mali remaining at Ballyhane but this was refuted in the judge's determination which stated that “There was no evidence that the stallion is subject to any detrimental environmental issue or that his health is in any way affected by it remaining there”. Reacting to the judgement, which comes as the covering season gets properly underway, Foley said, “I'm obviously happy that this judgement vindicates my position but am equally pleased that it provides certainty for Sands Of Mali and to the many breeders who want to use him this season. “The uncertainty surrounding his future caused by this court action was unsettling but, despite this, he's on track to cover a full book of mares and I'd like to put on record my thanks to our many clients for their support. Sands Of Mali looks to have a lot of talent as a stallion and he should have a bright future ahead for both of us.” In reference to the court proceedings, he added, “It's obviously a shame that it came to this but recent events notwithstanding, Steve and I had a great 20 years working together. We enjoyed some brilliant successes during that time and I'm proud of the role that I played in that success, culminating with two Group 1 winners bred from his farm in 2024 out of mares I'd bought for him as yearlings. It's important to reflect that Steve was a big investor in the industry and supported a lot of smaller trainers and breeders over the years and I wish him and his family every success into the future. “However, it's time to concentrate all my efforts now on Ballyhane and I'm pleased to report that our new recruit, Sakheer, has gone down very well with breeders and has a strong first book of mares to cover, so along with Sands Of Mali, we're delighted to have two exciting young stallions here and my family and I can't thank our friends and clients enough for their support during the past year.” Sands Of Mali at Ballyhane Stud Sands Of Mali was initially bought as a yearling by Con Marnane for €20,000 at Osarus and later fetched £75,000 at the Tattersalls Ireland Ascot Breeze-up Sale when selected by Matt Coleman for The Cool Silk Partnership. His racing career spanned five wins from 18 starts across four seasons, with victory over Harry Angel (Ire) in the G1 Qipco British Champions Sprint of 2018 representing the peak of his success for the Fahey stable. Bought for stud duties in August 2020 for £225,000, Sands Of Mali started covering mares at Ballyhane Stud in 2021 and was one of the leading first-season sires in Europe last year with 21 two-year-old winners. In 2023, Parkin launched his own stallion operation at Dullingham Park just outside Newmarket and moved his stallion Soldier's Call (GB) from Ballyhane Stud to stand alongside the newly purchased Shaquille (GB) in England for the 2024 covering season. In March 2024, following a breakdown in the longstanding business relationship and friendship between Parkin and Foley, Parkin removed Space Traveller (GB) and Asymmetric (Ire) from Ballyhane to stand at Starfield Stud in Ireland. Sands Of Mali remained with Foley, who had previously been racing manager and advisor for Parkin's racing operation conducted under the name of his company Clipper Logistics, which he sold in May 2022. Parkin and Foley filed legal proceedings against each other in the Irish High Court last July. In 2024, Parkin enjoyed victory in the G1 Irish 1,000 Guineas with Fallen Angel (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}). The filly was bred by him at his Branton Court Stud in Yorkshire and was sold last summer, along with a number of other horses, to Wathnan Racing. Parkin also bred last year's GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint winner Starlust (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}). Steve Parkin has been approached for comment by TDN and this story will be updated when a statement is received. The post Judge Rules Sands Of Mali Will Stay at Ballyhane Stud appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Ryan Moore, Declan McDonogh, Richard Kingscote, Hollie Doyle and Tom Marquand have been granted jockeys' licences to ride in Hong Kong over the next few months. Doyle and Marquand have both ridden winners in Hong Kong in recent seasons and will be available to ride at Sha Tin on Sunday 16 February and Happy Valley next Wednesday, 19 February. Moore is set to be in attendance for meetings at Happy Valley (26 February and 5 March) as well as at Sha Tin (2 March) for Hong Kong Classic Cup race day. Kingscote and McDonogh are both set to make their debuts in Hong Kong and will be in the territory for the longest periods, with Kingscote granted a six-week licence beginning next Wednesday (19 February) at Happy Valley, while McDonagh is free to ride from next Sunday's Sha Tin (23 February) meeting up until 2 April. Regular Hong Kong riders Zac Purton, Vincent Ho, Keith Yeung and Angus Chung were all injured in an incident at Sha Tin last Sunday and have been ruled out of riding at the upcoming meetings. Latest updates suggest Yeung could return in two to three weeks, while Purton and Chung both sustained fractures and it is thought they will be out for four to six weeks. Vincent Ho sustained a head injury and has been discharged from intensive care but it is not yet known how long the leading local rider will be out for. The post Moore, Marquand And Doyle Among Five European Riders Set For Hong Kong Stint appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

William Pike.(Reg Ryan/Racing Photos) Champion Western Australian jockey William Pike is set to make his highly anticipated return to the saddle this Saturday at Flemington, marking the end of a frustrating injury layoff. The 38-year-old, has been sidelined since December 7 after fracturing his wrist in an e-scooter accident. Pike’s return ride will be aboard fellow WA galloper Aztec Ruler in the Listed Elms Handicap (1400m) for trainer Stefan Vahala. “The wrist is feeling pretty good,” Pike told Racing WA. “Fitness probably isn’t quite where it should be, but it will be okay for the one ride.” Aztec Ruler, a proven talent over the 1400m distance, has shown mixed form in Melbourne. He put in a bold first-up performance when running second in the Group 3 Standish Handicap (1200m) at Flemington but failed to fire when finishing unplaced in the Listed John Dillon Stakes (1400m) at Sandown. “He’s picked up, looks better, is working better, but you still don’t know what you are going to get,” Pike said. “He had to be picked up off the floor and the team have done a very good job in doing it.” A tough task awaits Aztec Ruler, as he has drawn the outside barrier (11) in the field of 11 runners, with top horse racing betting sites having him marked as a $7.50 chance. However, a win in The Elms Handicap would secure the horse a spot in the lucrative Group 1 All-Star Mile (1600m), a significant incentive for connections. Having missed out on the winning ride aboard Western Empire in the $1.5 million Gold Rush due to his injury, Pike is determined to make up for lost time. His return to Flemington on Saturday could be the first step in reclaiming his dominance in the saddle. Horse racing news View the full article