Wandering Eyes

Hillwood Stable's Maryland-bred and -based multiple graded stakes winner Post Time, dominant in capturing the one-mile Polynesian Stakes last month at Laurel Park, will make his next start in the $1 million Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1).View the full article

The stakes schedule for the 153rd season of racing at Fair Grounds has been announced, highlighted by a purse increase in two "Road to the Kentucky Derby" points races. The Risen Star Stakes (G2) and Lecomte Stakes (G3) will receive purse hikes.View the full article

New York's top representative for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) should be decided Oct. 5 when 10 2-year-olds square off in the $500,000 Champagne Stakes (G1) at Aqueduct's Belmont at the Big A meeting. View the full article

A Quarter Horse stabled at Los Alamitos, which will hold its next Thoroughbred meet in December, was discovered to be suffering from Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) in late September and has been euthanized. An additional six horses, all Quarter Horses who also tested positive for EIA, were euthanized at the California track Wednesday and Thursday. The California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) issued the following advisory late Thursday afternoon: “The California Horse Racing Board was notified on September 24 that Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) was identified in a Quarter Horse at Los Alamitos. The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is currently overseeing the situation and monitoring the ongoing investigation. “Under the order of the CDFA and dictated by state and federal standards, that first infected horse was euthanized, and biosecurity measures were put in place. Nine additional horses were placed in a quarantined cohort group and subsequent testing identified six additional confirmed positives. Of the six additional confirmed positives, four horses were euthanized on October 2, and the remaining two were euthanized on October 3, again under the order of the CDFA and dictated by state and federal standards. The other three horses that tested negative will remain quarantined and retested in 60 days. Additional details of these deaths can be found on the CHRB website under the Veterinary tab. “All fatalities are reported on the CHRB website on a weekly basis consistent with existing statutory requirements. More information about EIA is available at equinediseasecc.org. The post CHRB Issues EIA Advisory at Los Alamitos, Seven Positive Horses Euthanized appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Who’s been starring at the trials from all over the country for the week ending October 4? Auckland Trotting Club Workouts @ Pukekohe- Thursday 26 September Race 6- Bettor Be A Legend (2g Sweet Lou-Bettor Be A Lady) Tr G A Rogerson Returning to the workouts following a promising start to his career in the middle of this year (2nd and a 4th from two race-day appearances). Showed gate speed to lead for James Stormont and held the runner up (Franco Salah) comfortably enough to the line. Paced the 2050m event in 2:37.1 with the last half in 58.8 and the final quarter in 28.9. Returns to the races this Friday night at Alexandra Park in Race 2. Auckland Trotting Club Trials @ Alexandra Park-Friday 27 September Race 1- Crumsy (2g Captain Crunch-Mumsie) Tr B & G Hughes Just the second time in public for this son of Captain Crunch after winning a workout on September 19, and took on just one other runner in Franco Santana, who has started three times on race-day. Trailed the trip before asked to issue a challenge turning for home by driver Zachary Butcher, he stretched out attractively to win by a head, with a quick last half of 56.2 and final quarter in 27.3. Lines up for first race start at Alexandra Park this Friday (4 October) in Race 2. Winton Workouts- Friday 27 September Race 2- Chicago Sky (2f Bettor’s Delight- Chicago Blues) Tr KV & FJ Price Full sister to the brilliant Chicago Bull and looks to have inherited some of the family ability. This was her fifth run at the trials or workouts so has been given time to find her feet. Settled third over the 1609m event, until moving forward to sit parked at the 800m, and fought best to win narrowly but well. Paced the trip in a mile rate of 2.03.9, last half in a tick over 58 seconds and the final 400m in 28.5. Race 4- Vintage Miki (3g Always B Miki- Howfarnow) Tr AK Black Qualified a couple of weeks ago, and impressed today when winning an up to R64 heat. Sat second last of the five runners before unwinding stylishly to pick them up and win by just under a length. The runner up (Raknruin) is already a two race winner and the third placed horse (Ted), won his only start to date, so this was an encouraging effort by the maiden pacer and lines up on debut at Wyndham this Friday (4 October) in Race 2 at Wyndham. Wyndham Workouts-Saturday 28 September- Williamson Watch! Heat 4- Dreams Are Free (3g Captaintreacherous- Start Dreaming) & Flying Ellie (3f Art Major-Hi Ho Silver Lining). The talented stablemates clashed over the mile and a half heat with Dreams Are Free leading the filly for the majority of the event, eventually winning in a time of 3.02.9. The Tony Stratford trainer Muchacho (1 start for 1 win to date) did well to split the Williamson stablemates, although Flying Ellie wasn’t pushed to run third. Dreams Are Free kicks off a new campaign at Wyndham this Friday (4 October) in Race 9 and Flying Ellie heads to Addington on Thursday 3 October to contest a heat of the Nevele R Fillies Series( Race 9). Muchacho starts in Race 7 at Wyndham on Friday. Heat 6- Captains Mistress (2f Captaintreacherous- Imaginary Bet) A very tame heat with Nathan Williamson lining up four of the six starters and he provided the trifecta in the event. First three all travelling well within themselves at the line (as they should with an overall mile rate of 2.09.4), however Captains Mistress is the one from the heat with the lofty ambitions moving forward and looks to have come back in fine fettle. The winner of two of her three starts to date (both in Group 2 events), she led and was just nutted on the line by Itoje (paced a little roughly), with Jonjondagoosehasgone running on well for third. The filly has now had a couple of workouts back from her spell, so should be back at the races in the very near future. Waikato Bay Of Plenty Trials @ Cambridge Tuesday 1 October Race 1- Rubble On The Double (2g Father Patrick- Daenerys Targaryen) & Crackerjack (2g Majestic Son- Loveonthelawn)- Tr D & J Ferguson The two Ferguson trained trotters contested the qualifying 2200m stand, and both impressed. Stepping well, Rubble On The Double and Dylan Ferguson led throughout and produced a faultless display to hold off a strong finish from the stablemate, trotting 7 seconds under the required time. Both will only improve with time, but certainly showing the ability is there at this early stage of their careers. Ashburton Trials- Tuesday 1 October Race 5- The Highlander (5g Highview Tommy-Take A Glance)- Tr B R Negus One for the gold coin punters. Recently changed stables from Amber Lethaby to Bruce Negus and this was his first run from the new barn. Led out from the inside draw for driver Jo Buckland-Stevens before taking the trail behind eventual winner Sofia Rose with just under a lap to run. Never left the back of the winner all the way up the Ashburton straight and finished full of running as they paced the journey in 3.05.5, the last 800m in 56.4 and the final quarter in 27.8. Stable firing at the moment, so could be worth a look when he lines up on race-day. Race 6- Heaven Forbid (3g Rock N Roll Heaven- Slinky Bromac)- Tr R E Cameron Was heavily backed at second race start last month at Motukarara (3/5 in the betting), and after drawing 16, ran home well and although only finishing ninth, was only a little over five lengths from the winner. Stepped safely in the trial for trainer driver Ross Cameron and followed eventual winner Bautista into the race nearing the 600m and finished nicely in second place with the last half in 57.2 and the final 400m in 27.2. Bautista (Laurence Hanrahan), was good winning the heat and Poison Ivy (Anj Mugford), after adding 20 metres to her handicap at the start, recovered well to run third. Obviously has the motor, just needs to have the kinks in her game ironed out! North Canterbury Trials @ Rangiora- Wednesday 2 October. Race 2- The Stars Come Out The heat was headlined by the brilliant Purdon pair, Don’t Stop Dreaming and Chase A Dream (both off 40m) as well as exciting trotter Bet N Win (20m). Bet N Win began swiftly to lead, while Don’t Stop Dreaming was safely under way from the joint back mark, however Chase A Dream made a mess of the start and added a conservative 70m to his handicap. Bob Butt maintained a steady tempo throughout with Blair Orange moving forward inside the 1000m mark, bringing Nathan Purdon and Chase A Dream with him. The last 800m was covered in 55.2 and the final quarter in 27.7 as Bet N Win narrowly held off the challenge of Don’t Stop Dreaming. The Coalman after trailing throughout, went to the line untested in third place and Chase A Dream put in a big recovery for fourth after his earlier indiscretion. Race 3-Jabberjay (2g Downbytheseaside-Mockingjay)- Tr M J House Away well from the inside draw over the 2000m heat for two-year-olds, Olivia Thornley settled third with the son of Downbytheseaside. Asked to improve inside the final 600m and took control in the run home to win narrowly but well from the Dunn trained Better Be Quick. Paced his last half in 57.4 and the final quarter in 28.6. Looks to have a bright future. Race 4- Odina (2f Muscle Hill-Paramount Faith) Tr Greg & Nina Hope The royally-bred filly (full sister to champion trotter Muscle Mountain), began best to lead the two-year-old trotters heat. Eventually settled third until improving inside the 800m mark to take the lead for Ben Hope. In control thereafter and recorded his fourth trial or workout victory from as many starts and has inherited all of the family ability. Johnny Trotter and Tyrons Strapping Lad both impressed filling the minor placings. To see previous Trials Reports click here View the full article

Glassman Racing's CANDY QUEST (f, 2, Connect–Candy Crush, by Candy Ride {Arg}), a $225,000 Keeneland September yearling who was the priciest of her sire's 31 yearlings reported as sold in 2023 (43 ring), set her sights on heavily favored Tam I Am (Authentic) entering the final eighth of a mile and kicked past with relative ease to graduate in very professional fashion at first asking Thursday afternoon. Live on the board at 9-2 from a 5-1 morning line, the dark bay took a sit from off the pace as fellow firster So Darn Pretty (Ire) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) came across from her widest post and outsprinted the more experienced Tam I Am, who was wisely taken off the fence to do the chasing from second. Candy Quest traveled in behind the leading duo into the stretch, but Tam I Am had first crack at the pacesetter and wrested command approaching the furlong pole. Candy Quest had the move covered, however, as she was switched out by Dylan Davis and motored home for a good-looking victory. Sales history: $225,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0. O-Glassman Racing; B-G Watts Humphrey Jr (KY); T-Mark Casse. CANDY QUEST The 2YO daughter of @LanesEndFarms stallion Connect, breaks her maiden in the finale under @DavisJockey for trainer @markecasse. pic.twitter.com/vp7yns6PC0 — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) October 3, 2024 The post Pricey Connect Filly Candy Quest Professional On Big A Bow appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Reigning Canadian Horse of the Year Fev Rover will likely make her career bow in the Oct. 5 Dance Smartly Stakes (G2T) at Woodbine. The Mark Casse trainee is entered as Hip 253 as part of Gainesway's consignment to The November Sale at Fasig-Tipton.View the full article

Donegal Racing's DONEGAL MOMENTUM (c, 3, Uncle Mo–Moon Dash, by Malibu Moon), who was named a 'TDN Rising Star' for a towering debut victory sprinting over a muddy local main track May 16, remained perfect in two tries since switching to turf routes and earned his first black-type success in Thursday's $135,000 Gio Ponti Stakes at Aqueduct. Sent off at odds of 22-5 to build on a stalk-and-pounce allowance victory at Saratoga Aug. 24, the $375,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase was given a positive ride away from the gates by Kendrick Carmouche and he looked to be racing aggressively as he laid down fractions of :23.82 and :48.14. With race favorite Take Me To Church (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) traveling well in his slipstream and poised to deliver his challenge when the real running began, Donegal Momentum had a good kick, pinched a break and stayed on nicely to record a comfortable score. Royal Majesty (GB) (Frankel {GB}) rallied inside to just touch Take Me To Church out of second. Donegal Momentum is the 107th stakes winner for the outstanding Uncle Mo. Lifetime Record: 5-3-1-0. O-Donegal Racing; B-Speedway Stable (KY); T-Tom Morley. DONEGAL MOMENTUM, the 3YO son of @coolmoreamerica stallion Uncle Mo, wins the Gio Ponti Stakes with @KendrickCarmou1 aboard for trainer @morley_racing. pic.twitter.com/hAAoK68n3Q — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) October 3, 2024 The post ‘Rising Star’ Donegal Momentum All The Way in Gio Ponti 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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Breeders' Cup today announced its broadcast coverage schedule, post times, and wagering menu for the 41st Breeders' Cup World Championships Nov. 1-2 at Del Mar.View the full article

Book 2 of the Goffs Orby Sale kicked off with joint top lots by Acclamation (GB) and Supremacy (Ire) at €80,000 with the gavel falling to trainer Johnny Murtagh and American buyers Legion Bloodstock respectively. The Acclamation colt was consigned by Clare Manning of Bohergy Stud while the Supremacy filly was offered by Yeomanstown Stud and completed a strong spend from the overseas buyers throughout Book 1 and 2 at Kildare Paddocks this week. Lot 611 represented a decent piece of business for Manning's client who sourced the colt out of black-type performer and proven producer Ascot Family (Ire) (Desert Style {Ire}) for €40,000 as a foal. Manning said, “Scarlett Mullion pinhooked him. She bought him off Alice Kavanagh for €40,000 so it's a good result. He came to me in June and has just thrived ever since. Scarlett pinhooked two foals last year. Unfortunately, one of the foals didn't meet her expectations in Orby Book 1 so he actually went into training with Johnny. Johnny has come back around and bought this one so hopefully he turns out to be lucky.” For Murtagh, he was simply returning to a source that had been lucky for him in the past. He said, “I had a lot of luck over the years with Scarlett's granny Lady Clague. She was a pleasure to ride for [Winona, Key Change, Namid etc]. Scarlett gave a good report on the horse and he looks sharp and fast; a ready-made two-year-old. He could be one for the Goffs Bonuses and Million race. Hopefully after the weekend he'll look cheap.” The Legion Bloodstock team have certainly provided a bit of colour to Goffs all week. Rarely spotted without a smile, the American buyers have clearly made the most of their trip to Ireland and followed up their Book 1 spend by adding the Supremacy filly to the haul. “We got three horses out of Book 2 last year so we said we'd stick around again,” Christian Villante explained. “We got a Starspangledbanner (Aus) colt for €300,000 in Book 1 and he is going to stay here. We also got a Sioux Nation filly that will stay here as well. We actually bought a couple of Advertises between Book 1 and 2 and they will come back to the States. It's really about the physique, which is why we like Advertise (GB).” On the Supremacy filly, he added, “I'm very happy with what we got today. She's out of a More Than Ready mare and looked a lot like him. She will come home with us and is an easy sell. Looked like an American horse, actually. I think we got good value and we really love coming over here.” Of the 246 lots offered on day one, 175 were sold at a clearance rate of 70%. The median was down 23% to €15,000, the average fell 9% to €21,563 and the turnover also dipped 15% to €3,773,500. Magic For Moanmore The American flavour to the sale did not end there. Peter Vaughan of Moanmore Stables enjoyed a good result with a Tiz The Law colt bought in the States for just €8,000 selling to Eoin O'Sullivan for €60,000. “We buy a few in Kentucky each year and liked this one as a model, so took a bit of a punt on him. We were just lucky that the sire has really taken off since,” Vaughan said. “He's got a good chance of being champion freshman sire in America and he had a nice winner for Aidan O'Brien at Listowel just the other day. We wish the buyers every success with him.” Dods Does The Business Henry Beeby implored buyers to shop the entirety of the sale rather than Book 1 and Michael Dods, who drew a blank in Book 1, made up for that by signing for three colts to the tune of €105,000 on Thursday. The spend was headed by a €70,000 Kodi Bear (Ire) from Railstown Stud with the British-based handler revealing that he would have one eye on the new Goffs-backed bonus races next year. He said of lot 707, “It's a speedy pedigree. We didn't think we'd have to go to that far but it's a speedy pedigree and we're pleased to get him. This sale has been lucky for us so we like coming over here. We've got to look at the bonus races in Britain now and that definitely helps.” Golden touch Hats off to Dan and Rory Maher of The Forge Stables in Templemore. The twin brothers won't be changing their address following the sale of their Twilight Son (GB) colt to Sean Grassick Bloodstock, but turning €1,500 into €30,000 in less than a year has to go down as a worthwhile exercise. Dan said, “We loved his movement as a foal. Twilight Son is well able to get smart horses and hopefully he turns out to be lucky for the next man. It's a good day's work but we thought there was another few pound in him to be honest. In actual fact, I was disgusted he didn't make more because he's a belter!” Thought for the day We can all agree that a clatter of €50,000 bonuses in Ireland and Britain for the horses bought at Goffs this week is a brilliant initiative. The Goffs Million will take place next year as well, which is another huge positive. But are these bonuses as accessible as everyone thinks? Having canvassed the opinion of a number of buyers–including some top trainers–at Goffs on Thursday, the majority shared that they decided against paying the €5,000 fee to be eligible for such incentives. The overriding feedback from buyers was that €5,000 is simply too much to ask owners to stump up on top of the purchase price. Goffs will argue that, if you're not in you can't win, and the carrot here is quite a lucrative one. But during a time when trainers are struggling enough as it is to get orders, it's hard to argue with the point being made about the entry fee being too high. Buy of the day Donna Cowens and Nicky Souza de Oliveira of DNA Equine bought a nice horse on paper at least when snapping up brother to Sylvester Kirk's smart two-year-old Brian (Ire) (Shaman {Ire}). Being a January foal, there's no doubt that lot 589 should be up to the demands of breezing and could look well bought at €18,000 come the spring. The post Figures Down As Acclamation And Supremacy Share Top Lot Status At Orby Book 2 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victory of Queen Olly in Florida. Queen Olly Reigns At Gulfstream Amo Racing USA's Queen Olly (Ire) (No Nay Never) won her second straight start in the U.S. and first at Gulfstream Park on Sept. 27 (video). When in training in Ireland with George Boughey, she was placed in both the G2 Duchess of Cambridge Stakes and the Listed Bosra Sham Stakes. Now trained by Jorge Delgado, the 4-year-old was bred by Whitehall Stud. Consigned by her breeder to the Goffs Orby Sale, she was picked up for €300,000 by Alex Elliott and Ben McElroy on behalf of Amo Racing. The third foal and one of three winners out of the placed Galileo (Ire) mare Surprisingly (Ire), Queen Olly is a half-sister to Duchess of Cambridge Stakes heroine Persian Dreamer (Calyx {GB}), and a yearling colt by American Pharoah who made €300,000 when acquired by EBS from Whitehall Stud during Wednesday's Goffs Orby Sale. Her dam is a full-sister to G3 Kilternan Stakes hero Tiger Moth (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who was second in both the G1 Irish Derby and the G1 Melbourne Cup, as well as a half-sister to the stakes winner and multiple group-placed Coach House (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}). Coolmore's No Nay Never boasts a strike rate of 53 winners (55%) from 97 runners in the U.S. Nine of those are stakes winners (9%) with his trio of graded winners anchored by GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf heroine Meditate (Ire). Queen Olly (IRE) and @EdwinGonzalz1 win Friday's featured race for @RacingDelgado at #GulfstreamPark. pic.twitter.com/daAB4asNqb — Gulfstream Park (@GulfstreamPark) September 27, 2024 Repeat Winner Now perfect in three trips to the post, Saint-Cloud maiden winner Zulu Kingdom (Ire) (Ten Sovereigns {Ire}) won his second graded stakes with a neck victory in the GII Pilgrim Stakes at Belmont at the Big A (video). The Madaket Stables, Michael Dubb, William Strauss and Michael Caruso silksbearer won the GIII With Anticipation Stakes on his American debut for Chad Brown in August. He is now a likely starter in the 1-mile GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar in November. Now a perfect 3-for-3, ZULU KINGDOM (Ten Sovereigns) holds on to win the GII Pilgrim Stakes at Belmont at the Big A! pic.twitter.com/QSxyiXBXUA — TDN (@theTDN) September 28, 2024 The post Making Waves: Queen Of The Hill At Gulfstream appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The countdown to the Breeders' Cup World Championships continues this weekend on NBC, CNBC, and Peacock as Keeneland hosts NBC Sports' presentation of the final automatic qualifying races in the United States. View the full article

Juddmonte's Kikkuli, an Oct. 5 Coolmore Turf Mile (G1T) entrant at Keeneland, has much to live up to as a half brother to Frankel, an undefeated racehorse and now one of the world's great sires. "That's a bit of baggage," trainer Harry Charlton said.View the full article

The Racetrack Chaplaincy of America (RTCA) invites everyone to an evening of “Faith, Hope and Love” at the Breeders' Cup World Championships on Tuesday, Oct. 29, the non-profit said via a release on Thursday. Held in the Palio Room at Del Mar, the evening will include a meal, music, the premier of this year's White Horse Award video, and a celebrity panel with Hall of Fame jockeys Mike Smith and Ramon Dominguez, plus racing executive Janet VanBebber and California-based rider Kyle Frey will speak. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. and dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m. General Admission tickets, table and event sponsorship levels are available online and must be pre-purchased. All proceeds go towards covering the event's costs and supporting the network of RTCA Chaplaincies nationwide (and beyond). Click here to register. The post Racetrack Chaplaincy To Host Breeders’ Cup Night Of Faith appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In this continuing series, we take a look ahead at US-bred and/or conceived runners entered for the upcoming weekend at the tracks on the Japan Racing Association circuit, with a focus on pedigree and/or performance in the sales ring. Here are the horses of interest for this Saturday running at Kyoto and Tokyo Racecourses. Sunday's runners will appear in Saturday's TDN Saturday, October 5, 2024 4th-KYO, ¥13,720,000 ($93k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1400m DRAGON WELDS (c, 2, Frosted–Little Dipper, by Eskendereya) fetched $72,000 as a Keeneland September yearling last fall and was hammered down to Japanese interests after breezing an eighth of a mile in :9 4/5 at this year's OBS March Sale. Produced by a multiple stakes-placed half-sister to Grade II-winning turf sprinter Bye Bye Bernie (Bernstein) and the Grade III-placed Joe Franklin (Bernstein), the gray colt looks to become his sire's ninth Japanese winner from 10 starters, a number that includes dual Group 3 winner Jasper Krone. B-Willow Oaks Stable LLC (KY) JASPER NOVEL (f, 2, Vekoma–Flatter Me Owen, by Flatter) made no fewer than five trips through the ring between November 2022 and this past March, hammering for $47,000 at Keeneland November before selling for $60,000 at the January Sale two months later. Bought back on a bid of $45,000 at KEESEP, she changed hands for that same amount at the Fasig-Tipton October Sale and was purchased by Hideyuki Mori for $190,000 at OBS March after she breezed in :9 4/5. She was one of 10 horses secured by Mori at OBSMAR, a lot that includes GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile candidate and $800,000 seller Shin Believe (Constitution). B-James F Miller (WV) 4th-TOK, ¥13,720,000 ($93k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1600mT ERIKA MAYURI (JPN) (f, 2, Quality Road–Brave Anna, by War Front), a $3-million in-utero purchase at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton November Sale, is out of the 2016 G1 Cheveley Park Stakes heroine, whose Group 3-winning dam Liscanna (Ire) (Sadler's Wells) is also responsible for Opera Singer (Justify), a Group 1 winner at two and three, as well as 2015 GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf hero Hit It A Bomb (War Front). Erika Mayuri is a half-sister to Angelsilica (Dark Angel {Ire}), a two-time winner in Japan. B-EM Planning LLC The post Well-Related Quality Road Filly Debuts at Tokyo appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Juddmonte's Kikkuli, an Oct. 5 Coolmore Turf Mile (G1T) entrant at Keeneland, has much to live up to as a half brother to Frankel, an undefeated racehorse now one of the world's great sires. "That's a bit of baggage," trainer Harry Charlton said.View the full article

Bob Baffert has won the Oak Leaf Stakes (G2), formerly known as the Chandelier, an unprecedented 12 times. The Hall of Fame trainer will saddle half the field of eight in this year's edition, headed by Del Mar Debutante Stakes (G1) heroine Tenma.View the full article

Undefeated in four lifetime starts, Iscreamuscream could win a "Win and You're In" berth to the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1T) in the Rodeo Drive Stakes (G2T) Oct. 5 at Santa Anita Park.View the full article

The Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (Alberta Division) held a yearling sale at Westerner Park in Red Deer on Friday, Sept. 20, and gross sales were up by 15%, the division said in a release on Thursday. With 79 head catalogued, this year saw an increase in gross sales, with $700,000 spent on 56 yearlings–a 15% rise from the $607,800 spent on 43 yearlings in 2023. While the average price per yearling slightly decreased to $12,482 from $14,135 last year, the median held steady at $9,850. The upper end of the market saw 14 horses selling for $20,000 or more. The sale topper spot was shared by two yearlings who each sold for $33,000. The post Canada’s Alberta Yearling Sale Saw Increase In Gross appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Equibase has enhanced its premium past performance product to include conditional formatting, the online source for horse racing data said in a release on Thursday. In addition to traditional past performances, the new version includes key points such as the highest speed figure in the race, the highest win percentage in the race for the trainer and jockey, and the highest lifetime earnings. “Traditional past performances can be overwhelming, especially for new handicappers,” said Chris Dawahare, vice president of data operations and digital services for Equibase. “The new enhanced option removes some of the data overload by highlighting the most critical information in each past performance and providing a color legend with each race to easily reference every data element.” The enhanced option also includes a separate Equibase Speed, Class, and Pace figure analysis in a graphical format. The post Equibase Adds Enhanced Option To Premium Past Performances appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It's that time of year where most of the stories in the bloodstock world are being written in the sales ring, with the ink used to tell the tale of Book 1 of the Goffs Orby Sale still fresh on the page and the major plotlines ahead of next week's Tattersalls October Yearling Sale already starting to take shape. But as the search continues for the Classic winners of 2026, it's worth also reminding ourselves of the many stories still waiting to be written on the racecourse in the closing chapter of 2024, arguably the most gripping and informative of all. As Paul Hayward said in his TDN column of a couple of weeks ago, “Autumn brings a vast harvest of delights. Enjoy the feast.” One of the main dishes will be served up at Longchamp on Sunday with the running of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, but the waiter's recommendation for bloodstock enthusiasts is not to skip Saturday's appetiser at Newmarket, the Sun Chariot Stakes, a Group 1 where the outcome could go some way to answering the first of our big questions heading into the autumn. Can Frankel Retain his Title as Champion Sire in Britain and Ireland? To call it a famine for Frankel (GB) during the first part of 2024 might be an exaggeration, but his hold on the crown he won in 2023, for the second time in three years, has certainly been jeopardised by a slow start to the campaign. For context, it wasn't until Lake Victoria (Ire) won last month's Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh that he came up with a Group 1 winner in Europe this year, before the same filly doubled that tally with victory in last weekend's Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket. Now, after The Euphrates (GB) won the extremely valuable Irish Cesarewitch, barely 24 hours on from Lake Victoria's Cheveley Park success, Frankel suddenly finds himself with at least a fighting chance of reeling in Dubawi (Ire), Galileo (Ire) and Dark Angel (Ire) in what is shaping up to be a tantalising championship race. Dubawi, Britain and Ireland's champion sire in 2022, currently leads old sparring partner Galileo by around £120,000, with Dark Angel barely able to be separated from Coolmore's 12-time champion in third. Then there's Frankel, who trails the pacesetting Dubawi by around £280,000 and needs his flagbearers to show some hunger for the feast ahead. The Sun Chariot, worth £155,953 to the winner, could be where it starts with Frankel responsible for two leading contenders in Inspiral (GB) and Nashwa (GB), both mares who made significant contributions to his championship win in 2023. It's been tougher going all round this year–Inspiral has essentially looked a shadow of her former self in three starts and Nashwa has been off the track since contesting March's Dubai Turf–but there would be no time like the present where their sire is concerned for them to rediscover their former glories. Inspiral gained the first of her six career top-level victories when landing the Fillies' Mile in the year Frankel won his first title in 2021. That contest, offering £283,550 to the winner, could be the next port of call for Lake Victoria, with the aim of becoming the first horse in Europe to win three Group 1 races as a two-year-old since Air Force Blue in 2015. The Ballydoyle filly already dominates the ante-post betting for next year's 1,000 Guineas and Oaks. That bodes well for Frankel's prospects of future championship success, so too what happened at Book 1 of the Orby Sale where he was responsible for the only two seven-figure lots and blew his rivals out of the water in terms of average (€730,000) and aggregate (€4,380,000). On the racecourse, however, the Frankel story is far from the only one in town this autumn. That of Dubawi just keeps on giving for Charlie Appleby and Godolphin, with the unbeaten two-year-old colt Ancient Truth (Ire) waiting to write another chapter when he lines up in the Dewhurst Stakes, while the late, great Galileo has the makings of a strong team for Champions Day with the likes of Kyprios (Ire) (Long Distance Cup), Content (Ire) (Fillies And Mares Stakes) and Prague (Ire) (likely to be supplemented for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes) all right in the mix. What a fitting epilogue it would be if they could combine to deliver their sire a thirteenth title. And then there's the O'Callaghan family's beloved homebred Dark Angel, who has perhaps the most heartwarming story of all to tell if he could become the first champion sire to stand at their Yeomanstown Stud. He has an ace card to play, too, in the shape of his Queen Anne Stakes and Prix Jacques le Marois hero Charyn (Ire), sure to be a warm order when he goes for the £623,810 on offer to the winner of the QEII. Given that Dark Angel is already around £160,000 ahead of Frankel, Ascot glory for Charyn alone would push him to the sort of heights that makes Saturday's Sun Chariot must-win territory for the current title holder. Could an Autumn of Firsts Await Sea The Stars? Sea The Stars (Ire) currently sits just outside of the top five sires in Britain and Ireland this year, one place behind Kingman (GB), but there's still plenty to play for with the Gilltown Stud resident, starting with the Arc, Europe's middle-distance championship in which he enjoyed his own crowning moment, 15 years ago on Friday. Cloth Of Stars (Ire), runner-up to Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) in 2017, and Sea Of Class (Ire), beaten just a short neck behind the same horse 12 months later, have gone closest to becoming Sea The Stars's first Arc winner as a sire, and now the task of trying to get him off the mark rests with a pair of Wertheimer homebreds, Sosie (Ire) and Aventure (Ire). Prix de Pomone winner and Prix Vermeille runner-up Aventure is sure to have plenty of each-way supporters as a three-year-old filly getting all of the allowances, but it's the Andre Fabre-trained Sosie who heads the ante-post betting following his wins in the Grand Prix de Paris and Prix Niel. Sosie might not have looked anything out of the ordinary in two starts as a juvenile–nor when finishing third in the Prix du Jockey Club on his second start this season–but he's really come into his own since being stepped up to a mile and a half, a familiar tale when it comes to progeny of Sea The Stars, following in the footsteps of Crystal Ocean (GB), Emily Upjohn (GB), Harzand (Ire), Hukum (Ire) and Taghrooda (GB), as well as his Arc silver medallists. Of course, there are exceptions to every rule. See the outstanding Baaeed (GB), a five-time Group 1 winner over a mile, or the other great hope for Sea The Stars this autumn, many people's idea of the champion juvenile-elect in The Lion In Winter (Ire). Never before has Sea The Stars produced a Group 1-winning two-year-old, but The Lion In Winter will go to the Dewhurst with a favourite's chance judged on the form of his win in the Acomb Stakes at York, beating the subsequent Royal Lodge Stakes winner Wimbledon Hawkeye (GB) and Tattersalls Stakes scorer The Waco Kid (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}). Already at the head of the ante-post betting for next year's 2,000 Guineas and Derby, The Lion In Winter was purchased by MV Magnier for €375,000 purchase at Book 1 of the Orby Sale when offered by the Castlebridge Consignment on behalf of the Tsui family, who bred him under the banner of their Sunderland Holdings. Twelve months on and a colt from a similar background starred at Kildare Paddocks on Wednesday when selling to Godolphin for €900,000. Of the 15 yearlings by Sea The Stars offered, 13 sold at an average of €235,385. Only time will tell whether there's a Classic contender of 2026 among them–or his 22 yearlings catalogued to sell at Book 1 of the October Yearling Sale–but we'll know soon enough whether Sea The Stars can succeed in adding an Arc winner and/or a champion two-year-old to his already glittering CV. Can Economics Continue the Irresistible Rise of Night Of Thunder? The catalogue for Book 1 of the October Yearling Sale also features no fewer than 25 yearlings by Darley's Night Of Thunder (Ire), the emerging force on the Kildangan Stud roster and sire of arguably the most exciting horse in training right now, Economics (GB). Connections of the Derby, Eclipse and International winner City Of Troy (Justify) might have something to say about that, but it's a statement made with one eye on the future and what Economics might yet achieve, having left the impression we've only scratched the surface of his potential in winning all four of his starts as a three-year-old, culminating with a first top-level success in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown. Physically, everything about Economics suggests he'll make an even better four-year-old, but first there's the small matter of the Champion Stakes at Ascot and a box office clash with French challenger Calandagan (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}), last seen filling the runner-up spot behind City Of Troy in the International at York. Victory at Ascot would well and truly cement Economics's place in the very top bracket, so too that of a sire who has gone from strength to strength since his first crop of two-year-olds hit the track in 2019. Night Of Thunder was already the sire of three individual top-level winners before Economics came along, including the high-class sprinting mare Highfield Princess (Fr), a four-time Group 1 scorer, but there can be no doubt that this colt is his standout runner to date, while a worthy supporting cast promises to take him to new heights, if not this year then almost certainly next. Godolphin's Prix du Prince d'Orange winner Ombudsman (Ire) has looked another three-year-old of huge potential in winning his four starts to date, while the return of Fairy Godmother (Ire) in 2025 is eagerly anticipated, the juvenile filly who has been kept off the track since coming from what looked an impossible position to win the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot. Closer to hand, May Hill Stakes winner Desert Flower (Ire) will get the opportunity to prove herself a two-year-old out of the top drawer when she lines up in the Fillies' Mile, before attentions then turn to Economics and his bid for the £737,230 on offer to the winner of the Champion Stakes. Night Of Thunder is yet to finish higher than twelfth on the leading sires' list in Britain and Ireland, but the Ascot bounty would all but guarantee him a place well inside the top ten. That's already the sort of company Night Of Thunder is keeping when it comes to events in the sales ring. At the Arqana August Yearling Sale, for example, he had the highest average (€612,000) of any stallion with five selling for an aggregate of €3,060,000, while at Book 1 of the Orby Sale his six yearlings sold achieved an average of €333,333, behind only the dominant Frankel among the top ten sires. Expect more of the same at the October Yearling Sale where Economics himself sold for 160,000gns at Book 2 in 2022. Who will be Crowned Europe's Leading First-Season Sire? The battle to be crowned champion sire in Britain and Ireland isn't the only one that looks destined to go right down to the wire this year. Of the 2024 crop of first-season sires in Europe, the top six have all been represented by between 17 and 14 winners, with Sergei Prokofiev just about maintaining the advantage he's held more or less from the outset, having sired the winner of the first juvenile race of the season in Ireland, the subsequent Marble Hill Stakes scorer and Phoenix Stakes third Arizona Blaze (GB). When colleague Emma Berry penned her Half-Term Sire Report towards the end of June, the week after Royal Ascot, Whitsbury Manor Stud's Sergei Prokofiev had sired nine individual winners, three more than his closest pursuer, Sands Of Mali (Fr), and four more than both Earthlight (Ire) and Hello Youmzain (Fr). In the three months and change since, Sergei Prokofiev has added another eight winners to his tally, taking his overall tally to 17, while the three immediately behind him at the time of the last update have maintained their formation with nine winners apiece. Instead, the biggest mover has been Beech House Stud resident Mohaather (GB), who was yet to get off the mark at the point when Sergei Prokofiev was fast approaching double digits. Now, he finds himself in a three-way tie for fourth with Earthlight and Hello Youmzain on 14 winners, including the Molecomb Stakes hero Big Mojo (Ire), Listed scorer Yah Mo Be There (GB) and Rockfel Stakes runner-up Serving With Style (GB). The other new entry to the top six is Pinatubo (Ire), the Darley stallion of whom so much was expected at the start of this year given his own racecourse exploits. Timeform's highest-rated two-year-old for 25 years, he is yet to produce a juvenile of anything like his own calibre, and remains without a black-type winner, but numerically things are on the up with his 15 winners putting him in a share of second with Sands Of Mali. That momentum could prove critical in a year like this when the bar seems likely to be relatively low in terms of the number of winners it takes to seal leading first-season sire status. There certainly isn't a Mehmas (Ire) (55 winners in 2020) or Blue Point (Ire) (49 in 2023), while you have to go back to 2018 and No Nay Never (29) for the last time it required less than 30 winners to come away with the crown. Incidentally, the other thing No Nay Never did do that year to further distinguish himself from his contemporaries was to sire a Group 1-winning two-year-old, the Middle Park Stakes hero Ten Sovereigns (Ire), a feat that one of the class of 2024 has already achieved. A tally of 10 winners will need improving upon to break into the top six, but Tweenhills stallion Kameko arguably made the biggest statement of all when his New Century (GB) won the Summer Stakes at Woodbine. The Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf is said to be next on his agenda, while it's far from out of the question that Kameko could end the season as the sire of two individual top-level winners should his Royal Lodge victor Wimbledon Hawkeye attempt to follow up in the Futurity Trophy. The post Which Stallions will find the Answers during the Autumn Feast? appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Michael Guerin Cold Chisel may be a three-year-old taking on the best pacers in the north at Alexandra Park tonight but that is not how his trainers look at it. And they are, of course, right. At first glance Cold Chisel looks out of place in tonight’s $40,000 TAB Holmes DG, the next step on the road to next month’s New Zealand Cup. He is technically a three-year-old taking on multiple Group 1 winners (and stablemates) Merlin and Mach Shard in a 2700m standing start but age is very much a technicality created when Harness Racing New Zealand changed its season from starting on August to beginning on January 1. At this stage of their careers just a few years ago horses actually as old as Cold Chisel were counted as four-year-olds, whereas now because their official birthday isn’t until January 1 they are still three. Putting it in perspective, when Lazarus was an old as Cold Chisel actually is now, he was winning the New Zealand Cup by 10 lengths. “In our stable we still treat them as turning a year older on August 1,” explains Scott Phelan, co-trainer with Barry Purdon. “That is how old they actually are that is how we train and race them so we have no issue lining him up this week against the best horses because he is really four.” Not that Cold Chisel is any slouch himself, having already won a Northern Derby and one of the favourites for the NZ Derby and the new three-year-old slot race, the $500,000 Velocity. But Phelan says even with Tony Herlihy in the sulky tonight he doesn’t expect Cold Chisel to beat the established stars, particularly Merlin. Cold Chisel is a $9 fourth favourite behind his stablemates Merlin ($2.05), Sooner The Bettor ($3.80), Mach Shard ($5.50). Most of these met in the Spring Cup over 2200m two weeks ago and courtesy of a front line draw Sooner The Better held Merlin out by a neck after the latter had given him a 20m start. He has to do the same tonight but it is over 2700m and will almost certainly not be as helter skelter and Merlin should probably be able to get closer without burning as much energy. “He is clearly the one to beat the way he went fresh up and he has improved,” confirms Phelan. “Sooner The Better is always a chance and he could win again while Mach Shard was really good last start and I think he will go a big race.” For all the talent of their opponents it would be a surprise if one of the stable’s four runners didn’t win the feature on a night where they could easily train a treble as they did last Friday. I Got Chills (R2, No.3) finds himself in a winnable maiden two-year-old race in the Gallagher Insurance Mobile Pace and finally with the draw to use his gate speed while Jeremiah (R5, No.7) is a Derby horse, albeit up against a few others with that look about them in what will be a good form race in the Breckon Farms Mobile Pace. Juvenile filly Youretheonethatiwant (R7, No.5) looked the best of her sex when winning all three of her fillies races in the autumn before flying home for second to Cyclone Jordy in the Cardigan Bay Stakes in May. She meets stunning last-start Group 1 winner Beetastic in a tricky Dunstan Horsefeeds Sires’ Stakes 2YO Fillies Heat but Phelan says she is ready to win even though she will lack race fitness. Michael Guerin’s Friday Fancies : 1: Father Barry (Alex Park, R4): Blew start last time but if he trots all the way he should win. Smart young trotter and field configuration suits. 2: Classic Elegance (Alex Park, R9, No.5): Chased home a special filly in Duchess Megxit last Friday in one of the quickest last 800m ever paced at The Park. Repeat of that level would win this. 3: Akatea (Alex Park, R3, No.2): Has gate speed and dropping in class. Could lead and dominate. 4: The Jolly Roger/I Got Chills quinella (Alex Park, R2): Two smart juveniles who should lead and trail then run the quinella. View the full article

It’s Friday! Selections for Auckland and Wyndham. Head to www.tab.co.nz to place your bet! Alexandra Park Aaron White Commentator Wyndham Jonny Turner Racing Journalist Race 1 5.58pm 6 Shesgold 10 Itaintnecessarilyso 9 Bravehearthighlander 2 Five O’Clock Gerry Race 1 3.15pm 2 Brother Johnson 8 Styrax 4 Joe Kennedy 1 Don Ameche Race 2 6.35pm 2 The Jolly Roger 1 Aventador 9 Beachbreak 5 Bettor Be A Legend Race 2 3.47pm 3 Saucy Delight 4 Flashpoint 2 Vintage Miki 7 Here’s Johny Race 3 7.00pm 1 Sugar Ray Lincoln 2 Akatea 4 Shake A Leg 8 Lincoln Lou Race 3 4.12pm 3 Justanothersip 4 Ada R J 1 Always A Menace 10 Showcase Race 4 7.25pm 10 Stone Cold 5 Ocean Eyes 9 Father Barry 8 Viscount Mackendon Race 4 4.37pm 4 Raknruin 5 Shezza Vinny 9 Close 10 Better Be Watching Race 5 7.50pm 8 Little Spike 7 Jeremiah 5 Mako 1 Frisco Bay Race 5 5.07pm 9 Foxing Easton 2 Ten Da Touch 5 The Wulver 3 No Perfect Princess Race 6 8.15pm 7 Merlin 3 Sooner The Bettor 8 Mach Shard 4 The Big Lebowski Race 6 5.42pm 5 Monarch Prince 7 Emily 2 Bill Bootit 6 Dwindle Star Race 7 8.40pm 5 Youretheonethatiwant 2 Beetastic 6 Hot And Dangerous 1 Sadhaka Race 7 6.18pm 10 Major Medley 9 Raklou 8 Still Rockin 4 Muchacho Race 8 9.06pm 9 Matty A 10 Iron Love 11 Dream Of You 7 American Muscle Race 8 6.44pm 6 Missile 4 Special Effects 9 Del’s Creation 5 Rata Race 9 9.30pm 5 Classic Elegance 3 Minjee 4 Seaside Rose 6 Always B Stunning Race 9 7.09pm 8 Dreams Are Free 7 Advance Party 6 Brookies Player 3 Judaque View the full article

Some people only look for difficulties. Others seek solutions. Between those categories, it's not hard to place Joe Pickerrell and his wife Courtney. Having attended a couple of family weddings in South Africa, and been blown away by the venue each time, they struggled to find anywhere remotely comparable when planning their own nuptials back in Florida. Well, they thought, that was not just frustrating. Might it also be a business opportunity? So they found this amazing 1850 barn in Canada, dismantled it, and had it shipped and reassembled, beam by beam, on their farm. They're now staging 60 services a year. For a less positive approach to life, however, we might cite the people who crowded round their Pick View consignment at OBS back in March to check out the Game Winner colt they had found at Keeneland the previous September. The Pickerells are increasingly helping clients who race their stock, but at Keeneland they were purely on the pinhook trail. As usual, they split up the barns and made their preliminary picks. Luckily, they seem to use a common filter for a final list. “I've looked at horses with a lot of folks in my life, and it's very seldom that their tastes are as similar as mine and hers,” Pickerrell says. “Courtney's a very good judge of a horse, maybe even a little more critical than me. Anyway our list that day ended up being pretty short.” Really it was all about this son of Game Winner, bred by Mount Brilliant from a well-related Johannesburg mare. Game Winner | Lane's End “I found him in Book 4 at Lane's End,” Pickerrell recalls. “He was in one of those express lanes, where they're showing a lot of horses to a lot of people for the first time. And he kind of ruined the rest of the day for me. I probably missed a lot of horses afterwards, but I just couldn't quit thinking about that guy.” The sire was making only a steady debut at the sales, but it had been similar for Palace Malice when the Pickerrells found Structor back in 2018. The subsequent GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf winner cost $160,000 and was turned round at OBS for $850,000, their biggest hit to date. “So the freshman sire angle has been successful for us,” Pickerrell says. “Game Winner might have been a little bit under the radar, at that point, but this one had everything we looked for in a horse. We've had a lot of luck with big, two-turn colts that look like they'll go a route of ground, while also having enough speed to complete the task of the 2-year-old sales–which is, of course, very challenging. We ask a lot of these horses, so they need a lot of substance and quality to get through the process. So he made my list and then later in the day he got by the tough list, which is my wife's. And we were lucky enough to get him bought for $40,000.” They took him down to Ocala and, their standard procedure, turned him out for a spell. “Usually in groups,” Pickerrell explains. “At least two, sometimes four, depending on the paddock. I like to get them out and socialized, just let them be a horse for a little, make sure they're not going to get sick or have any side effects from coming through the sale. And then we just go through the regular breaking process and go forward.” They broke around 100 last year, roughly half and half between those preparing for the sales and the track. “They're all on the same program until about New Year, when the early sale horses start a little more speed work,” Pickerrell says. “Every client's a little different in how they prefer their horses to leave my place. We have one guy who really doesn't care whether or not they run as 2-year-olds. Another guy, that will be his priority. So we kind of gear the program not only around the individual horse, but keep in mind which trainer they'll be joining, how far they'll want to go, things like that.” It doesn't take long to start sorting wheat from chaff. “By about Thanksgiving, we tend to know if we made any mistakes or not,” Pickerrell says. “Those will start to separate the wrong way. And meanwhile the cream starts to rise, and we can start to get excited about them.” The Game Winner colt was soon pushing his way to the front of the line. “Yeah, he was always class,” Pickerrell recalls. “The kind the riders fight over. He went through the stages just as easy as you can. I'll tell you how early we knew this was a special guy. We've got a very good client that's just getting started in the breeding game. And early in the spring they called and said, 'Who are you liking?' I told them Game Winner. Both their mares are now in foal to him.” And, as we'll see, this colt has meanwhile made them feel very satisfied with that counsel. But first came the auction, and those critical few seconds on which months of work turn. Gaming | Benoit “You can never expect a horse to breeze 20-and-two,” Pickerrell reflects. “I mean, that's a fifth off the track record, and we're talking about a big, two-turn colt. So you never know what's going to happen. What I did know is that I had about 24 horses in that sale, and he was one of the best. And, yeah, he showed as much as any horse we've ever had.” But this is where we go back to what we were saying about people who look for difficulties. On the face of it, the Pickerrells were sitting on a seven-figure payday. Trouble was, the horse was straying to amber on his X-rays. “I think it's about time these buyers start translating race results and performance instead of letting the veterinarians control these sales,” Pickerrell declares. “We obviously need our vets, to assist us, but the pendulum has swung so far now. That horse had 20 vets at the March sale—and 19 failed him. “But it just goes to show you: Bob Baffert, one of the best trainers in the world, and Donato Lanni were smart enough–after their first vet actually failed the horse–to get a second and third opinion. They had enough confidence not only in the horse, but in my program and my word. He was a sound horse. He was less than perfect, on his X-rays, but guess what? Still is, to this day. And he's one of the best 2-year-olds in the country.” That's because this colt is Gaming, who romped on debut for Michael E. Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman (“The Three Amigos”) before following up in the GI Del Mar Futurity. With the Breeders' Cup coming to his backyard, this is perhaps the leading juvenile on the West Coast. Because of all that timid vetting, however, a sensational breeze converted to no more than $260,000. “Obviously it cost us a lot of money,” says Pickerrell with a shrug. “There are some veterinarians out there looking pretty silly. But I realize they're just doing what they're asked to do. I think it's more of an owner issue than a vet issue.” With horses, of course, things are seldom black or white. Pickerrell dislikes the whole idea that one should “pass” or “fail” the vet. “I feel like it's up to the owners to have a little more courage when these horses look like they can run,” he argues. “If they only buy the ones that are perfect on the vetting, well, they're going to end up with a lot of slow horses. Many of the best runners I've been around had some kind of issue. I mean, look at what Cogburn's doing.” Ah, yes–another stellar talent to have learned his trade at Pick View. Cogburn (Not This Time) was a successful pinhook for Clarmont Bloodstock Club ($52,000 KeeNov weanling to $310,000 Fasig July yearling) only to be returned with an eye issue. Josh Stevens, who works with Clarmont, sent the horse to Pickerrell but he still made no more than $150,000 after clocking 20:3/5 at OBS Spring. “Fastest colt in the sale, and now the fastest horse in the world!” says Pickerrell with a smile. “Actually I found some videos the other day, from when I was breaking him, and he was always an amazing looking horse. Josh has bought a couple of good ones off us, and he's a good judge. These things all come full circle. At the end of the day, you need results. If good horses keep coming out of your barn, year after year, I think eventually people start taking your word a little more. I begged everybody that had a checkbook to buy Gaming. Nobody but Donato was strong enough [to beat the reserve]. Looks quite a bargain now.” Cogburn | Sarah Andrew From the same crop as Cogburn, moreover, emerged another terrific sprinter in Skelly (Practical Joke). The $350,000 Saratoga yearling failed to meet his reserve, having come up with a minor X-ray issue, but has since stood up to a 10-for-18 career and banked $1.75 million. “He was another fast breezer but we couldn't get him sold,” PIckerrell says. “So he's actually still owned by the same guys that bought him as a yearling, Frank Alosa and his crew [Chris Hicks of Red Lane Thoroughbreds]. And now he'll probably go and make some noise at the Breeders' Cup, too.” Like Skelly, Gulfport (Uncle Mo) went from Pick View to Steve Asmussen–for whom he became one of the best juveniles of his crop. “He came through the program, though was actually sold privately off the farm,” Pickerrell explains. “But he was showing all the signs that he was going to breeze lights out. Steve has really helped us along, in terms of letting some of our kids shine on the racetrack. We owe him a lot.” But the Pickerrells themselves plainly deserve much credit, too, so many alert runners having graduated from their academy in barely a dozen years. Nor has all this happened by accident, both having put in long apprenticeships to get here. Courtney actually had a barrel racing background, while Joe's family raced “a lot of cheap claiming horses at the smaller tracks” round Ohio. They met at college in Florida, after which Joe learned the ropes with some of the best programs in the neighborhood, including Courtlandt and Mayberry. “Eventually I ended up getting an opportunity to break some horses on my own,” Pickerrell recalls. “We started off small, and had a little luck our first year. Actually, the first we sold for a nice price [$220,000 OBS Spring 2012] was to Three Amigos. So it's all come full circle.” Literally so, in fact, with the horse in question–Doctor Dempsey (Harlan's Holiday)–having returned to the farm on retirement. “He won some races and then ended up workmate for Hoppertunity,” Pickerrell explains. “A couple of nieces and nephews rode him until they went off to college, and now he's in about his fifth career. He's a pretty amazing horse, has done a lot of cool stuff: barrel racing, jumping, showing. He helped buy us our first farm, so we made sure he got a good landing at the end of it.” Pickerrell marvels at how Cortney transferred her skills from a different discipline to the Thoroughbred. “She's a very talented horse person,” he emphasizes. “Obviously racehorses weren't in her blood, but she took to it like a duck to water. I mean, you see her work the sales and you'll hear it from a lot of people: she's just a natural.” Nowadays, of course, the 2-year-old market depends pretty inflexibly on the stopwatch–but Pickerrell is not one of those consignors who resent that reality. “I mean, there's arguments for, against, whatever,” he says. “But there's a reason we clock these horses. Continuously, these fast horses are winning important races. And, last time I checked, horse racing is a competition–and the fastest horse wins. “If it stops being a competition, okay, then I'd agree changes could be made that better suit the marketability of some horses. But if I were buying a bunch of 2-year-olds at a sale, I'd want to put on the clock. Because a lot of the graded stakes horses that came out of our program were fast breezers. And there's not very many fast breezers that came out of our program that do not become good racehorses.” Joe Pickerrell | Photos by Z Nonetheless this is not a game for the fainthearted. If you're left holding the baby, you have few salvage options beyond racing a horse yourself. “So even the day you buy them, you're already thinking about which sale you'll be aiming at,” Pickerrell says. “You might even have an idea of who could buy them. The most important day, in the whole time you have a horse, is the day you buy them. That's when you make your money–if you can find the right horse at the right price. But it's tough, because we have champagne taste on a beer budget. You're trying to hit a small target at a high speed. And if you miss, it's a lonely place.” The whole process demands resilience of a young horse, and duly a shrewd assessment of temperament through a fleeting window at the yearling sales. “Yeah, that's very important,” Pickerrell says. “They've got to have a good mind. But if you're listening, they will talk to you. They'll tell you a lot of things you need to know. You only have a minute or two and, oftentimes, if the horse doesn't have the physical qualities that meet our protocol, you'll probably pass on pretty quickly. But if they do, then you spend a little bit more time, try to get a bit of a gauge on them. Put your hands on, just get a feel for what the horse is. “And we're lucky enough to get advice from guys that have been doing it a long time, including some mentors of ours, besides being friendly with a lot of the consignors, the show people, the guys in the barns. You have to ask questions. There's a lot of information available if you just ask the right ones. Same as we recommend people buying horses from us to ask questions. Sometimes they do, but often they don't.” Ultimately, no less than anyone else in the business, you can only put yourself in a position to let luck find you. But you will need that luck. “That's right,” Pickerrell says. “That's the beauty about this game. There are twists and turns to every story. A lot of very successful folks started out with a little bit of nothing. We certainly started out with very little, and it's still a lot of work. But we've a lot to be thankful for, a lot going on. It's been a journey, but we're still just getting rolling.” The post Gaming Shows Benefit Of A Positive View appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article