Wandering Eyes

Arqana has moved to allay concerns ahead of its Breeding Stock Sale following a reported outbreak of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1) in two sport horses near Paris. A statement released by the sales company on Tuesday read, “With just a few days to go before the Vente d'Elevage, Arqana has sent all vendors a specific equine health protocol to follow as a result of a call for vigilance by the RESPE (equine infectious disease surveillance) after two cases of EHV-1 were reported in mid-November in sport horses located in the Paris region. “To date, the crisis unit in place has not reported any significant change in the number of positive cases. Furthermore, no cases have been recorded among racehorses or bloodstock. However, Arqana has decided to be proactive and, in conjunction with France Galop, has put in place measures to ensure the health of the lots offered for sale. All horses will have been tested before arriving at the Deauville establishment and regular temperature readings will be taken (before and during the sale) to prevent any potential cases. The veterinary resources deployed by Arqana have been reinforced to ensure the best possible monitoring of the health of the horses at the Deauville sales.” The Arqana Breeding Stock Sale begins its four-day run on Saturday, December 7. The post Arqana Advisory on EHV-1 Outbreak in Paris appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

When her many friends think of Ramona Bass, the first thing they picture is a smile as wide as all outdoors. And if you're used to the wide skies of South Texas, that is saying plenty. No country for old men, they call it, but from girlhood onward it has suited Bass just fine-and her own border story has instead been one that savors All The Pretty Horses. Its latest chapter concerns her “beautiful boy” Annapolis, who entered her life as the bonus in the package with the $4 million purchase of My Miss Sophia (Unbridled's Song) at the 2018 Keeneland November Sale. The GI Kentucky Oaks runner-up was then pregnant by Bass's favorite stallion, War Front, and from the moment their son stood up from the foaling straw it was clear that the mare was going to pay her way. “Oh my gosh, he was a spectacular foal,” Bass recalls. “Really something from day one. The mare was a huge stretch, quite terrifying actually. But when Steve [Young, agent] showed her to me, she was such a queen. And then Seth [Hancock] told me, 'You buy that mare.' So we did!” Sent to his dam's trainer Todd Pletcher, Annapolis was an unbeaten graded stakes winner at two, and as a sophomore beat his seniors in the GI Coolmore Turf Mile (stakes record). But his pedigree certainly entitled him to try the main track-My Miss Sophia is a half-sister to a GI Florida Derby winner, from a family strewn with elite dirt performers-and that was very much the intention when Annapolis was derailed by injury in January. Suddenly he was on his way to Claiborne, with barely any time to retrieve the head start enjoyed by all the other new sires. “It wasn't the best of timing,” Bass acknowledges. “But we all went to work, bought him some nice mares and started politicking. Of course, I wasn't very quiet about him. I was pushing a little. Well, maybe a lot! Only for the Fort Worth Zoo, which has been my life's work for 40 years, do I otherwise act this way. I hope people don't start running the other way when they see me!” To do so, however, would be to reverse every instinct for enjoyment-and, as it turned out, Annapolis himself was all the salesman needed. “A lot of people got very excited very quickly,” Bass says. “He's a big, strong horse with a lot of bone, and wonderful balance and disposition. He's just gorgeous, really. And of course he's so beautifully bred. I was really thrilled with the interest. He ended up with 149 mares, which is what I consider a full book.” After that remarkable response, against the clock, Annapolis is now recruiting his second book. And what makes the momentum behind him so fulfilling is that a Claiborne stallion brings his owner right back to the future. To understand that, however, we must return to what was once called the Wild Horse Desert. “But we do have shade,” Bass protests, when you suggest that six generations on a cattle ranch-founded in the era of border bandits, tribal raiders and Texas Rangers-give her family history the widest of those wide horizons. “We have trees! South Texas is actually very pretty. We have beautiful wildflowers, when it rains. And, yes, trees: gorgeous live oaks, and mesquites, and many others.” A friend from New York, though pleasantly surprised not to find herself in a literal desert, was told she couldn't leave early on a Sunday because everybody would be out with the quail hunt. Like, everybody. Not to worry, she replied, she would just get a cab. Bass raises an expressive eyebrow. “Okay, girl, you find a cab out here.” So it's trees, yes; taxis, no. And the women go shooting same as everyone else. “All of us grew up with wildlife, cattle, hunting,” Bass says. “Even if people weren't ever on a ranch, that's all part of the Texas character. Texans are very proud of their heritage, and still think of themselves as independent, loyal, and probably pretty outspoken. We were a republic for nine years, and no-one ever forgets that. And that country stayed wild a long time. We were still getting bandits down there in the 1900s. I have a photo of my great uncle at the ranch with Pancho Villa.” But the Lonesome Dove heritage-and Bass remembers devouring that epic in three days straight, pregnant on the porch, resting the book on her bump as though to inculcate border lore into the next generation while yet unborn-in her family's case dovetailed usefully with another trademark Texas saga, the kind chronicled in Giant. For it was oil that enabled her father, Arthur A. Seeligson Jr., to fund the love of racehorses he shared with his daughter. “My husband Lee calls horses 'Ramona's affliction,'” says Bass. “In my case, it's an inherited condition. It was not so, for my father. My grandparents were rather serious, and very perplexed by horseracing and gambling. But one summer [ranching neighbor] Bob Kleberg-whose granddaughters are some of my dearest friends-took my father to Saratoga for a visit, and the rest is history. “Dad took a share in Graustark, and bought Brown Berry who became our blue hen. It turned out to be quite the nick. From their matings we had major stakes winners not only in America but Europe as well. It was the best of times. Dad loved horses, and so did I. I'd always go to the track with him when no-one else would. Growing up, every August the whole family would leave Texas lock, stock and barrel, to be in La Jolla for Del Mar. Every year of my life. I have pictures in the winner's circle when I was probably three years old.” It wasn't just about the sire, naturally, and Bass stresses equal gratitude to the dam. (“Thank goodness,” she says, “for my beautiful, talented, organized and always loving mother, who kept the whole family in order-and still does!”) But when Bass referred to Texans as “pretty outspoken,” her father was no exception. “He was a character,” she says. “But outspoken in a gentlemanly kind of way. When we say 'character,' it's a positive. It means a person stands out and isn't afraid to be different or unique. And he was always very funny. I miss him a lot. I was so lucky because Dad always told me I could do anything I set my mind to. And I believed him.” One of the most fortunate introductions made in those years was to Claiborne, where Seeligson stood Brown Berry's best son. Bass alleges that she was already 20 when Avatar won the 1975 Belmont Stakes, a claim that shakes either her own credibility or that of one's math teacher. Regardless, it's a memory that keeps her young. “He had run second to Foolish Pleasure in the Derby, and probably would have won but for an incident with a horse called Diablo, appropriately named Devil!” Bass recalls. “So Avatar should have been one of the favorites for the Belmont, but wasn't.” She breaks into that smile again. “I tell you, they didn't exaggerate too much, in the Seabiscuit film, about how the East Coast looked at West Coast horses! Tommy Doyle worked him a mile and a half the Wednesday before the race. Do that today, they'd say you were crazy. But those horses were warriors.” Poignantly, Bass recalls that there was a proposal for the three Classic winners to square off in a decider. Her father rejected the idea, as not suiting Avatar, and the match instead devised for Foolish Pleasure ended in the indelible tragedy of Ruffian. Overall, however, to the young Bass that era ignited an undying passion. While her parents raced all over, “our horses were based in Southern California and we were there a lot, which certainly didn't hurt my feelings!” And actually Brown Berry had already produced a Derby favorite in Unconscious, albeit that ended in anti-climax (fifth and injured). “Apparently Unconscious was named for a gambling term,” Bass explains. “If you're gambling unconscious, you can't lose. Personally I think owning these horses is gamble enough. But all month in La Jolla, Dad and his friends would sit on the beach playing backgammon and then go to Del Mar in the afternoon.” Now, nearly half a century later, Bass has a stallion at Claiborne herself. Annapolis looks excitingly qualified to contest the same vacancy among turf stallions, following the loss of English Channel and Kitten's Joy, that has catapulted Oscar Performance to stardom-with the bonus of those stellar dirt names in his pedigree. “People see Annapolis as real value,” Bass says proudly. “He's not a $12,500 horse, but we decided to start there because he didn't come in before January. Really, if you look around, he's probably more like a $20,000-$25,000 horse.” So now Bass can joke about herself as an “inherited affliction” for Claiborne, and likewise for Richard Mandella, who trains most of her horses just as he previously trained for her father. Above all, the “affliction” has joyously infected her son Perry. “So our relationship is the same as I had with my father,” Bass says. “It was actually Dad who started taking Perry to Del Mar when he was four. He'd feed him chocolate sundaes all day to keep him quiet. So when he got home, it was just a sugar-high nightmare. But Perry became as obsessed as I am, which is lovely for me. Thankfully he does all the things I don't like, i.e. keeping the books! I just love being with the horses, picking them out at sales and planning matings together. We're a breed-to-race outfit, after all, but we do sell when necessary. Anyway, it's such fun for Perry and me to have this together. My girls aren't a bit interested-and my husband just thinks we're crazy.” In every other way, happily, Lee has proved a blessed match. “We came from the same world, our families had been friends for generations, and he was at Yale with my brother-but we just kept missing each other,” Bass says. “And thank goodness, because I was the sit-in-the-front kind of student, raising my hand all the time, trying to be good. I think Lee had a little more fun than I did. But we ended up meeting at a good age, I was 27, and so often in life timing is everything. And he has really been such a good sport about all this.” How could he not, when confronted daily by that smile? For others, certainly, her enthusiasm is contagious-not least the breeders lining up for Annapolis. “I've never had a stallion before, so this is all new to me,” Bass says. “But it's great to bring things full circle with Claiborne. He looks a man now. Coming off the track, he still looked a boy. But his lovely personality hasn't changed. He's a fun character. Sleeps all day, and a real baby about his peppermints. His man Rodeo has cared for a lot of stallions, over the years, and says Annapolis is the easiest he's ever been around. He just walks up, does his duty, turns around and walks back. No scene, no yelling, no bucking or kicking. Of course I'm prejudiced, but he's just a special horse.” My Miss Sophia has lately been “married” to Gun Runner with such persuasive results-Don Robinson is breaking a yearling filly, with a weanling colt next-that she's back in foal to the Three Chimneys champion. And very soon we'll start finding out whether Annapolis can extend her dynasty. For now, Bass is just glad to see him given every chance. “We're so grateful to our wonderful and loyal friends, who were first in to support us,” she says. “And to those shareholders and breeders who stepped right up. I do believe in him-and thankfully I'm not alone.” The post Annapolis Helping Bass Hit the High Notes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) confirmed on Tuesday that the appointment of a new chief executive officer will be announced in the new year to allow the newly appointed BHA chair, Lord Allen of Kensington, to play a role in the recruitment process. Upon the completion of Julie Harrington's term on Tuesday, December 31, the BHA's current chief regulatory officer Brant Dunshea will take on the role of acting CEO while the recruitment process is finalised. Dunshea joined the BHA in March 2015. He was promoted to the role of director of integrity and regulatory operations in September 2016 and then chief regulatory officer in April 2018. The post Appointment of New BHA Chief Executive On Hold Until 2025 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

One-time Melbourne Cup fancy Mark Twain (NZ) (Shocking) is nearing the end of his rehabilitation from a tendon injury as connections plan for another Cup tilt in 2025. OTI Racing director Terry Henderson said this week the rehabilitation program other stable runners have undergone for similar tendon injuries has a comeback strike-rate of about 70 per cent, so hopes are high Mark Twain can also make it back to the track. “He’s close to the end of his rehabilitation with Matty Williams and he looks good as he finishes off,” Henderson said. “What happens now is that he will have six weeks in the paddock and then Matty will give him four or five weeks’ work before he goes back to (trainer) Roger (James). “So it’ll be about three months before he gets back to Roger and that will allow him a good, slow build-up to the spring. “The (rehabilitation) process has worked well. We’ve had a number of horses go through it including last Saturday’s winner Karburan and we are running at about 70 per cent (success rate). “If you can get them back for four or five runs, we call it a success, so fingers crossed.” It should be a much earlier return to the track for Mark Twain’s three-quarter brother Samuel Langhorne (NZ) (Shocking), who is expected to run at Ballarat on Saturday. Also a stayer on the rise, Samuel Langhorne has not raced since he finished sixth in the Listed Andrew Ramsden (2800m) at Flemington in May. View the full article

Australian-based jockey returns to Happy Valley contest on a high after first-leg success last year.View the full article

His Highness the Aga Khan has been acknowledged for his significant involvement in racing and breeding in being given the Contribution to the Industry Award at the annual Horse Racing Ireland Awards on Monday evening. “With these awards, we celebrate something more profound than achievements and investments,” said HRI Chairman Nicky Hartery. “His Highness the Aga Khan is not just a valued partner of the Irish racing community; he is one of us. We feel that he is part of the very fabric of our industry, and we have claimed him as one of our own. “We are forever grateful for all His Highness has done for Irish horse racing. His vision, dedication, and generosity has enriched our sport and strengthened our community in ways that will endure for generations.” Aidan O'Brien was the recipient of the Flat Award after a season which saw him crowned champion trainer in both Ireland and Britain, with his National Hunt counterpart Willie Mullins also achieving that same notable double. Mullins was duly given the National Hunt Award. The Flat Achievement Award went the way of Gerry Keane, who was represented by Royal Ascot winner Crystal Black (Ire), ridden by the trainer's son, champion jockey Colin Keane, during a memorable season. Champion apprentice James Ryan received the Emerging Talent Award. Suzanne Eade, chief executive of HRI, said, “It was an honour to celebrate Irish racing and breeding this evening and give due recognition to those who make our industry the incredible success it is. We owe His Highness the Aga Khan so much and I hope that tonight's recognition goes some way towards acknowledging his immense contribution, wonderful generosity and an unwavering support of our industry.” The 22nd Horse Racing Ireland Award Winners: Contribution to the Industry: His Highness the Aga Khan Horse of the Year: Galopin Des Champs Emerging Talent Award: James Ryan National Hunt Award: Willie Mullins National Hunt Achievement Award: Tom Gibney Point-to-Point Award: David Christie Flat Award: Aidan O'Brien Flat Achievement Award: Gerry Keane Racecourse of the Year: Fairyhouse Ride of the Year Award: JJ Slevin The post ‘One Of Us’: HH Aga Khan Honoured at HRI Awards appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Hong Kong Derby hopeful will head to the city circuit for the first time on Wednesday.View the full article

Jaylah Kennedy guides Hard To Cross home to win at Sandown. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli Racing Victoria (RV) Stewards have handed down a 12-month racing ban to Hard To Cross, a horse trained by Patrick Payne, following the detection of prohibited substances, including anabolic steroids, in post-race samples. The ban prohibits the horse from competing until May 25, 2025, contingent upon the submission of a clearance certificate confirming compliance. The investigation was initiated after samples were collected from Hard To Cross following its victories in two races at Sportsbet Sandown Hillside: the Tobin Brothers Celebrating Lives Handicap on May 15, 2024, and the Tile Importer Handicap on May 25, 2024. Subsequent testing revealed the presence of Formestane and its metabolites, 4-Hydroxytestosterone and 6a-Hydroxyandrost-4-Ene-3, 17-Dione, substances classified as anabolic steroids under the Australian Rules of Racing. Stewards notified Patrick Payne of the irregularities on June 25 and July 5, 2024, before confirmatory results were received. Following this, RV Stewards requested submissions from Payne and the managing owner concerning AR 248(4), which mandates a minimum 12-month ban for horses found with anabolic androgenic steroids in their systems. This rule also requires a clearance certificate before the horse can return to competition. After consulting with legal counsel and stakeholders, the Stewards enforced AR 248(4), disqualifying Hard To Cross until the stipulated conditions are met. While the immediate decision pertains to the ban, the broader circumstances surrounding the positive tests remain under investigation. Horse racing news View the full article

Speedster misses Tuesday morning work as he continues to battle a fever ahead of his clash with local star Ka Ying Rising.View the full article

French rider will aim to be the first female to win at Sha Tin’s marquee meeting when she partners Iresine in the Group One Hong Kong Vase (2,400m) on Sunday.View the full article

Luke Oliver after Spanish Tides won the Mia Kleer Hand Sanitiser Handicap at Moonee Valley Racecourse on July 30, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Reg Ryan/Racing Photos) Racing Victoria (RV) Stewards have charged trainer Luke Oliver following an inquiry into a prohibited substance detected in a post-race sample from the horse Justdoit. This is the second tribunal hearing Luke Oliver has been involved in, with the first being with Hey Bella back in April 12. The allegations relate to a breach of the Australian Rules of Racing (AR) involving the administration of banned substances. The charge stems from Justdoit’s participation in Race 3 at the Donate to RDA Australia event at Flemington Racecourse on August 3, 2024. The horse claimed victory in the event, but subsequent urine samples revealed the presence of methamphetamine, a stimulant listed under Division 1 of Part 2 of Schedule 1 (Prohibited List B) in the Rules of Racing. The positive result was confirmed by Racing Analytical Services Limited and the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory. Methamphetamine is strictly prohibited in racing as it has no therapeutic value and contravenes AR 240(2), which holds trainers accountable for ensuring their horses are free from prohibited substances during competition. RV Stewards emphasised that trainers are responsible for safeguarding their horses from exposure to substances outlined in Prohibited List A or B. This responsibility includes maintaining strict controls to avoid accidental contamination or intentional administration. The case has been referred to the Victorian Racing Tribunal (VRT), with a hearing date yet to be determined. If found guilty, Oliver could face penalties, including fines or suspension. Horse racing news View the full article

By Adam Hamilton Friday night has all the hallmarks of the Grand Final for freakish filly Keayang Zahara. On face value, most expect the three-year-old to just turn up in the $200,000 Garrards NZ Trotting Derby at Addington, and win again. But driver Jason Lee sees it a little differently. “We think it’s her biggest test for a few reasons,” he said. “It’s as strong a field as she’s met, it should be a real staying test and it’s at the end of a long first (racing) campaign for her. “All the signs say she’s thrived over here and is as good as ever, but you’re still mindful how far she’s come in this campaign and that she had her first start back on April 3.” Lee and his mother, Marg, who trains the filly, decided to keep Keayang Zahara in Christchurch for Friday’s Derby after she cruised to her 13th win from as many starts – six of them at Group 1 level – in last Friday night’s NZ Trotting Oaks. “She gave us no reason not to, it’s that simple,” Jason Lee said. “We’re here, it’s worth good money and it only meant staying another week. When she came through the Oaks so well, we had to give it a go.” Significantly, Lee scrapped plans to drive in the second round of Inter Dominion heats at Bathurst on Wednesday night to stay with Keayang Zahara. “It’s more for my headspace, just to know and see we’ve done everything to have her as well as we can for this week’s race,” he said. “Don’t get me wrong, Antti (Ruokonen, travelling foreman) knows her as well as I do and would’ve managed without me, but we do this as a really important race and her biggest test so far. “I haven’t really felt much pressure so far with her, maybe a bit in the slot race (The Ascent) because it was worth so much and her first run over here (NZ), but I’m feeling a bit going into this week. “We know the unbeaten streak will end at some stage, but it would be really nice to get through this campaign with it intact, so it all comes down to the Derby and we know it’ll be another test.” While Lee asked Keayang Zahara to show gate speed for the first time in her career last week and she responded to work to the front, his gut feel is to be more conservative in the Derby. “I’m thinking I’ve got to be more patient in a longer race this week,” he said. “Let her find her feet and settle in the first lap or so. “The instinct is to back her speed, to drive her with a sit, but when you’re in a big field of young trotters, you’ve also got to be mindful that some can gallop. “Ideally, I’ll be able to settle not far off them, the pace will be good and we save her for that sprint of hers, but I also know I’ll have to keep an open mind and drive to how the race is run.” Beyond the Derby, Keayang Zahara returns home for a spell at the Lee clan’s Ecklin South property about three hours south-east of Melbourne. “We’ve got a blank canvas. We haven’t even thought about what happens after the spell or how long she has out,” Lee said. “There’s no shortage of options, but we’ll sit down with all the family members involved in her and talk it through. “We’re certainly mindful of how far she’s come and what a big first campaign it’s been.” It’s sounding like a return to the NZ for the TAB Trot at Cambridge in April is unlikely. View the full article

This Friday’s $300,000 Garrards New Zealand Pacing Derby at Addington has attracted a quality field including the likes of Better Knuckle Up, Jeremiah, Chase A Dream and last start winners Renegade and Bazooka. Half a century ago it was a very different Derby – essentially a one horse race dominated by one of the greats. The NZ Derby 50 Years ago – Noodlum Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Health wise he was not 100 per cent but Noodlum still outclassed his opponents at the New Zealand Derby on November 23, 1974. Recognised as one of the best pacers of his era, Noodlum sprung a curb in the lead up to the big race 50 years ago. Reports at the time said : “all Noodlum’s troubles originate from the fact that the great drive possessed in his beautiful pacing action caused strain on his stifles and when soreness occurred in these ligaments it placed greater pressure on the lower areas of his hind legs eventually resulting in injuries.” Noodlum still had little trouble in winning the Derby, being hard held all the way in front for trainer-driver and part owner Freeman Holmes and covering his last 800 metres in 57.8 to make it 15 wins in a row. At the time it was his 20th win in 23 lifetime starts. Commissioner tracked Noodlum all the way and held second easily by a length and a quarter from the maiden In Or Out, who finished stoutly for third. Steven Stock battled on for fourth two and a half lengths back with a similar margin to Chief Eagle. “I just turned the whip round in my hand in the straight to get a better grip. He was pulling so hard,” Freeman said post race. Noodlum’s time for the 2600 metres was an unremarkable 3:27. To provide context Koarakau in 1973 and Main Adios in 1975 were both markedly quicker (3:23). Such was Noodlum’s impact that at one stage an Australian based syndicate offered $180,000 for the star pacer. It was an incredible money at the time but turned down by owners Ann Wilson and Holmes. Holmes’s uncle, the great Maurice “The Maestro” Holmes drove Noodlum on seven occasions. He was impressed enough to say “he’s the greatest juvenile pacer I’ve ever sat behind.” It’s part of harness racing folklore that Noodlum was “Muldoon” spelt backwards. A year after Noodlum’s Derby win Robert Muldoon, the then National Party leader, would become Prime Minister. Noodlum retired from racing with 28 wins from 42 starts and went on to be a champion sire. Aged 18 he died after serving a mare. View the full article

By Mike Love Local trainer Steve Harding recorded his biggest win when Audacity took out the Cabins 2U Akaroa Cup at Motukarara on Saturday. And he didn’t have to go far for the win – he lives just down the road at McQueens Valley. “It was very impressive,” he said of Audacity’s performance, “it’s only just sinking in really.” Audacity made a good beginning from the unruly 10 metre mark with driver Ross Cameron. They worked into the three wide line from the 2000m, improving gradually to mid-field. Cameron then went straight to the lead at the 900m where they stayed and booted away, holding off the only danger in Xlendi to win by three quarters of a length, sizzling home in 55.8 seconds for the final 800m. “Ross (Cameron) said he was going to drive him like the best horse in the race. He’s done a very good job. That was Ross’ first cup win as well.” “The only question mark with him had just been his standing start manners. But he was so good on Saturday. He seems to have turned the corner since he’s had his break. He was a different horse the last two starts. He was just so relaxed in the box where normally he’d been on edge and won’t stand still.” It was Audacity’s fourth win from 12 starts. A full time electrician and hobby trainer it was Harding’s fourth win of the season making it his most successful so far. “The plan now is probably Rangiora and stick to the country cups. Then he will probably have a bit of a freshen up and see what’s around in the new year.” Audacity was given to Harding by owner and breeder Graeme Trist to work up on the premise that he would be given a half share if he were to make it to the races. “I did a couple of horses for him a few years ago. He came back to me with the La Moocha breed. He said he had a few foals coming and whether I’d be interested in getting them up and going.” Audacity is out of In The Pocket mare La Moocha whose mother is former New Zealand Cup winner Kym’s Girl. “They’ve all been very head strong in their own different ways. Most people would have sacked Audacity in his younger days.” Trist also bred and part owned Manjimup who won six races. He too was trained by Harding and was out of La Moocha. “I’m pottering around with his younger half brother who is by Betterthancheddar. He’s a handful but has a lovely way of going.” View the full article

HRNZ : Foal update December 2024 Application forms to register this season’s foals were posted out recently to the person who according to our records is the first named owner or lessee of any mare with a 2023/2024 service record. If you have not received an application form and believe you should have, please contact this office. Remember the cost of registration is $195 per foal if application and payment is made by 1 April 2025. The form should be lodged and paid for by the due date even if you do not have all the required details. In this way breeders will avoid the imposition of late fees as outlined in the letter to breeders that accompanied the application form. Payment options for the fees appear in the letter. For more information : Foal Registration Phone: 03-964-1200 HRNZ Freephone: 0508-427-637 P O Box 459 Email: jfrench@hrnz.co.nz Christchurch 8140 View the full article

What Warwick Farm Races Where Warwick Farm Racecourse – 2 Hume Hwy, Warwick Farm NSW 2170 When Wednesday, December 4, 2024 First Race 2:55pm AEDT Visit Dabble Twilight racing returns to Warwick Farm Racecourse on Wednesday afternoon, with a quickfire six-part program set to get underway at 2:55pm local time. The track is rated a Soft 7 at the time acceptances, and with more scattered rainfall expected in the lead-up, punters can anticipate the course to remain in the Soft range prior to the opening event. The rail reverts to the true position the entire circuit. Check out our best bets and quaddie selections down below. Best Bet at Warwick Farm: Accredited Accredited was a good thing licked first-up at Canterbury on November 20, crowded for room at a crucial stage before powering home to miss by a nose. The son of All Too Hard should appreciate stepping out to the 1200m this time around and returns to Warwick Farm, a course where two of his three career wins have come so far. Nash Rawiller will likely drag back to the rear from barrier nine, but with an element of class compared to his rivals, Accredited should have no issue justifying the short price with Neds. Best Bet Race 6 – #1 Accredited (9) 5yo Gelding | T: Joseph Pride | J: Nash Rawiller (59.5kg) +100 with Neds Next Best at Warwick Farm: Froebel Star Froebel Star returns after a 206-day spell and brings some strong form-lines to this BM72 contest. The daughter of Zousain broke her duck in a high-rating maiden at this course on April 1, beating home the likes of El Castello and Powers Of Opal, both of which have gone on to win and place in Group 1 company respectively. The 1000m first-up could be short of her best trip, but with her recent barrier trial at Hawkesbury suggesting she’s returning in supreme order, punters can expect a bold showing by this Ciaron Maher-trained filly. Next Best Race 3 – #6 Froebel Star (6) 3yo Filly | T: Ciaron Maher | J: Jason Collett (54.5kg) +450 with BlondeBet Best Value at Warwick Farm: Call Me Sassy The David Pfieffer-trained Call Me Sassy debuts on the back of an outstanding piece of work at this course on November 8 and represents good each-way value at the $16.00 with horse racing bookmakers. The Zoustar filly cruised to victory on that occasion and appeared to have plenty left in the tank as she cleared out to score by a length going away from her rivals. Jason Collett will be forced to snag back from barrier nine, but with plenty of speed engaged in this maiden contest, it should allow Call Me Sassy to get the last crack at her rivals. Best Value Race 1 – #10 Call Me Sassy (9) 3yo Filly | T: David Pfieffer | J: Jason Collett (55.5kg) +1500 with Picklebet Wednesday quaddie tips for Warwick Farm Warwick Farm quadrella selections December 4, 2024 1-4-6 1-2-3 1-4-5 1 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

After more than 60 years and a multitude of top-flight success in the role, the Dennis brothers have retired from training. The family’s successful journey began with small beginnings in 1960, when Tony Dennis and his twin brother Ray followed in the footsteps of their father Harold, who owned several racehorses at the time. Their younger brothers, Martin and Joe, joined the partnership soon after, and they have been based at Woodlands, near Invercargill, throughout the six-decade term. “Age is the primary reason (for retirement), but the guy who was working for us has gone to learn other things, he was from Ukraine and came to us from there,” Tony Dennis said. “Ray and I have been training for coming up 65 years, our father had been involved in racing and there was a couple of horses in the paddock that had been in work with another trainer, so we decided to have a go. Six weeks later, we had our first win and two seconds. “We’re farmers and it was sort of a hobby at the start, doing two or three horses. It got a bit bigger in the later years, we started racing more horses and employing staff, while carrying on with the farms. “One of the first horses we had was The Wanderer, he won 18 races.” The partnership’s final winner came on Melbourne Cup Day at Wingatui with The Cluster, one of three horses they have relocated to the Ascot Park stable of Tony’s son, Robert. The other pair include three-race winner The Hangover, and The Radiant One, winner of this year’s Listed Timaru Stakes (1400m). The Radiant One was among many Group and Listed winners to the brothers’ credit, with The Twinkle producing their elite-level crown in the 1981 running of the Penfold-Chardon Mile (now run as the Gr.1 TAB Mufhasa Classic). The Twinkle was one of three notable horses mentioned by Dennis, with 16-race winner The Dimple and The Fantasy, who was successful on eight occasions, also among their brightest. “Usually, it’s the horse that’s going well at the time,” he quipped. “But, to train a Group One winner was good, also the Group Twos and Threes. “When we first started, there was no Group or Listed races, just stakes races. We just raced horses in the race without targeting black-print races. “We’ve had horses like The Pearler, she won two or three Listed races as well.” Alongside their training accolades, the Dennis brothers have established one of New Zealand’s foremost thoroughbred families as breeders, featuring a number of horses carrying the prefix “The”, with several they retained to race with other trainers around the country. Among the family was 1993 Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) winner The Phantom Chance, star race mare The Jewel and more recently, The Chosen One, a Group One winner and Gr.1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) and Gr.1 Sydney Cup (3200m) placegetter who now stands at The Oaks Stud. Their achievements across both sectors were recognised at the 2015 Horse of the Year Awards, receiving the Outstanding Contribution to Racing Award. While their time training may have come to an end, Dennis indicated the brothers would continue breeding into the future, with a pair of horses set to go through the ring at the Karaka Yearling Sales in January. “We’ll continue to breed horses, it’s just the training we’ve given up,” he said. “We’ve bred a lot of horses and sold a lot of horses, quite a few Group One winners as well. I think it’s the good Southland grass, we make sure they’re well-fed. We’ve always had a tendency to go to proven sires, not every time, but typically we like to see their progeny racing first which helps. “On the breeding side, the best horse we’ve had would have to be The Phantom, who ran second in the Melbourne Cup and The Phantom Chance, he won a Cox Plate. The Jewel was another good horse we had and we also bred a VRC Oaks winner with Brian Anderton. “It was brilliant racing The Chosen One, but the two years of COVID were very unfortunate as we couldn’t go over to watch him in either of the Melbourne Cups or the Sydney Cup. But, to get a horse as good as him was amazing, and breeding-wise, he’d be the best we’ve bred. We’ve sent two or three mares to him so far, but we’ve got to be careful not to inbreed. “We’ll have two yearlings at the sales this year, a colt by Savabeel out of The Solitaire, who is a full-brother to The Perfect Pink, who won the 1000 Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m). The other is a filly by Proisir out of The Lustre, who finished third in the 1000 Guineas.” View the full article

Moira and Kieran Murdoch will head to Arawa Park on Wednesday with a quartet of runners including Divine Essence (NZ) (Iffraaj), who will aim for back-to-back successes at the venue in the Waitomo Fuels (1950m). The Iffraaj mare was successful a fortnight ago in Rating 65 grade over the same distance, an improvement in form that the Murdoch’s had hoped for. “It wasn’t so much of a surprise, more so that she got things her way in the running which she needs,” Kieran Murdoch said. “She lacks a bit of confidence in amongst horses, so we’re not upset about the wide barrier this time. We’re hoping for a repeat and Craig (Grylls, jockey) did a lovely job on her last time.” Divine Essence has drawn an outside barrier with Grylls retaining the ride, while stablemate Myla (NZ) (Swiss Ace) will line-up in the same race with some sharp recent form including a third placing in Rating 75 grade at Ellerslie behind Cannon Hill and Mars. “She (Myla) is a pretty versatile little mare, she doesn’t mind the distance or surface and she tries really hard,” Kieran Murdoch said. “Unfortunately, the programming meant that both girls landed in the same race which isn’t what we would prefer, and they are two very different horses, but hopefully they’ve both got a show. “Myla is a proper little racehorse.” In the MacMillan Accountants 1950, Loose Change (NZ) (The Bold One) will seek his elusive maiden success after finishing in the first five on 16 occasions. “We did want to get to the 2000, he’s taken 22 starts to win a race which has been a little bit of a surprise, but we’re never disappointed with him either,” Kieran Murdoch said. “While we’re fit and up and going, we thought we’d dabble in that next distance and hope that he likes it. He’s got lovely race manners, but he just seemed to either find one better, or a new desire in the running, like getting to the front too early which has been the case recently. “He’s a bit of a trick, but we do thoroughly enjoy having him.” The stable is looking forward to continuing the development of Charlemagne (NZ) (Tavistock) in the Campbell Infrastructure 1560, a half-brother to four-race winner C’est Moi. The four-year-old pleased his trainers on debut at Te Aroha, finishing fifth behind Sabik. “We were really happy with that run, he’s bred for double the ground and he’s going to be a nice stayer,” Kieran Murdoch said. “He goes like one and he thought they were pretty quick over the 1400, so the extra distance will only help. “We intend to keep going up the distances, we have the long-term goal in mind for him. “If he ran as well as he did over the 1400m and keep showing us that he wants more ground, we’ll be happy with that, he’s a really nice horse.” View the full article

Winterbottom Stakes Day at Ascot headlined the racing in Australia last Saturday, while Caulfield, Rosehill and Doomben held strong support cards throughout the day. With top-line racing starting to slow down in Victoria and New South Wales, the three runners that we have chosen for this week’s Follow Files were first- or second-up last weekend. You can add these runners to your blackbook with your chosen bookmaker and receive notifications when they are set to run again. Ascot Track rating: Good 4 Rail position: +7m entire circuit Race 7: Listed Jungle Dawn Classic (1400m) | Time: 1:22.75 Horse to follow: Bonjoy (3rd) Following her late scratching before the Listed Jungle Mist Classic, where she was heavily backed with horse racing bookmakers, the Jason Miller-trained Bonjoy returned for her first run of this preparation last weekend. The daughter of Maschino raced in her usual pattern, dropping out to the back of the field before weaving her way through traffic to run home strongly. Clint Johnston-Porter took a run along the inside rail, and it appeared as though they were going to challenge the leading duo, but Bonjoy peaked on her run and held on for third place. When to bet: After a decent first-up performance last campaign, this girl rattled off four straight wins over distances between 1500m and 1675m. The Listed Starstruck Classic (1600m) on December 14 looks like the perfect race for Bonjoy, who will appreciate a rise in trip second-up. https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Ascot-2024-Listed-Jungle-Dawn-Classic-30112024-The-Boss-Lady-Michael-Lane-Chris-Parnham.mp4 Race 9: RTG66+ Handicap (1400m) | Time: 1:23.51 Horse to follow: The Spruiker (2nd) The Spruiker was one of very few horses that ran on down the middle and made up a lot of ground against the on-speed bias of the Ascot track. The Steve Wolfe-trained gelding settled last and travelled sweetly for Shaun McGruddy before peeling out to be the widest runner down the home straight. With the winner and third horse gaining runs closer to the inside, this son of I’m All The Talk let down with a blistering turn of foot to finish third, beaten a length by Miss Skyhigh. When to bet: This setup for The Spruiker looks exactly the same as his last preparation, where he had two good runs over 1400m before stepping up to 1600m third-up to land the prize. If Wolfe can find a similar contest in the same grade over 1600m, The Spruiker can win next start. https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Ascot-Race-9-RTG66-Handicap-30112024-Miss-Skyhigh-Grant-Alana-Williams-William-Pike.mp4 Rosehill Track rating: Soft 7 Rail position: True entire circuit Race 10: Benchmark 78 Handicap (1100m) | Time: 1:05.04 Horse to follow: Jewellery (5th) Jewellery was one of the worst watches for her followers last Saturday, as the James Cummings-trained mare ran up behind runners for the majority of the Rosehill home straight. After jumping slowly, Adam Hyeronimus settled the daughter of Lonhro at the back of the field, and upon turning for home, he looked for gaps to appear between runners. One gap opened up but was quickly shut, and the pair were held up for another 100m before finally finding clear air when the race was all but over. When to bet: Although her second-up form isn’t great, it is easy to argue that Jewellery didn’t expend too much energy and should be cherry ripe for her next run. If Cummings can find another 1100m race on a firmer track, she will prove hard to beat. https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Rosehill-Race-10-BM78-Handicap-30112024-Eye-Of-The-Fire-Annabel-Neasham-Rob-Archibald-Jason-Collett.mp4 Top horse racing sites for blackbook features Horse racing tips View the full article

What Caulfield Heath Races Where Caulfield Racecourse – Gate 2, Station St, Caulfield East VIC 3145 When Wednesday, December 4, 2024 First Race 3:40pm AEDT Visit Dabble The Caulfield Heath track is in action for the third time in 14 days, with eight midweek metropolitan races set down for decision. Up to 15mm of rain is forecast on Tuesday, so the Soft 5 rating at the time of acceptances will likely be downgraded to around a Soft 7 come race one. The rail comes out 4m for the entire circuit, with racing at Caulfield set to commence at 3:40pm AEDT. Best Bet at Caulfield Heath: Samangu Samangu was a smart first-up winner at Ballarat on October 24, quickening nicely to score by two lengths. The four-year-old was fresh from a 77-week layoff, so she will only improve on what she did that day. Jordan Childs will likely land the Written By mare in a similar position, and if she offers the same kick as she did at Ballarat, Samangu will be hard to catch. Best Bet Race 4 – #4 Samangu (10) 4yo Mare | T: Grahame Begg | J: Jordan Childs (59.5kg) +110 with Neds Next Best at Caulfield Heath: Cyclone Harmony Cyclone Harmony was a dominant 3.8-length winner at Moe on November 21, making it two wins from his last three starts. With Tianni Chapman on board claiming 3kg, the five-year-old gelding is likely to settle up on speed from barrier six in this 1800m BM64 affair. Cyclone Harmony looks to have a bit of a class and fitness edge on her rivals. Next Best Race 7 – #2 Cyclone Harmony (6) 5yo Gelding | T: Peter Gelagotis | J: Tianni Chapman (a3) (61.5kg) +450 with BlondeBet Best Value at Caulfield Heath: Kind Gesture Kind Gesture put in a shocker last time out at Caulfield in a tougher race than this, but her run prior at Moonee Valley showed signs that she still has what it takes. The six-year-old mare is a natural backmarker, so the small field of seven should mean she is within striking range throughout. Horse racing bookmakers are giving us a decent price to find out if Kind Gesture can bounce back. Best Value Race 2 – #1 Kind Gesture (7) 6yo Mare | T: Michael Kent | J: Craig Williams (59kg) +800 with Picklebet Wednesday quaddie tips for Caulfield Heath Caulfield Heath quadrella selections Wednesday, December 4, 2024 1-2-3-4-5-6-7 1-2-3-4-7-8 2-3-10 4-9-10-11-12-14 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Kiwi trainer reveals his extraordinary journey to breeding red-hot Hong Kong Sprint favourite.View the full article

Hunter Durrant (left) has been promoted to Te Akau Racing’s assistant trainer. Photo: Race Images South Hunter Durrant has been rewarded for his commitment to leading Te Akau Racing’s Riccarton barn with promotion to assistant trainer for the trans-Tasman operation. Te Akau principal David Ellis was impressed with Durrant’s dedication and success as foreman for their Riccarton stable last season, with their southern base contributing 63 wins to Te Akau trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson’s national premiership-winning 169-win season tally, and Ellis felt it was fitting to reward Durrant with a promotion. “Hunter looked after everything when we started a permanent base of stables last season at Riccarton, and he continues to do a fantastic job,” Ellis said. “Much like Nicole Shailer, our assistant trainer in the stables at Matamata, and Ben Gleeson, our assistant trainer at Cranbourne in Melbourne, Hunter is the eyes and ears for Mark and Sam when it comes to how the horses and staff are performing, and the training regimes are worked out through the upkeep of data and communications. “We love supporting South Island racing and first had stables in 2002 at Rangiora, which helped Mark (Walker) to win five premierships before he left to set up stables for us in 2011 in Singapore. “It was timely to set up permanently again there last season, with the stables at Riccarton, and Hunter has been instrumental in the success. “He’s a level-headed young man, a really good horseman, doesn’t get flustered, and has a great personality to get on with our owners and staff. “We feel very fortunate to have Hunter in our team and elevating him to assistant trainer is the right thing to do because he deserves that sort of reward for all his hard work.” Horse racing news View the full article

Future History. (Photo by Brett Holburt/Racing Photos) Ciaron Maher is aiming for his first Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) victory on Saturday with the in-form Future History. A Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) runner last spring, Future History has shown his best form this spring over shorter distances. After being narrowly beaten in the Group 3 Naturalism Stakes (2000m), he claimed victory in the Group 3 JRA Cup (2000m) and most recently finished a courageous fourth in last month’s Group 1 Champions Stakes (2000m) behind Via Sistina. It was that performance in the Champions Stakes that gives Maher confidence that the seven-year-old is the right horse to land the Ballarat feature. “He ran a personal best last start and he trialled really well,” Maher told Racing.com. “He’s been in consistent form all prep and probably that was a peak run last start. It was a little bit of a throw at the stumps, and he came up very well.” Maher now views the 2000-metre distance as a more suitable range for Future History than the longer distances he had previously contested, as evidenced by his 13th in the Group 1 Metropolitan (2400m) in October, which remains his only finish outside the top four this campaign. Horse racing news View the full article

Lady Laguna. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Group 1-winning mare Lady Laguna will not contest Saturday week’s The Gold Rush (1400m) at Ascot following her sixth-place finish in the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) last Saturday. The $1.5 million feature had been the goal for the Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald-trained five-year-old, but connections have opted to end her campaign after her disappointing performance. “Lady Laguna has pulled up well from her run in the Winterbottom Stakes and will now head home to Sydney,” a statement from the mare’s owners, OTI Racing, said. “She will have a well-deserved break before embarking on an autumn campaign, where we look forward to seeing her back in her favoured right-hand direction.” A winner of the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) at Randwick in March, Lady Laguna had been a popular $4.50 chance in early markets with Neds for The Gold Rush. Horse racing news View the full article

Golden Mile winning the 2022 Caulfield Guineas. (Photo by Reg Ryan/Racing Photos) Just days before last year’s Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) winner Griff is set to be offered on Inglis Digital, the 2022 winner of the same race is preparing to resume his racing career. It has been announced that Golden Mile, the 2022 Caulfield Guineas champion, has been gelded and will return to training under James Cummings. “After missing much of the breeding season due to injury, Golden Mile will return to training as a gelding with Godolphin under head trainer James Cummings,” Godolphin stated in a social media announcement on Monday. Golden Mile was initially retired after finishing third in May’s Group 2 Victory Stakes (1200m), which was won by Antino. He had been scheduled to stand at Darley’s Victorian stud for a fee of $16,500, but injury derailed those plans. Now a five-year-old, Golden Mile was the first Group 1 winner for Astern, who also stands at Darley. Golden Mile’s career highlights include his victory in the Caulfield Guineas as the favourite, along with wins in the Group 2 Callander-Presnell (1600m) and Group 2 Theo Marks Quality (1300m). Golden Mile’s situation is reminiscent of Godolphin’s Kementari, who also returned to training after fertility issues. The 2018 Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) winner added four more wins to his record upon returning, including the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m). Horse racing news View the full article